I had my SAVR in February of 2020. I haven't been very active on this site since my recovery but do get the email notifications and will read articles of ...Read more
I had my SAVR in February of 2020. I haven't been very active on this site since my recovery but do get the email notifications and will read articles of interest. My biggest interest is the survival rates for TAVR vs SAVR. I opted for a bio valve at the time of surgery as I feared being on blood thinner the rest of my life. (I was only 53 at the time of surgery). Recently, I have been regretting that decision. I thought I was making the best decision at the time and made it with guidance from my cardiologist and surgeon. The thought process was that hopefully this valve lasts a good amount of time but when it does fail; I can have TAVR. My surgeon indicated that he set me up beautifully for that prospect by choosing the right size valve.
But then I read patients' posts in which they've had to have mechanical valves replaced, or others that have had multiple surgeries, and I start to think that sometimes the decision may not matter. It is all out of our control. I have a hard time with that but do try to find peace with my decision and just live life one day at a time and be grateful for each one.
In the meantime, I will continue to keep myself informed of the latest advancements and research and check in here from time to time.
God bless you all in your journeys and thank you for making this a wonderful community to be a part of.
Kimberly Eisenhut I am going to surgeon next month to talk about surgery for my Tricuspid rapair. I also am very curiou ... Read more
Kimberly Eisenhut I am going to surgeon next month to talk about surgery for my Tricuspid rapair. I also am very curious as to what he will say about the type of repair and will try to ask all of the right questions. Are there any questions or advice you can give me for when i go see him? I would very much appreciate any and all help from you and anyone else that has been through this.
Jennifer Winslow Hi Kimberly....I think the best advice I can give is to ask questions about everything. Are there d ... Read more
Jennifer Winslow Hi Kimberly....I think the best advice I can give is to ask questions about everything. Are there different options available for the repair? Can it be done through minimally invasive technique? What is the recovery time and process. Knowing what you will face can either put your mind at ease or cause you more anxiety and worry so you chose the path right for you. Ask those questions or not. I wanted to know what to expect so I could mentally prepare myself. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best for your surgery and recovery.
Kimberly Eisenhut Jennifer, are you having trouble with the valve again now? Is that why you aer regretting it, or is i ... Read more
Kimberly Eisenhut Jennifer, are you having trouble with the valve again now? Is that why you aer regretting it, or is it just the average life of the valve that worries you now that it has been 5 years?
So I’m just over 6 months post-op. I like to say I’m doing really well but not as great as I hoped. I have had recurring mild to moderate pericardial ...Read more
So I’m just over 6 months post-op. I like to say I’m doing really well but not as great as I hoped. I have had recurring mild to moderate pericardial effusion and pericarditis. It is impeding my ability to get back to pre-surgery physical condition. When it flares up pretty good; I feel pressure in my chest and doing any physical activity is harder. It was happening, it seemed, any time I tried to increase my workout intensity. Then bang.....I got COVID! Now it feels like I constantly have inflammation. Just walking last night sent my heart rate up to 178....my normal resting heart rate is 64. I live on Motrin to reduce the inflammation. I’m praying this will eventually go away. I see the cardiologist in October for another echo....hope to get some good information then.
Tracy Fallu I’m so sorry you are experiencing pericarditis. I also had during recovery empathize with you as I ... Read more
Tracy Fallu I’m so sorry you are experiencing pericarditis. I also had during recovery empathize with you as I know it is extremely painful. Has your doctor put you on medication to help? Of course each person’s situation is different- I was put on a regime of Cholchocine and Indomethacine.
Jennifer Winslow Thanks Tracy. No not yet. I saw him in June, I believe, but it wasn’t bad by the time I got in to s ... Read more
Jennifer Winslow Thanks Tracy. No not yet. I saw him in June, I believe, but it wasn’t bad by the time I got in to see him so he just said to continue with Motrin as needed. I’m torn between calling to see if I should go back in or wait till my checkup in october.
