Virginia (Ginger) French posted a note for Tammy that says: Tammy, I have been thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers, and see that you seem to be doing very well. So glad to know that! Keep the faith and you will continue to sail smoothly!
Love & hugs, Ginger

Kathleen McClung posted a note for Tammy that says: Just thought I would stop in and see how you are doing? I am 3 weeks post op now and doing well.

Elaine Foster posted a note for Tammy that says: Hi Tammy, Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving and are continuing to recover well. A couple of questions. What time frame did your surgeon suggest your bovine valve would last at your age? Also, you said you had dacron graft. Did you have an aneurysm? What size was the aneurysm? I have a 4.1 aneurysm, but surgeon says it doesn't need done. Have a good weekend.

Mark Schmitz posted a note for Tammy that says: Hi Tammy. Went to see Dr. Accola on Monday morning and I will have to agree with you and Melinda - he is great. My wife and I were really impressed with him and Mike's ability to help us and to answer all of our questions. We did not feel rushed at all, (unlike the previous 2 surgeons we talked to). Thanks again for the recommendation and the posting you do... it really helps! It looks like I will be scheduling the surgery for the 2nd week in December. Guess I gotta do this. I am probably also going to bring the kids and have them stay at a hotel somewhere so they can enjoy the nice weather and help their old dad. I get a lot of positivity from those little critters, as well as a lot of support from my wife -- so it will be nice if they are all there. Thanks again and I will post as soon as I know more.

Elaine Foster posted a note for Tammy that says: Thanks for checking on me. I am good. I went on a cruise with my daughter, we had planned and paid for before knowing I needed surgery, both Drs said OK to go. We had a great time. So good to get away and think of other things for awhile. I am 2 weeks out for my AVR and am ready to get it over with. I posted before but it didn't show up, so trying again!

Mark Schmitz posted a note for Tammy that says: Hi Tammy and Melinda. Got an appointment with Dr. Accola next Monday morning! The nurse, Bonnie, was very friendly and accommodating. It has been one of the best interactions I have had yet... Thanks for both of your inputs.
p.s. I hope you don't have snow down there

Joseph Ballett posted a note for Tammy that says: How's your Healing going i hope everything is great with you.Wishing you the best have a great day.

Lilly Black posted a note for Tammy that says: Tammy, you have inspired me to move on peacefully with my upcoming surgery. That is wonderful news for you! I will also have a Bovine and I picture myself feeling pretty good as you had described the first time you got up. I can't wait to feel that way, I've been feeling miserable lately with stress and shortness of breath, etc. I wish you the best, and thanks so much for sharing!

Lilly

Melinda Hacker posted a note for Tammy that says: Tammy, I saw on your post to Barbara that in addition to the bovine valve, you got an aortic root enlargement with Dacron patch. That is exactly what Dr. Accola did for me. I go for my follow up visit on Monday. I think my recovery is going well, but I'll find out for sure then. So, can you tell a difference in how you are feeling with your new valve?

Melinda Hacker posted a note for Tammy that says: Good morning Tammy. I'm just checking in to see how you are doing.

Don posted a note for Tammy that says: Some how my mother on law put your journal on Facebook. I am facing mitral valve repair/ replacement in a month or so. I prayed for you this morning. Hope you are doing well.

Celia Werner posted a note for Tammy that says: Tammy my thoughts and prayers are with you today. It's been 2 years and a little over one month since I have had my open heart surgery to replace my Aortic valve and my doctors say that I am doing great. Just keep an open mind on everything that is happening and listen to everything that you are told to do and you will come out with flying colors. Hope you have read Adams book several times to calm your nerves. That is what kept me from getting to upset with what I went thru. And today I still promote Adams book to other people.

Joan Napier posted a note for Tammy that says: Tammy, my thoughts and prayers are with you tonight on the eve of your surgery. May God and the angels surround you with peace tonight as you rest. I will be praying for you, your surgeon, and your medical team as you undergo your procedure tomorrow. You've got this! Let us know how you're doing when you feel up to it. Hugs, Joan

Elaine Foster posted a note for Tammy that says: Thinking of you, and just letting you know you will be in my prayers. God will be with you all the way.

Melinda Hacker posted a note for Tammy that says: Good luck with your day of testing tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you.

