Cindy W posted a note for Rebecca that says: HI Rebecca: Your are in my thoughts and prayers! Comfort food? Oh my goodness, I have gained 9 lbs in the last 4 weeks b/c I've indulged in everything I usually avoid. It definitely makes me feel better. And I'm dedicated to healthy eating AFTER this saga. Until then what's wrong with a little indulgence. I also had a random person tell me in church today that they are praying for me. I feel like its a gift from God. Let's take those random prayers with a smile and know that we'll pay it back on the back end! It's getting harder as it gets closer, but we are strong and we will overcome. Sending you lots of love and prayers!

Carol Hinshaw posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca, I feel badly for you that you have had so much time to think about this. I found out on a Wednesday that I would be having open heart surgery in just nine days so not much time to get things ready around the house, tie up loose ends at work, etc. but who knows which is best?? I also didn't have time to think about questions I maybe should have been asking, like you have done. You have done everything you can to prepare, now it is time to rely on your faith. Blessings to you and keep us all posted!

Debbie Cross posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca,I understand how you are feeling.I felt the same way! I went to surgery worried about the vent.I woke up on the vent only to discover the surgeon had changed his mind! All that and I still didn't have my mitral and tricuspid valves repaired.I had been preparing for the surgery since March.I said that to say,I was disappointed not to be"fixed".I pray your surgery goes well,and you will be able to have this behind you soon!

Jim Jones posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca
You are certainly getting closer to the starting line. I want to wish you the very best outcome with your procedure. We will all be following your progress here on your journal. Just think. I go into Mt. Sinai for my mitral valve in November. You'll be posting about your great recovery! Not bad.
All the best to you.

Laura West posted a note for Rebecca that says: After I got home from surgery they had me do a lot of walking inside my home several times a day and everyday the amount of time increased, that helped but I still needed the heart monitored rehab. Glad you are trying to have some fun! You need it to shift your focus, enjoy the time, try not to ask yourself, is the last time we will do this, or the last time I will see them. I did that and it made it harder. Yes, control is a huge factor, we are moms and we are nurses so we believe we are in control, but we really aren't. Satan has really sold us a bill of goods there when that's what we think! I had to let go and let God, and all my friends and family take over for while. My new phrase became, it is what it is, there's nothing I can do to change it right now. It has changed me a lot for the better and it will change you also. I have grown so much as a person and professionally. I understand how difficult it is to let people you don't know totally care for you. I met my cardio thoracic anesthesiologist 20 minutes before going into surgery! That was tough! Fortunately in that brief meeting I found out he was a Christian also so I believed that was a God thing! Hang tough! You CAN do it! Hugs! Hope your day today was special!

Ernie posted a note for Rebecca that says: Alright woman, don't make me come over there! We're getting surgery the same day and it's going to be fine. Quit dwelling on the negative, and think positive thoughts. We're both going to be so much better after surgery, and this surgery is saving our lives. In this big highway of life, this is a little pothole in the road and we'll be through it soon enough. Sounds like you got a great team working on you and so you should be plenty confident in them. God doesn't throw anything your way you can't handle. Besides we're going to be on some GOOD drugs and pain won't be much of an issue at all. Enjoy time with family and friends before surgery and quit worrying so much. Positive thoughts bring about positive results. We're going to be fine.

Laura West posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca I so understand where you are at. I too am a nurse and last summer at age 49 I was told I needed to have my mitral valve repaired or replaced due to a tear in the valve. I had to wait for 3weeks for the surgery, it was agonizing! I was referred to a surgeon that does minimally invasive surgery. Everything went very well, I was in the ICU overnight then on the heart unit for 7 days. I got along great. I have a 3 inch incision on the top of my right breast. The pain really wasn't too bad, I expected it to be pretty severe but it wasn't. Get into cardiac rehab as soon as you're able. My surgery was August 23 of 2012 but they couldn't get me into rehab until November 6 th. Rehab is extremely helpful! I look back at this last year and it has gone by fast, I feel so much better! Like I said I'm a nurse too and all the what if's went through my head too. Just try to relax and not think about it, I know easier said than done. So many of my friends sent me cards with bible verses in them, I read and reread them every day and that helped. I still have every card, i treasure them! You can do this! One step at a time! As one of my friends said Gods got this! I will pray for you! I look forward to hearing how well your surgery goes. I found that I felt so much better, I didn't realize how it had affected me for several years, it was a gradual decline! I wish I could hug you and talk to you! Be of good courage friend!