Shannon Gray Hi! I had severe pericardial effusion, leading to another surgery to drain fluid. Two weeks later, pe ... Read more
Shannon Gray Hi! I had severe pericardial effusion, leading to another surgery to drain fluid. Two weeks later, pericarditis returned. I hope you can get to your Dr soon... they will help get you on a regimen of meds to help you. Colchicine isn’t one to play around with, and must be tapered off towards the end. I was on it for 3 months in order to make sure everything was calm and settled before going off. Best wishes this can be resolved. Please call your Dr.
Susan Lynn Jennifer- I am so sorry to read that you haven't been feeling well. It's definitely challenging to e ... Read more
Susan Lynn Jennifer- I am so sorry to read that you haven't been feeling well. It's definitely challenging to experience complications and adding COVID to all of it must have been frightening. I know that better days are ahead - you're strong and you will get through this. Please keep us posted on your progress. Best wishes to you! ❤
Jennifer Winslow thanks so much Shannon and Susan!!! It always gives me strength to post on here and get feedback fr ... Read more
Jennifer Winslow thanks so much Shannon and Susan!!! It always gives me strength to post on here and get feedback from others!
Hello all! I hope this finds you all doing well. I am 4 weeks post-op. I can’t believe it....time is flying. I had my first rehab/assessment yesterday. Everyone ...Read more
Hello all! I hope this finds you all doing well. I am 4 weeks post-op. I can’t believe it....time is flying. I had my first rehab/assessment yesterday. Everyone is amazed at how well I am doing.....mostly me ! Lol. Don’t get me wrong; I still have bad days and today is one of them. Not sure I should qualify it as bad...just not great. I didn’t sleep last night and felt puny this morning.
After reading Skippers awesome detailed post; I thought I’d jot down some of my thoughts/memories.
I had to be at the hospital at 6 am. I had my hubby, my son, my parents, and my two best friends with me. I was fairly calm or at least pretended to be for everyone else’s sake. They finally gave me something for nerves when they were strapping my arm to a table to put in the artery line in my wrist. I let them know that was freaking me out a bit. Everything is kind of blurry after that. I vaguely remember my tribe coming in to say their goodbye but it’s not real clear. What I do remember is crying at the sight of my surgeon. I’m sure that made him feel good!!
I dont remember being taken to OR or anything else again until I was in recovery. Some day I plan to ask my hubby for a detailed synopsis of things as I think I was in recovery a loooong time and still didn’t want to wake up although the nurse kept telling me to. The worst for me was that darn breathing tube. I knew it would be. I recall them telling me to breathe and I could hear an alarm go off if I wasn’t. I tried to tell myself to stay calm but would panic at times and choke. I wanted that tube out so bad. I tried breathing deeply but would doze off again. Finally the tube came out but not before they stuck one up my nose! No idea what that was about.
Was finally put in ICU around 6 that evening I believe. Again; I want to ask my family about this.
I had massive migraines in ICU and was having difficulty thinking of words so they called in neurology for fear I had a stroke. They ruled that out and attributed them to my low blood count and blood pressure. Thanks the lord. My ICU nurse was very thorough and perhaps obsessive compulsive but can’t fault her care. She was in my room almost constantly. They tried to get me out of bed but that only lasted 10 minutes then the fear of my migraines/stroke had them rushing me back into bed. My husband was able to stay with me 24/7 both in ICU and cardiac unit. I was so thankful for this.
I was moved to cardiac unit the next day in the evening. I was a bit scared but it actually was better as I could have as many visitors as I wanted and I still got great care.
Tubes tubes everywhere——I had an IV in my wrist, and artery line in my other wrist, one in my groin, one in my stomach and one in my neck. Oh and pacing wires somewhere and a catheter. Getting the one in my stomach out was the most painful as they pushed it in a bit further before pulling it out. Not sure if that was to ensure everything was drained out or what. My mom was most freaked out about seeing the one in my neck. Thankfully I never really saw all these.
