Jill's Posts

Diagnosis: Aortic Regurgitation

Member Since: August 18, 2019

Send Jill a Note

My Posts

Jill Hughes posted an update
4 years ago (August 25, 2021)
I went to the ER with chest pressure this past weekend and the doctors couldn't come up with a diagnosis other than "Unspecified chest pain." Best bet is that it's related to GERD (acid reflux). One thing that frustrates me is that I very frequently feel pain along my scar... Read more.
Have you tried over the counter famotidine 20 mg daily for your GERD type pain? It was effective for me. I had an aortic valve replacement, and I am hoping for 15 years. I think the longevity for repairs of the aortic valve is about the same. Usually the younger... Read more.
I have gird and take omeprozol before eating dinner. Helps. I am however scheduled for a combo colonoscopy and endoscopy in early september. It will be like getting a double roto rooter but it means getting put to sleep only once.
Anonymous, heart valve patient
Anonymous
I had the double roto rooter done early this year. I take omeprazol twice a day and if I eat too much of a good thing I have to take famotidine. Both my tests were clear but still have gird sometimes.
I feel better knowing ana survived the double roto rooter. Not sure what end they start on first but i will be asleep dreaming about mitral valves.
Anonymous, heart valve patient
Anonymous
That's the best part, you don't feel a thing. You have a lot of things going on in September, be well dear friend.
You don't half of it but yes, very busy. One day at a time. First is nancy's eye surgery tomorrow, we moved back home for 2 days. Getting on and off the boat would be tricky for her. Then my much awaited 7 month echo and then her other eye.... Read more.
Anonymous, heart valve patient
Anonymous
What kind of eye surgery is Nancy getting? Will pray for her. I remember your echo and now your double roto rooter. Glad you are both perky and strong. You seem to de everything in plural, your boat, car and you had valve jobs. God bless you both, hugs to... Read more.
Nancy is having one eye cataract surgery tomorrow and next week the other eye. Safer to be home so i can keep an eye on her. I know, bad joke. Nancy just informed me that tonights french toast was it for cooking for 2 weeks. OMG, i could potentially starve.... Read more.
Are you shocked that i can't cook? Only child, mother waited on me hand and foot, then married and ditto.
Richard, can you do laundry? I know a guy who had to go to Walmart to buy underwear because he couldn't operate the washer and dryer. Or so he told his wife. Dear Lord!
Anonymous, heart valve patient
Anonymous
Not shocked at all. I had five brothers and only two of them can cook. I learned to cook after I got married and my sweet mother in law taught me so her son wouldn't starve.
Rose, the underwear idea sounds like a winner. Lol. My dear wife showed me how to run the washer dryer last week so i should be ok. I just watched a u tube on eye drops. The stress is overwhelming. I made it 79 years so all is not lost.... Read more.
I told nancy the underwear story and she just rolled her eye. Singular.
I've been taking famotidine twice a day and was also on pantoprazole for a while. My PCP told me I could stop the pantoprazole several months ago, but when I went to the ER for the chest pain, the doctor there told me that perhaps I should start back on... Read more.
From what I have read, and also what I was told, life expectancy is similar to that of the general population for the same age, sex and region where you are residing after you have survived the postoperative period. I remember my surgeon telling me that my sternum would actually... Read more.
Jill, I also have trouble with my stomach and esophagus. I'm prepped and ready to have them worked on tomorrow. I am on pantoprazole and supposedly on it forever. I know what you are talking about with the chest pain, etc. It's like it cuts my air off even if... Read more.
Richard, you are too funny! My son thinks that gender roles ….. well …. I won't type the phrase he actually uses. He says that all men should know how to cook, clean and run a household and vice-a-versa. I didn't actually teach him, but he picked up on it... Read more.
Well, the good news is that i washed a load of clothes today. Even managed to dry the correct ones and hang outside the remainder. I feel like i just cured mitral valve prolapse. Got take out for supper as i felt i needed a stress break. Pizza for me,... Read more.
Can't believe i misspelled soul. My poor mother. She hated fish.
Eye drops mastered. I'm thinking of enrolling in medical school. Whew, what a relief. Blood pressure steady at 108/72. Resting Heart rate 82. Life is good.
Richard, you're getting a gold⠐️star for the day! Great job!! I'm so thankful that your wife is doing well after her surgery!! There's a little arrow/emblem to the right of what you post. If you click on that, you can correct whatever you need to. I've used it several times.... Read more.
Thanks for the arrow tip. Approaching my second round of eye drops. May try my left hand this time. Maybe not. Next week, her other eye. Ugh. Very hot and humid here. Thank god for ac.
Eye drops R US, my new business. A service for whimpy guys like me.
Jill Hughes posted an update
6 years ago (August 18, 2019)
I was diagnosed with MRSA on March 30, 2019. It was all internal and affected my left hand, right eye, and two of my heart valves. Until then my heart was healthy, but now I had endocarditis and had to have OHS for aortic valve repair and mitral valve replacement... Read more.
Jill: I hope you get to feeling better and start your recovery journey without additional complications. I've seen people bounce back from very bad circumstances so do your best in making your recovery successful. I know it will happen for you. I will keep you in my prayers.
I'm so sorry to hear about your ordeal. How scary. I hope you are able too heal and feel better soon.
Wow! What a difficult experience to endure. I hope you are on a healing path now. Wishing you a full recovery.
Jill, what an awful turn of events! But I'm so thankful you have survived and are on the mend. I'm so sorry for all you've suffered, for the pain you're still enduring, and for the confinement and discomfort related to your eye surgery recovery. Take extra good care of you!
What an ordeal you've had, Jill. I hope you are beginning to recover & will be back to normal before long. Take care.
I'm sorry you have had a rough year! Praying for a quick recovery.
I am so sorry about all of this. Prayers upon prayers you will continue to get stronger and recover in no time. Thinking of you!
Jill - I am so sorry you've had to go through all of that. It's natural to feel frustrated about all of your recent medical issues. It sounds to me that you're overdue for some good luck! Do your best to think positively. Your history doesn't have to be your... Read more.
What a very rough time you've had Jill!! Wishing you all the best as you move forward!
You have really been thru the ringer. Mrsa is no joke. My friend went into a major boston hospital for minor surgery and got mrsa. Very nearly lost his life as a result. Many surgeries later he is still not 100%. I contracted celulitis 2 years ago from a minor... Read more.

Upcoming Surgeries

Art Wright
Mitral Regurgitation
June 29, 2026
Frederick Cook
July 1, 2026
Peter Florance
Mitral Regurgitation
July 2, 2026

The Patient's Guide

The Patient's Guide

This book has helped over 47,000 patients and caregivers from diagnosis to recovery.