Jackie Owens - Heart Valve Journal

Steve Farthing Different docs have different opinions. I am currently wearing a heart monitor for 30 days because my cardiologist thinks I may have afib and not be aware ... Read more

Michael Bronshteyn I have been about 1.5 years after surgery. I do have occasional anxiety attacks. Once my heart rate got up to 120. I don't take meds at this point. My cardiologist ... Read more

Jackie Owens I don't drink any caffeine. I was told they are PAC's and not to worry. It's just unnerving when you have a stingy heart. :). My heart rate is very low ... Read more

Rita Savelis Hi Jackie. Nice to hear from you. I'm more than 2 years out and I occasionally get heart flutters. I no longer take beta blockers, and my resting heart rate ... Read more

Ellen Leng Jackie, you should push your doctor (Cardiologist, not your primary) to put you on a monitor for at least 2 weeks and 30 days seems to be the best in order ... Read more

Jackie Owens I do take 81mg Aspirin and will forever. I saw my local Cardiologist again and it seems that I have Bronchitis...brought on by the smoke from all the fires. ... Read more

1 year post op!! :)

Journal posted on September 8, 2016

Tomorrow marks my 1 year anniversary of heart surgery #4! To celebrate, my husband and I are taking the day to hike to a place here in my home state of Colorado Called Hanging Lake. It's been named a top place to add to a bucket list! I've always wanted to do this hike, but have never had the chance. I'm excited to be able to do this tomorrow and enjoy a difficult hike with the ability to breath! Of course, no trip to Hanging Lake is complete without a soak in the hot springs (followed by dinner). ;)

Today, I feel more emotional than I did last year the day before surgery. All in all, I remember being really calm and collected the night before. The surgery went well, recovery was not that bad and I was ready to get back to life within a few weeks. A year later, it's almost surreal. You reflect on it and think "wow, I survived that". I think back on my husband sitting 5 days in ICU with me, not wanting to leave me to go to the bathroom. I think about my Dad who let me recover in his home for 4 weeks, coming in my room to make sure I was ok while I slept. This was my Dad's 4th rodeo with my surgeries so he was an old pro...my poor husband, he was a trooper too. It really is an overflow of thoughts...some good, some bad!

On a final note, UCLA was the most amazing place and I have to thank my surgeon, doctors, nurses, CNA's, etc for the amazing care! Without them, I'm sure I would not be here today! (As a member of the healthcare industry, I hope my patients appreciate me as much as I did my care team). I took my experiences with the UCLA staff and used them to better my patient's experiences. I work with Cardiology patients on a weekly basis and I just love their spirit and sharing my positive experiences with them.

Good luck to those of you getting ready and those in recovery! You'll do great. In the words of Dr. Suess, "Oh the places you will go". 😀

Like | Darlene Smith, Shannon Gray, Corey Sines and likes this

Lenore Mitchell The only way to know what's going on is to see your cardiologist, who may order a holter monitor (I had one several times, both before and after mitral valve ... Read more

Jackie Owens I had an EKG which was normal, but I think I need to go back for a more accurate work up! I was told it could be hormones, thyroid and other random issues other than my heart. I hope so! :)

Kate Watson That must be kind of scary and I agree you probably just need to see your cardiologist again. They'll probably want to do a holter monitor as Lenore says, ... Read more

Jackie Owens I don't have anxiety normally, but I think feeling a few flutters has sort of made me anxious...thinking "what's wrong", "why am I having these again"..yeah ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen Jackie-Your heart sisters are giving you the best advice. I might add that as active as you have been since you began your "healing time" I am reminded that ... Read more

Jackie Owens I agree. Ive had those monitors before, prior to surgery and they helped a lot. Luckily I work for the Cardiology Office here where I live, so that's pretty ... Read more

Elaine Cutri Sorry to hear about the daily migraines, but so happy to hear your exercise tolerance is up there. Hope the light therapy is helpful.

Christine Oliva Good to hear from you. Sorry to hear about your heart lung machine problem, but glad you are getting some relief now. Yes even with these problems you can see ... Read more

Ed Miskovic Hey Jackie, For years I suffered with pre-migraine ocular vision episodes. At first I found it unnerving. Then I found it irritating. Gradually I developed ... Read more

Jackie Owens Update: the light therapy has actually worked! It broke my migraine cycle and I feel fantastic!

