kathleen's Heart Valve Journal

Barbara Laurie  Kathleen, I have degenerative disc disease and I am hoping to talk with my anesthesiologist about that, since it's my neck and back. I'm hoping they will see ... Read more

Barbara Laurie  Kathleen, I have degenerative disc disease and I am hoping to talk with my anesthesiologist about that, since it's my neck and back. I'm hoping they will see the need for ways not to hyper extend my neck and maybe know of ways to keep me more comfortable. But, that pre operative interview is a good time to bring up all your other health issues..and even letting everyone know that will be caring for you. That way everyone knows. 💕🌹💕

Barbara Adams  Hi Kathy, I am Paula Narron's friend and I have been praying for you. I have tried posting several times in your guestbook and it wasn't successful! I am 8 ... Read more

Barbara Adams  Hi Kathy, I am Paula Narron's friend and I have been praying for you. I have tried posting several times in your guestbook and it wasn't successful! I am 8 weeks out and beginning to feel a little more normal!
I have added physical therapy to cardiac rehab and it is helping with some of the muscle aches and pains.
I experienced God's peace through it all! Yes, there were some anxious moments but no fear. That is God's supernatural intervention!
I will be more than glad to answer any questions or share any details!
Please know that I will be praying for God's peace that passes all understanding. He is carrying you and all involved.
In His love
Barbara Adams
PS My husband did his chaplain residency at Rex. He says you are in good hands!

kathleen savoy  Hi Barbara. I keep trying to answer your post but wind up loosing it. Hope this works. Thank you so much for your prayers they mean so much. I did have a feeling ... Read more

kathleen savoy  Hi Barbara. I keep trying to answer your post but wind up loosing it. Hope this works. Thank you so much for your prayers they mean so much. I did have a feeling of complete peace when going into surgery and during my journey afterward. I am 35 days out from surgery and feeling pretty good. Still have pain especially when I wake up in the morning and during some activities like walking or doing anything with my arms. But it is getting better. I see progress every day. My sister is here from San Diego taking care of me. Cooking, cleaning and pushing me to eat and do more every day. I am so blessed. Tell your husband that the staff at the hospital were great.
I am so glad we finally connected. Paula is a wonderful person and so sweet and thoughtful. She told me how well you were doing. As did Lyn! God bless you. Keep on healing!

Tammy Pilcher  Kathleen, keeping you in my prayers for your appointment. Once you have everything set you will probably feel at peace about everything. That was my experience. ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher  Kathleen, keeping you in my prayers for your appointment. Once you have everything set you will probably feel at peace about everything. That was my experience. Praying for that to be yours too.

Kathryn Waymire  From what read here, I haven't had surgery, but like you I do have fatigue and think some pain, anyway its said here everyone has peace after interviewing a ... Read more

Kathryn Waymire  From what read here, I haven't had surgery, but like you I do have fatigue and think some pain, anyway its said here everyone has peace after interviewing a few surgeons. I'm planning on going to Cleveland for a second opinion because they tend to have better equipment and I don't want to wait and find out it's to late. Mine is light sound. But I have palpitations near the valve . I know its that because its high in my chest.

Cheryl Batzing  kathleen....I just met with a surgeon this morning myself with a list of questions. I was so nervous and took my husband with me as well for moral support ... Read more

Cheryl Batzing  kathleen....I just met with a surgeon this morning myself with a list of questions. I was so nervous and took my husband with me as well for moral support and a second pair of ears. I kept thinking to "pull the trigger" and book a surgery date was beyond my ability. BUT, after the appointment and hearing what the surgeon said, I felt at peace booking the surgery date. It's set for Dec. 19....and I'm freaking out a bit, but also at peace. Weird to have both experiences going on at the same time. I also see Tammy Pilcher's posts and others who have recently had their surgery, and I get an added peace maybe I can actually do this! We're in this together!

Tammy Pilcher  Hi Cheryl, you can do this! I was so afraid in the beginning, but I prayed for peace and courage. The Lord gave it to me. He led me to have this found and ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher  Hi Cheryl, you can do this! I was so afraid in the beginning, but I prayed for peace and courage. The Lord gave it to me. He led me to have this found and then to this site where I found my surgeon and hospital. This scripture is the one I took with me to the hospital: For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13. He will hold your hand too and help you. Love, Tammy

Adam Pick  Kathleen, I hope it's not too late. A tip. Many patients are now recording their surgeon consults on their smartphones. It's an easy way to remember what was ... Read more

Adam Pick  Kathleen, I hope it's not too late. A tip. Many patients are now recording their surgeon consults on their smartphones. It's an easy way to remember what was discussed after the appointment -- as a reference. Just a thought that might help in addition to your hubbie.

Mark Schmitz  I had issues with the heart cath. I probably over did it by doing too much the day after.... It took probably 7-10 days before it felt better. The only thing ... Read more

Mark Schmitz  I had issues with the heart cath. I probably over did it by doing too much the day after.... It took probably 7-10 days before it felt better. The only thing that helped was to take it easy. Hope that helps.

