Debbie's Heart Valve Journal

Louanna Miller  So sorry to hear. I had several steps backwards before I was discharged, hence my 11 day stay following surgery. I, too, had a left thorasentesis before I ... Read more

Louanna Miller  So sorry to hear. I had several steps backwards before I was discharged, hence my 11 day stay following surgery. I, too, had a left thorasentesis before I was discharged. I agree with you about how much better I felt after this procedure. Take care of you and be gentle with yourself.

Debbie Kelly  Oh, Debbie, I am just seeing your post. I am so sorry you have had this setback. My mother had the same procedure about a week after valve replacement.
I pray ... Read more

Debbie Kelly  Oh, Debbie, I am just seeing your post. I am so sorry you have had this setback. My mother had the same procedure about a week after valve replacement.
I pray that tomorrow will be a much better day. Please keep me updated!

David Moore  So sorry to read this post but grateful that you are now able to breathe better. I agree with Rob, stay positive. That 'ol devil can't keep a child of God ... Read more

David Moore  So sorry to read this post but grateful that you are now able to breathe better. I agree with Rob, stay positive. That 'ol devil can't keep a child of God down - that's for sure. Prayers for no further attacks. God bless you - Cheryl

Paul Howarth  Your going to be happy it's past you. Then the challenge of recovery will soon be in the past also. I'm day 6 today, at home was happy to walk with the sun ... Read more

Paul Howarth  Your going to be happy it's past you. Then the challenge of recovery will soon be in the past also. I'm day 6 today, at home was happy to walk with the sun on my face. 90% of the day is good
With brief moments of misery.
I find getting up and walking around my house helps between walks
Your going to do great

Debbie Moriarty  Sitting here in the wee morning hours. Still at the hospital and trying to remember what day it is. I’m not gonna lie folks, this is actually a bit harder ... Read more

Debbie Moriarty  Sitting here in the wee morning hours. Still at the hospital and trying to remember what day it is. I’m not gonna lie folks, this is actually a bit harder than I thought. I have had wonderful staff and family support. My blood pressure has been too low which impedes progress. And my heart popped in to a fib yesterday. Hopefully today is a better and brighter day! Thank you all!! I can feel you all carrying me thru.

Jeremiah Erez  Oh no so sorry Debbie.
I can certainly understand you wanting to get the surgery over with.
That's how I felt as I got closer to my surgery date. Just wanted ... Read more

Jeremiah Erez  Oh no so sorry Debbie.
I can certainly understand you wanting to get the surgery over with.
That's how I felt as I got closer to my surgery date. Just wanted it done.
But no worries.
You just regroup yourself and refocus. Now you gotta set your sites on tomorrow. Go get it girl!
The Lord knew things would be this way. He wasn't caught off guard.
Everything happens for a reason. It's all a part of God's divine plan.
Everything's right on schedule. ❤️

Dan Baltazor  OH NOOOOOOOO! That is terrible. So sorry! Yep, delayed for reasons you can't see and we learned you gotta be a "patient" patient and it doesn't end here. ... Read more

Dan Baltazor  OH NOOOOOOOO! That is terrible. So sorry! Yep, delayed for reasons you can't see and we learned you gotta be a "patient" patient and it doesn't end here. It's throughout the entire process. Treat yourself to something today in lieu of.

Sara Moyce  oh no!! Am so sorry to hear. Like Jeremiah's and Dan's posts, I too believe that He has a plan - and is watching over you. I am also trying to prepare if ... Read more

Sara Moyce  oh no!! Am so sorry to hear. Like Jeremiah's and Dan's posts, I too believe that He has a plan - and is watching over you. I am also trying to prepare if mine gets post-poned at the last minute, like many have posted here. Thank goodness you can go in tomorrow! Hugs to you.