Cindy Wilson posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca: I am praying for you. I understand the anxiety and the fear. It becomes consuming even if we try to fight it. But continue to fight it as hard as you can b/c its worth it. In 6 days you will have been through it and in 7 days the recovery will begin and that will be challenging, but you can handle it! We can all handle it! We can do this! Much love to you!

gabrielle Stinson posted a note for Rebecca that says: OH well done Rebecca, thank God you found a cardio who was smart and sympathetic to your situation! Actually I think that it was all meant to be and he found YOU! Do some deep breathing, relax and enjoy resting in the Spirit! Will be thinking of you on 28th. G x

Vicki Lemon posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca. Jeff and I have been keeping up with your progress and are praying for you daily. Love you!

Gabrielle Stinson posted a note for Rebecca that says: Many thanks dear Rebecca for the tip re thel stockings! LOL! So much easier now. BTW I identify with your story very much although I am 72 not 62 and I remarried two years ago and want to be fit and heaahy as I feel that I have been given a secon chance at life. Will be thinking of you and sending thoughts and blessings for a great result after your procedure. Love Gabi x

Joe K posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca,

I am two weeks post op (aortic valve replacement). Getting the recliner is a very good move. After one night home of horrible sleep a friend brought over his recliner. Since then I have started in the bed each night and after a couple of hours of sleep it was onto the recliner for a few more hours of sleep. It will come in handy and if you have the powerlift option that saves your sternum even more. The optimal way to get ip is not using your arms until the sternum heals. The power lift will indeed come in handy.
You will do fine. My prayers are with you.

Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12 posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca I was just reading your blog. On Sept 19,2012 I had AVR along with an annuersym of the ascending aortia replaced. I am so happy that I had it done. My life has been so good since then. You will be amazed at what your life will be afterwards. You really will be able to enjoy traveling with your new husband. The surgery isn't all that bad the recovery is long but doable. Each day gets better and you always will see the best results. Im almost a year out and I still have small nerve pain but I pretty much ignore it. Life is beautiful and God is so good to all of us. I wish you the very best. The worse part of all this journey is the waiting. Please feel free to read my journal. Havent put much in lately but will be putting some in very soon. The best to you will keep you in my prayers.

Jean Cook posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca, I am also a nurse and 62 y/o. I had my mitral valve replaced 19 weeks ago in April with a bovine valve. I just completed 12 weeks of cardiac rehab and have now joined a fitness center to keep up the good work. Good luck with your decision and the surgery. Let us know how thing go for you. You can read my journal.

Bill Bard posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca
I had my aortic valve replaced on June 25 with a bovine version and agree very much with your analysis so far. Even the short period I have been on Coumaidin so far (even boviners have a short time on it, at least here in Portland) it is a pain. About your lift chair...I had mine moved to the skilled nursing facility I spent 20 days at post-op. I wouldn't want to be without it. It is a tremendous help.

Ernie B.S. posted a note for Rebecca that says: Aug. 28th I'm getting my new bovine valve. Looks like we'll be joining the zipper club at the same time. I'm considering it my re-birth day. Looking forward to being recovered and able to climb stairs without getting winded. I get out of breath just taking the elevator.

Smile. Everything's going to be great. We're going to be feeling so much better several months from now.

jeff posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca, of course it's not too early to start counting down, I've been counting for a long time. I have a bicuspid aortic valve and have known someday I would have to have surgery. Sounds like you've got a great surgical team. Smile every day before surgery and enjoy yourself. I know god is watching over us all. BTW I'm going with the bio valve choice, but my surgeon is confident my valve will not need to be worked on. I hope he's right.

sandy wummer posted a note for Rebecca that says: i had my surgery May 9th and going back Aug. 1st. at the suggestion of the surgeon. almost 12 weeks. i thought I could have gone back before but im glad i stayed out this long. i still have a few minor issues and am really taking my time building stamina.... even though i felt good, this is still big surgery and needs time... don't rush back.

Sandy Wummer AVR 5/9/13 posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca, im a nurse also and in this case NOT a benefit! Knowing a little too much about what's to come. i was really terrified. I am 11 weeks postop and doing fine.I am 57 and opted for the Bovine. The valve type decision was more of a lifestyle decision rather than a medical one. I didnt want the hassle of anticoagulation management even though you can do the testing at home now. I had my surgery at U of Penn in Phili and the significant surgical advances in the coming years may allow my next surgery in 15plus years to be done in a "stent-like" procedure. The TAVR is now only dome with high risk cases. probably will change in the future. This is a personal decision and there is no right or wrong answer. when you choose, don't second guess. I looked at the statistics for recent AVR and Bovine was the most "popular" one. keep posting, i found this site very helpful. Best to you..

