Jenn Padbury - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

4051 days ago

It has been a long time since I have made an entry, hope everyone iss recovering well! I am writing because I have had this ongoing pain at the top of my sternum, ...Read more

It has been a long time since I have made an entry, hope everyone iss recovering well! I am writing because I have had this ongoing pain at the top of my sternum, i have been pain free for a few months but over the last couple of days I have been experiencing pain again. When I move a certain way , raise my arm up over my head or when I lay and turn in bed the pain is horrible. It feels like somthing is stabbing me, hard to explain the pain. Just wondering if any one else has experience this after avr surgery. It has been 16 months since my surgery. When I go to the doctor she says its just inflamed , and I just need to take it easy till the pain goes away, any suggestions ?..

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4303 days ago

I know it has been a long time since i have wrote, it has been 8mths since my AVR. Having trouble getting back into the swing of things, pre surgery i was ...Read more

I know it has been a long time since i have wrote, it has been 8mths since my AVR. Having trouble getting back into the swing of things, pre surgery i was a runner and hit the gym on a daily basis. Now everytime i try and do anything strenous, i get this stabbing stinging pain at top of my sternum and it radiates into my collarbone. Night time is the worse, making it uncomfortable to sleep. Just wondering if anyone has experienced this after surgery, i did have a non union of my sternum but my last CT showed it had improved and i got the okay to exercise and run. Just looking for suggestions on what would be causing this discomfort.

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4475 days ago

Sorry it's been a few weeks since I last updated, things have been a little bumpy since my last update . Had I few trips back to hospital , and had to be re-admitted ...Read more

Sorry it's been a few weeks since I last updated, things have been a little bumpy since my last update . Had I few trips back to hospital , and had to be re-admitted over the last couple of days of 2013, discharged on jan 1, 2014. So hoping that's a good luck charm for 2014. Had to have my picc line placed back in after having it removed on the 20th, back on IV antibiotics for another 6 weeks. After having a another CT and echocardiogram , came to conclusion the I had osteomylelitis in my sternum under my wound. Very painful, but finally starting to feel better. Little frustrated with all the setbacks, so looking forward to this new year with hopes of getting back to normal ( back to work, running, hitting the gym and spending lots of time with my family.). Continue to pray for rach and hoping the new year brings her a new heart and good health. Hope everyone is recovering well, especially my sister.

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4490 days ago

Well went to see the surgeon yesterday, he was happy with my wound infection. He thinks it should be healed in another month, also I can stop the IV antibiotics ...Read more

Well went to see the surgeon yesterday, he was happy with my wound infection. He thinks it should be healed in another month, also I can stop the IV antibiotics at the end of this month so my picc line can come out too! Still having a lot of pain due to my wound in my incision, butthankful my back pain has settled. Well enough about me, I have been busy the last couple days at the hospital again but this time it's for my sister( heather st.pierrre-also has a journal) she had the Ross procedure done on Tuesday and had an aortic aneursym repaired too. I am sending lots of prayers her way, she is slowly recovering. Please keep her in your thoughts

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4500 days ago

Well things are finally looking up , drove today for the first time since surgery. Such a great feeling to have a little independence back. Back pain decreased, ...Read more

Well things are finally looking up , drove today for the first time since surgery. Such a great feeling to have a little independence back. Back pain decreased, only taking Motrin now. Thanks for everyone who recommended a massage, what a relief. Now focusing on getting my wound to heal, the nurses are packing it less each week. Doing some light chores around the house and making meals, feeling more and more like myself. Hope everyone else is continuing to heal and recovery. Thoughts and prayers continue for rach and and her family!

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4506 days ago

Any suggestions, or can anyone relate. In tears today due to the back pain, been taking a muscle relaxer and Motrin during the day and Percocet at bedtime ...Read more

Any suggestions, or can anyone relate. In tears today due to the back pain, been taking a muscle relaxer and Motrin during the day and Percocet at bedtime with only short term relief. 5 weeks post op, is this going to get better, or should I be worried?

