Karen 's Journal

Mike Roskowinski  Hey Karen I totally get how you are feeling. This is all new to me as well as I just found out I have a heart problem less than a month ago and will need to have OHS in the next couple of months. I am 39 and have an 8 and 13 year old. I have constant ups and downs and sometimes just cry wondering if I need to leave goodbye messages to them. But then you come out here and see how many people are also going through it. Since I have joined I think there have been 4 people that have gone through surgery and they are back up posting already. I had a bad day myself yesterday so I had to get out with some friends. I pray daily and have the trust in God that he helped us find out that we have a problem that can be fixed. There are some people that will never get that chance because they never find out they have a problem. This message is kind of a pep talk to myself also. Pray for the strength and courage that you need to get through this. You have done this once already and you will be just fine going through it again. Hope this helps. Praying for you and all of us going through this.

Rob Sparling  Karen, I can’t help (the way you may want?) because I am only a one-time OHS patient. But I CAN tell you it is people like you who are the inspiration for all of us! We all need to stay vigilant and determined because we may need the next one to go as well as the first one. So show us all how to do it! Power, grit, determination, grace, care, luck, and heaps of love and prayer are all on your side. Will it to happen, visualize success, get the science to fill in the part that it can and pray for the rest. We are behind you! No wobbles. Not today. ❤️💪

Jennifer John  Karen, I also had the pleasure of knowing what to expect with my second OHS last May 31. My first was in 2001. Pls see some of my Journal posts that address this issue. Might help ease your mind. Sometimes ignorance isn’t bliss.❤️💪🏼

Karen Ruth   Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement. Had a better day today. You said it well, Rob Sparling. I need to think about how having a second surgery can be inspirational to those facing their first. Always good to put things into perspective and find a positive instead of a negative.

Catie B  It's got to be tough, Karen. I know how emotional I was about my first and having to have a tissue valve, there's a very real likelihood that I'll need a second surgery down the road (I can't do TAVR). The two surgeons I spoke with for Round 1 were both very reassuring about second surgeries and in particular about how the risks have been greatly reduced in the past few years. It has become safer and safer, and surgeons have become far more skilled at addressing complex issues. It's normal to worry and to have to fight fears. Keep processing what you're thinking and feeling--you're going to get through this and you're not alone.

Rob Sparling  Karen, Catie and I had same surgeon. One thing he mentioned to me was that the vast majority of his patients were “re do” OHS folks. He encouraged me not to worry about — or make it a constraint that affected my valve choice — getting just one surgery but to be ready for as many as it takes. And, if/when needed, that those are relatively safe! Hard to swallow, but that is what he said. Hopefully that also helps ease your worries! 🙏

Mike Roskowinski  Hello All you Warriors. What really helps me is all these success stories. Yes we each are built different and go through recovery different but it is the success and happiness everyone has had post surgery. I don't have my date set yet as I want to meet with another surgeon at the Mayo. But it is all you that have gone through this and are now on the recovery side and even passed the recovery side that gives me inspiration. Reading stories and seeing the success make me more encouraged to go through and get it done. Thanks for everyone that posts and replies to us to keep this an active community.