Judy's Posts

It was 4 weeks ago today that I had the less-invasive transcatheter valve-in-valve procedure using the Edwards Sapien 3 Ultra. My bioprosthetic valve, which was installed in 2016, was severely stenotic, calcified, and regurgitant. It was time one way or the other. I was over the moon happy that the trans-catheter option was on the table. I can say that the procedure went better than anyone, including the surgeon, could have expected. They were able to pierce my sternum on the first try, the valve was seated on the first try, and the gradient was better than anyone expected. I had no pain at all after the procedure, unlike my experience with open heart surgery. My time in the hospital was also much shorter. Bumps in the road after the procedure were due to medications. I am prone to nosebleeds and already on warfarin as well as a baby aspirin for permanent A-Fib. My new regimen is warfarin along with 75mg of Plavix, no baby aspirin. I will be on Plavix 5 more months. I had a very bad nosebleed a few days after being home that led us to the ER. And a 2nd nosebleed about a week later. Not as bad as the first, and the ER doctor was able to get it to stop. She also gave me a couple of new tips on how to get the bleeding to stop. So far, no more nosebleeds & I see my ENT doc tomorrow. Another hiccup was based on dosages of metoprolol and lisinopril. I had an incident of very low blood pressure that led to an ambulance ride to the ER. The recommendation made by my cardiologist and surgeon was to reduce the doses of those two meds. The results have been amazing. My blood pressure has never been better. My husband was told by the Structural Valve Team that my heart is remodeling and, because of the more efficient blood flow, I'll be seeing some positive changes. So, 4 weeks out, and I give high praise for the Sapien 3 Ultra valve and the Structural Valve Team at St. Joseph's Main Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Harrington and his team are amazing.

My bovine hybrid mitral valve had its 10th anniversary in January and it looks like we're not going to celebrate #11. Calcification, leaflet problems and regurgitation are the trifecta of problems. My annual echo gave my cardiologist reason to order the TEE. So far I've had TEE, cardiac cath, CT with contrast of my heart, lung function test and Carotid ultrasound. I just got word this afternoon that my results have been reviewed by the valve team and looks like I might get a green light for TMVR. One more appointment and hopefully we can get this on the calendar. Time flies!

I can't believe that it's already 13 weeks. A note to those of you waiting for surgery, before you know it you'll be looking in the rearview mirror at your surgery. Focus on the future. I've been in cardiac rehab for 16 sessions and loving it. 27 minutes on the treadmill 17 mins on the bike. Doing some free weights and an arm rowing machine machine. Feeling incredible and so glad that I did the surgery and didn't postpone for any longer. My big bonus is that I don't have to worry about pulmonary pressures. A couple of days ago when we got into the car after a bit of a walk I asked my husband if he heard that? He asked me what , and I said the sound of me NOT out of breath! I'm able to walk our pulling dog, I've been able to get back on my potters wheel and throw. I feel better than "back to normal" because my old normal was not all that great. My breasts are still numb and that's really the only thing that is a bit annoying. It feels weird. So if that's my biggest complaint after all of what's happened I'm ecstatic. I'm looking forward to my next visit to my cardiologist on May 10. My cow valve seems to be chugging along and I'm so grateful for that. My husband and I comment often how this whole process has been so much easier than we ever expected. Good luck to all those who have surgeries coming up and to those that are starting with the healing process. Follow your post op instructions to the T and try to stay positive.