leslie's Journal

Mike Roskowinski  Glad to hear that you are improving! Yeah that is one thing I would definitely do is stay in to not get the flu or any cold. I could not imagine going through the surgery and a sickness. I am sure with so much "downtime" it must be easy getting bored. I work from home so I was wondering how eager I would be to get back to work. Only so much Netflix we can watch. Hope your energy gets back here so you can start doing more stuff. Its been so gloomy up here in Minnesota that I feel sleepy to and I did not have any surgery yet.

leslie terjesen  Here I am complaining about the Jersey Shore where it's in the 40's and forgot what it must be like in MN! I was at a conference once in Minneapolis but it started on June 1. I remember falling asleep watching the news and my husband called around 9:30 and it was still light outside! If I was a better sleeper I'd probably not be so tired but I must admit, I feel very good. Remember you are going to the best of the best where they do this surgery all the time. My doctor does valve surgery all day and NY Presbyterian is noted for it just like Mayo. You'll be in gear hands and on the other side before you know it!

Mike Roskowinski  Glad things are getting better for you. Wishing I was on that side of recovery. Love to hear all the good stuff.

Mabel Juric  Hello! So happy to hear you are doing well. Yes sleep can be an issue early on after surgery. Be kind to yourself, Netflix, read. I know when I was recovering I had naps during the day for two or three hours, was awake and then sleep at night wasn't as great. I am now 4 months out and sleep on my side again!!! I really missed that. I know it gets better. Keep us posted on your progress.. Have a great day :)

Mike Roskowinski  Good to hear that you are doing well so quick after the surgery. I told my wife that I am going to buy a recliner for my recovery time till I can sleep again like normal. These stories of post-op help my anxiety of doing the surgery. Sounds like the pain is manageable and having something to do helps the time go by.

leslie terjesen  I went out and bought a recliner that lifts you up. I really did not need it. My other one is in the living room for now and i will put the new one eventually in my husbands room; he has Parkinsons which is progressing so it may be good for him. I was in my bed by my fourth night and I now at 2 1/2 weeks post-op can turn on my side comfortably. Trying to force myself to stay up later and think I made it to after 8 on the couch last night. Woke at 12 and fell asleep on the couch and then went back to bed to actually 4:30 which is fine with me, I always got up then when I worked, just don't like getting up at 3. It's definitely a day by day thing. If I wake at three of course I'm going to fall asleep early. Still working on getting my heart rate under 90 so doing a lot of diaphragmatic breathing exercises. When i went to my doctor down at home the other day, the girl took it as soon as I came in which was 128. I told her to let me sit a minute or two since we just took off my sweater, etc. and then was 93. Common sense dictates that, every time I go to my primary his asst takes b/p and then my doctor comes in ten minutes later and does again. Mike, what is your surgery date? It just comes and goes so quickly. Dr. Smith's Nurse Practitioner had told me twice that if I have my surgery in Feb, by April, I'll feel 50% better and probably by June, 100%. Did not get that as I only equated with pain and I have done unbelievably with just Tylenol. But I do get it. I physically feel very good, but overall, still extremely tired. I have a friend having stomach surgery next Wed and we are having a luncheon on Monday for her. I have not been out yet except to doctors and I thought what is the chance, even if I go for 10 minutes, that in a large group that someone has a cold or something of the sort. Thought pretty damn high and I am going to pay for the cake, etc. and send my best wishes. Don't want to jinx this very good recovery. It really does go quick! I am so focused on spring coming and working in my garden and sitting with my friends by the pool, that I am online looking at bathing suits, plants, etc. all good stuff. All good thoughts always help!!!

Mike Roskowinski  I do not have an appointment yet since I want to meet with the Mayo Clinic first which will be on 4/4 after I get back from vacation. Once I get the date I will post it out here. Thanks for the response and glad that you are doing great with the recovery want to get mine done ASAP so I don’t have to live in fear and worry all the time. Want to just be in the other end of this.

leslie terjesen  Keep good thoughts coming on things you are looking forward to. I had a whole list of spring and summer things I want to do that I kept running through my mind. You'll find it goes quickly and you will be home before you know it. I have to laugh, I had my rolling suitcase with my three pair of button down jammies, slippers, OMG makeup, 3 books, etc. well you have to wear hospital gowns and their nonskid socks. Didn't have the energy to go makeup plus you cannot take a shower. But I did bring my pillow from home which was great. And I don't think I even opened a book till I got home. I could have brought a paper bag with all the stuff I really needed. LOL. And don't live in fear and worry, you are going to the best of the best places to have this done.

Susan Lynn  Yeah!!! You did it, Leslie! Sounds like you're doing well - glad you were able to get some medication to help you sleep.
Congratulations on putting your surgery and 10 days of recovery behind you. It's amazing how time stands still before surgery and flies afterward. Continued success - please keep us updated on your progress! ❤

leslie terjesen  I'm getting wiser on telling people not to come over and have been turning my phone off. It seemed every time my eyes shut and i drifted off, the phone rang. Nights still are tough for me, I got on the couch to sleep around 10 and woke at 1:30 with my heart racing away. I actually sat in the recliner and did deep breathing for over an hour and was able to get back to sleep for another two hours. I know, day by day. It's been a struggle with my husband who has Parkinson's as I always do everything from litter boxes to garage, to bills but have had to realize his pace is not mine. And my youngest daughter has been a Godsend and it has probably been good that she sees what I go through with him. I remember last Saturday she called and said would I mind suggesting to her dad that he not drive up with her to come get me. Which he then stayed home with his brother. The night before surgery we got up to the hotel to stay over as we are over two hours away and he forgot his medications. Probably my fault but she had to drive back down here and I asked her to please bring him with her as i was trying to relax the night before. Learning curve!!!!!

