Hi Tia,

I am still praying along with a lot of others so we know you will recover well.

Please feel better fast!

Love, Your TN friend

Pat

Tia I know God has his angels there watching over you as they did for me almost three weeks ago. It is all down hill from here. I prey that your time in I.C.U. is quick and your time in the hospital be even quicker. I will be following your progress. God Bless

Byron Cage

Hi Tia

I wish you all the best things for your surgery today along with a speedy recovery! My prayers are with you. Life is going to be GREAT for you!
Vickie

Hi Tia,
Good Luck with your surgery today, Please know I'm praying for you. I'm sure your surgery will go fine! All my love! Tara Gambardella (Fellow journalist on this site!)

hello "Indiana neighbor"
May God bless you with patience this weekend. I pray that surgery goes well and you have a speedy recoverery.

Tia, I wanted to tell you "Thank you," for teaching special education. My son is on the autism spectrum. Thank you for all that you do. My prayers are with you!

Christy Naughton

Tia I wish you well and I prey that God send all the angels to your bedside to look after you and protect you through you journey. Thank you for all the kind notes you have sent me as I've walked down mine. I am home now and doing really well. I do have headaches daily now due to the coumaden but Im sure this will pass in time. I will keep up with you and know that we will all be preying for you and your family.

Byron Cage

Hi Tia,
Cindy has been keeping us informed of your upcoming surgery. Remember the Lord is watching over you and keeping you in his care as he surrounds you with strength and comfort. You are on the minds of your many who are supporting you in prayer, thinking of you with loving thoughts and wishing the best for you.
Kim Tocco

Tia,

If you recall, my surgery too was postponed!!! What a BUMMER!!! I DO know how you feel.... Take time to relax this weekend, go out for lunch or dinner. Get some Thank you notes written and be at peace!!!

You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers this weekend and on MONDAY!!

Lori W.

Hi Tia, really hope I didn't jinx you with my consult postponement. But on the positive side and in hindsight, you know what they say about buying a car made on a Friday. Your surgeon will be well rested from the weekend and at his best Monday morning. Hope you have a very relaxing, restful weekend. Take care... Eric

Hi Tia! Glad you are feeling better! As I write I am having a coffee and just about to say my goodbyes to my family!! I am 1st down for my operation in the morning!

I just want to wish you all my heart felt positive thoughts and prayers to you and your family! Bring tomorrow on eh! And our road to a speedy recovery!

Hugs & love Julie Taylor xxxx

Hi Tia,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God grant you His peace, favor, and healing. May He give wisdom and be the guiding hands of the physicians and medical staff throughout your surgery and recovery.
Pam Roller

Hi Tia,

Thinking of you this morning as we haven't heard from you on the blog for a while. Hope you were able to get over the sore throat and you are still on schedule for this week.

My positive thoughts are with you, have HOPE!!

Lori Wakat- AVR
January 13, 2011

Hi Tia, almost there... Hope you're getting all done that you planned to and you're not too anxious or nervous but you will be on the recovery side in no time.I hope you got past that sore throat thing and all is on schedule. I will be at my consultation with my surgeon when you are in surgery Friday. Will be watching your progress on HVJ over the weekend. Take care... Eric

Tia,
Just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you and your family at this time. You are a strong person and I know all will be well. I will keep up on your progress and say a prayer for you each day. Tammy Thieke

Hi, Tia!
I am praying that God will will be using His "hands and feet" in the surgery room with you. He is the ultimate physician!!! You will be wrapped in the protective arms of the Lord as He uses His people to make you whole again!!!
Love you!
Robin Asher

Hi Tia, hope all goes well for you this coming week with no calls of postponement. I seem to be couple of weeks behind you comparing your cath date of Jan.11th (mine Jan.17th); then your surgeon consult date of Feb.07th (mine now on Friday Feb.25th. Now with your surgery slated for the 25th, hopefully mine will not be that far off (mid-to-late March, I hope). We will be able to see the American/Canadian differences in timing/delays. I believe we are both in the "severe" stage. Have a good week... Eric

Hi Tia! My surgery did not go ahead yesterday! I was 1 hour away from operating table!! My surgeon was taken sick!! They have rescheduled my new date for Guess When? 25th same day as you!!... I'm a firm believer in fate yesterday wasn't meant to be for me??

Julie Taylor x

sometimes its best to wait until the technology has progressed somewaht before having surgery - especially if it can be repaired;

aortic aneurysms can be deadly -

Hi Tia, I'm glad all went well for you yesterday and that you are at ease with your surgeon. I was thinking when I had my angiogram in January about percutaneous valve replacements. Too bad we're not there quite yet, in our age group, at least. Anyways, keep us posted. My next consult with the surgeon has now been pushed two days to Feb.25th.... Take care ... Eric

Sorry Tia i never signed my name! Julie Taylor x

Hello Tia!