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4506 days ago

Feeling stronger each day, started walking again and gaining strength since my infection started. We had to spend all day in the emerg department yesterday ...Read more

Feeling stronger each day, started walking again and gaining strength since my infection started. We had to spend all day in the emerg department yesterday because my pic line was plugged, thank god they got it going again. Hoping to be able to drive again next week, missing my independence , need to get going have lots of shopping to do. Still feeling exhausted and sob after going to the grocery store. Just feels like this has been such a long journey! Hope everyone else is doing well with there recovery!

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4512 days ago

Well went to see the surgeon today, good news is my wound is looking good. Continuing with IV antibiotics for another 3 wks and my dressing packed twice a ...Read more

Well went to see the surgeon today, good news is my wound is looking good. Continuing with IV antibiotics for another 3 wks and my dressing packed twice a day. I started going to the chiropractor this week, finally some relief with the neck and back pain. Everything is improving but feeling a little depressed, I should feel lucky that things are improving. Just want to feel normal and be able to take care of myself . Also found out today that my sister is having her surgery on dec 17 to replace her aortic valve and repair her aortic aneurysm. ( not sure if I mention before that she had the same thing as I did ). So trying to get stronger for her some can support her I know she is feeling so overwhelmed too. Thanks for everyone 's support over the last couple of weeks , sure makes this journey a little easier when u are not alone

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4516 days ago

So I am 25 days post op and I am still having a lot of pain in my neck and back. I can't seem to get it under control, not sleeping at night due to the pain ...Read more

So I am 25 days post op and I am still having a lot of pain in my neck and back. I can't seem to get it under control, not sleeping at night due to the pain and not able to find a comfy position. Any advice or anyone else experiencing this discomfort?

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4519 days ago

Sorry I haven't updated my journal lately, after being discharged home 4 days lately I was readmitted to th hospital. I had a staph infection in my blood , ...Read more

Sorry I haven't updated my journal lately, after being discharged home 4 days lately I was readmitted to th hospital. I had a staph infection in my blood , I was very sick and in horrible pain. So I spent another 9 days in the hospital and then returned home again on Tuesday. Happy to be back home but I am having my wound packed twice a day which is very painful, and I am on IV antibiotics every 6 hrs. Still having a lot of back pain, but thankful to be home with my family and I know each day will get better! Hope all is well with everyone else who has had surgery or is waiting are doing great!

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4533 days ago

Well I arrived home yesterday afternoon , little rough going. Really short of breath , few stairs to get into the house. Still having a lot of pain in my ...Read more

Well I arrived home yesterday afternoon , little rough going. Really short of breath , few stairs to get into the house. Still having a lot of pain in my back, having trouble getting comfortable hope it gets better . Very thankful to be home with my family though.

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4535 days ago

Well I survived, 6 days post op. surgery went well, new mechanical valve in place. Recovery has been a little rough but each day is getting better, had severe ...Read more

Well I survived, 6 days post op. surgery went well, new mechanical valve in place. Recovery has been a little rough but each day is getting better, had severe nausea and stabbing back pain for the first couple of days. Thank gosh he nausea has past and I am finally feeling hungry . I am back to my pre-op weight, had gained 10lbs of fluid, hemoglobin still low and my INR is still high. So hoping everything will normalize in the next couple of days and I can get out of this hospital. We had asked for a private room but they were all taken, so I have a roommate who has a ton of family so they are. Here around the clock. Not much sleep for me. My family is an hour and a half away so they get here when they can, miss them dearly. Staying positive and hoping to go home to recover soon

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4544 days ago

So here I go again, new date for this Tuesday oct 29. Starting to feel really anxious again, trying to get everything organized again for my family. Get the ...Read more

So here I go again, new date for this Tuesday oct 29. Starting to feel really anxious again, trying to get everything organized again for my family. Get the kids all prepared again, keeping my fingers crossed that all will go well on Tuesday. Going out all day tomorrow for some retail therapy, keep my mind off things!

