Lauren McSorley - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2098 days ago

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I am one week away from my second open heart surgery. It feels like a bad dream. It’s been a long road since my first surgery. In many ways, I am excited ...Read more

I am one week away from my second open heart surgery. It feels like a bad dream. It’s been a long road since my first surgery. In many ways, I am excited about the prospect of being on the other side of this issue and putting it behind me. But, I’m scared. I’m not going to lie and say this is easy and that I’m not scared. I am. So scared. This time around, my ascending aorta will be replaced with Dacron and I will get a new mechanical valve, a slightly larger one. My daughters are now 8, 9, and 11. They are older. They know more. They worry more. We will miss each other. We are a close family. I will miss their faces, their snuggles, their voices, their love, and even their fighting! Haha! They are my everything. And...my amazing, loving, and devoted husband. What would I do without him and his love. ❤️

Kathleen Shore I’m so sorry that you have to go through a second surgery. That is rough! I think my surgery date i ... Read more

Kathleen Shore I’m so sorry that you have to go through a second surgery. That is rough! I think my surgery date is probably on the same day as yours! I think the waiting for the actual day of surgery is the hardest. I know you are going to do fine & I will be thinking of you!

Shannon Gray Thinking of you and sending you prayers for a successful surgery and easeful recovery.

Marie Myers I am sorry you have to go through this again, and at a young age. Will be praying for you to have a ... Read more

Marie Myers I am sorry you have to go through this again, and at a young age. Will be praying for you to have a smooth surgery and uneventful recovery.

Civita Fahey My prayers are with you for a smooth surgery and recovery.

Mike Tirrell Best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. You got this.

Joey Hardee Hi Lauren! Adding you to the prayer list! Sounds like you have a good surgical team and are in a good ... Read more

Joey Hardee Hi Lauren! Adding you to the prayer list! Sounds like you have a good surgical team and are in a good place. Stanford has a great rep. I am 4 months out from having my aortic valve and ascending aorta replaced and feel great. Looking forward to your recovery updates! You'll do great.

T.C. Sayles I too have had 2 surgeries..one at age 5 and one just this year at age 46! I am divorced and have a d ... Read more

T.C. Sayles I too have had 2 surgeries..one at age 5 and one just this year at age 46! I am divorced and have a daughter, age 14 at the time of surgery, now 15. My prayers for a successful surgery are with you! You will be just fine! Everything they are doing they did to me except I have a tissue valve, not mechanical. This is a common surgery for these doctors. You totally got this! Us women, we are strong..I mean look, you are raising 3 daughters, that takes a TON of strength!! My ONLY suggestion, because this killed my daughter seeing it and I about shot my mother and BFF for allowing it....if you wake up with a tube in your mouth, you most likely will, DO NOT let your children see this! Seeing you in a hospital bed with wires, they can deal with, the tube is something I don't believe they can. My daughter RAN out of the room crying! I was awake 4 hours with the tube in me (super sucked bad!!) because my lungs were not where they wanted them to be. (They will be collapsed during the surgery as you will be on the heart and lung machine.) I hated that she saw this! Ask if this will happen to you and tell your husband, if of course you want this. Have your girls stay with a friend until all clear. The friend can drive them to the hospital and all they need to know is that you are still sleeping. They can see you in ICU which you will be for a day or so, just minus the tube! You got this girl!!

Barbara Wood Very best wishes...

Lisette Heckathorn I can so relate to your feelings - Mitral valve repair 3/2018, with some complications to follow, and ... Read more

Lisette Heckathorn I can so relate to your feelings - Mitral valve repair 3/2018, with some complications to follow, and it was hard on my 3 kiddos, especially my youngest (13, 11, and 8 at the time). It sounds like you are in wonderful hands. It is hard to stop for all this when we are used to just going all the time, I too played college sports, and was so shocked to find I would need Heart surgery. It really rocked my world. But with the power of prayer and an amazing support system, we made it through. I also agree with T.C. - it is hard enough for them to see you with all the wires and IVs - my husband and Dad couple hardly stand to see me like that, so protect their sweet little hearts and minds and let them see you awake and able to speak! I'll be praying for you as you finish preparing. God has this situation, and you, in the palm of his hand.

Ken M Lauren I know its a daunting thought to think about going through open heart surgery again but I've h ... Read more

Ken M Lauren I know its a daunting thought to think about going through open heart surgery again but I've had four open heart surgeries beginning at age 10, then 34, 44 and 56. I'm almost 70 and work part time, still hike, snow ski and kayak. Also play pickleball 3 or 4 times a week. I wouldn't be doing any of this obviously without the miracles of modern medicine. I wish you the very best.