Lena's Journal

Hi all!  After surgery in 2019 to replace the aortic valve, the healing process began.  And today my post is not about me.  About my family.  About those who were shocked by the news, about those who helped me cope with endless anxiety, about those who checked out the best hospitals and the best surgeons.  About my husband and my already adult children.  After returning home, be strong, patient, attentive to your family.  Try not to complain too much, clean yourself up every morning, don't scare them for no reason, try to maintain a healthy psychological climate at home.  I know it's hard sometimes.  But try.  Our family suffered no less trauma than we did.  And we must help them cope with us :)))) With love, Lena.

How did the operation change me?  She made me understand that I need to live, not to worry often about the future, not to constantly think about what has already happened, but just start living to the fullest.  In the first months after the operation, I often cried, and asked myself the same question, why and why me.  But I want to assure you that this will gradually pass, you will feel better and you will become mentally easier.  I wish everyone who is going through a rehabilitation period to be proud of themselves more often, because you survived it!  With love, Lena.

Trouble, inconvenience after discharge.  1. Sleep.  Or rather, the lack of comfortable sleep.  2. Weakness, lack of former strength.  3. Soreness of the seam, muscle soreness.  4. Tearfulness, lack of motivation, questions, “what next and how to live.”  Every day I solved these problems, and every day, little by little, I felt better.  I began to walk slowly, every day a little walk, took Talinol, ate according to the schedule, slept when I managed to find a comfortable position.  And it worked!  Please get well!  Everything will be fine and even excellent!

First trip in 2023, Chile.  And on January 21, 4 years old, I had my aortic valve replaced.  Who knows how long my valve will last, but since then I want to live and enjoy every day, every trip, every workout, walking, running, swimming, and just love.  To EVERYONE who is just waiting for an operation or has begun the recovery process, I wish you strength and OPTIMISM, because you CAN! Love, Lena. 

2019: shock, horror, sadness, confusion.  Aortic valve replacement surgery.  Recovery, pandemic, return to volunteer at the hospital.  2023 :) To everyone who is waiting for an operation or has begun the rehabilitation process, I wish you faith in yourself, medicine and doctors!

After arriving from the hospital, I decided to recover.  The most important thing you must do is decide for yourself to get well.  Walk slowly, breathe in the air, eat right and fully, do not skip taking vitamins and medicines, rest when necessary, watch inspiring films, read.  For the scar, I used vitamin E oil. I wish everyone who was discharged from the hospital to tune in to a full recovery!  Happy New Year, friends!

I returned to volunteer at the hospital.  My goal is to impress upon people after open heart surgery that they have got the best ticket to a better and healthier life.  Merry Christmas!  To everyone who is recovering or waiting for surgery, I wish strength and faith.

10 days after aortic valve replacement surgery, 2019. My helper is a pillow. I hugged her everywhere and always. You will have difficulty coughing and sneezing. Sneezing was the worst.... but this will pass, for sure:) Optimistic Saturday to all!

Hello!
3.5 years ago I went through aortic valve replacement surgery.  This post is for anyone who has recently been diagnosed with a similar problem!  I want to assure you you will be fine!  Waiting for the operation itself is the hardest thing.  Trust your surgeon, they do it every day!  Since then, I started volunteering in the cardiology department at the same hospital, helping people mentally overcome the most difficult moments after operations.  I wish everyone strength, patience, courage and faith in medicine!  Merry Christmas!