John White Jackie I get daily migraines (chronic) and I am post op since 1/29/16. How do I try this light therapy? Can I do it at home?
Thanks Much
John white

Jackie Owens John: I'm not sure where the light therapy is in your area. I work for a pain management Doctor that is just now experimenting with this light machine. We ... Read more

Jeanette Davidson So sorry to hear that. Listen to your internal gut. It makes sense what they are saying and it is very early in your recovery to not be cautious . My encouragement ... Read more

Rita Savelis I find it helpful to see a GP regularly (since the cardios are not available). I just want to see a health professional to ask various questions. Cardiologists/surgeons ... Read more

Karen Pineda I agree with Jeanette and Rita. #1, go with your gut. If you are stressed about it, that will only make the symptoms worse and you'll end up going to see ... Read more

Jackie Owens I ended up going to the ER Monday night (where I work, which is always fun) and the ER doc admitted me overnight for observation. By the next morning the palpitations ... Read more

Michael Shaughnessy I never had an appetite for 8-12 weeks. Lost @ 25 pounds and 4 years later never really gained it back. As a runner, I have trouble gaining weight. Don't worry you will get your appetite back.

Mindy Currence Jackie,
I hope you enjoyed your sushi tonight! Maybe this will be your turning point. Sorry I cannot help with the reason why.
Mindy

Jackie Owens I ate a little more, but not as much as normal. I'm so underweight anyway that gaining it back will be an issue....maybe some Dairy Queen Ice Cream will do the trick!

Steven A Husted yes i did get my appetite back and then lost it for a few days then it came back again

Rita Savelis I don't really have an appetite anymore (but I was always too skinny), and I certainly don't want anything sweet at all. Going for foods that spark your interest ... Read more

Patrick Dowd Damn I wish. Having to squelch my appetite now. It was easy to loose weight the first month or so now Manga manga manga

Tina Maroon I had no appetite for almost 7 weeks after surgery. It took that long for me to gain any kind of appetite after surgery.

Robert Osmachenko It looks like you are making good progress and glad your Dad is there to help you. How did your kidney infection work out?
Your questions about a possible ... Read more

Rita Savelis I just feel like OHS is such a trauma to the very center of your being. Weird shit happens all over your body and then it settles down again. The heart is responsible ... Read more

Jackie Owens Weird shit explains it perfectly. :) my Dad reminded me that after my third heart surgery (I was 12) my knees did the same thing. He remembers that it was ... Read more

Rita Savelis Your dad sounds like a great guy!

Jackie Owens He is...it's tough for him because he has terrible arthritis so I'm glad I can help a little now.

Elaine Cutri So glad to hear you got it checked out. Sending you prayers and hugs. Hope you feel better soon.

Tammy Pilcher Hope you feel better soon, Jackie. God bless you!

Jackie Owens Woke up much better today... Thanks. :)

Jean Raber Good news. Now don't go and ruin it by running around before you've had a chance to heal. :-)

Gerald Schaffer It's very important that the infection gets knocked out so it doesn't get to the valve. They should place you on antibiotics longer than normal to make sure. ... Read more

Jackie Owens My surgeons office is the one of sent me to Urgent Care, ASAP. I think it's a two week antibiotic 3 x a day. I'm already better today. No more fever or pain. ... Read more

Elaine Cutri Some pain meds might be helpful. There are some rough spots along with the good days in the 8-12 weeks it takes for bones, muscles and nerves to heal after ... Read more

Rita Savelis I hear you Jackie. It's a back and forth process. Take it easy.

Jean Raber Just about EVERYbody on here reports days when the feel awful. Saw it happen with my mother after her AVR. Her home care nurse told us that those "brick wall" ... Read more

Jackie Owens I slept yesterday all afternoon and night. Today I've stayed in bed minus going to urgent care for a kidney infection...which really I think is more of a bladder ... Read more

Clare Auten I enjoyed sleeping on my side when I was in the hospital and still do. Always my right side. Left just wasn't comfortable. I am almost 2 years out. I never experienced tightness though.