Susan Lynn  Sorry to hear about your delay. I'm sure you were disappointed, but everything happens for a reason. It would have been much worse if you had undetected blockages. ... Read more

Susan Lynn  Sorry to hear about your delay. I'm sure you were disappointed, but everything happens for a reason. It would have been much worse if you had undetected blockages. Now, you can rest assured that when your surgery is completed tomorrow, you'll be on the road to recovery. I'd have something great for dinner and stay positive. You will be our rock star on Tuesday! ❤

Debbie Kelly  Debbie, all will be well, as I said. I have not had my surgery, but if I had my choice, I would rather have the heart cath and surgery, back to back, like ... Read more

Debbie Kelly  Debbie, all will be well, as I said. I have not had my surgery, but if I had my choice, I would rather have the heart cath and surgery, back to back, like you will be having. Please try to think positive, and you will be on the road to recovery soon. You are in my constant prayers.

Debbie Moriarty  Thank you, all of you! I’m trying so hard to remember it’s all in God’s time. I know He will see me through.
Unfortunately, they have kept me at the ... Read more

Debbie Moriarty  Thank you, all of you! I’m trying so hard to remember it’s all in God’s time. I know He will see me through.
Unfortunately, they have kept me at the hospital for the heart cath and through the night. I know they have their reasons. But the hospital gluten free menu looks promising for a tasty dinner! 😊

Richard Buckley  I know what you're going through. My surgery was delayed a day because the OR got tied up with a heart transplant. I could wait for that. One day may seem ... Read more

Richard Buckley  I know what you're going through. My surgery was delayed a day because the OR got tied up with a heart transplant. I could wait for that. One day may seem like a long time but you'll be started n your recovery before you know it.

Jeremiah Erez  You got it!
Yes He will!
And when you read that, put your name in there to make it more personal.
For example:
"He will cover Debbie with His feathers, ... Read more

Jeremiah Erez  You got it!
Yes He will!
And when you read that, put your name in there to make it more personal.
For example:
"He will cover Debbie with His feathers, and under His wings Debbie will find refuge"....and so on.
To me, this really helps one to understand God's care toward them.
Peace and blessings to you as you go through this operation today and come out on the recovery side! ❤️

Louanna Miller  I had an EKG, chest X-ray and blood work in my pre-op. I went fasting just to be safe. My understanding of the blood work is for them to have a baseline ... Read more

Louanna Miller  I had an EKG, chest X-ray and blood work in my pre-op. I went fasting just to be safe. My understanding of the blood work is for them to have a baseline of your blood levels. Nothing out of the ordinary.

When I went in the morning if surgey they did a test for my blood type. They triple checked it in the event I needed blood.

You will have this behind you soon. If you have questions, I’m happy to share from my experience in August.

Debbie Moriarty  Thank you so much!! The scheduler said my pre op visit would last about 1 1/2 hours. Bloodwork, paperwork, X-ray and anything else the surgeon wanted to include. ... Read more

Debbie Moriarty  Thank you so much!! The scheduler said my pre op visit would last about 1 1/2 hours. Bloodwork, paperwork, X-ray and anything else the surgeon wanted to include. I happen to know he also wanted an angiogram! Wondering if that will happen tomorrow as well!

Rob Sparling  I had two days.... First one (a Monday) was blood work, EKG, X-ray. I believe I fasted after midnight the night before. Second day was Tuesday and I had the ... Read more

Rob Sparling  I had two days.... First one (a Monday) was blood work, EKG, X-ray. I believe I fasted after midnight the night before. Second day was Tuesday and I had the heart cath and consult with surgeon. I fasted ahead of that as well. (Then they gave me “heart healthy” fried chicken after the procedure. I couldn’t believe it.). Wednesday was surgery and no food and no water twelve hours before surgery (so 6pm).

Dan Baltazor  No restriction for blood draw, just check your appointment instructions to make sure that’s what they want for you. They double checked bloodtype in case ... Read more

Dan Baltazor  No restriction for blood draw, just check your appointment instructions to make sure that’s what they want for you. They double checked bloodtype in case of a transfusion, and unfortunalety that ended up happening to me. They wanted urine sample and We met with the anesthesialogist who went over everything to expect the day of surgery.. Also had to do a vein mapping and carotid ultrasound. It was the most least invasive day of all the pre op tests required, but it ended up being the most overwhelming mental day to that point. Good luck tomorrow.

