Joan Sheehan - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3156 days ago

My latest issue is that my sternum incision got infected. I hear this is pretty common. They reopened part of it and took a sample and tried to drain any fluid ...Read more

My latest issue is that my sternum incision got infected. I hear this is pretty common. They reopened part of it and took a sample and tried to drain any fluid out. I am on antibiotics and have a pack/drain in it. What a pain. Can't wait til it is all healed and not so sore.

Terrie Hodges Joan...hope this all clears up for you!💟

Catie B Gosh, that sounds like an ordeal! Hoping everything heals fast now that you're on antibiotic.

Jane Welp Praying you feel much better soon & have all of this behind you!

Barbara Wood Best wishes Joan, hope you feel better soon

Phyllis Petersen Oh no! I hope it resolves quickly.

Amy Steele I'm praying for swift and complete healing!

Joan Sheehan Thanks Amy, Phyllis, Barbara, Jane, Catie and Terrie! I am not used to getting responses. Just finish ... Read more

Joan Sheehan Thanks Amy, Phyllis, Barbara, Jane, Catie and Terrie! I am not used to getting responses. Just finished the antibiotic and they said the infection looked like it was clearing up. So glad and can't wait to get sleeping on my side again.

Phyllis Petersen It's good to hear you're progressing. Hopefully, you'll be moving ahead quickly now.

Joan Sheehanposted an update

3162 days ago

Has anyone else developed foot drop immediately after aortic valve replacement? I hear it is rare and had all kind of people come into my hospital room to look ...Read more

Has anyone else developed foot drop immediately after aortic valve replacement? I hear it is rare and had all kind of people come into my hospital room to look at my foot. It has been a frustrating struggle for the past few weeks, having this additional thing to deal with and feeling like no one else understands.

Cathleen Weed I think you should get your lower spine x-rayed. It could be pressure on the nerves in the lumbar spi ... Read more

Cathleen Weed I think you should get your lower spine x-rayed. It could be pressure on the nerves in the lumbar spine that supply the tibialis anterior nerve which dorsiflexes the foot. Without dorsiflexion you can't lift the foot. It's possible that you had a pre-existing low back issue that was aggravated by being immobile during the surgery and then recovery. It's worth checking into.

Terrie Hodges hi, Joan...I am so glad you have a response from Cathleen....I question why you have suffered for wee ... Read more

Terrie Hodges hi, Joan...I am so glad you have a response from Cathleen....I question why you have suffered for weeks with this with no relief or answers from your medical team...these are the things that concern me as a reluctant aortic valve replacement surgery-in-waiting patient for 4/24/17...I wish you the best and answers to the foot issue so you can move, recover and keep your mental health...💟

Joan Sheehan Thanks Cathleen DeWitt and Terrie Hodges. When I was in the hospital they did an x-ray and then an MR ... Read more

Joan Sheehan Thanks Cathleen DeWitt and Terrie Hodges. When I was in the hospital they did an x-ray and then an MRI. Did not find anything there that related to the spine or brain causing it. I am getting more feeling and movement in the foot and toes and am thankful for that but it has been an odd and lonely journey I am on.
Good luck Terrie Hodges. I am sure things will all go well for you and nothing like this will happen.

Terrie Hodges We don't want you to feel odd or lonely💟...I went through a serious depression that had those feat ... Read more

Terrie Hodges We don't want you to feel odd or lonely💟...I went through a serious depression that had those features and others...may be good to explore treatment for cardiac depression...also if your ability to move and walk is impaired by the foot issue ...lack of movement will contribute to depression...you are not alone....We are in your corner🤗

Ellen Leng I wonder if your leg was in an odd position that put pressure on the nerve during the surgery. Recomm ... Read more

Ellen Leng I wonder if your leg was in an odd position that put pressure on the nerve during the surgery. Recommend seeing a Neurologist as they can test and determine if the problem is in the spinal cord or in the nerve in the leg. Glad that you are getting some feeling and movement back, that bodes well!

Joan Sheehan Thanks Terrie Hodges. I know that cardiac depression is common and like many, I have my up and down ... Read more

Joan Sheehan Thanks Terrie Hodges. I know that cardiac depression is common and like many, I have my up and down days.
Ellen Leng- That is what I was told even though they claim it was not an odd position. I did and had an MRI that showed it was not in the cord but in the pereneal leg nerve.

Joan Sheehanposted an update

3187 days ago

Jane Welp, Barbara Laurie reacted to this

My surgery is upcoming on the 15th but I don't see it on the list?

Phyllis Petersen There are quite a few this week. It will probably be there tomorrow. Wishing you a successful surgery ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen There are quite a few this week. It will probably be there tomorrow. Wishing you a successful surgery and uneventful recovery.

Jane Welp You and I will have something in common as we are starting a big journey about the same time. I am in ... Read more

Jane Welp You and I will have something in common as we are starting a big journey about the same time. I am in Oregon and across the many miles, I pray for every success with you and your surgical team. I am having trouble sleeping tonight so I am up for a little while on our community site. There are always wonderful insights into the smallest of details whenever I log in. Blessings and wishes for a speedy recovery for YOU!

Marie Myers Wishing you a smooth and successful surgery!

Barbara Laurie Hi Joan, it'll show up, and we'll be praying. Actually seeing it there gave me a golf ball in my thro ... Read more

Barbara Laurie Hi Joan, it'll show up, and we'll be praying. Actually seeing it there gave me a golf ball in my throat I couldn't swallow! It shocked me, even though I was waiting for it to show up! Best, best best for Wednesday. Praying you'll be on the road to recovery fully, soon. ❤🎀❤

MARIE PICUN Prayers are with you

Lisa Ferguson Best wishes Joan! Keep us posted :)

Joan Sheehan Thanks everyone! I misplaced my card with this website info. It has been three weeks since my surgery ... Read more

Joan Sheehan Thanks everyone! I misplaced my card with this website info. It has been three weeks since my surgery. I am doing pretty well except for the surgery causing foot drop. That was an awful and unexpected thing I have had to deal with. Lots of PT at home and trying to walk as much as I can to catch up on recovery. Hope all of you that also had surgery are doing well. My incisions seemed pretty good although the bottom of the sternum still has a scab and is rather red around it now. I am seeing the surgeon on Monday so he can tell me if there is an infection.

Marie Myers So sorry you had to deal with the foot drop issue. I hope it resolves quickly!

Joan Sheehan Thanks Marie Myers and the rest of you!!

Phyllis Petersen It's good to hear that things went well for you Joan. Do they think the foot drop will resolve? Hopef ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen It's good to hear that things went well for you Joan. Do they think the foot drop will resolve? Hopefully, the rest of your recovery will go well.

Joan Sheehanposted an update

3193 days ago

Jane Welp reacted to this

Upcoming surgery March 15, 2017

Marie Myers Hi Joan- I have many happy memories of living in Glastonbury, and working at my first job at Hartfor ... Read more

Marie Myers Hi Joan- I have many happy memories of living in Glastonbury, and working at my first job at Hartford Hospital back in 1979. . I thought it was a wonderful hospital, and full of great doctors. I probably would still be there if not for meeting my "Pratt and Whitney "husband from Florida. Best wishes to you and God Speed on your surgery!!

Joan Sheehan Thank you Marie Myers. I have never used Hartford Hospital but have visited others there. I just saw ... Read more

Joan Sheehan Thank you Marie Myers. I have never used Hartford Hospital but have visited others there. I just saw your post and still feel the same way, like this is all some bad dream. I take good care of my health and thought if I ever needed heart help, it would not be for 20 years or more. So much for that plan. ;) I wish you all the best on your surgery and we can recover together!