Rest??? What’s that? I was poked and prodded every hour on the hour. There was finger pricks almost hourly to check for diabetes. Blood drawn every morning. Shot of blood thinner daily. Vitals every 4 hours. Chest X-rays daily. EKG daily. Echocardiogram done twice. Don’t recall what else.
Mobility techs came to walk me 4 times a day and I would take additional walks with my hubby. One night they came at 10:00 after I was already sleeping and woke me to ask if I wanted to walk. My husband was not so pleased with them for that.
My biggest struggle as I have posted before was the unbearable back spasms and pain in my shoulder. I give them credit for trying to make me.comfortable. They gave me a water heating pad, an egg crate thing to go on my mattress and then finally muscle relaxers. Most nights I would wake half way thru the night in pain and so miserable at not being able to get comfy and lack of sleep that I would just cry. I never cried over any other pain....just that. I did give up the heating pad after two nights as I broke out in a heat rash. I felt like a mess but yet they all said I was doing great. For the most part; I was and I was impressed with myself. I honestly expected this whole thing to be way worse than it has been. I am a big baby when it comes to anything like this. I generally faint when I get an IV....I get woozy at the sight of incisions or drainage tubes or anything like that.
The almost 4 hour ride home was arduous. I couldn’t recline my seat at all as we had luggage in my cargo area. We stopped once for a restroom break. I was so happy to see my home, my cats and that beautiful (ugly really) recliner sitting there waiting for me.
My parentts have been here this entire time but leave on Tuesday. They were a help but I have to admit that I didn’t need them too awfully much. I was doing light housework, cooking, laundry, etc just after being home a week.
Pain control....they sent me home with Tylenol with codeine. I tried my best not to take it. I relied just on extra strength Tylenol until I was absolutely miserable one day. My husband yelled at me to not be a hero and that no one would judge if I needed pain meds. I was generally fine throughout the day but the nights were rough as I am a side sleeper. So I was in pain at night and woke up miserable until I got moving. Everything was being crunched together it felt like. So needless to say....I started to take the pain meds at night so I could sleep and wake up in a good place.
I’m sorry if this bored you to tears or made some of you more anxious about your own impending surgery. Please know that it’s not as bad as you make it in your own mind. Positive thinking truly does help. I believe in it.
Now go enjoy another glorious day on this earth and be grateful for each moment. Hugs to all
Great to hear your story, glad you’re doing well. Keep up the good work.
Simon Leon Thanks for your memories Jennifer. I have found it helps to talk/write about it, and I know leading u ... Read more
Simon Leon Thanks for your memories Jennifer. I have found it helps to talk/write about it, and I know leading up to my surgery reading and watching others accounts certainly helped me prepare. All the best for the rest of your recovery!
Chris Calhoun Jennifer - your descriptions sound very similar to my experience!!!! gad to have all those tubes out ... Read more
Chris Calhoun Jennifer - your descriptions sound very similar to my experience!!!! gad to have all those tubes out - I do not think I will ever be afraid of needles again as we were all human pin cushions - I got to where I barely minded it
Skipper Kagamaster "I was poked and prodded every hour on the hour." Yes! The hospital would have been great if it weren ... Read more
Skipper Kagamaster "I was poked and prodded every hour on the hour." Yes! The hospital would have been great if it weren't for all the care, right? I know some of it's necessary, and the rest of it is meant well, but it does make it difficult to rest. And waking you up to walk? There should be a fine for that or something. I had someone, once I finally fell asleep, wake me up to take my breakfast order for the next day (which I could have done at any time and, if I didn't do it, they would have just picked something for me by default). That's what I think gets me the most at hospitals: the people who are going through their daily machinations and forget that there's a real, hurting person on the other end of their duties. Love the write up and perspective; it's good to know we're not alone, and for others to know what to expect on the "other side."
