Elizabeth Gustafson - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

808 days ago

Hi there! 3 weeks from today I will have open heart surgery to replace bicuspid aortic valve in NYC. I had surgery to repair coarctation of my aorta in 1985, ...Read more

Hi there! 3 weeks from today I will have open heart surgery to replace bicuspid aortic valve in NYC. I had surgery to repair coarctation of my aorta in 1985, and the surgeons went thru my back along the rib line. This time I’ll have a sternotomy. I’d be grateful for any advice, prayers and support. Thanks!

Alex Hunt I wish you the best of luck. Recovery takes time and the discomfort from the sternotomy lasted around ... Read more

Alex Hunt I wish you the best of luck. Recovery takes time and the discomfort from the sternotomy lasted around 8 weeks for me. Coughing and sneezing were very painful at first but it does get better. Start positive and don't be a hero with the pain meds. You can do this!

Richard Munson You will get all of that and more here. You came to the right place.

Rose Madura I did not have much pain at all with a full sternotomy. Most of my pain was in my shoulders from be ... Read more

Rose Madura I did not have much pain at all with a full sternotomy. Most of my pain was in my shoulders from being in one position on operating table for 7 hours. I was able to transfer to Tylenol rather quickly. Pain meds messed with my mind too much. Tylenol did the trick most of the time.

Cheryl Mann Best of luck Elizabeth. You will find this community is a wealth of information and support.

Sandy Harvey I am about one week out and leaning towards the tougher choice of full sternotomy. I tell myself ever ... Read more

Sandy Harvey I am about one week out and leaning towards the tougher choice of full sternotomy. I tell myself everyday that I have the chance to get this problem resolved, There are people out there that are unable to do that so I am blessed. Keep God, faith, and positive thoughts in the present to bring calm into what is an agonizing and trying time.

Marie Myers Like Rose, I did not have sternal pain. My upper back and shoulders were my biggest problem. Wish I h ... Read more

Marie Myers Like Rose, I did not have sternal pain. My upper back and shoulders were my biggest problem. Wish I had asked to try a muscle relaxant for the first 2 weeks. That might have helped.

Carol Jackson Good luck with your surgery tomorrow.

Karen Miller Hi Elizabeth I had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced 1-11-22 I am doing great!! Good luck tomorrow do ... Read more

Karen Miller Hi Elizabeth I had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced 1-11-22 I am doing great!! Good luck tomorrow don’t be nervous everything is going to go smooth!!