Iona's Journal

Grace Mason   Sending many well wishes and prayers your way. Glad to hear you are feeling calm, that is a good thing

Cathleen Weed  Prayers for your surgery I see you're from Scotland!! I lived there for 3 NFL Europe football seasons when I was in my 20's. First in Edinburgh and then in Glasgow. So incredibly beautiful with such kind people . I'll be thinking of you this week and sending positive vibes from Southern California! xo

Iona Macintosh   Just at 🏥 waiting to go to ward! Still feeling calm.. ohs still scheduled for tomorrow 🙏🤞🏻🙏 so need it now as getting so tired! 

Thank you all so much for all your kind wishes xx

Robert Miller  Maybe I am too tired but today is Thursday 9/21/23. So the 22nd would be Friday and not Thursday. Anyways, good luck with your surgery. All you will do is sleep for a few hours while the surgeons do their magic...

Robert Miller  In Scotland, Thursday should still be 9/21/23... Anyways, technicality, or time-icality or whatever. As long as Iona showed up on the right day and time all is good... And no earthquakes during surgery (just had a small one 2 miles away a couple minutes ago...)

Cathleen Weed  Depends on the time she posted...I have no idea about that. I lived in Scotland for a few NFL Europe seasons. My husband is from the SF area (Walnut Creek). Down here in Los Angeles, I always think about an earthquake during surgery too lol.

Robert DeVita  Not sure if it helps but I don't even remember the tube as they took it out before I regained full coherence. My son told me I was answering him with thumbs up type of responses but I don't even remember them taking it out!

Sharon Behl  Same here, I don't remember the tube going in or coming out. Yes, my throat was sore and voice scratchy, but after some honey and a few days  of healing, all better. Recovery is no picnic, but if you're fit going into the surgery, then you'll find healing so much easier!

Alice Williams  You'll be unconscious when they intubate you. I have the vaguest memory of it coming out. I was anxious about a couple of other things before surgery, but they were no big deal either.  I only took pain pills for the first 4 days.  I did have issues with nausea and anemia and my heart rate is still high after 5 months.  Even with all that, I was able to say that every day is better than the day before.

GARY STANKO  My main concern was the tube also.  I just concentrated on my breathing when I woke up.  They had it out very quick and it was a non event.

Ana Brusso  Iona, you are fit and you will do well. I will be praying for your successful surgery and recovery. God bless you. I, like most of these heart warriors, don’t remember the tube at all. 🙏❤️

Robert DeVita  Iona.., not sure if you read the post by Deb Michalowski but it will leave you at ease. I had Aortic Valve replacement earlier this year and I found her very detailed description to be very accurate! Good luck!

Valerie Allen  Iona, I was just reading a couple articles about the AMA thinking that focusing so much on BMI has been detrimental, rather than overall health. Of course, your doctor would be able to answer your questions best. I also have extra weight and will be questioning mine as well.

Allen Carkner  I hate to speak on someone's behalf but my uncle who had his second aortic valve replacement 5 days after my first has recovered pretty smoothly. He had a bicuspid aortic valve, did a tissue for 8 years, then needed another and did a mechanical valve. He is a pretty big guy and has done well. It was strange to need our surgeries so close together but was nice to have the shared experience. 

Susan Lynn  Iona - I'm hoping one of our folks who have had aortic valve replacement will reply. I'm a mitral valve repair heart warrior, but I think the issue is two fold with someone of your young age. Surgeons like to put in a large valve if you're getting a bio material because these valves - even the new and improved ones - have a limited lifespan. The second procedure when another valve is needed, the trancatheter 'valve-in-valve' procedure is often the choice to avoid a more invasive entry. The first valve has to be big enough in diameter to accommodate the second valve, however. Younger patients here in the US can initially get the TAVR - it was previously only offered to high risk patients who couldn't undergo surgery - but in the UK, they may not have adopted that approach for a 58 years young woman. Most of these valves will easily last 6 years, but they will require a replacement within your lifetime. Best of luck to you.

DeLois Tweedy  I had a TAVR procedure in June 2020 to replace aortic valve. I am high risk and could not tolerate OHS. I had just turned 65 about 2 months prior. I have been told and always have heard that tissue valves last 10 to 20 years and tissue vs mechanical valve is used more for older patients. Everyone is different and it is always best to discuss things with your doctor. This is a great site for education and discussion/encouragement with others on this "heart journey". Feel free to ask questions. Best wishes as you make these decisions with your doctors.

Civita Fahey  I didnt have a TAVR as I was too young also. I've had my bovine valve now for 6 years.  Doing well. They did say they last  anywhere from 10-15 possible 20 years.  So, I guess its the chance we take. 6 years sounds very low. I know there are people on this site that have had their bovines for more than 6 years.  I'm banking on a long time and a TAVR when it needs to be replaced. I was almost 56 when I had my OHS. 

Patsy Stewart  I had a TAVR in December of 2020 after an unsuccessful OHS in November 2020. I was and am very thankful that the TAVR was a success. 

Iona Macintosh   Many thanks for these comments ❤️ I’m meeting with Tavi Team on Monday 🤞🏻🙏🤞🏻 I hope they will do this procedure on me soon ! I’ll keep you all posted!

Thanks 🥰