You will do just fine,
Your heart sister❤️Melinda

Melinda Hacker posted a note for Tammy that says: Tammy, I had planned on trying to sleep in my bed when I got back home, but thought I might need a recliner. After surgery, I realized my limitations and knew that a recliner would be a better option. So, the day before leaving the hospital, my husband did some online research and found a power recliner ar Rooms To Go and had it delivered the next morning. I'm SO glad he did this for me. So far, I've had 4 nights at home: 2 in my bed propped up and 2 in the recliner. Right now, I think I get best sleep in the recliner. With the bed, I have to have assistance getting in and out. With the power recliner, I'm independent. I also spend a lot of time in my recliner during the day.

Melinda Hacker posted a note for Tammy that says: Tammy, I hope all has gone well for you today. I have been thinking of you as you begin the journey. Prayers for you💛

Melinda Hacker posted a note for Tammy that says: Tammy, I'm so happy to hear you'll be seeing Dr. Accola on Monday. He and his PA will discuss your test results and give you your options. They are very informative and will answer questions. For me, I had done my research and knew I wanted a tissue valve. But, if you are undecided they will give you all the information on all options.

You'll meet with Annette in his office and she will go over pre- op test scheduling. Mine was set for a Monday with surgery on Tuesday.

There's a Comfort Suite within walking distance of the hospital. We stayed there Monday night. A shuttle picked us up at 5:15 Tuesday morning and dropped us off at the front door of the hospital.

It didn't seem like very long and I heard someone say "the surgery is over". I think it was my sister. I was just coming to at that point. I had no pain at all but the next few hours are a blur. I was rolled into CV ICU and the nursing staff treat you like royalty. The team is top notch!! I spent 2 nights in ICU. You will have quite a bit of tubes connected to you, but not painful.

As you progress, the tubes start coming off and you will be moved to a step down room (where I am right now).

They will take good care of you here.

You will get a heart pillow to hug. It's for keeping your sternum safe and it helps you to not use your arms. I love my pillow❤️. Really, once your through surgery, you will see that you can't stretch out your arms much, can't push and pull with your arms. You can still use your arms for eating, brushing your teeth, washing your face, etc. it's not too bad. We just have to best cautious.

Keep me posted and I'll do my best to answer any questions for you along the way.

Adam Pick posted a note for Tammy that says: Hey Tammy, Good news! I just heard back from Dr. Accola regarding your question about heart caths. In his email, Dr. Accola writes, "Hi Tammy.... Adam asked me to respond to your question in regards to tests done pre-operatively. Many times all the tests done are very adequate for what we need pre-operatively. In my practice, most patients from out of town have their caths done by their cardiologist -- as most of these are very standardised and transferable. It would be quite unusual to have to repeat any of these tests. Thanks and hope all is well. Best, Dr. KDA."

Melinda hacker posted a note for Tammy that says: Hi Tammy! In response to your question about Dr. Accola, I didn't have any problem getting in to see him. I had to take a CD of my most recent scho report with the written report to go with it. I think he only sees patients in his office on Mondays. Of course I haven't had surgery yet but I'm 110% confident that he's the one to do my surgery. Very experienced, educated and on top of it all seems genuine and comforting too. I'll try to update my journal along the way.

Elaine Foster posted a note for Tammy that says: Hello Tammy, Thank you for sharing your scripture. I, too, was diagnosed 2 years ago at age 55 with BAVS. I did not know until then I had a problem, even though I had been short of breath for several years. So, I share that to tell you I understand where you are. This scripture has spoke to me. "For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together; in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body (my bicuspid aorta). All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God, how vast is the sum of them. Were I to count them they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. Ps. 139:13-18 This speaks to me of our situation. This diagnosis did not catch our Lord by surprise as it did us! He knows us and will be with us. I can trust Him with my heart! And the last verse comforts me for when I come out of anesthesia , He will be there. (I am a little apprehensive about waking up on the vent) So, I hope this blesses you today. The support on this site is great. Keep us updated on your progress. (also, I had heart cath 2 weeks ago, thinking I was still in moderate range, and Dr. said oh no, it's severe and you need it done before end of the year.) To say he busted my bubble is to put it mildly, but with the help of this site and Adam's book, i feel prepared to deal with the BAV replacement surgery.

Adam Pick posted a note for Tammy that says: Hi Tammy, Nice to meet you and welcome to our community!!!

Like you, I also had a bicuspid aortic valve. I'm hopeful the very information and the people at our website will help you along your journey.

If you need anything, please let me know.

Keep on tickin!
Adam (patient & website founder)