Elyse Sherman - Heart Valve Journal

Rose Madura Hi Elyse. I think that's normal. You want the sternum to heal properly. I eventually got used to sleeping on my back. Things will get better as time goes ... Read more

Rob Sparling Elyse, for me, the hardest parts of recovery were sitting in the backseat of the car for so many weeks and not lifting or pulling. I had surgery Sept 26th and ... Read more

Nancy W For me, the recovery was not linear - I experienced several speed bumps including anemia which really impacted my energy level and mental health. I did not ... Read more

Elyse Sherman Thank you, all of you. Those with sternotomies, were you ever concerned that it wasn’t healing properly? Did yours feel like it was “sticking” you when ... Read more

Bea Ayyy Hi Elyse, the frustration comes with it sadly. But hang in there. For my first surgery, recovery wasn’t linear but I remember I didn’t start to feel good ... Read more

Rose Madura I never had any issues such as "sticking".

Elyse Sherman I guess the “sticking” is stiffness and tightness. Maybe this will loosen up with cardiac rehab, I am starting this week.

Thomas Brusstar My sternotomy got really swollen after a week, especially up at the collar bone area, with swelling into my neck. There was a ridge down the front. But all ... Read more

Harris Chrysanthou Hi Elyse! I felt 100% recovered 6 months after the surgery.

Rita Savelis I kept asking over and over when my sternum would heal or at least when I wouldn't feel so aware of it. I don't know if that question has an answer. It didn't ... Read more

Elyse Sherman Thanks to all of you, I am feeling better about the slow healing process. There is so much comfort in speaking to those who had this done before you and understand. ... Read more

Mary Jewett I am 100% a side sleeper and I could not take the back sleeping. I asked my doctor about side sleeping and was told I could sleep that way as soon as it felt ... Read more

Mary Jewett Not only that, I even slept somewhat on my side before leaving the hospital.

Rob Sparling I have not. I am sure somebody here can tell you more. In my experience, getting the lungs back is harder than anything else. Keep grinding, Elyse. You’ll get it solved!

Rose Madura About 8 weeks or so after my surgery, I had to have fluid drained from around my lungs and I immediately felt better. I'm not sure why you are having difficulty ... Read more

Marie Myers I had fluid drained from my right lung a few days before i went home. I felt better after it was done. If you had fluid drained from one area, it is possible ... Read more

Denise L I had fluid drained from my right lung while still in hospital, took a couple of days before the lung stopped feeling tight but made a positive difference in my overall breathing.

Barbara Wood I had it done twice in the hospital, then had a smaller build-up after I came home. I started to have trouble breathing. I went for an xray, they decided it ... Read more

Elyse Sherman Thank you all for your responses! It feels a bit better today, the individuals who did the lung tap managed to hit a few nerves so the area of the back is sore when I inhale.

Marie Myers Acceptance was not easy for me, that is for sure. I found that listening to Utube videos and meditations on “inner peace” and “acceptance” were very ... Read more

Nancy W I agree that this was an extremely difficult time period. I would suggest doing all the activities that you love ( safe with covid restrictions) ) since you ... Read more

Elyse Sherman Thank you, Marie and Nancy. I requested a prescription for anti-anxiety meds and will follow your suggestions for relaxation. Your comments were very helpful ... Read more

Ana Brusso Hi, I didn’t have that much of anxiety before my surgery, all I was worried about was my daughter being left alone. I am a faithful servant of God and put ... Read more

stephanie arnold I didn't even get to prepare,because I had it on emergency basis. that was really weird,to wake up with them pulling out tubes,and not even knowing what happened. ... Read more

Elyse Sherman Thank you, Ana and Stephanie. I am now 9 days until surgery and miraculously had no panic attacks in a few days. I hope this continues. Thank you so much for your kind words and support. ❤️

Nancy W Elyse, keep breathing and doing all the things you love to do and reaching out to all the people who you love.I wrote a letter to my 3 grown kids and husband ... Read more

Marie Myers I think it is not uncommon. I had aortic regurgitation, but the driving force for my surgery was the ascending aortic aneurysm. Like you I was very active and ... Read more

Civita Fahey I didn't really feel ill either,though now that I think back, I did have some slight symptoms that I ignored or attributed to other things.

