Judy's Journal

Michelle Vecchione  So great to hear!! I just ordered it yesterday!! I can't wait to recieve it and dive right in!! I am knew to this wonderful website and I thank God ever since ... Read more

Michelle Vecchione  So great to hear!! I just ordered it yesterday!! I can't wait to recieve it and dive right in!! I am knew to this wonderful website and I thank God ever since that I found it as it has already helped my anxiety tremendously knowing I'm not alone! I have upcoming OHS for valve replacement in Oct and beyond scared and panicking, but hearing such positive stories like yours Judy really does wonders, thanks for sharing. I'm so happy all turned out well for you! GOD Bless!!!

Craig Wise  Judy, very pleased your journey has progressed so well. Might you be able to email me as I have a couple of questions I'd like to discuss with you? My email ... Read more

Craig Wise  Judy, very pleased your journey has progressed so well. Might you be able to email me as I have a couple of questions I'd like to discuss with you? My email is craigwise4@gmail.com. Much thanks. Craig

Noreen Kitchen  I had lots of trouble sleeping after I got home too. It was stressing me out quite a bit. I stayed with my parents a week after surgery and when I got up one ... Read more

Noreen Kitchen  I had lots of trouble sleeping after I got home too. It was stressing me out quite a bit. I stayed with my parents a week after surgery and when I got up one morning in tears because I hadn't slept my mom said "who says you have to sleep at night? Sleep when you are tired you aren't going anywhere so there's no schedule ". So I slept whenever I was tired. Your body has been through so much and I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to get better fast but it takes time. Once I wasn't stressed about sleeping it got better. Take care

Barbara Wood  I feel for you Judy! I had terrible insomnia for weeks after surgery- I slept in 30- 60 minute increments. I think mine was due mainly to haveing to sleep on ... Read more

Barbara Wood  I feel for you Judy! I had terrible insomnia for weeks after surgery- I slept in 30- 60 minute increments. I think mine was due mainly to haveing to sleep on my back. At 3 weeks I began to gradually sleep on my side, a little more each night. That seemed to solve it. Hope you have some restful sleep soon!:)

Lilly Black  My new name is 'bionic woman'. I hope yours isn't the cow lady or something like that! You must be so glad to be home. It's so great to hear how well you're ... Read more

Lilly Black  My new name is 'bionic woman'. I hope yours isn't the cow lady or something like that! You must be so glad to be home. It's so great to hear how well you're doing! I noticed too the next day I spoke for an hour on the phone to a distant relative, and was never out of breath! amazing, isn't it?

Steve Farthing  I had the same problem with afib a few weeks ago while recovering in the hospital after mitral valve repair. But since my doc also closed the left atrial appendage ... Read more

Steve Farthing  I had the same problem with afib a few weeks ago while recovering in the hospital after mitral valve repair. But since my doc also closed the left atrial appendage and put me on an aspirin a day, they agreed to discharge me anyway. After I got home and completed the 7 days on that Lasix diuretic and took extra OTC potassium afterwards, heart rate and rhythm went back to normal. I am now a little surprised they did not seem to consider Lasix-induced dehydration with potassium depletion as a possible cause of my afib. But anyway - problem solved.

Laura Jacobs  Hi Judy, I found that the day that the surgery date was settled was an emotional one. Somehow, i felt like the countdown had started. I felt better again after ... Read more

Laura Jacobs  Hi Judy, I found that the day that the surgery date was settled was an emotional one. Somehow, i felt like the countdown had started. I felt better again after about 24 hours. I hope you are feeling well and not too worried. My surgery for aortic valve and replacing ascending and arch aorta. I did not have a TAVR procedure though. You are going to do great!!

Laura Jacobs  Hi Judy, We all understand your anxiety so well. I was scared too but as the date came within a week I became calmer and accepted it. I did not have an underlying ... Read more

Laura Jacobs  Hi Judy, We all understand your anxiety so well. I was scared too but as the date came within a week I became calmer and accepted it. I did not have an underlying condition like you, but your surgeons will look after you. Try to think about all the positive things that will come out of your surgery and how much harder it is for you to breathe right now without a fully functioning valve. You are going to feel so much better!!! We will be cheering you on each and every day.

Cathleen DeWitt  Hi Judy,
I am assuming that you were referred for TAVR because of your coexisting COPD diagnosis. It's actually fairly common that patients having TAVR have ... Read more

Cathleen DeWitt  Hi Judy,
I am assuming that you were referred for TAVR because of your coexisting COPD diagnosis. It's actually fairly common that patients having TAVR have other underlying respiratory issues which is why TAVR becomes the preferential treatment plan. Since the TAVR "invention" many patients with stenotic aortic valves and COPD are getting this type of procedure instead of open heart surgery. In fact, I think over 25% of patients getting TAVR are COPD patients. The doctors and nurses are very skilled and are very used to doing this procedure on patients with respiratory issues. They will know exactly what to do for you. TAVR is minimally invasive and they will most likely just put you in a twilight state. Even if they decide to do general anesthesia they will keep you very stable. You don't get placed on a heart lung machine or anything like that for TAVR. COPD just requires a different level of oxygen so that the brain knows you are still breathing. If you've ever had a heart catheterization then you are familiar with what TAVR will also feel like. It's very quick and they go through your femoral artery in your leg to insert the new valve. You don't feel anything. You will be in either ICU or CCU for a night following the procedure and in your case I expect that you will spend another day or two in the hospital to make sure that you are doing well with your COPD also.
I've had three open-heart surgeries in the past and TAVR was so simple compared to that. ❤️ God Bless 🙏.
TAVR is a miracle procedure that is saving many lives. We are very lucky to be alive during this time of such amazing technology.