Janice's Heart Valve Journal

Janice Smith  My surgeon at Cleveland Clinic could give no reason for the leak, just that it happens sometimes. I am continuing to do well, and looking forward to my grandson's ... Read more

Janice Smith  My surgeon at Cleveland Clinic could give no reason for the leak, just that it happens sometimes. I am continuing to do well, and looking forward to my grandson's wedding in Florida this May. Know all will go well for you.

Jeanette Davidson   I had AVR in 7/2015 . Moderate to severe leak as well. Had my first surgery in FL. Sent all of my new info to Cleveland Clinic awaiting reply. Many mixed opinions ... Read more

Jeanette Davidson   I had AVR in 7/2015 . Moderate to severe leak as well. Had my first surgery in FL. Sent all of my new info to Cleveland Clinic awaiting reply. Many mixed opinions here from the surgeons in Florida. They can't establish if my leak is internal or X ternal. In a holding pattern. I understand your disappointment that it didn't last longer. I feel the same. The shock initially was very challenging for me I'm doing much better now. Hope you are hanging in there ❤️

Janice Smith  I understand your frustration also. I pray that you hear from CC soon, as the waiting is so hard. Glad you are doing better now. Will keep you updated on ... Read more

Janice Smith  I understand your frustration also. I pray that you hear from CC soon, as the waiting is so hard. Glad you are doing better now. Will keep you updated on my progress. I, too, don't feel bad, but will see what they find out. Do you have a tissue valve?

Jill Krajnovich  Hi Janice,
I am scheduled to have AVR and aneurysm repair with the same surgeon at CC on July 25. My valve is leaking moderately but will have it repaired or ... Read more

Jill Krajnovich  Hi Janice,
I am scheduled to have AVR and aneurysm repair with the same surgeon at CC on July 25. My valve is leaking moderately but will have it repaired or replaced when I have surgery to repair the aneurysm. Your story concerns me as I am expecting much longer than 3 years out of my new valve. Please post an update after you have met with Dr Svensson. Best wishes and prayers for a good outcome!

Janice Smith  I most certainly will post and update. I pray that your AVR and aneurysm goes as well as mine did in September, 2014. I had a biscupid bovine replacement, ... Read more

Janice Smith  I most certainly will post and update. I pray that your AVR and aneurysm goes as well as mine did in September, 2014. I had a biscupid bovine replacement, and did great after the surgery. I, too, was expecting much longer than 3 years, so I am very anxious to have further testing done at CC and meet with Dr. Svennson. Will be thinking of you Jill. I hope you can read Jeanette Davidson's post above, as she had her AVR done in FL, 2015, and has a moderate to severe leak as well.

Janice Smith  Met with Dr. Svensson on Tuesday afternoon. My valve leak is 2-3, and for now it will be watched till it gets worse and I experience more symptoms. I have ... Read more

Janice Smith  Met with Dr. Svensson on Tuesday afternoon. My valve leak is 2-3, and for now it will be watched till it gets worse and I experience more symptoms. I have some breathlessness when climbing steps carrying something heavy, little dizziness, but basically doing okay. I will have more frequent echo's done with my cardiologist to keep a watch on the leak. One of the things he did have me do was to stop my calcium with vitamin D, as to have a valve leak this soon is unusual, but there is a study going on related to calcium supplements and this problem. Nothing concrete, just looking into it as a possible. I trust Dr. Svensson and feel so much better after talking with him, so now I wait. When it is time, I will have the TAVR procedure, so thankfully will not crack the chest again. I had read up on it through our newsletters we get from Adam, and am so thankful for his insight into all of this for us. Prayers for your upcoming surgery, and know you will be in good hands with Dr. S and CC. Keep us updated, and I will do the same.

Jill Krajnovich  Good to hear your update, Janice. Glad that at least for now you do not have to undergo another procedure and do not face OHS again! I do not take calcium ... Read more

Jill Krajnovich  Good to hear your update, Janice. Glad that at least for now you do not have to undergo another procedure and do not face OHS again! I do not take calcium supplements and based on this, do not think that I will start. Thank you for your prayers. I need all I can get! I will continue to post any new developments and will watch for yours. Best wishes to you!

Janice Smith  Thank you. I just saw my cardiologist and am scheduled for a TEE after we return from a graduation for our grandson out of state. He said that this is not ... Read more

Janice Smith  Thank you. I just saw my cardiologist and am scheduled for a TEE after we return from a graduation for our grandson out of state. He said that this is not an emergency, but will get it done the day after we return. There is a definite problem, so the TEE will explain what that problem is.

Virginia (Ginger) French  Janice, I had a history of a traumatic brain injury with some permanent damage that occurred decades before my valve replacement. I woke in the ICU and there ... Read more

Virginia (Ginger) French  Janice, I had a history of a traumatic brain injury with some permanent damage that occurred decades before my valve replacement. I woke in the ICU and there were "stars" everywhere. They lasted for a few hours. I also had problems with dizziness that persisted after dismissal. And what I learned from recording my blood pressure and heart rate and weight at the same time each day was that my blood pressure was too low. My cardiologist told me it would only be for three months (Ugh!), but when I went to see my Family Physician, she took one look at the log I had taken in with me and instantly was concerned with the BP's. We discussed it and agreed to cut the dose in half and three days later the extreme vertigo with accompanying nausea were gone.

It is great to hear that more testing has been done. You are probably aware that the two most common adverse events after valve replacement are atrial fibrillation and stroke. The "usually one sided" may indicate that you had a small stroke in the course of the surgery and immediate post-op period.

Thankfully, the medical world is now so sophisticated that their tools to help diagnose and treat are excellent. I will be praying that the news is good. If what occurred was a small stroke-like event, the effects you are having are likely to be temporary and resolve in time.

No matter what the news, having patience and doing things that reduce your stress will probably help you and in addition lift your spirits up.
Blessings, Ginger

Janice Smith  Thank you Ginger for your response. These symptoms didn't start right away, but several weeks after the surgery. I don't feel bad, just gets so frustrating ... Read more

Janice Smith  Thank you Ginger for your response. These symptoms didn't start right away, but several weeks after the surgery. I don't feel bad, just gets so frustrating with these things happening. I sure hope my test results give me some answers. Thanks again.