Rita Savelis Patients can either be symptomatic or unsymptomatic. Doctors might be watching your cardiac readings and seeing them get worse, but you may show no signs. That's ... Read more

Nancy W I had no symptoms and was also very active, but was told my mitral valve prolapse and resultant severe regurgitation required surgery. I was told better now ... Read more

John Lant Not everyone gets symptoms of fatigue, fainting, chest pains or palpitations. but I am sure your cardiologist is looking at the valve with the echo and when ... Read more

Jeff V. Hi Elyse, I just read your story. I had my mitral valve repaired in 2014 by Dr. Pettersson. I also expected a replacement of my bicuspid aortic valve but ... Read more

Ana Brusso Elyse, as Jeff V., stated here, I also felt such relief after meeting with my surgeon and his staff and they explained what the surgery was going to entail. ... Read more

Elyse Sherman Hi, Jeff and Ana...you guys are my rock, thank you so much! I’m trying very hard not to grow depressed and anxious over this, and I know I’ll feel better ... Read more

Susan Lynn Yes! Once I found out I needed surgery, it consumed my every thought. Of course, we tend to prioritize what we think about and OHS is pretty important. ... Read more

Steven Methot I am surprised that you haven't had an answer yet, There are countless people from this community over the years who have been patients there and from what ... Read more

Herb Greenberg I did in March by Dr.Svensson, flying from San Diego. Plenty of folks here have had various CC surgeons. All highly impressed. I was 67 when I had a bio- Bentall ... Read more

Carlos Banuelos Dr. Johnston at CC performed my AVR. Very pleased with results (knock on wood) and overall experience. I remember reading posts on this site prior to my surgery ... Read more

Elyse Sherman Thanks SO much, Steven, Herb and Carlos. Drs. Unai and Pettersson will do my surgery on 1/15/21. They are suggesting the Ozaki procedure where a piece of my ... Read more

Herb Greenberg Congrats on making a decision. Over the years I have read great reviews from his patients.

Nancy Chavez Hi Elyse
I’m 60 and had TAVR in April. During my workup for valve replacement, they did not find any other cardiac issues or disease that needed repair, ... Read more

Rita Savelis I haven't seen any posts here from patients who have had repeat TAVR surgeries. There is not much long term data on repeat TAVRs or how long TAVR valves last ... Read more

Elyse Sherman Thank you, Rita. They have determined TAVR is not an option for me at CC due to age, good physical condition and anatomy. They assigned me a group of two surgeons ... Read more

Rose Madura Hi Elyse, from what I can recall, TAVR cannot be performed on anyone who has a bicuspid valve. Although once that valve is surgically replaced, a TAVR can ... Read more

Adam Pick Love this Elyse... The fact that use the word "family" to describe this community is inspiring. Thanks so much for being a part of this wonderful and caring ... Read more

Breaking News: FDA Approves Low-Risk TAVR Devices by Edwards Lifesciences & Medtronic

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/fda-approval-low-risk-tavr.php

Learn about the FDA approval of low-risk TAVR devices by Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic after PARTNER III and Evolut clinical trials.

Marie Myers For me, TAVR was not an option because I had ascending aortic and aortic root aneurysms that needed repair. Doctors are starting to offer TAVR on younger healthier ... Read more

Adam Pick Yep! Here's a great TAVR story about low-risk patients that might help all of us learn more - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1On0h8mioNI&feature=emb_logo

Low-Risk TAVR Patient Success Story: Jean Frank

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/fda-approval-low-risk-tavr.php

https://www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - See the inspirational patient success story of Jean Frank, an aortic stenosis patient, who received a transcatheter aor...

Susan Lynn Elyse - Good morning! We are a family and are happy to welcome you to it!

Until recently, TAVR was reserved only for high-risk heart patients, but that is ... Read more

Marie Myers TAVR was usually done for patients who are too frail/sick to undergo surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). But lately , there are more places offering TAVR ... Read more

Pat Bluemel There are a lot of dependencies and opinions on TAVR. It's important to remember it is not the holy grail for all. They plumbed me for TAVR w/ my first surgery ... Read more

Nancy Chavez I did have TAVR in April. I was 59 when I was diagnosed with severe Aortic Stenosis which was a surprise. I had a heart murmur since childhood. During the workup ... Read more

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