Diane Esposito - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Update posted on...

April 18, 2019

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

Like |

Civita Fahey There should be some. I'm from Mass. I had surgery 4/24/17, so we have the same date.. let me know if you a have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. civita

Diane Esposito Thanks Civita, I think my only questions now relate to how my body will react to the surgery and those can’t be answered until afterwards. So I’m concentrating ... Read more

Diane Esposito Thanks Civita, I think my only questions now relate to how my body will react to the surgery and those can’t be answered until afterwards. So I’m concentrating on preparing, buying groceries, starting to put things aside for bringing to the hospital, etc.

Update posted on...

April 15, 2019

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.

Like | R.a. Lisanby likes this

Peter Eglinton I hear you! Hang in there. Sending positive thoughts your way. We got this!

Diane Esposito Thanks so much Peter, I appreciate your support! Your surgery is the day after my birthday (made possible this year by OHS 😁) and I’ll be sending good wishes your way!

Mike Roskowinski Good luck to both of you. Yeah it is getting surreal knowing that surgery is coming. I am May 6th just one week after Peter. Prayers and thoughts are with you. ... Read more

Mike Roskowinski Good luck to both of you. Yeah it is getting surreal knowing that surgery is coming. I am May 6th just one week after Peter. Prayers and thoughts are with you. You guys will be just fine and in recovery soon. Can’t wait till I can join you there.

Diane Esposito Thanks Mike, surreal is a great word to describe how I’m feeling now, today I’m going for my pre op bloodwork and making a dentist appointment, I’m finding ... Read more

Diane Esposito Thanks Mike, surreal is a great word to describe how I’m feeling now, today I’m going for my pre op bloodwork and making a dentist appointment, I’m finding that doing something each day to prepare for surgery is helping to ground me. The recovery side is just around the bend for all 3 of us!

Thomas Brusstar Controlled trauma is a good way to describe it! But I can tell you, you will be amazed at how your body heals from the major surgery. You will get a real ... Read more

Thomas Brusstar Controlled trauma is a good way to describe it! But I can tell you, you will be amazed at how your body heals from the major surgery. You will get a real sense of heroic improvement some days. You will have bad days, but overall you will feel like you've accomplished something truly major by a month from now. The first 2 days post-surgery are challenging, but you will be well cared for; and after that you should feel a real swell of power in your chest knowing what you have come through.

Barbara Wood Hi Diane, your history sounds so similar to mine! I had a mitral repair & maze 2 years ago & feel wonderful - lots of stamina & energy, I live in the mountains ... Read more

Barbara Wood Hi Diane, your history sounds so similar to mine! I had a mitral repair & maze 2 years ago & feel wonderful - lots of stamina & energy, I live in the mountains & hike or ski most days. My recovery had a few glitches, afib & pleural effusions, but those things are managed & if they occur you do get thru them. Sending good thoughts & vibes your way:)!

Diane Esposito Thanks so much Barbara and Tom, I feel so much better reading your comments and will keep re- reading them! I had my pre-op bloodwork today and each thing I ... Read more

Diane Esposito Thanks so much Barbara and Tom, I feel so much better reading your comments and will keep re- reading them! I had my pre-op bloodwork today and each thing I do to prepare helps me feel more secure. Any advice on how to get through the first two days other than letting the ICU nurses take care of me and being patient?

Barbara Wood Diane, I really don't remember my time in icu, though according to my family I was awake & talking...after effects of the anesthesia maybe? I was moved to the ... Read more

Barbara Wood Diane, I really don't remember my time in icu, though according to my family I was awake & talking...after effects of the anesthesia maybe? I was moved to the step down unit about 24 hours after surgery & remember that all well! I was nauseated the first day, but no pain. The nurses and aids were wonderful - don't hesitate to ask for help like getting boosted up in bed ( I kept sliding down), having pillows rearranged, food & drink from the floors kitchen. Walk as much as you can & use your spirometer. The time flies by & you're home before you know it! It's all very doable, you'll do great!

Update posted on...

April 3, 2019

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!!

Like | T.C. Sayles, Tom McDonald, Kaaren Carone and 1 other likes this

Thomas Brusstar I had mitral repair with a full sternotomy last year, but I'm a guy so I don't care about the scar. (It's actually going away now, after 8-9 months, and I ... Read more

Thomas Brusstar I had mitral repair with a full sternotomy last year, but I'm a guy so I don't care about the scar. (It's actually going away now, after 8-9 months, and I kind of miss it. Looks like somebody drew with a pink marker now, and it's getting less clear.) But a female friend of mine (54-yo woman) is having a mitral repair with sternotomy in a few months, and her surgeon is totally happy to invite a plastic surgeon in to close the incision at the end. So if you're worried about the scar, talk to the surgeon about a specialist to close it up.