Wishing you good luck for your appointment with your surgeon! I have my surgery on Friday!! My Triscupid valve is severely leaking, and just like you i can't wait to feel better!!
Bring it on! x x x x

Hi Tia,
Here is the list I've been working on:
1. Should I purchase and pre-fit The Heart Hugger ($95.00) in advance of surgery or will the hospital provide me with one in ICU. Will I get to bring home and keep the one supplied?
2. Should I purchase the Inspirometer ($15.00) and test my pre-surgery lung capacity and use as a target/goal post surgery? Can I keep if one is supplied by hospital?
3. How many open heart aortic valve replacement surgeries have you and the Royal Vic performed on average annually/monthly/weekly/daily? What are the mortality/morbidity rates?
4. Do you perform and have considered minimally invasive surgery for me? Full or median sternotomy?
5. Do you only use titanium wires to hold sternum together or would you consider the use of Kryptonite Superglue to fuse the sternum together? Can I qualify to be a part of cllinical trial? http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101024190929.htm
6. Valve Selection - Mechanical or Tissue; what is your preference for me and why? Whose decision is it?
6.1 If Mechanical; what manufacturer and model is preferred and why? Track record...
6.2 If Tissue; what type (porcine, bovine or equine) is preferred and why? Track record...
7. Anti-Coagulation Therapy (ACT), using warfarin (Coumadin). Home INR testing or clinic visits for blood tests every 2-3 weeks? Lifestyle limitations to prevent bleeding/bruising?
8. New advancements in medications to control anticoagulation and/or mechanical valve composition materials with non-stick properties. Worth the wait or well down the road?
9. Any recommendations on Cardiac Rehab centers on the West Island or Laurentians? What duration is recommended?
10. Time off work. Full and partial disability? Stress levels at work - target for layoff; jobs being off-shored to India. Safer to stay on Long Term Disability (untouchable).
11. Dietary recommendations? Nutritionist recommendations?
12. When can I resume normal activities without pain or risk of re-injury? (ie. swimming, swinging a golf club, lifting an 18 litre water bottle, etc..)
13. Can I bank my own blood in advance of surgery? If so, cost and process.
14. Is massage therapy available in hospital?
15. Recommendations on pre-surgery absence from work (disability) for psychological prep.
16. What is the timeline of major events leading up to surgery?
17. What is the timeline of events following the surgery?
Feel free to adapt to your situation or discard as you see fit.
Regards,
Eric Brenie

Tia,
I also have a bicuspid AV and I had an aortic anyuerysm. They opted to leave the AV alone for now and only fixed the anyuerysm. Before my surgery I would have periods of bounding heart rate but I also have problems with high blood pressure. The feeling was worse when my BP was high.
After my surgery I had a the same issue but the docs felt it was just my heart recovering from the trauma. I have not had the problem for about 6 weeks.
I definitely would talk to the docs and ask what they recommend. I know my surgeon did not want me taking any natural pathic stuff the month before my surgery.
One thing I learned from my experience is to talk to the docs or the nurses (much easier to get a hold of) about what you are feeling in your body. Be bold, it is your body.
Amy Sz.

Hi Tia,

Lori here from the Chicago area. As I believe you read on my post, I am back in the hospital but feeling so much better!!!! Had the fluid drained that was making it difficult to eat and walk. I assumed of course it was just that "feeling" that people said you would feel. It was not......listen to YOUR body!!! I am hoping by the end of the week to be walking on a track for my rehab!

Regarding the shield, I too considered thinking "Why wouldn't I want/need it?" but I have had NO pain from this surgery. No kidding....8 inches. At 2 weeks out, the strips did need to come off (they get very sticky) and the scar does look good too!!! So, don't worry about everyting you could need, you will have time to reconsider all of your options within days of surgery.

Be positive and know all will go well, even with a few bumps in the road........ Come on, we are in Special Education!!!

Lori

Hi Tia,
I was curious about the incision shield as well, but it ends up I never needed anything like that......the incision was pretty protected by the steristrips for the first 2 weeks and then when they were removed, it was fine. I did however wear a front closure, full coverage soft bra that covered it. I even wore the bra to sleep in; it just felt really good to have the compression and support.
I am 6 weeks post-op.
Hope that helps.
Good luck with everything,
Nancy H.

Hi Tia
Welcome to this marvelous site!
The waiting is very difficult. In some ways it was worse than the surgery and recovery. I can still remember the peace and relief I felt once the date for surgery was set. You will get there.
One of the hardest things for me was having to rely on others after my surgery. That was a humbling experience that has definitely changed me.
Don't worry about what does not get done before surgery. You do what ever you can and then let the rest be.
I wish you peace and positive energy!
Amy Sz.

Hi Tia,
Welcome to HVJ!
I am so happy that you found this site; it will be so helpful and reassuring in the next weeks and months.
It sounds like you have done all you can to get all organized before the procedure....it will help when you get home.
Good luck and may God watch over you and your loved ones during this challenging time....you will be fine.
Looking forward to hearing a great report.
Warm Regards,
Nancy H.

Hi Tia,

You sound alot like me! I am 52 and also a Special Ed teacher. My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow! I too became aware of my heart situation 3 years ago, being told I had a murmur. It went from being moderate (a gradiant of 43) to now being 73. It has been intersting trying to organize my life both at home and at school in order to prepare for my absence. I found out around Thanksgiving that this was going to have to take place sooner rather than later. I am glad to be getting it done as it has consumed much of my mental status these past 2 months. I never had any symptoms and am in good health so I hope all that is on my side as I try to recover. I am looking forward to small goals and dates to make this thing do-able.

Best of luck to you and do look for my journal that I will be posting today. My sister will be taking care of it for the next week and then I hope to be back to doing it myself!!

Lori

Tia:
The hardest part for you now will be the waiting.
When you wake up in the ICU, although it's no fun, the worst will be over.
Looking back on it from 3 1/2 months, it all seems like a dream.
Get Adam's book. He sends it out right away, and then remember that it's not as bad as that for everyone. I'm 71 and came through it great with the encouragement of everyone on this list.
Terry C.

hi Tia,

you can beat this thing. hang in there.

you gotta think like a boxer . roll with the punches - punch back.

pete