Judy S - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Judy Sposted an update

11 days ago

Deena Z reacted to this

I just found out that my St. Jude Medical (now Abbot) bovine heart valve was recalled in 2023 due to issues with it failing within five years. I had my surgery ...Read more

I just found out that my St. Jude Medical (now Abbot) bovine heart valve was recalled in 2023 due to issues with it failing within five years. I had my surgery in 2018 and mine is still working, but I wondered if anyone had heard of this recall or were notified about it?

Richard Munson So when they recall it, do they take it out ?

Marie Myers I have heard of the Trifecta tissue valve recall, but not this one. Keep in mind they don’t all fai ... Read more

Marie Myers I have heard of the Trifecta tissue valve recall, but not this one. Keep in mind they don’t all fail early. Prayers to you for a long valve life!

Judy S Thanks Marie! They collect the unused valves and monitor those that have been used. I am fortunately ... Read more

Judy S Thanks Marie! They collect the unused valves and monitor those that have been used. I am fortunately well past the danger zone but it was such a bizarre thing to find out!

Judy Sposted an update

125 days ago

My sister just saw had a surgical consult today at Kaiser Santa Clara for a potential SAVR. (I had one in 2018.) Does anyone have any experience with this Kaiser ...Read more

My sister just saw had a surgical consult today at Kaiser Santa Clara for a potential SAVR. (I had one in 2018.) Does anyone have any experience with this Kaiser and Dr. Soraya Voight?

Robert Miller We are very close to that Kaiser. My MIL used to go there and she was treated very well. I can't spea ... Read more

Robert Miller We are very close to that Kaiser. My MIL used to go there and she was treated very well. I can't speak for Dr. Voight but I had my second surgery at Sequoia. I think they closed due to financial issues but Dr. Castro keeps practicing. He is an outstanding surgeon that really cares about his patients. I believe he also does all the surgeries himself. If your insurance covers his services, I highly recommend him.

Judy S Thank you Robert. I also had Dr. Castro for my valve surgery because I am not part of Kaiser. I wish ... Read more

Judy S Thank you Robert. I also had Dr. Castro for my valve surgery because I am not part of Kaiser. I wish my sister could see him too! I think Sequoia is still operating, no pun intended, but Dr. Castro is now at Marin Health.

Judy Sposted an update

2599 days ago

1 person reacted to this

Interesting article today on the future of TAVR. Still a question for bicuspid valve patients, but the news is headed in the right direction for others! https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/16/health/aortic-valve-replacement-heart.html ...Read more

Tens of Thousands of Heart Patients May Not Need Open-Heart Surgery

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/16/health/aortic-valve-replacement-heart.html

Replacement of the aortic valve with a minimally invasive procedure called TAVR proved effective in younger, healthier patients.

Debbie Kelly I am so thankful that I had my TAVR under a clinical trial program for low-risk patients. Thanks for ... Read more

Debbie Kelly I am so thankful that I had my TAVR under a clinical trial program for low-risk patients. Thanks for sharing the article, Judy.

Diane Maher A very interesting perspective of the study that Vic posted above. Thanks for posting this one too, ... Read more

Diane Maher A very interesting perspective of the study that Vic posted above. Thanks for posting this one too, Judy❣️

Dan Vechiola I was holding out for a technology like TAVR for most of my life and I fell a little short lol

Judy Sposted an update

2813 days ago

Diane Maher, Steve Farthing, Valerie Herndon-Vitarella and 7 others reacted to this

Home Sweet Home Came home yesterday after seven days post surgery. We took it a little slower because of a couple of bouts with AFIB which I didn’t even ...Read more

Home Sweet Home Came home yesterday after seven days post surgery. We took it a little slower because of a couple of bouts with AFIB which I didn’t even feel. We went out to dinner last night, and I felt perfectly fine. I can tell I need to pay attention to my sternal precautions but I had a good night’s sleep and don’t want to get up yet because I’m relaxed and comfortable. I am taking pain meds just to make sure I stay that way. The big event of today will be a shower. Can’t wait for that small pleasure!