Just logged on and realized half of my post didn’t make it last time. This is day 4 post op and am still doing well. My medical team is top notch. So thankful ...Read more
Just logged on and realized half of my post didn’t make it last time. This is day 4 post op and am still doing well. My medical team is top notch. So thankful for Dr. Lawrie, Boris and their entire team. My biggest struggle has been major back and shoulder ache. I’m not used to all this lying and sitting and only limited positions. Hoping to be released Wednesday at the latest. Ill post pics of my scar. Boris made a smaller incision and closed me with plastic surgery stitches. Thank you all for your well wishes. Now time for me to spread the love to others.
Marie Myers Welcome to Recovery! The back and shoulder pain for me, was far more bothersome than the sternal pain ... Read more
Marie Myers Welcome to Recovery! The back and shoulder pain for me, was far more bothersome than the sternal pain. I could not wait for my first post op massage! i think it was about 3 months later, but boy, did I savor that massage...
Patty power A bed hook to help pull up really helps at home please try
Arlene VanNorstrand I hear you on the shoulder back pain. What helped me most was the hot packs they would place between ... Read more
Arlene VanNorstrand I hear you on the shoulder back pain. What helped me most was the hot packs they would place between my shoulder blades. So glad you are doing well with recovery. You look great.
Adam Pick Great update. Guessing that pain will subside as you re-animate with normal activities. Thinking he ... Read more
Adam Pick Great update. Guessing that pain will subside as you re-animate with normal activities. Thinking healthy recovery thoughts for you. Also... Stay tuned. I'll post an update about your photo shortly.
Rose Madura I had terrible shoulder pain, much worse than the incision. I was told it was from the positioning o ... Read more
Rose Madura I had terrible shoulder pain, much worse than the incision. I was told it was from the positioning on the operating table. My surgery was 7 hours. A long time to be taped to a table so I couldn't move... a heating pad helped. I'm sure you'll feel better soon. Welcome to the recovery side.
Jennifer Winslow They brought me a water heating pad. It felt ok but didn’t help. Today the put an egg crate thing o ... Read more
Jennifer Winslow They brought me a water heating pad. It felt ok but didn’t help. Today the put an egg crate thing on my bed. Out of all of this, I have cried most over being so uncomfortable and unable to sleep. My hubby is here with me so he wakes up and rubs my back when I get so miserable. All my tubes and stuff were on my right side and thats the side that hurts.
Two days out.....still holding it together. Trying not to focus on it and staying busy. Yesterday was my last day of work. I’m home cleaning the house one ...Read more
Two days out.....still holding it together. Trying not to focus on it and staying busy. Yesterday was my last day of work. I’m home cleaning the house one more time. My parents fly in tonight from Pittsburgh then heading to Houston in the morning.
I had one last night out with “my tribe”. Had a wonderful time and got lots of hugs.
As I posted before....still afraid of getting sick at the 11th hour....so far so good!
Arlene VanNorstrand Your doing great!! So nice your parents will be there for you. Best wishes and prayers to you and be ... Read more
Arlene VanNorstrand Your doing great!! So nice your parents will be there for you. Best wishes and prayers to you and before you know it you will be in recovery. It’s tough but you can do this.
Hard to believe that next week at this time, my surgery will be done and I will be in ICU and starting my long journey of recovering.
My new power lift ...Read more
Hard to believe that next week at this time, my surgery will be done and I will be in ICU and starting my long journey of recovering.
My new power lift recliner got delivered today. I’m excited to get it assembled. It’s the little things!
I went out for a drink with a couple of friends after work today to toast to a successful surgery. Saturday my friends have planned one last outing before my surgery. It’s so nice to be surrounded by love and friendship during this time but I have to admit though that I worry about catching a cold or the flu while being out around people. I went to my primary doctor the other day and was surrounded by sick people. I panicked and left the waiting room for a bit. When I returned I donned one of those fashionable surgical masks. And hand sanitizer has become my new best friend!
Frank Giovanniello Jennifer, sounds like you got this down. It won't be long now. Oh, enjoy your recliner too!