Marie Myers  The preop day was far more taxing for me than I expected. All of the testing is done to determine your baseline values on everything from blood count to kidney ... Read more

Marie Myers  The preop day was far more taxing for me than I expected. All of the testing is done to determine your baseline values on everything from blood count to kidney and liver function, blood type, heart and lung functions. Since it is a big surgery, there is always a chance of different effects on your bodies systems. The docs want to know where you started so they can accurately assess your progress through recovery.

Debbie Moriarty  Thank you all so much!! I didn’t have any Pre op instructions??? Interesting??!!! But it went smoothly. We called my surgeon’s office twice during pre ... Read more

Debbie Moriarty  Thank you all so much!! I didn’t have any Pre op instructions??? Interesting??!!! But it went smoothly. We called my surgeon’s office twice during pre op to ask questions. And I was told my surgeon would meet with me to answer any more questions. At all the stations, the pre op staff was very willing to answer what they could.
Estimates were: my surgery should last 4 hours, would be in ICU for two days most likely, I asked what “step down” was, and found out I’m supposed to ask about having the breathing tube out before I wake up when I talk to the anesthesiologist the morning of.
I’m making progress, folks!!

Brian Havlin  Hi Debbie-yes I am still stressed about the surgery. Completely normal. At this point I have been praying to God for a safe surgery and recovery. Can't wait ... Read more

Brian Havlin  Hi Debbie-yes I am still stressed about the surgery. Completely normal. At this point I have been praying to God for a safe surgery and recovery. Can't wait for it to be over. I called a guy on this site that had a heart surgery back in June. He's been really helpful explaining his experience and some of the basics of what to expect. Most of it is post surgery-recovery.

David Moore  Debbie & Brian - This is David's wife. I researched this website like a crazy woman for days before David's surgery. I did find that there were cases where ... Read more

David Moore  Debbie & Brian - This is David's wife. I researched this website like a crazy woman for days before David's surgery. I did find that there were cases where the vent was still in when waking up in ICU and other times where it was not. That was the only piece of information I shared with David. Someone had posted on here that they wish they would have known it could happen because they panicked when they woke up. So.... if it happens to you, don't panic. Just relax into it. They said it is like breathing thru a straw and the vent is doing the rest. Just relax into it. The respiratory therapist who is watching you has a goal of the number of breaths you need to take in a minute to make sure you can breathe on your own. In our case it had to be 15. My husband is a slow deliberate breather so he was taking really big deep breaths but it wasn't enough. He just told me once he figured out he need to take more breaths, he did and then they pulled the tube. I know each case is different and so is each hospital but he said it did help to know ahead of time and he also heard my voice as he was waking up so he was calm. Not sure if this helps you two but it did help him. Praying for both of you as you join the team that is braver than any team I've ever seen. #GODSGOTTHIS #YOUCANDOIT - Cheryl

Rebecca DeMarino  Cheryl - reading your answer has given me strength- I’ve tried to be calm but now that it’s down to a few days I’m getting nervous. The breathing tube ... Read more

Rebecca DeMarino  Cheryl - reading your answer has given me strength- I’ve tried to be calm but now that it’s down to a few days I’m getting nervous. The breathing tube is one of the things I worry about but now I’ll remember to relax into it - and I’m telling my husband to talk to me☺️ And you’re right - God’s got this❤️ And that gives me peace!

Lisa Guinan  I only had one pre-op visit and it was the day before my surgery. They want all your test results to be current. They set that date the same time they set ... Read more

Lisa Guinan  I only had one pre-op visit and it was the day before my surgery. They want all your test results to be current. They set that date the same time they set my surgery date. My surgeon had a great nurse and I just called her anytime I had a question. I know others on here met with their surgeon more than I did.

Susan Lynn  Debbie - If you haven't had all the necessary pre-operative tests, I would definitely consider contacting them. I did all of mine all in one day, but I was ... Read more

Susan Lynn  Debbie - If you haven't had all the necessary pre-operative tests, I would definitely consider contacting them. I did all of mine all in one day, but I was there for hours in a number of different departments. It never hurts to find out the scheduling and get your last questions answered. Best of luck.