Joan's Posts

Wonderful grandkids! And you're looking great. How are you feeling? Your coagulation issues sound challenging. I don't have the same issues, but they put me on coumadin beginning in Sept since I have intermittent A-fib. Not sure if I'll need it post op - hope not, but you never know. Meantime, it's good that you have so much family nearby. Those darling grandkids must keep you smiling.

Surrounded by little Angels, Joan! :) What a great picture. How are you doing? I am sure you are taking good care of yourself. I hope most days are going smoothly, and you feel like you are heading in the right direction. I am doing ok...I would say at this point most days are similar, no major strides in terms of feeling any different/better as I did first two months...but I am pretty sure internally there is a ton of healing going on. I am off to cardiac rehab in a bit, I wanted to say hello. I am also about to make an apt with a chiropractor, I got the clearance from my surgeon. I have a few things that popped up while my body is healing and I need an adjustment! figured I would wait until I feel almost comfortable lying on my side, as that is one position I will have to be able to do when he is adjusting me. I have a rib head that loves to move out of place and cause problems, and I need it moved back! I think I will feel a lot better, at least I hope it helps...it did in the past.

Joan I am sorry to here this, but as we all know on here we are strong, you are strong,this is a set back but some of us do get them. Let the Doctors do what they do best and you will be back on the road to recovery. Believe in You!

Joan do not be sorry to have fallen off of the radar. You and your recovery come first. Ugh, so frustrating, isnt it. But great that they can fix these issues asap, we would all be in trouble if they could not. Hang in there, and if you can move around, keep up the walking and positive attitude, or get angry (that one works for me, just joking..have to watch the bloodpressure :), and hopefully you will get out of there soon. Praying for you, I wondered if I was going to get Afib as I was informed about 30 percent get it after surgery. I am 7 weeks post op now. Glad they are taking good care of you. I promise to think and pray for you.

I posted on here, but it got lost in cyberspace somewhere. I am glad you were treated quickly and are back on the road to recovery. It sure takes the wind out of your sails, but with rest and good care, you will be back on the healing path. I too had the speed bump of A-fib in my healing journey, but now, at 3 months today I am able to do 75 minutes of sweat producing cardiac rehab. Rest and recoup from this, and take good care- this will pass and you will get better!!!!

Thank you all for your support! I am still in the hospital but hoping to go home today. I have been in a pretty good frame of mind throughout all of this, but this latest setback has put me in a precarious place. I am usually such a positive person but I'm feeling discouraged and a little sad. Thank you for your prayers and uplifting words. As I said before, they are carrying me through right now.

Have to share this with you: my cardiologist just stopped by to see me here in the hospital. He emphasized how afib occurs in 1 out of 3 HVS and it's even more common with MVS. He explained that the heart is normally inflamed and irritated post-op, and the electrophysiology of the heart is disrupted. So they are treating the a fib with oral amiodiorone, and will give me anticoagulants for 3 months to avoid the temporary increased risk of blood clots. They will watch me closely, and he believes everything will be fine. I feel better hearing these reassuring words, and thought I would share them in case anyone else may face this situation :)

Hope you're back home soon. Thanks for the info on a-fib. That's one of my issues pre op and I think they plan a maze procedure during surgery, however I'm not certain if that prevents the post op temporary a fib. We'll see, I suppose. Anyhow, get home and get better soon!

Joan, that was exactly the case for me....Third day post op I went in to A-fib. Had another period of a-fib after my medicine for it was decreased in dosage. I was back in hospital just for monitoring and medicine was increased back to the original dose. I had no more problems with it, and was taken off the med completely at the time they feel the heart is healed from the inflammation and irritation. I was a bit nervous coming off, but had no recurrence since. ;-) In January, if all continues as is, I will be coming off the blood thinner as well! We are living in a wonderful time where all this is understood and handled fairly easily and we continue to rehab, rest and recover......I hope you have no more speed bumps along your road. Just listen to your body, and rest when it insists it is time! take good care!

Joan, So sorry to hear of your setbacks. I've been in chronic A-fib since 2001 and live a very active lifestyle with some limitations (we all have limitations of some nature). The A-fib is being treated w/meds to control the heart rate and of course, Coumadin has been a big med for me since 1976. I know that this is new for you and you may feel restless and in fear, but rest assure that you'll be fine. Much love to you, Heart Sister. Take care, do not fear, trust God and rest in His love.

Joan,I read your story and this one journal entry of yours. I find it very difficult to read and follow all the great caring HVS family members here. I jumped over to your page. Considering the fact everyone is different, we also have similarities too,plus we all care. I saw some similarities in your story. I still have water around my heart, calcifications, resting HR still average 115 BPM. Fluid in lungs. ....no pneumonia here as well....i am happy for your not having pneumonia☺I am also so glad that you got your repair VS replacement. I had lots of bleeding issues during surgery . I only had low blood levels after....no bleeding issues. I was re admitted as I gave everyone a scare a few weeks after. But i have had funky heart and vascular issues since surgery. And visual disturbances. So without touching on everything,Joan,I totally get the frustrations and fears with setbacks. I still have complications and am very closely monitored, But,I have finally come to terms with my new issues and trust the Doctors when they say my heart will most likely not just quit,and I wont have another stroke.i may need an intervention,but not reopen /OHS. Despite continued In and out of ER,doctor offices,tests and medication switches,bleeding issues .....i am finally moving on to a fuller ,richer and active life. I am getting my life back one step at a time. I hope the same for you at whatever pace is best for you. You are very courageous💗I tend to drop to depression emotions frequently, but I learned to live with that and all my other med issues. BLESS your heart, you are strong and smart and I pray you improve in some way or another each day,as I pray for this entire Heart family .☺

Hey Joan! I'm playing catch up after not being online for a little while. You are such a trooper!!! It brings tears to my eyes. You go through the surgery and ten days of recovery and then bam! Hang in their girl; you're invisible support team cares so much for you and is caring for you in spirit. I don't have to tell you to relax and trust, but I did it anyway. My thoughts and prayers remain with you.

I know your family is so glad to have you home. You, too! now you can sleep whenever you wish, ask for anything you crave, or nothing at all if you're not inclined. Do your breathing, walking and resting and expect to be really tired for a while, but better weekly. Thanks for the good news.