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4548 days ago

Well this morning we arrived at the hospital @ 6:00 am only find out at 7 that my surgery was cancelled. Such an emotional roller coaster , so now we wait ...Read more

Well this morning we arrived at the hospital @ 6:00 am only find out at 7 that my surgery was cancelled. Such an emotional roller coaster , so now we wait for a new surgery date. :(

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4551 days ago

So tired, have not had a good nights sleep since they told me my surgery date ( last wed). S I am 2 days away from going in to have my aortic vale replaced, ...Read more

So tired, have not had a good nights sleep since they told me my surgery date ( last wed). S I am 2 days away from going in to have my aortic vale replaced, scared to death. I worry not stop, trying to make sure anything is in order at home and work before I go in. Wish there was a switch to turn my mind off before bed!

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4554 days ago

Well I got my surgery date, October 22. I had my pre-admit today, felt really nervous today but felt good after I left my appointment. It was very informative ...Read more

Well I got my surgery date, October 22. I had my pre-admit today, felt really nervous today but felt good after I left my appointment. It was very informative and they answered all my questions . Totally exhausted from the day, so to try and get some rest and thinkmaoutnit it all tomorrow!

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4559 days ago

Just want to write a quick note to thank everyone for their support and all the great responses!! Feeling much better about every step of this experience , ...Read more

Just want to write a quick note to thank everyone for their support and all the great responses!! Feeling much better about every step of this experience , not feeling so alone!

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4560 days ago

I am getting anxious for my pre-admit for next week, i am finally going to meet my cardiac surgery in person.. We have talked several times on the phone and ...Read more

I am getting anxious for my pre-admit for next week, i am finally going to meet my cardiac surgery in person.. We have talked several times on the phone and last time we talked he gave me my options of a mechancial valve or pig valve. I have done research on both and have been reading alot , i have to let my surgeon know next week when we meet. I am so torn , cant decide and is causing so much anxiety. Not sure if i have wrote about this in my journal yet , but my older was also diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis too and she requires surgery too. she is waiting to have ct scan to look at her Aortic aneurysm and then she will get an appt for a pre-admit appt. So i worried about her to, so much going on. But it is great to talk to her because she understands.

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4562 days ago

I have my pre admit appointment Oct 16, seems so far away. Just want a surgery date, so I can get on the road to recovery. I have to make a decision on what ...Read more

I have my pre admit appointment Oct 16, seems so far away. Just want a surgery date, so I can get on the road to recovery. I have to make a decision on what kind of valve to choose, so hard o decide both have pros and cons. I find it hard to concentrate some days , seems like its all I think about.

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4563 days ago

The morning was finally here to go for my angiogram, feeling so anxious. I had no idea what was going to happen, thinking to my self that I was to young to ...Read more

The morning was finally here to go for my angiogram, feeling so anxious. I had no idea what was going to happen, thinking to my self that I was to young to have this done. The nurses at the hospital commented on how health I looked and did not see very many people my age coming into the heart cath lab. Scared to death, they offered me sedation and I gladly accepted, I dont remember much about the procedure. Then the news, the cardiologist comes to talk to my family and I, he stated i would require surgery to have my valve replaced. My husband was shocked, I was kinda relieved to know that my symtoms were now related to something. Now to go home and wait for a referral to a surgeon . Lots of tears and anxiety

Jenn Padburyposted a journal

4563 days ago

August 2013 I was referred to a cardiologist and my angiogram was booked, still in shock and trying to wrap my head around the thought that something might ...Read more

August 2013 I was referred to a cardiologist and my angiogram was booked, still in shock and trying to wrap my head around the thought that something might be wrong with my heart. I was trying to thing of all the medical problems that were related to my symptoms. Feeling extremely sad that I could no longer do the things I loved, I was trying to train for a half marathon and loved to work out everyday on my lunch hour.