Diane Maher Wow, what an encouraging and good news report, Judy!! Really gave me a confidence boast for Monday!! ... Read more

Diane Maher Wow, what an encouraging and good news report, Judy!! Really gave me a confidence boast for Monday!!

Diane Maher I was very impressed with Dr. Castro’s interview on Adam’s blog and wonder if his progress logs w ... Read more

Diane Maher I was very impressed with Dr. Castro’s interview on Adam’s blog and wonder if his progress logs were recommended to you as part of your post op recovery plan. I thought they were a great idea that I will recreate for myself.

Jennifer John Those logs are so helpful once you’re home recuperating. You’re on your way, Judy!❤️💪🏼

Judy Shaw Happy to hear you're home. Take it easy on yourself.

Judy S Glad I could give you a boost Diane! The wait was hard for me leading up to surgery, but I had done s ... Read more

Judy S Glad I could give you a boost Diane! The wait was hard for me leading up to surgery, but I had done so much research and felt so confident in my surgeon that I really felt there was nothing else I could do. Yes, Sequoia gave out the progress logs but they’re pretty straightforward in their approach and could be easily recreated with whatever system might work best for you! Good luck to you this Monday!

Diane Maher Thanks Judy😊. Will look forward to more posts when you feel up it.

Anna Jones Welcome home. Glad you are doing well in your recovery.

Susan Lynn Glad you felt well enough to go out! These procedures and recovery stories are amazing. Continued s ... Read more

Susan Lynn Glad you felt well enough to go out! These procedures and recovery stories are amazing. Continued success!

Sue Tom So glad to hear that you're home Judy! Just reading that you went out to dinner just seven days post ... Read more

Sue Tom So glad to hear that you're home Judy! Just reading that you went out to dinner just seven days post surgery is so uplifting. Hope your A-fib calms down and be gone soon.

Dan Vechiola Congratulations on getting home Judy! Take it one day at a time!

Kim Lonergan Glad to hear you are home and your recovery is going so well!

LINDA ROBERTS So glad your surgery went well. It is encouraging to us in line for surgery.

Judy Sposted a journal

2825 days ago

Terry Goin reacted to this

I have four days left until aortic valve replacement at Sequoia Hospital with Dr. Castro. Any advice on getting through the next few days in the best possible ...Read more

I have four days left until aortic valve replacement at Sequoia Hospital with Dr. Castro. Any advice on getting through the next few days in the best possible way?

Rita Savelis Oh, gosh. I just carried on and did normal usual things (even if I felt somehow hyper aware of all ... Read more

Rita Savelis Oh, gosh. I just carried on and did normal usual things (even if I felt somehow hyper aware of all those normal everyday things.... ) One is never completely "prepared" or "ready", one just moves forward. Do something nice for yourself, if you can. Wishing you the best. Take care, Judy.

LINDA ROBERTS Wishing you the best, Judy. Since I am waiting to have surgery myself, my advice is to surround you ... Read more

LINDA ROBERTS Wishing you the best, Judy. Since I am waiting to have surgery myself, my advice is to surround yourself with friends and family and try to stay calm.

Marie Myers I think you deserve a massage...

Judy S All great suggestions! Thanks so much!

Sue Tom Judy, I am on the side lines waiting to have surgery next month. Hoping you will remain strong and p ... Read more

Sue Tom Judy, I am on the side lines waiting to have surgery next month. Hoping you will remain strong and positive and stay focus and calm and have faith in Dr. Castro and his team. You will be in good hands. Sending prayers and well wishes your way!

Alex Sagan Hi Judy. Personally, I find there there is value in really acknowledging what one is feeling. The fea ... Read more

Alex Sagan Hi Judy. Personally, I find there there is value in really acknowledging what one is feeling. The fear is real, along with the rest of the swirling emotions. But I also found that visualizing success really helped me in the days (and minutes) before my surgery. Good luck and keep us posted please. We are rooting for you to have a successful outcome!

Kelly Stoll Mediate. Breathe. Enjoy the care you will get in the hospital. Don't worry about what you do or don't ... Read more

Kelly Stoll Mediate. Breathe. Enjoy the care you will get in the hospital. Don't worry about what you do or don't get accomplished before you go in. Rest.

Kim Lonergan Thinking of you and sending thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery!