Judith Gordon - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

880 days ago

I made a post yesterday and then I somehow navigated to about 5 responses. I was reading the 1st one, then clicked a button and then it took me out and I can't ...Read more

I made a post yesterday and then I somehow navigated to about 5 responses. I was reading the 1st one, then clicked a button and then it took me out and I can't figure out how to get back into my question and the responses to my question.

Grace Mason I think you need to click on your menu. "Judith's Menu" and the select my guest book and Scroll down ... Read more

Grace Mason I think you need to click on your menu. "Judith's Menu" and the select my guest book and Scroll down or select my journal and scroll down.

Greg Lewis If what Grace said doesn't work, then open car window..throw phone through it. ..lol

Grace Mason Lol...Greg. or that

Judith Gordonposted an update

881 days ago

Judith Gordon reacted to this

Hello everyone. I'm new to this Group. I was just told last week by Mayo Clinic I have severe MV leak due to rheumatic heart disease. They say the valve is ...Read more

Hello everyone. I'm new to this Group. I was just told last week by Mayo Clinic I have severe MV leak due to rheumatic heart disease. They say the valve is too damaged to repair and will "sooner or later need repair but they recommend I wait and watch for now. All other valves are fine and the only other problem in moderate enlarged atrium with no afib. I'm 69 and in otherwise good health . I don't like waiting for the surgery because I feel like it's a time bomb, but they said because the biological valves don't last forever I'm better off waiting until I have other absolute indications For surgery. In the meantime I want to get on with my life. This is my question - since I wanna get on with my life I'm tentatively planning a trip to Spain next month to walk, as best I can the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, while using Transportation when it gets too hard to avoid stressing my heart too much . It's a 6 week trip walking About 5 miles per day carrying a 10 pound pack. I can do it but what I'm worried thinking this is stupid to take this risk? I'm I stupid for even traveling overseas. Am I going to be stressing my heart too much and cause myself to go into heart failure or something like that even if I don't push too hard. the surgeon said I could go but I just need to take it easy. What do you all think ?

Richard Munson Walking is a low stress exercise which i did right up till my surgery. No snow shoveling or bullfight ... Read more

Richard Munson Walking is a low stress exercise which i did right up till my surgery. No snow shoveling or bullfighting recommended .

Marie Myers I would have a discussion about this with your cardiologist. Tell him exactly what this trip will ent ... Read more

Marie Myers I would have a discussion about this with your cardiologist. Tell him exactly what this trip will entail, and get his expert advice if the plan is too risky at your current stage. It would be interesting /encouraging If he gives you the same advice as the surgeon. Remember, you could always do this trip after your surgery as a celebration of your New Improved Life also!

Rose Madura When my aortic stenosis reached the severe stage, my cardiologist said to only walk flat surfaces lik ... Read more

Rose Madura When my aortic stenosis reached the severe stage, my cardiologist said to only walk flat surfaces like at the grocery store. I agree with Marie, talk to your cardiologist.

Susan Lynn Judith - You are amazing to attempt the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage even without a mitral valve le... Read more

Susan Lynn Judith - You are amazing to attempt the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage even without a mitral valve leak. I always thought that was a 500 mile walk which is pretty demanding in a short amount of time. I failed my stress test miserably with my mitral valve leak and was told not to exercise before surgery. Everyone's condition is unique, so as others have recommended, only your physician can advise you. Good luck and we're definitely going to want to see pictures when you embark on that incredible journey! We love to see heart warriors enjoying life!!

David Seligman I have a different circumstance (aortic root aneurysm) and went to France last October with the bless ... Read more

David Seligman I have a different circumstance (aortic root aneurysm) and went to France last October with the blessing of my cardiologist. I’m scheduled for surgery late April and was actually planning to go to New Zealand in March (again w/ the ok from the drs) but cancelled it mainly due to not being in the mind set for enjoying travel the way I’d like. All that being said, if your team gives you the thumbs up and you are able to mentally and emotionally navigate the internal anxiety of your trip, you should absolutely go. Travel is the best cure for getting your mind focused on other things and your trip in particular is both physically and spiritually healthy! 🙏