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Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Member Since: April 9, 2014

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Julia Hsu posted an update

10 years ago (May 15, 2016)

Today I celebrate two years since my Ross procedure. This year has passed so much faster than the first year. Except for the scar, the low part of which is still bruised and ugly looking, I don't think about the surgery on a normal day. The echo last month was... Read more.

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Julia Hsu posted an update

11 years ago (May 15, 2015)

A year ago now I was hooked up to a heart-lung machine. What a difference a year makes! Now the top of my health worries is whether my son has a sprain or a stress fracture on his back. My sister sent me a birthday card yesterday. Yes, I get to celebrate two birthdays in a year! Many people asked me, "How long does the recovery take?" I find this really hard to answer. Here is my experience. After 1 month, I felt "almost back to normal": after all, I could drive and I could walk 1-2 miles albeit not too fast. After 3 months, I thought "I wasn't that well at 1 month, but now I am much better": I could take long car trips and even plane trip and sight seeing; sure I still need naps some days and get tired in the afternoons. After 6 months, I thought "3 months were really not enough; now I am back": ankles no longer swollen, left shoulder much better, don't need naps, sleep through the night, can walk fast, etc. After 9 months, I was working full time, worrying about mundane things, running around like chicken without heads, but my blood pressure and heart rate were still up and down doing random dances from day to day. Now, the blood pressure and heart rate fluctuations are gone. My remaining complaint is that my short-term memory is not as good as before. The key is that everyone's recovery journey is unique. I also learned that human body is an incredibly complicated and coupled system. I had more doctors' appointments and lab tests in the past year than probably my whole life combined. Most of them are not directly related to my heart surgery, but I am sure all of them are related. So I continue to deal with these annoying but not urgent health issues. I am very grateful that Dr. Ryan could perform Ross procedure for me. Otherwise, Coumadin would have made my other health problems much more difficult to deal with. I am celebrating today by reflecting on the journey for the past 21 months, doing things I enjoy, and not to responding to external pressures (i.e. work stress). The support and love from my family were invaluable for my recovery. I thank my friends for their kind thoughts, prayers, and encouragement. I thank Adam for providing this supportive venue for us to share our inner fear, experiences, and journey. I have "met" so many people who helped me "back to normal" on this website. Chinese say "揀回來了一條命", literally means "pick up a life (from ground)". That is how I feel now.

👍 Nancy D and Laura Metrano reacted to this

Anthony Copeland-Parker

11 years ago (May 15, 2015)

Thanks for sharing. My 1 year is around the corner.

Jeff Lashins

11 years ago (May 15, 2015)

I'm just 2 weeks post-op now. Your summary of a year recovery is interesting and puts everything in perspective for me.

Adam Pick

11 years ago (May 15, 2015)

Julia... LIVE IT UP!!!!! ENJOY YOURSELF!!! TODAY IS A CELEBRATION!!! ENJOY YOUR LIFE!!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also, praise be to Dr. Ryan!!!! https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-William-Ryan-Plano-Texas.php

Dr. William Ryan - Heart Surgeon in Plano, Texas

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-William-Ryan-Plano-Texas.php

See patient reviews and physician biography of Dr. William Ryan, heart surgeon, with phone number and address in Plano, Texas.

Julia Hsu posted an update

11 years ago (November 16, 2014)

Yesterday was 6 months since my aortic and pulmonary valve replacement surgery. Overall I feel pretty well. In October, my echo showed no aortic stenosis and mild regurgitation, pretty much the same as just after surgery. This Friday I walked 3 miles (well, 2.9) in 41 minutes, which was the fast I have ever done. In retrospect, I was a bit of mess in October: fluctuating weight, heart rate and hormone imbalance, which were probably caused by hyperthyroidism not my heart. Since two weeks ago (when weather cooled down), my body seems to find it easier. I sleep better and have lower heart rate (70s to low 80s) and stable weight. I also moved taking metoprolol to the afternoon instead of at breakfast. Even though I only take 12.5 mg, it makes a difference. I used to feel completely wiped out and desperate for a nap around 3-4 pm. It doesn't happen any more that I don't take metoprolol in the morning. The only thing is that my incision is not flat. There are two slight depressions, about 1 in in length, when I run my fingers along the incision. They don't cause pain, but seemed to develop after 3 or 4 months, i.e. after they removed my lift restriction. I don't know whether they were caused by something I did or gaps between the chest wires. Does anyone else have wavy (in and out, not side to side) incision? I continue to be surprised how long the recovery process is. At every stage, I seem to feel better than before, but then a month later, I realize it can be even better. Cough was gone after 2 months. Swollen ankles gone after 3 ½ months. Insomnia mostly gone after 4 months with occasional bad nights to 5 months. Shoulder pain gone after 5 months but still weak. Now I hope that my heart rate and hormone will stabilize and my hyperthyroidism, while it may not be caused by the surgery but it is definitely linked to it, can be controlled without another drastic measure. Wishing the best to everyone going into surgery or going through recovery. As Thanksgiving approaches, I am grateful for Dr. Klein's timely diagnosis and Dr. Ryan's skills, my family for their support for the entire process, my friends and colleagues for their encouragement and kind wishes, and everyone on this website for sharing your experience with me. It is a blessing to be able to worry about the hassles associated with the holiday seasons.

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