Louanna Miller I also mitral valve repair by full sternotomy in August. My cardiologist and surgeon said it’s the best was to perform valve surgery and see the heart. ... Read more

Louanna Miller I also mitral valve repair by full sternotomy in August. My cardiologist and surgeon said it’s the best was to perform valve surgery and see the heart. I have a scar and it is fading. OHS is a journey from the time you learn about it, through surgery, recovery and beyond. I am not bothered by the scar as I believe I earned it and this surgery extended my life. I have had many women tell me they think it’s great that I wear clothing where the scar shows. It’s part of me.

leslie terjesen I am right with Louanna. I had a V-neck t shirt on today for my first day at cardiac rehab, I earned that scar although it is healing wonderfully. It was ... Read more

leslie terjesen I am right with Louanna. I had a V-neck t shirt on today for my first day at cardiac rehab, I earned that scar although it is healing wonderfully. It was so nice to exercise a bit although most of the time was my evaluation, looking forward to next week.

Diane Esposito Thanks so much to all of you! I’m also the type to wear what I want to regardless of the scar and yes, we all did or soon will earn it! I’m already looking ... Read more

Diane Esposito Thanks so much to all of you! I’m also the type to wear what I want to regardless of the scar and yes, we all did or soon will earn it! I’m already looking forward to cardiac rehab...I hadn’t been able to figure out why I didn’t have the stamina I used too; now I know why and I can’t wait to have it back again!

Here's my newest picture!

April 2, 2019 Like | Susan Lynn, Shannon Gray and 1 other likes this

Susan Lynn ❤

Diane Esposito Can’t wait to get back to doing this variet show!

Here's my newest picture!

April 2, 2019 Like | Susan Lynn likes this

Susan Lynn Fantastic friendship and beautiful picture!

Diane Esposito Thanks! This picture is from CT Center for Massage Therapy; I went there 30 years ago before CT licensing was available and after my insurance career ended ... Read more

Diane Esposito Thanks! This picture is from CT Center for Massage Therapy; I went there 30 years ago before CT licensing was available and after my insurance career ended I went through the program again and got licensed. I miss doing massage and my clients and am looking forward to eventually getting back to my practice.

Here's my newest picture!

March 31, 2019 Like | Susan Lynn, Phyllis Petersen, Valerie Herndon-Vitarella and 3 others like this

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

Susan Lynn Beautiful family!

Phyllis Petersen Welcome to the community! I had mitral valve repair in October 2016. It's your heart, so of course it's scary. But, if you read the outcomes on here, the vast ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen Welcome to the community! I had mitral valve repair in October 2016. It's your heart, so of course it's scary. But, if you read the outcomes on here, the vast majority are able to have a successful repair and after awhile of rehab get their lives back to where they were. Waiting is definitely hard, but instead of stressing about all the things you think you need to do before surgery, enjoy your family and friends and focus on what you want to do after your heart is repaired.

Diane Esposito Hi Phyllis! Thanks for the encouragement. Good point about thinking about what I want to do afterwards; I’ve been focusing too much about what I’ll have ... Read more

Diane Esposito Hi Phyllis! Thanks for the encouragement. Good point about thinking about what I want to do afterwards; I’ve been focusing too much about what I’ll have to do afterward such as finding another job and not enough on the things I want to do like eventually riding my bicycle again and going back to Spain maybe next year. This was all such a surprise to me in December having had no idea that I had a heart issue that I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I’m glad you are doing well!

Phyllis Petersen I took a 4 hour hike 2 1/2 months after my surgery. I took it slow, but felt great being able to be back out doing what I love. When I felt that I shouldn't ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen I took a 4 hour hike 2 1/2 months after my surgery. I took it slow, but felt great being able to be back out doing what I love. When I felt that I shouldn't go further, my family went ahead. I rested a bit and started back down the trail taking what breaks I needed. I still do that sometimes when I'm hiking with others when I need to. Six months after surgery, I did do a serious 5 hour hike with my sister and a friend. Reclaiming your life is one of the great things about being on the other side of surgery. You'll need to be patient in the beginning, but you'll be amazed at how much energy you'll get back.

New Patient Posts

Claire says, "OHS ppl, did you notice MORE intense sternum pain 2..." Read more.

HOME

COMMUNITY

LEARNING CENTER

SURGEON FINDER

HEART HOSPITALS

VIDEOS

ADAM'S BLOG

ADAM'S BOOK

INCISION SHIELD

ABOUT US

AWARDS

CONTACT

JOIN US

SIGN IN

Diane's Heart Valve Journal

Diane's Heart Valve Journal

New Patient Posts

Heart Valve Hospitals

Surgeon Spotlight