Katheryn's Posts

Wow! It has been a while since I've been here! Still going strong, now 3 years out! For Mohammed, I was 66 years old when my aortic valve was replaced. I had a bovine tissue valve replacement. 80 mg aspirin is my only heart related "med". Very grateful for the outcome!

I had been diagnosed with acid reflux for a few years prior to my valve replacement. My most problematic symptoms were a feeling of intense bloating in my chest. Quite painful. They felt like spasms and, while I suspected the symptoms were triggered by certain foods and cold liquids, there was never a clear pattern. The spells would last 10-15 mins. and I often tried to walk them away. Since my Ross procedure 15 months ago those symptoms have been 95% resolved. The 5% would be a mild discomfort reminiscent of the onset of the original symptoms but much less intense and briefer. I've wondered if the chest aches had really been acid reflux or were they, rather, spells related to my stenotic bicuspid valve. A mystery...

Beautiful picture. And congratulations on such a long hike! We love the Smokies but have quit hiking there. Last September, our nephew was attacked and killed by a black bear. Only the second time this has happened in the National park. He was hiking on the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies. So we are still antsy about it. Granted it happened deep in the mountains but we are still afraid to take any chances. Just be careful out there!

Omg Rose Madura, I am so sorry to hear about your nephew! That is horrifying and would keep me away too! They have been limiting backcountry camping due to bear activity. We never saw any but we're in pretty well traveled areas. I know a bear had to be shot after it attacked someone this year. Scary!