Joan Napier  Kathleen, I agree that you should check in with your doc ASAP. You should not have an increase in chest pain, and your groin pain should be decreasing. Watch ... Read more

Joan Napier  Kathleen, I agree that you should check in with your doc ASAP. You should not have an increase in chest pain, and your groin pain should be decreasing. Watch the lifting and bending for the first week and make sure you're not overdoing it. If any swelling, increased pain or bruising, go to the ER.

kathleen savoy  I will be calling my cardiologist in the morning. The area is still very tender. My husband Ed and I met my sister at a restaurant yesterday and then did some ... Read more

kathleen savoy  I will be calling my cardiologist in the morning. The area is still very tender. My husband Ed and I met my sister at a restaurant yesterday and then did some grocery shopping. The area hurt so much when I got home I was on the verge of tears until I removed clothing that was pressing on the groin. I just need him to look at the area and reassure me. Stress is not good!
Thank you all for your caring responses.
God bless you all.

Tom Hahn  Kathleen, I didn't have any issues with my heart cath groin area except ugly bruising and a knot that still hasn't resolved three weeks later. It wasn't a ... Read more

Tom Hahn  Kathleen, I didn't have any issues with my heart cath groin area except ugly bruising and a knot that still hasn't resolved three weeks later. It wasn't a big deal for me but it sounds like I was lucky. Best wishes

Ken Obermeyer  Hi Kathleen. I had my cath done on October 13th. I ended up in the emergency ward five days later. The spot in the femoral artery swelled up and got very hard, ... Read more

Ken Obermeyer  Hi Kathleen. I had my cath done on October 13th. I ended up in the emergency ward five days later. The spot in the femoral artery swelled up and got very hard, to the point it hurt to stand up straight or walk. They did a sonogram and found it wasn’t an aneurism, which was suspected. So they sent me home and said to give it up to two months for all pain and swelling to subside, and not to worry unless the swelling and/or pain got worse instead of better. It’s getting better by the week (not by the day). Sitting always made it worse; the longer I sat the more it seemed to aggravate it. I started sitting with my left leg level to the floor and that helped a lot. Like others, I can’t speak about the chest pain. Maybe it’s the added stress/worry?

Cheryl Batzing  I'm right there with you Kathleen. I had my cardiac cath a week ago and everything was clear. Meeting with 2 surgeons now to determine next step. Have you ... Read more

Cheryl Batzing  I'm right there with you Kathleen. I had my cardiac cath a week ago and everything was clear. Meeting with 2 surgeons now to determine next step. Have you in my prayers....and agree God is good and in control.

Terrie Syvertsen  Kathleen-Have you had to use stairs or walk for lengths of time before since the cath without sitting? Have you been sitting with your legs reclined to take ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen  Kathleen-Have you had to use stairs or walk for lengths of time before since the cath without sitting? Have you been sitting with your legs reclined to take some of the pressure off of the groin area? I think all of the advice above is good and checking in with a health professional is the best way to be sure. Going up and down stairs and
shopping with a lot of walking isn't letting the area rest. I was told to also ice the area on and off for a few days as it is normal for most to have that achy feeling(almost like you did the splits) afterwards. I hope you do check with someone tomorrow to be sure and that your cath results are great. Take care and take it easy......

Liidia Wootten  Hi kathleen, Glad to see another North Carolinian. I had an aortic valve replacement on 7/16/14. Please don't wait if you can. I didn't know anything was ... Read more

Liidia Wootten  Hi kathleen, Glad to see another North Carolinian. I had an aortic valve replacement on 7/16/14. Please don't wait if you can. I didn't know anything was wrong and ended up in the ER in very bad shape. I'm feeling much better now, walk 2 to 3 miles every day and have been gradually adding tasks everyday. The hardest thing for me was feeling physically ok, but getting down because of the restrictions. Still have some moodiness, so I come to this site to get an uplift. I live at Lake Royale just north of Bunn. My daughter lives close to Clayton in a small town called Archer Lodge. Just saw my cardiologist this morning to adjust medication levels. Hopefully, by November it will be taken away and just have a baby aspirin. I'm 61 and have too many things I would like to do and see. Good luck to you.

kathleen savoy  Thank you Liidia. I am scheduled for the cath on Nov 4th. It is nice to see a fellow North Carolina resident on here. I've driven through Archer Lodge. I am ... Read more

kathleen savoy  Thank you Liidia. I am scheduled for the cath on Nov 4th. It is nice to see a fellow North Carolina resident on here. I've driven through Archer Lodge. I am not sure where Bunn or Lake Royale are though.
I am glad to hear that you are feeling better. May I ask who your surgeon is?

Liidia Wootten  Hi Kathleen - Rex Hospital is excellent. We are blessed in NC with 3 major great hospitals; Duke, WakeMed and Rex (UNC system). The Greenville Hospital is ... Read more

Liidia Wootten  Hi Kathleen - Rex Hospital is excellent. We are blessed in NC with 3 major great hospitals; Duke, WakeMed and Rex (UNC system). The Greenville Hospital is great,too. My daughter is a pediatrician and was interviewing for a fellowship position in Pediatric Cardiology Intensive Care. She interviewed at the above hospitals, but ended up taking a position at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, probably the best on the east coast. Positive thoughts for you!