Joe posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca, I guess the most important thing is to have the surgery. As for the type of valve I opted for the tissue valve. That way I avoid the need of blood thinner for the rest of my life. And when we do get older (I am your age) being on blood thinner is not a good thing.
Yes in about 10 - 20 years there will be a need for another surgery but the expectation is by then it will be much less invasive.
My surgeon commented that although the metal would never wear out the other parts of it could.
Best of luck to you whichever valve you decide on.

Brian Walsh posted a note for Rebecca that says: Agree with the idea of repair if possible, if you haven't looked to see if this is possible I highly suggest going anywhere to have a repair rather than replacement.

I had my repair done at Mt. Sinai, NY (of course they were pretty close to me so it helped). Now with that said, my doctor was 99.9% confident he could repair it. But if it needed replaced he recommended tissue, which I was for. I'm 35 and very active. I was not into coumidin for the rest of my life that is required for mechanical. Now those that have mechanical will tell you they get used to it, but for me, I'm not a medication person, so the less the better. Also tissue valves appear to be lasting longer then they used to according to some studies I read.

Regardless, this is a personal decision, one you have to weigh and take advice from your doctor.

Sal posted a note for Rebecca that says: Watch the webinar about mitral valve. Go for repair. Go to a surgeon/hospital that does nearly 100% repair.

Jean Cook posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca,
Our stories are somewhat similar. I had mitral stenosis too, but it was due to rheumatic fever which I had as a child. I am also 62 years old and also a nurse.i had my mitralvalve replaced this past April. As far as the fear goes, I was more afraid of the consultation than Iwas of having the surgery. Look up Isaiah 41:13
In your Bible. It is about Jesustaking you by your right hand and guiding you. When you are scared, hold out your right hand squeeze your hand and imagine holding Jesus's hand. He will help you and REALLY, your fear will go away. I was more afraid of the consultation than the day of the surgery.
When you pack for surgery, bring your own pillow and pajamas. It has been just about 4 months since my surgery. I feel great. I should have done this years ago. I have lots more energy than before. You can look up my journal , Jean Cook

Brian Walsh posted a note for Rebecca that says: I can remember singing and listening to some songs before and after surgery and how they triggered such an emotional response leading up to the surgery as well. Embrace the feelings and know that you are in good hands. You will be in my prayers and I am sure the pain will be less than what you are anticipating, since we always anticipate the worst. Best part of it, it is temporary, and by the time you are past it you won't even remember it. God Bless

Renee Radocaj posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca - very poinent comments and exactly what I am feeling to. Do you know why they scheduled your surgery that far out? I have severe mitral valve prolapse and see the surgeon on Thursday to schedule a date. I hope I don't have to wait/worry that long. I feel like everything is on hold until then. Thanks and God Bless You!!!

DVB posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca. Sure, it's no picnic. But it is exciting. I mean, you will be getting the whole rest of your life back. So see if you can replace fear with the excitement of recovery and restoration. You can only hold one thought in your mind at a time, so choose to be excited. You are going to do great.

Ernie posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca,

I'm preparing for heart valve surgery, also. I've read and had a number of people tell me that the anticipation before the surgery was worse than the surgery and recovery itself. My neighbor who had valve surgery last year, said she feels so much better now than before her surgery. I have friend who runs the heart and lung machine in Austin, and he's great. Maybe he'll be in on your surgery.

Keep smiling and keep positive thoughts. You will do great.

Brian Reid posted a note for Rebecca that says: Hi Rebecca,
Your Faith in God will carry you through. I had Mitral Valve Repair on April 16th and can tell you that the pain was minimal. I had severe mitral valve prolapse and had my surgery at U of M by Dr. Bolling. You will feel better then ever after your recovery and be able to enjoy your travel plans!:)

Carla Felgar posted a note for Rebecca that says: I'll be praying for you as you travel the road to full health. Our Lord, the Great Physician, has you in his hands. Love you - Carla

Jerry Pearson aka Dr. Phyxit posted a note for Rebecca that says: Rebecca, I pray that the God of Peace send peace to calm your anxiety. I cannot imagine what it is like for you to face this dilemma. I do know that God is in the healing business and can touch your heart and valves to provide healing. This is what I am praying for. Be strong my friend - find strength in Him.