Kim's Journal

Big day yesterday, my one year anniversary of my valve replacement of a Bicuspid valve ( Edwards Inspiris Resilia) and aneurysm repair! To all those waiting for surgery or are in recovery, please give your body time to heal and and don’t become discouraged. I almost did at first when I didn’t feel I was healing fast enough and had a few setbacks. Hang in there and you will be amazed at how good you can feel afterwards. Life is good! If anyone has any questions on what I went through or any questions I will be more than happy to talk to you😀

Wow! 6 months ago today at this time I was just getting out of surgery for an aortic valve replacement (due to a Bicuspid Valve) and an aneurysm repair. What a journey it has been! To all my fellow heart warriors out there who looking at a surgery themselves...you can do it and you are much stronger than you think! Being on this side of things is a great feeling. I finally got to go back to the hospital and floor where I did my recovery. I baked sugar cookies for everyone there, and even got to see two of the nurses that helped me 😀 I got to tell them how thankful I was for them helping me, and their kindness and patience I will always cherish. They kept saying they couldn’t believe how great I looked. The one nurse started crying, which made me cry tears of appreciation. I wanted them to see what a difference they made to my life and the lives of all they help everyday. Thank you Adam for starting a way for all us to come together and tell each other of our journeys. This wonderful group has helped me so much! To all those in recovery, stay strong and just do one day at a time. Adam’s Heart Valve Surgery book was a great comfort and I would love to pass it on to anyone that would like to have it...just let me know and I will send it to you. Carry on heart warriors ❤️

So here I am post surgery 6 weeks already, I can’t believe it! Sorry I haven’t been on here sooner to update everyone. Surgery went really well and was about 7 1/2 hours. The new Edwards Inspire Resilia was put in, and a representative from the company was there since it was the first time one had be used at this hospital. For those in waiting or going into surgery soon, you can do it! I had a some anxiety before the surgery, put just tried to think a head to the future of feeling better. My family told me that as they were wheeling me away to surgery I put both thumbs up and said, “Let’s rock and roll”! As a big rocker, I guess that actually made them laugh. Recovery has had a few “hiccups” as I called them, like being allergic to tape used on stomach and having to be put on prednisone...which caused higher blood pressure and heart rate. I knew a might face a few obstacles, but I also have known these are only temporary things as I continue to heal. My family keeps saying how they can’t believe how well I have done, and they say I actually have some great color to my face that they haven’t seen in a long time! 😊 I have been walking each day, and have actually done between 9,000-10,000 steps a day for quite a while! I pray for those having surgery soon, try to go into it with the best positive attitude you can.

I had my pre-op conference yesterday...things are getting real fast! My husband and I will be staying the night before surgery in the hospitality house next to the hospital. We are also going to do a dinner with family at a restaurant that night. I go between fear, nervousness, and excitement for a better life all the time! Please keep me in your prayers fellow heart sister and brother’s.

I have a date...October 8th at 7:15 for my surgery. I will have a Bicuspid Valve replacement and repair an ascending aortic aneurysm. I have been waiting 3 years since I found out this condition and the time is finally here. My valve is now severe and the aneurysm is 5.2 which is significant because I am only 4’8” and 100lbs. Adam, after all the information I learned from you about the new Edwards INSPIRIS RESILIA my surgeon and I have decided use that valve as long as he feels it is a good choice for me once he is in surgery. He is pretty excited about it, and will probably have an Edwards representative there the day of surgery. I will be the first one at the hospital to have this new valve. I feel almost lucky that this is a choice now that I have since I have been waiting 3 years.

To make a long story short, on November 30th 2015 I found out that I have bicuspid valve and also an aneurysm. I am 58 and never knew I had a problem until that day. The cardiologist and surgeon were ready to do surgery right away; I even had bags packed, until I meet with a new surgeon who suggested that I can wait with a 4.7 aneurysm and valve leaking moderate. (At first they said moderate/severe). He is hoping to hold out a few more years, but I will have another ultrasound end of April to see if there is any difference since they have know idea how fast the aneurysm is growing. I was having heart palpitations and light headedness, so was put on blood pressure meds and my blood pressure is doing great. The problem is that my state of mind in this whole waiting game is not good. My anxiety is bad at times, and I have only driven once with my husband in the car with me. I would love any suggestions anyone has on how you dealt with the same situation. Thank you and have a great day!