Joe's Journal

  Good news Joe! Wishing you a smooth procedure and uneventful recovery.
My surgery date is ten days after yours but I'll be having mitral valve replacement with full on incision.

Martha Dean  I started taking Valium two weeks prior to surgery. It helped tremendously with the stress and anxieties. I also bought a notebook and wrote down everything my husband would have to take care of for the next few weeks. Kind of like passing the torch on things so I didn't have to worry anymore. Not sure on what to take to hospital. Normal toiletries you would want to use. Pair of comfortable shorts/pajamas. iPod/phone and earphones to zone out everything when needed. Good luck to you on the 8th!! See you soon on this side of recovery!!

Wanda Mroz  I took xanax for a few days / couple of weeks mainly in the evenings so I could sleep better. And of course the night before. As far as taking things... iPhone, iPad or Kindle will help pass the time. I took a toothbrush, floss, mouthwash, hairbrush, dry shampoo. face wash. That's about all I needed. They will provide the nightgowns and hospital underwear if you need it. I never wore my own pjs because there was nowhere to put the heart monitor, but my hospital had the snap ones that were closed in the back so that was nice. Best of luck to you! You will do great. God doesn't give you more than you can handle.

Barbara Wood  I was happy to have my phone, kindle, eyemask & slippers, the hospital supplied just about everything else , even robes. I brought a few pounds of individually wrapped chocolate truffles that I put in a basket on my windowsill to offer to everyone who came in my room. I had amazing care...whether it was due to my " bribe", I'm not sure:).

Cathleen Weed  Hi Joe, I had TAVR in August 2015 at Cedars-Sinai Los Angeles. Super smooth process. Stayed one night in CCU and left the next day. I've had 3 previous full open heart surgeries for a bicuspid aortic valve etc. so this was a welcome change and totally amazing. You will be pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. ❤️ All you need is an eye mask and earplugs so you can sleep in recovery. You'll be out of there so quickly. You should know that you are SO lucky to have this technology. I hope you never have to experience OHS. Let me know if you have any questions!

Joe Tash  Thanks to you all for the great suggestions and good wishes! I am looking forward to having this behind me. I am relying on meds as well to take the edge off the anxiety and help me sleep. Wish I could have a beer or two, but the doctor says not a good idea, so I am being a good patient!

Rita Savelis  Hi Joe. Didn't realise you were a former Hodgkin's patient, like me and several other people on this site.
Heart valve problems are our side effects.
So glad you have a therapist to talk to. There is so much one needs to communicate before and after OHS. It's normal to be anxious and it helpts to be honest about what you are feeling and going through. It's all valid and real.
Take care.

Joe Tash  Hi Rita, there do seem to be more and more folks like us who had Hodgkins and radiation, maybe 25-30 years ago, and are now experiencing heart valve problems. (My first cousin is one of them!) Anyway, I hope that things are going well for you, I hope you get a break from spending so much time with doctors, hospitals, etc. I know I'm ready for a break! Thanks for your thoughtful response to my post, it really helps me to connect with people who know firsthand what I'm going through! Joe

Rita Savelis  I hear you Joe. There are certainly lots of rotten weeks out there. Thanks for your honesty. Take care.