Janea Christensen After my first surgery, one of the nurses helped me figure out, with a collection of strategically placed pillow, how to sleep on my side. After this surgery ... Read more

kristin ott My left side has also seemed more tight, rt has been better but my coccyx is slightly numb makes me chuckle a little must of been caught on my back to long ... Read more

Steven A Husted my problem was i would sleep on my stomach before ohs then i tried my side and it was very uncomfortable and flat on my back was very uncomfortable so i tried ... Read more

Rita Savelis I was told I could sleep on my side whenever it felt okay to me.... That took awhile, probably 6 weeks. It was scary at first to go on my side and then on my ... Read more

Jeanette Davidson So funny Jackie , I used the analogy of braces too! I also have interesting dreams which is odd for me too. I believe it is Just different phases of healing ... Read more

Eleanor R I had AVR a year ago, and I remember really vivid dreams once I was home and on the at-home meds. I never knew which medication caused them, and the cardiologist ... Read more

Rita Savelis Beta blockers definitely give one strange (vivid, creative) dreams....
Sternum tightness, yes, I know it well. It comes and goes.

Jean Raber Thanks for this little meditation, Jackie. I think any disease that leaves "marks"--whether it's scars, hair loss, lumps, etc.--makes you wonder if people see ... Read more

Shirley Turner Good for you. Baby steps out of the house is good. You go girl. Hugs Shirley.

Paige Baitinger That is excellent Jackie ! Walking helped me so much in my recovery- with physically and mentally - I have my aortic valve replaced 8 weeks ago and walking everyday. You go girl!!! Hugs, Paige

Jackie Owens Thanks for the encouragement everyone! :)

Steven A Husted YES KEEP IT UP JACKIE YOU ARE DOING FINE JUST DONT RUSH IT TAKE YOUR TIME TIME IS A HEALER YOUR HEART BROTHER STEVE (POPEYE)

Rita Savelis Oh, to be on a field trip in Palm Springs....! You're amazing Jackie.

Mary K Hi Jackie, Wondering if you would consider massage therapy? I actually had several sessions of Reiki massage at Cleveland Clinic in my room and they were Soooooo helpful.

Rosemary Resler I'm one week out and the pain in neck and back were extruciating. I was on more pain meds for that then anything else! It still hurts a bit but at least at this point it is tolorable.

Jackie Owens I'm one week out too and my back/neck are just terrible. That was a bigger pain for me than my sternum. I was actually able to sleep in bed this morning but ... Read more

Jackie Owens Mary: I am looking for a place to get a massage where I'm recovering...I think I need it! :)

Bobby Manzoor I did not have any pains for the first two weeks. Suddenly, the end of the third week, neck, left shoulder and shoulder wing started hurting. My four week ... Read more

Jeanette Davidson Oh boy I had that too! PT might help. I lived with my neck roll that I could heat in the microwave and Tylenol. Good luck ... Hope it get better!

Ruth Reshad Yes-neck and shoulder pain. I asked for ice right away in the step down room and it seemed to help. I think it is how they secure your body for surgery.

Tammy Pilcher Hi Jackie, I just read your story and wanted to tell you what an inspiration you are to have gone through this four times now and still have such a great attitude. ... Read more

Elaine Cutri So glad today is going better. Be patient with your pulse rate. It may take a few weeks. Even with metoprolol, mine still ran high 90-110 for 2 months. I got ... Read more

Jackie Owens Yeah it's pretty annoying but I just have to understand it will pass. Now Im running a small fever but that's to be expected. :)

Robert Osmachenko It looks like you have this totally under wraps because you speak of it so matter of factually. Can you or do you have a big say in how much Metoprolol you ... Read more

Jackie Owens No the doctors tweak with your motoprolol in the hospital and won't let you go until they have it right. They seemed happy as long as my heart rate didn't ... Read more

Robert Osmachenko I feel sorry that you haven't been getting a lot of responses.
I am not familiar with your condition but I give you high marks for tolerating three surgeries ... Read more

Jackie Owens Thanks for your kind words. I'm off work today and took my dog on a long walk/hike. I feel good right now, but by 3 I'll be taking a nap, I'm sure. Two weeks ... Read more

Kim Beck Hi Jackie. I am in Washington and also am suffering from wildfire smoke. Our air has been at hazardous levels for a couple of weeks now and it's really getting ... Read more

Jackie Owens Kim: Thank you. I live in Colorado so we are getting all the smoke from the PNW and Montana fires, it's terrible! I also live at 7,000 feet so mixing that ... Read more

Terry Shermeister HI Jackie I'm Terry: I had a mitral valve repair Feb. 14. I'm about 15 weeks post op. I had zero symptoms, I swam and biked and did yoga the week before ... Read more

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