Elizabeth's Journal

Hello to all the good folks who cheered me on for my second heart valve surgery in 14 months this last December 6th. I am happy to say I'm feeling great today! Working out moderately hard at cardiac rehab three times a week, lifting weights and starting to go to spin class again. I did have a major complication at 4 weeks post op. Woke up with painful inhalations, chest pain and malaise on 1/1/17. Not the way one wants to bring in the new year! Stuck it out for two days and tried to go to my pcp doc for a check on it but he sent me to the ER straight away. Turns out I had a mediastinal hematoma, pericarditis and a pleural effusion! INR at 5.5 so was given vitamin K to stop the bleeding. Stayed in hospital for 5 days but never needed any surgical intervention thank God. I was wondering if any other "valvies" had this happen to them. I thought I fully recovered from the pericarditis but this last Saturday I woke to breathing pains again . Went to the ER and was diagnosed with recurring pericarditis! I was given Tramidol for pain and continued on the colchine from the first time I was diagnosed with it. I am hoping this isn't going to become chronic as I am feeling so much better overall . If anyone out there can relate I'd love some feedback!

Hello fellow "valveies". I had a successful valve surgery last Tuesday. My valve from the repair Oct.2015 looked like one of the repaired leaflets had folded over itself and suffered from scar tissue damage over the last year. New mechanical valve looks good, I have pictures from the surgery. I've had a number of complications however that have kept me in hospital. needed transfusions day2, BP lows and for the last three days my INR is being super stubborn and hasn't yet gotten to a safe level for discharge. I should have been good to go this past sunday but for this dilemma!

Four days until my redo valve surgery on the 6th. I'm trying to be positive and not stress.The fact I'll have a mechanical valve with the blood thinners is kinda scary to me. I so want to get back to skiing, tennis and cycling. Has anyone out there kept on with a super athletic life post mech valve/thinners?

Hello everyone,
I am now scheduled for redo mitral valve surgery on December 6th. My repair was just last October 5th, 2015. My valve started to leak severely around 5 months out and my energy levels really took a hit. Multiple echoes showed moderate/severe regurge at rest and very severe with my pressures at a level comparable to exercise. Starting to have pulmonary hypertension now as well. Trying to keep my spirits up but its really hard this time around. Wish me luck! Liz

Hello everyone, I recently sent all my heart records to Dr. Gillinov. He reviewed them within 36 hours! He wrote me a letter but had his nurse call me less than 48 hrs after they received records. He believes I will need a redo surgery but he never performs one less than 6 months post op. He wants me to have an echocardiogram in 3 months and to reevaluate the regurgitation. I am trying to just live my life and try to put this lurking problem out of my mind. I could do it if I just didn't get "winded" so quickly while cycling and playing tennis! Also, I need to start telling people who ask "was the surgery a success" that it was, because the truth just makes them feel sorry for me and I'm tired of being "that" person.

Last month I did have my appointment with my surgeon after it was shown that my repair failed. I've had 2 tee's and cardiac cath test. All show severe MR even worse that before surgery. He has completely downplay my situation but my cardiologist is so concerned she has referred me to the Cleveland Clinic. I sent Dr. Gillinov(CC) my records. I know he'll tell me it needs to be replaced but I can put up with my minor symptoms for a couple years if he says it's ok. I can't emotionally have a second ohs within 6 months of my first. I feel so jinxed and unlucky at this time.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and encouragement. I am so anxious about my appointment tomorrow with my surgeon. I have written several questions down so I get All the info I'll need to make another life altering decision.

Hi fellow heart valve community. I just found out at my three month post op echo that my repair has completely failed. I am devastated to say the least. My surgeon did a right sided thoracotomy this past October 5th. I had only "trace to a 1+" regurgitation before closing me up. I had TEE a few days ago and it confirmed part of one leaflet has torn away from the annuloplasty ring. My surgeon has the best reputation in Colorado. I will see him Wednesday and hopefully get some answers. My cardiologist performed the TEE and said I shouldn't wait too long to have another OPEN heart surgery, this time it has to be the sternal entry. This scares the crap out of me as I really have a LOW pain threshold. I can't believe this is happening, I'm 50 yrs and a competitive athlete. I know others are fighting cancer and other terminal illnesses but I'm pissed off. I need to find the strength to do this all over again. Liz

I am 8 days post op. I have been having both ocular migraines and recurrent a fib since my surgery. I am getting a bit tired of going into a fib, three times, as I only had tiny episodes(less than 20 seconds) before the surgery. Has anyone experience both a fib and ocular migraines post op?

My favorite quick workout, Lookout Mountain in Golden, Co.