Diane's Journal

Hi everyone! I’m now 9 months post successful mitral valve repair and recently developed shortness of breath; at first it was intermittent and while climbing stairs only. The last couple of days it seems to be happening even with slight exertion. I have called my cardiologist and am awaiting his call back. My BP was 107/68 this morning, heart rate was 86 and weight at 118 lbs which is within a pound of my regular reading. No ankle or leg edema. Anyone have this issue months after surgery?

Congratulations, Adam! 14 years!! Thanks so much for posting this as it gives me , and I’m sure many others, hope for the future. I realized today that though I’m approaching 8 months post mitral valve repair (4/24/19) I’m still having some trouble moving forward. I am sometimes surprised that I am, in fact, still here; even though I’ve had a successful surgical result and no complications. It’s as if part of me still believes that my life was over and though obviously that isn’t true, I find myself unsure as to what’s next. Perhaps because heart surgery certainly causes a reordering of one's priorities...a deeper understanding of what’s important and what isn’t, that it takes time to figure out what those new priorities are and how to shape them into a new future. Your post reminds me that there is a future, a new life, a second chance. We just have to be brave enough to trust life again.

Great news from the cardiologist; today’s echocardiogram shows the mitral valve (post repair 4/24/19) functioning beautifully with no regurgitation and increased heart strength! I see him on the 29th and he’ll show me the DVD and we’ll discuss everything in detail! He kept telling me how determined and courageous I was to go through this.

We choose life when we decide to have the surgery and life requires courage. We are all heart warriors.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike Roskowinski and Naomi Gray as they have their surgeries on Monday; and I am looking back on the last week and a half since my mitral valve repair was done, and the little milestones reached so far ( that first shower from heaven, my birthday cake from the nurses in the step down Unit, going home, etc. I’m still having a fair amount of back and rib cage pain which Is controlled with Ibuprofen and Tylenol. I’m able to do light housework, putting a small load of lightweight clothes in the wash, etc. The last 3 or 4 days I’ve been feeling like I have a low grade fever (my temperature has been normal with an occasional 99 degree reading, no signs of infection according to the visiting RN, incision looks good) which has made me feel lousy, so I haven’t been walking except around the house. I do have stairs to climb though as my bedroom and bathroom are on 2 different levels. I’m wondering if it’s just part of my pain response as it gets worse when it’s time for more ibuprofen or Tylenol. So I’ve been a bit frustrated and have to be patient with myself. Having a visiting RN is great, especially psychologically knowing that a professional is keeping an eye on things. It was a good decision to ask for one. Today, the sun is out for the first time in a week so I’m looking forward to going out with a friend to do some light errands. Have a great weekend everyone!

Going home! I’m so glad it’s over now; on to recovery!

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven’t gotten around to posting lately; the surgery went well and Dr Hashim was able to repair my mitral valve! He also performed a MAZE procedure and oversewed the left atrial appendage ( this, per his PA) When I awoke from anesthesia, I was surprised by how well I felt given the surgery. I didn’t have much pain at all. This picture was taken 3 1/2 hrs post surgery in the CICU . Of course I was on pain meds. Overnight and day 2 I had more pain but it was mostly in my upper back and neck and of course I hadn’t slept well. On day 3 the chest tubes came out and I felt sooooo much better. Hardly any pain, which was handled by ibuprofens and Tylenol. I was so happy to be off narcotics. I’m still very muscle-achy which the surgeon’s PA says is probably due to lying in the OR table for the surgery, uncomfortable hospital beds, and not doing my regular activities. If all goes well, pacing wires come out tomorrow morning and then I can be discharged! I can’t wait to take a shower!

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven’t gotten around to posting lately; the surgery went well and Dr Hashim was able to repair my mitral valve! He also performed a MAZE procedure and oversewed the left atrial appendage ( this, per his PA) When I awoke from anesthesia, I was surprised by how well I felt given the surgery. I didn’t have much pain at all. This picture was taken 3 1/2 hrs post surgery in the CICU . Of course I was on pain meds. Overnight and day 2 I had more pain but it was mostly in my upper back and neck and of course I hadn’t slept well. On day 3 the chest tubes came out and I felt sooooo much better. Hardly any pain, which was handled by ibuprofens and Tylenol. I was so happy to be off narcotics. I’m still very muscle-achy which the surgeon’s PA says is probably due to lying in the OR table for the surgery, uncomfortable hospital beds, and not doing my regular activities. If all goes well, pacing wires come out tomorrow morning and then I can be discharged! I can’t wait to take a shower!

3 1/2 hours post surgery

See you on the recovery side!

It’s show time tomorrow morning at 11am! Mitral repair and MAZE procedure at Hartford Hospital. I’m glad the waiting is over but OMG am I nervous which is putting it mildly. I don’t know how I’d get through this without this blog, and all of you encouraging me. God bless Adam for his book and this website! Wish me luck and I’ll see you on the recovery side!

Happy Easter everyone!

Hey, all! Is there anyone from Connecticut here either waiting or have had surgery?

9 days to go and I’m now officially nervous! My mitral valve repair and Maze procedure surgery is coming up on 4/24th and though I’ve been waiting since December and have been anxious to get it done , feel like , holy cow this is really happening! This week I’m having my pre op blood work and have started putting things aside to pack for the hospital but sometimes I still feel as if it’s happening to someone else. I have total confidence in my surgeon and am not afraid of the surgery as far as the actual procedures as he’s the best in my area, but I am afraid of the “controlled trauma “to my body which has to happen in order to fix the problems. There’s no way around it except to not have OHS which is not an option! Reading this blog is so helpful; God bless Adam for giving us a sanctuary of information and support for one another, and I’m so grateful to all of you for sharing your stories.

I finally got to speak with the RN at the surgeon’s office as my surgery is in 3 weeks. I’m having a mitral valve repair due to severe regurgitation and also a maze procedure. I was really hoping to have minimally invasive surgery but Dr Hashim feels the sternotomy is best for me. Sue, the RN, says that because the doctor is also concerned with the aesthetics of the procedure, the incision will not go all the way up to the top of the sternum so that patients can still wear V neck clothing, etc. It’s been a long wait for surgery, since December, so I’m happy it’s in 3 weeks now, but of course I’m feeling some anxiety as well. I have a lot of confidence in the surgeon, I’m told he’s a master of this procedure and his success rate is excellent so my nervousness is more because of the serious nature of OHS in general. I’m thinking of my fellow heart warriors who are in surgery today and this week, you are so brave and strong and my inspiration for my upcoming surgery!!

This is me in 2016 with my son, Christopher and granddaughter Delilah at a rehearsal for an annual variety show.