Lauren's Posts

Lauren, I read your story and I'm thankful that you did well with your surgery and that it's behind you now. From what research I have done, you were in danger of severe Covid before you had your valve repaired. You need to ask your doctor what the situation is after you had your heart surgery. Do you have other chronic diseases like diabetes, other heart conditions such as cardiomyopathy or heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or receiving cancer treatments? Are you immunocompromised from medicines that you are taking? Your immune system can rebuild itself if it isn't being compromised. Have you ask your GP or your cardiologist if you have a weakened immune system? I'm not sure I would take my mask off until I got answers from the doctors. I worry that the mask mandates are being lifted. My son and husband will continue to wear theirs while out in public to try to keep themselves and me safe until I can kind of get myself together. I have several chronic diseases and have been told by my cardiologist that if I get Covid, I would not survive it. I have not been outside my house other than going to doctor's visits, therapy, the hospital and the clinics that I have to go to for tests since the pandemic began. I occasionally get to visit my mom by her sitting on her porch while I roll the window down and talk to her from my car. Covid is rampant in my family. Most of them are unvaccinated and don't wear masks or follow the rules. They are in and out of my mom's home. Thankfully, my mom is vaccinated. My eldest brother is not. He has COPD and is on oxygen. He was exposed to Covid from his wife and they quarantined from my mom for 14 days. The day after he got out of quarantine, his neighbor ask him for ride. While they were out, the neighbor mentioned that his daughter had Covid. Somehow between his wife and the neighbor, my brother got Covid. He wasn't feeling well, but went to mom's on Christmas day. He was taken by ambulance the following day. He has been fighting for his life since Christmas and is still in the hospital. My mom got Covid from him along with a nephew and his wife. I have lost several friends and family members to Covid. I feel like I'm in prison and I wonder if I'll truly ever trust being around anyone since I've been in quarantine for so long. I didn't mean to write a book. I hope something I have said helps you.

Great questions! Not sure if anyone knows how to answer them specifically since so much of acquiring Covid is a crapshoot. I know we are more at risk for infections of the heart such as endocarditis so in my mind I'm high risk. I don't want to find out how sick I am able to get with covid. All of my step kids who are in their 40s got it even while fully vaccinated. My stepdaughter is quite sick and we can't even help her!! I personally will do whatever it takes to be safe even if it means I still wear a mask. We need to do what's best for us. Keep safe and good luck!

Patsy, I totally get it! It's been really difficult. Dan and I are stuck in our house too! We feel the same way about people but he's even worse. I'm so sorry we've been so isolated but we need to keep safe! We have no idea how we will respond to Covid and it truly sucks 🙁

Lauren, it's great that your valve could be repaired, and that you're home and doing well! What a difference a week makes. I hope your recovery is smooth and easy. Sorry we didn't get to meet in the halls, but I appreciate your encouraging post as I head to CC before long!

Lauren - it's great to hear that you are home and doing well and even better that they were able to repair your valve! I think you will be surprised at how quickly you will feel better. The only advice I can offer is to be very careful not to overload your sternum. Mine felt so normal that three weeks after the surgery I totally forgot about it and I yanked on a stuck door. Big mistake, but while I scared myself badly (and I was more sore for several days after than I was right after surgery) I apparently didn't break anything. Congratulations for getting this behind you.