Anne Walpole  Hi, Joe. I will be getting my aortic valve replaced on June 22nd. I'm sorry your found out about the need for more testing, which will postpone the surgery. (And bummer about missing the Dalai Lama!!!) I also recently had my surgery rescheduled from June 16th to the 22nd. I have been looking at this website off and on for about 2 years, and have seen lots of people mention that their surgeries got postponed (including people who were flying to another state to get their surgery and had to completely change all those plans), so I knew that it wasn't uncommon. Even though it's happens fairly often and wouldn't affect the quality of care you get, it can understandably throw you off balance. Something I found helpful was looking at the extra week as a gift in which I would have more time to prepare myself emotionally as well as in a practical way. There were several things I had read on this site that people recommend doing in the week or so before your surgery, like choosing some enjoyable books to read later, planning little things (for me, knitting) that would be easy to do afterwards, asking friends for meals or other help if needed, paying bills, refilling any meds, taking time to plan what you want to bring to the hospital and, if you are going to have open heart surgery, getting things like a neck pillow and wedge pillow and renting an electric recliner for a week or so. The week before my original surgery date was busy with various social events and church things, and I realized I didn't have time to do a lot of those things and, most importantly, to have some unscheduled, relaxing time for myself to help my feel calm during the couple of days before the surgery date. When the surgery was postponed, I (of course) had absolutely nothing planned for this week, because I was supposed to be in the hospital and then recovering. So, now I am doing all the little things I wanted to do, getting food I like for when I come home, and enjoying some gentle, un-rushed days. Knowing that you are generally a positive person, maybe you will find you are open to turning this unexpected, stressful postponement into an extra week or two to prepare yourself.
By the way, I knew for sure for the past several years that whenever it was time to have my valve replaced, I would have open-heart surgery, so that what I had planned for. Then, a few weeks ago, I found out my surgeon recommended that I get a TAVR. (I have some other health issues that put me in a "medium-high risk" category.) After talking to him and the required second-opinion surgeon, I did decide on a TAVR. After my procedure, I'll post about how it went. Hope all goes well for you! :-)

Joe Tash  Hi Anne, best wishes for a successful surgery and smooth, speedy recovery. Thanks for the great suggestions, yes I will try to use the extra time to prepare myself, both emotionally and logistically, for my surgery and recovery. As well as to enjoy life as much as possible, which is a good thing to do any time, even when we aren't facing heart surgery. Again, good luck, it sounds like you are in good hands, and I will look forward to your posts about your successful procedure!

Bob Fessler  I'm trying to get into the clinical trial for a 50% chance at a TAVR. I don't have blocked arteries which disqualify you. If it ends up as a ministernotomy, I will be no worse off than I am now. Hopefully in 10 years everyone will qualify for a TAVR.

Joe Tash  Hi Bob. I don't think having a blocked artery would disqualify you for a TAVR procedure. They can do a separate intervention and put in a stent to take care of that. It does mean an additional procedure, but it would avoid open heart.

Bob Fessler  You are right that having a blocked artery would not disqualify you from a TAVR if you are considered not likely to survive a SAVR. But This is a separate category. According to the guidelines for the Partner 3 trial, it would disqualify you from getting a TAVR. They want to put in a bypass if you are healthy enough to be cut open to have a valve replaced.

  Hi Joe, Funny, 7 years ago I too was told I may need a new valve as aortic stenosis is making it hard to pump blood around the body. This morning I was told in 3 to 5 years you may not live any longer and do you want it done? well he sold it to me, so now I have to wait till sept/oct time, just as I am going after a new permanent job (at 64 years old !) This site is great as you hear from others at various stages and all alive! best of luck from across the pond (I live in south of England ) :-)

Phyllis Petersen  Welcome Joe! I always enjoy when people can tell their story with a sprinkling of humor. You'll need that humor as you go through all the tests and nerves leading up to surgery, but the important thing to remember is that the odds are heavily in your favor these days. You'll find a lot of info and support on this site.

Joe Tash  Thanks Keith and Phyllis for your encouragement. I am trying to maintain a positive attitude and see this as a blessing that will make my life healthier and longer!

Sally Strand  Joe I admire you for having the courage to share that is huge! Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way . . .

Sally Strand  Hi Joe welcome I am also 56 and just had mitral valve repair surgery on 5/19. Fears and concerns in my mind are 100% natural although I do think the surgery was harder for my husband and loved ones in a number of ways. The thing that helps me the most is to view this as a gift even though the recovery process offers its challenges. I hope you will find your own way of accepting this situation and finding peace of mind.

Adam Pick  Welcome aboard Joe!!! I hope the caring people and educational information here will help you along your journey to a healthy heart!!!

Joe Tash  Thanks Adam, your web site is great and I am also reading your book, which is very informative and well-written. I am trying to be as prepared as I can both mentally and emotionally.