Mary Jewett Good luck to you ... I'll be following in your steps just a couple of weeks behind you. My recliner ... Read more
Mary Jewett Good luck to you ... I'll be following in your steps just a couple of weeks behind you. My recliner arrived a few weeks ago. I won't lie, I'm pretty darn scared but this website is helping me. I've been lurking around these pages for months and finally decided to join so I could comment and participate with other members.
Skipper Kagamaster I feel the same way about getting sick right now. Hang in there; almost at the finish line! Well, the ... Read more
Skipper Kagamaster I feel the same way about getting sick right now. Hang in there; almost at the finish line! Well, the starting line for recovery, but still a finish of the heart issues that are getting fixed, right?
Susan Lynn Jennifer - I think you're going to be surprised that the long recovery you're anticipating might not ... Read more
Susan Lynn Jennifer - I think you're going to be surprised that the long recovery you're anticipating might not feel that long at all. For me personally, most of my recovery happened in the first two weeks. You may feel tired or sore for awhile, but you'll be surprised that recovery from heart surgery isn't that terrible. Think positively - it makes a world of difference! All the best! ❤
Jennifer Winslow thank you all for your wonderful comments and taking time out of your lives to be here for each other ... Read more
Jennifer Winslow thank you all for your wonderful comments and taking time out of your lives to be here for each other!
Arlene VanNorstrand Jennifer it sounds like you are all prepared and enjoying your days before surgery. You will be on t ... Read more
Arlene VanNorstrand Jennifer it sounds like you are all prepared and enjoying your days before surgery. You will be on the recovery side before you know it. Getting sick before surgery was a worry I don’t miss.
Michele Ripley Jennifer: you made a very important acquisition by getting a power lift recliner. After you get hom ... Read more
Michele Ripley Jennifer: you made a very important acquisition by getting a power lift recliner. After you get home, you’ll be patting yourself on the back. That chair will play a big part in your recovery and make it more comfortable. Good choice.
I had open heart surgery for my aortic stenosis and my bicuspid valve was replaced. Recovery is different for each person but on challenging days remember it gets better each day.
Best wishes for a successful surgery.
for those of you with surgery behind you and had to travel by car to your chosen place of surgery....were you able to drive back as soon as you were released ...Read more
for those of you with surgery behind you and had to travel by car to your chosen place of surgery....were you able to drive back as soon as you were released from the hospital? we have a 3-4 hour commute and I'm nervous as heck.
I had another question for you all but can't think of it right now....will try again later.
Hello Jennifer, yes I commuted for three hour from Los Angeles to lower desert. I was in the hospital ... Read more
Hello Jennifer, yes I commuted for three hour from Los Angeles to lower desert. I was in the hospital 6 days. We stopped a couple of time just for me to stretch and got home safely. Make sure you ask your releasing doctor if you are ok to be in a car for that long. God bless you
Arlene VanNorstrand Hello Jennifer, I had AVR 1/17/2020 and I was released from hospital Tuesday but saw doctors again ... Read more
Arlene VanNorstrand Hello Jennifer, I had AVR 1/17/2020 and I was released from hospital Tuesday but saw doctors again today and they said I was good to travel by car six hours we have stopped several times to walk and use rest room but I and 15 min from home and doing well. I have a seat belt protector lots of pillows and riding in back seat as I was told too. Good luck.
Jennifer Winslow ladies thank you so much1 I am getting more nervous and freaking out over every little thing now. ... Read more
Jennifer Winslow ladies thank you so much1 I am getting more nervous and freaking out over every little thing now. You have no idea how much you two have calmed my nerves on this aspect. thank you, god bless you and prayers for your continued recovery
Same for you Jennifer, stay in faith, it will all be fine.
Susan Lynn I had a two hour ride home just 3 days after surgery. No problem at all! Piece of cake!
Frank Giovanniello Am I the only one who got benched? I was able to ride in the car, but wasn't allowed to drive for a m ... Read more
Frank Giovanniello Am I the only one who got benched? I was able to ride in the car, but wasn't allowed to drive for a month. All the best for you, Jennifer. Prayers for you.
