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 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 is craigwise4@gmail.com. Much thanks. Craig

Judy Stokes  Craig. I sent you email but don’t know if you got it my email please drop me a note. Starbuck222j@yahoo.com

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

Laura Jacobs  I found the first few nights to be a bit of a marathon also. I napped a lot during the day in the first two weeks home.

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!:)

Jill Krajnovich  So nice to hear, Judy! Guess I won't be meeting you in Cleveland but I am glad that everything went smoothly and you are doing so well!

Judy Stokes  Yes Jill. Good luck and you are in good hands. Cleveland. Is amazing. I was on 7th floor. Nurses superb! Let me hear from you when you are finished. Will be praying for you.

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?

Judy Stokes  It is Gods intervention. I had such a peace about everything before I went through the doors to surgery. Laid in hall for 10-15 minutes. Time for last minute prayers

Jennifer McInerney  Hope the issues resolve and you can head home to recover. One day at a time and one step at a time . Try to keep positive . Wishing you all the best!

Laura Jacobs  Sorry to hear about the delay. I hope the cough clears up quickly for you. Take care and stay positive!! Rooting for you!!!

Lynda Ruiz  Five days after my AVR I needed to have a pacemaker put in so they could take me off the external pacemaker. I was in hospital overall for 8days, Doing well now.

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.

Lilly Black  Wonderful! Happy for you! I will never forget that feeling when I had the surgery and it was past me and now all I had to do was to work at recovery! All the best and speedy recovery!😀

Jeanette Davidson   Judy~ praying for you. Stay positive. Many people are rooting for you and wishing you the best! God Bless! You are in the best hands. Rest in that!❤️🌟

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!!

Judy Stokes  Thanks for words of encouragement . I know I am in a good place . Drs are excellent, plus I have the best , God will be in control.

Civita Fahey  its like one weight is lifted and another put back on.. as now you worry about it getting closer.. but, just keep positive and have faith, you will do great.

Lynda Ruiz  Mine was OHS but my 89 yo dad had the TAVR version 2 weeks before me. Such a short recovery & having twilight sleep instead of full anesthesia made it much easier for him.

Judy Stokes  Thanks for your kind words. Yes I am going to have a conscious sedation. Don't know of that is good or bad!! Lol. They say recovery time is much better. I'm keeping the faith! And know God is in control.

Cathleen DeWitt  The anticipation is MUCH worse than the event. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the whole TAVR process. ❤️ They will take good care of you.

Cathleen DeWitt  Hi Judy I just posted an answer for you on your journal page under one of your other earlier entries. ❤️

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.

Judy Stokes  Time is getting closer and I m feeling anxious. Guess that's normal , but looking forward to feeling better.

Adam Pick  Hi Judy, Here's a TAVR patient video I thought you might like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_UlrC18Lf4

Cathleen DeWitt  Had my TAVR in August 2015. It's really quite an amazing procedure. I can answer any questions you might have ❤️

Judy Stokes  I am open to hear all about it. From beginning to end. How long were you in icu and how long in hospital? I have copd too so I am concerned with my breathing Any info will be appreciated.

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.

Judy Stokes  Thanks so much for sharing. I know I am in good hands. Just nervous and scared. I think when you can't breathe well it's s little scary. God bless you