Edith's Journal

Penny Prichard  That's great news really. Everyday advancements happen in the medical field. We are so lucky to live in this day and age. Positive thoughts your way.

Cheryl Batzing  Edith, so glad to hear your visit with Dr. Ryan went well! Somehow I missed your original post and just now saw it April 9th! Holler next time you come back to Texas and I'd love to come say hi! Prayers your way!

Terrie Syvertsen  Edith- Wonderful to read that you are through with your cardiac cath. and the arteries are clear so that you can move on with the next steps. Hope your consult on March 11th. leaves you feeling more and more confident as you move closer to getting your heart "cared for". Be well.

Doug Cox  Sherry. Good luck today and may God guide the surgeons hands so you may experience a complete recovery.

Eleanor R  I will be thinking of you Edith and praying that you come through the surgery smoothly and with no bumps in the road to recovery. Its not easy to go through this, more mentally and emotionally than the actual physical part, but I always remember what my Mom used to say: "Consider the alternative". In our case, the valve replacement wins hands down! Best wishes to you. Eleanor

Duane Beeman  Edith: My dad once told me, "I bet you think 90 is pretty old don't you". I responded, "Yes". He then looked at me and said, "well, wait until you're 88 and I'll ask you again". My mom is almost 87 and rocking and rolling. You sound alot like her. My dad had open heart surgery at 85 and was up walking around the next day talking about a fishing trip we had planned. You are going to be OK.

Edith Dim  Many heartfelt thanks to all of you kind heart sisters and brothers, Jim, Kathy, Eleanor, Duane, Sandra & Peter for your encouraging thoughts.
I appreciated everything you had to say. The process, so far, is an emotional and mental roller coaster ride. I understand that part of it, Eleanor. Your Mom was right...it beats the alternative! I am trying to mentally brace myself for the physical part that lies ahead, but I know we can't feel pain until it hits. I live with it to a lesser or greater degree due to damaged nerves after having had the shingles 8 years ago this month. Don't know about being a Spring Chicken, Peter, but you made me smile because In my mind I am one! :-) I love your Mom and Dad, Duane. They sound great. Thanks for sharing their ages with me. I wish them many more years of loving life.
Thanks, again, for being here. My very best heart health wishes to all. "Edie"

Cheryl Batzing  Edith, Dr. Ryan and Heart Hospital Plan are excellent choices! Dr. Ryan did my mitral valve repair Dec. 16. I live about 15 minutes from the hospital and would be happy to meet with you and your husband when you guys are in town. I'll keep you in my prayers for your upcoming surgery and wisdom for surgeon and recovery. Let me know if I can help in any way. Blessings!

Patricia Garcia  My parents are in there late 70's and don't use a computer. You are a young 88 yr.old. This is a great site for you to go on to get support and answers to many questions. We have all been through it or going to go through it. I had my 3 rd mitral valve surgery on January 12, 2015. If there is anything that I can help you with just send me a message and I will get back to you Edith. You are a strong woman and will get through this.

Susan Nelson  I hope all goes well for you Edith. I had mine last week and it went well, you will be fine! My surgery is planned for March 3.

Jim Kelly-Evans  Good that you have made a decision, Edith. I often feel that the whole thing I'm experiencing is surreal. This can't be happening to me! But we go forward and do what we have to do for ourselves and our loved ones. Best wishes and keep us informed.

Cheryl Batzing  Edith, I think you will really like Dr. Ryan. He was my second consult and did my mitral valve repair surgery on Dec. 16. I'm now 6 weeks and a few days post surgery and recovering well. Dr. Ryan is calm, kind, and direct. Will keep you in my prayers.

Kimberly Biddick  Edith, Dr. Ryan has come strongly recommended from many people on this site and has performed many, many heart surgeries. I, too, have an appointment with him at the end of February. Keep us updated!

Edith Dim  Thanks so much to each of you for sharing. Your reassurances regarding Dr. Ryan means a lot to me. I know now more than ever that I made a good choice. I wish you, Jim, Cheryl, and Kimberly the very best. We are in this together.

  That is great Edith. Although still hard to relax, I understand, finding a surgeon you are happy with is such a relief. You are amazing and an inspiration, quite frankly.

Adam Pick  Hi Edith. To write a journal, simply click "Write a journal" in the left side margin under the "What To Do Next?" section on this page http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/journals/patient-news-feed.php. I hope that helps.

Ben Schraegle  Hi Edith. I had Dr. William Brinkman peform my aortic and mitral valve surgery recently. Dr. Ryan is in the same group with Dr. Brinkman and I have heard nothing but praise and positive feedback on both surgeons. The Baylor Heart Hospital where they are both located at and where I had my surgery is a fantastic facility! It may be worth the plane trip from Arizona! Best of wishes!

Edith Dim  Ben, I appreciated your very positive input. I am planning on going to Plano to have a consultation with Dr. Ryan. The flight there from Phoenix is only two hours I called his office yesterday,
So I know what I need to take for his review. First, I need to know what dose of prednisone I have to be lowered to before a date can be set for the surgery, and even the cath. Dr. Ryan will want to see the report of that
when I see him. I have had Giant Cell Arteritis (inflammation of the arteries) for 19 years, hence the steroids. Hmm, makes me wonder about my arteries. I better stop thinking so much.

I reread all of your posts, and want to thank everyone, again. I am so glad that I found Adam, and all of you just by researching the aortic valve. I hope all are recovering very well.

Eleanor, thanks for your pointers. Fortunately, our house is all on one level. Since my husband is wheel bound, he has a caregiver for eleven hours every day. Cheryl is great, and she will be here for me, too. There is a shower chair in my husband's stall shower, so it will serve double duty for awhile. My younger son moved from Florida to Scottsdale three years ago to be near in case we needed help with my husband, so he will be here for me this time. He will accompany me to Texas for the consultation, and the surgery. I am so grateful.

Thanks for being here....Edie

Bob M  Edie, welcome to our awesome community. We pray that your doctors will determine the right plan for your heart. God bless and rise up!

Jim Kelly-Evans  Edie, welcome and best wishes for a successful procedure and a smooth recovery. Keep your positive attitude and you'll do fine

Cheryl Batzing  Edie, so glad to meet you here! You will find lots of support, prayers, and friends. I had open heart surgery to repair a valve Dec. 16 and am recovering now 4 weeks and a few days post surgery. Will be praying for you.

Edith Dim  Many thanks to all of you for the warm welcome, and your encouraging words. I will be following your experiences and praying for each of you to have a excellent recovery. I'm happy to know that I will be traveling this unexpected journey with all of you.

Jim O'Brien  Edie, welcome to the community! Good luck to you and keep in touch with the community. It can be a big help when all of it seems so overwhelming.

Eleanor R  I wish you the very best surgery and recovery, my thoughts will be with you. My surgeon also operates on first, and second time OHS patients into their 80s. He said that is not a limiting factor, but rather overall health in general, which can occur at a much younger age. make sure you have either a rehab center to go, or a sleep over family member to be with you especially the first week or two, so that you don't fall. I had a bit of time regulating my blood pressure with the beta blocker they put me on after surgery, and stairs to navigate, so I was grateful that my adult daughter moved back in for a few weeks. I'm 68 and active, but I remember getting tired just getting out of bed and into the shower chair for the first week. We arranged a towel on a tub ledge next to the shower, so I could immediately sit down to dry off, and she put a small chair at the top and bottom of the upstairs stairs, just in case I got tired or dizzy. Be safe and take good care of yourself. Feel free to read my journal, from late July to August, for other ideas from my experience. Best wishes, Eleanor