Susan Lynn Frank - I was a passenger. Although I didn't have a driving restriction after surgery (because I did ... Read more
Susan Lynn Frank - I was a passenger. Although I didn't have a driving restriction after surgery (because I didn't have a sternum cut), I still had a bit of anesthesia fog.
Jennifer Winslow Oh I definitely won't be driving. I'll be safely entrenched in the back seat surrounded by pillows ... Read more
Jennifer Winslow Oh I definitely won't be driving. I'll be safely entrenched in the back seat surrounded by pillows and hopefully chalked full of meds! LOL! I'm having complete OHS---not what I wanted but have faith in my surgical team.
Frank Giovanniello Jennifer, I was loaded with pills, for sure. And your right, key is faith and comfort with your docto ... Read more
Frank Giovanniello Jennifer, I was loaded with pills, for sure. And your right, key is faith and comfort with your doctors and team.
Bradley Dunn I traveled from Augusta, GA to Cleveland Ohio.... By car.. when we came home we left around 3AM to av ... Read more
Bradley Dunn I traveled from Augusta, GA to Cleveland Ohio.... By car.. when we came home we left around 3AM to avoid a lot of traffic.
I remember the next day, my kids walking in the front door after I got home, I just started crying. It had been two+ weeks since I saw them.
Susan Lynn Frank - Yes. I had the surgery performed between my ribs. It sounds painful, but it was virtually p ... Read more
Susan Lynn Frank - Yes. I had the surgery performed between my ribs. It sounds painful, but it was virtually painless. During the procedure, the surgeon freezes the nerves in the area and the only feeling you have after surgery is numbness. During recovery, there is a tingling/pins and needles sensation as nerves are regenerating. I highly recommend the mini-thoracotomy for anyone who is researching options for mitral valve repair. The mini-t is also being done for aortic valve replacements by some surgeons, too!
Frank Giovanniello Oh wow, I have heard of it, but never knew of anyone that had it. Amazing.
Jennifer Winslow Bradley....I totally understand the emotions. I cried when I woke up and saw my family around there. ... Read more
Jennifer Winslow Bradley....I totally understand the emotions. I cried when I woke up and saw my family around there. I probably broke fingers from squeezing their hands so tight.
Waiting.....I hate waiting. I had my TEE on the 7th. It confirmed my status as severe and time for surgery. I hadn't given up hope that perhaps things weren't ...Read more
Waiting.....I hate waiting. I had my TEE on the 7th. It confirmed my status as severe and time for surgery. I hadn't given up hope that perhaps things weren't as bad as we thought, but there ya go. I am now waiting to go back to my regular cardiologist on the 14th to discuss next steps and get his referral to a surgeon (was supposed to be on the 20th but I called and moved it up---did I mention that I'm impatient????). Not sure who he has in mind but I've been doing research and I'm hoping it's Dr. Gerald Lawrie at Methodist in Houston. He did Barbara Bush's AVR so if he's good enough for her.....I'm thinking he's good enough for little ole me. In the meantime, I'm reading Adam's book for a second time and am almost done. I read it over 12 years ago so I thought a reread was in order. :-) I ordered a personalized blanket with pics of my family and friends to snuggle with during my recovery. Now I'm just waiting....
Frank Giovanniello You have been preparing for this a long time. But now that it is here, the waiting amplifies it. Just ... Read more
Frank Giovanniello You have been preparing for this a long time. But now that it is here, the waiting amplifies it. Just make sure you are comfortable with the surgeon, and you'll do fine.
But then I read patients' posts in which they've had to have mechanical valves replaced, or others that have had multiple surgeries, and I start to think that sometimes the decision may not matter. It is all out of our control. I have a hard time with that but do try to find peace with my decision and just live life one day at a time and be grateful for each one.
In the meantime, I will continue to keep myself informed of the latest advancements and research and check in here from time to time.
God bless you all in your journeys and thank you for making this a wonderful community to be a part of.