Susan Lynn  Leslie - You're going to be just fine. My best night's sleep in the last 20 years was the night after surgery - thank heaven for anesthesia and good drugs. I felt totally rested on day 2. You're going to do great and be on the road to recovery before you know it! Positive attitude all the way!

leslie terjesen  Thanks, actually looking forward to a good night's sleep. I keep thinking, next week at this time, I might be going home!!!

leslie terjesen  Had surgery last Tuesday and got home on Sunday. No pain on my 8 or 9 inch incision which I was shocked. I was a bit a nauseous, more than a bit, for a couple of days but it passed. My daughter woke me around 8 the night of the surgery to say that Dr. Smith said that it went wonderfully. I was out of ICU the next day. The only thing that hurt was my hand and my left pinkie and ring finger are numb but the doctors said that will go away and my visiting nurse is arranging for OT at my house for that. Dr Craig Smith is awesome and wonderful. I am thrilled that the strongest meds I've taken is Tylenol. We live in a wonderful adult village and I have so much food dropped off that I am storing some next door. Today was a tired day for me and I am getting wise and asking people to wait a few days to stop by. IT'S OVER!!!!!

John Isham  Leslie.... thank you for posting your story so fast!
I had Aortic Regurgitation and it went from moderate to severe pretty quickly with very few symptoms. The Good News is that you are on top of it and having the needed surgery done in 30 days! U will do fine. You need to have complete trust and confidence in your Heart Surgeon and Medical Team!
We will be monitoring your posts and progress!
You are in our prayers!

leslie terjesen  Thank you. Glad it got posted as was a bit confused when I started this. I most certainly trust Dr. Smith and team and am going for my pre-admission testing on Tuesday. I just called to see if I could donate blood in case I need it but need to fill out forms etc. I live about hour and half from NY Presbyterian but some of my friends said they'd take a bus with me up to NYC and we'll take a cab up to the Bronx. Trying to get my home in order before I go; my husband has Parkinson's and it is progressing a bit and he does not drive anymore. As the hospital has a hotel on the ninth floor, we will go up the night before and he and one of my daughters will stay a couple of days and then I asked my brotherinlaw to come stay at my house. Just so much to think about as I've been the one the past few years, doing all the bills, house stuff, etc. Can't wait to get this over with. And I appreciate hearing from you.

John Isham  Leslie... thanks for the reply. We Heart Warriors will be your Biggest Cheerleader and support for you and your family! You will do just fine!
We will give you some super strong encouragement soon when your surgery day gets closer! Take care of you as much as you can.

Rochelle Rottenstein   I am turning 57 and feel great but have bicuspid valve and was diagnosed with severe stenosis. I am scheduled for the valve replacement but upset for exactly same reason. I am asymptotic and know I am having very invasive surgery and feel like my life as I know it will never be the same. I’m a wreck, sorry this is not helping you or anyone but I’m so confused. I’m scheduled for complicated Ross Procedure, but have been reading in this site that many people have successful aortic replacements with minimally invasive surgery. Leasliie, what and where is your upcoming procedure?

leslie terjesen  I am going to New York Presbyterian Columbia which is in the Bronx. I live in Toms River, NJ, and it is straight up the Parkway and over the GW Bridge and they have valet parking. I am too old for the Ross method although I have a friend that had it with Dr. Selzer at Mt Sinai and she is back to playing tennis each day. I also met with the TAVR team at NY Presb. but a. I do not have symptoms and they did a CT scan with dye while I was there and they called me a few days later that said my annulus in my heart is too narrow for it anyway. Dr. Smith said when he is doing surgery he will stretch out my annulus so in ten or fifteen years when I need another valve, they can do the TAVR then. I'm not a wreck yet but I'd rather get it done while i am in excellent health. I have no blockages at all from the TEE test and cardiac catherization. Just want it over with!!! Glad I signed up for this site. I enjoyed Adams' book that I ordered online on his surgery experience.

Ellen Leng  For both of you, this is a bump in the road! In general, the pain gets better, especially after the first couple of weeks AND you may feel that you are asymptomatic, but in following this blog, you will find that most of us feel better and did not realize that we had subtle symptoms pre-op. Do your prep, find your team and get it done! Rah, RAH!!

leslie terjesen  Thank you for the encouragement. My local cardiologist said the same thing. I keep telling him I feel wonderful but he says he's sure I'll feel better afterwards. Looking forward to that as like I said, I feel great physically!

leslie terjesen  I just posted under the patient posts and not sure if it comes back to the journal. Had my pre-admission testing done yesterday; took 3 hours to get into New York with construction leading up to the GW Bridge!!! The traffic getting into the hospital is unbelievable so very happy my husband and daughter are staying up on the 9th floor of the hospital where they have hotel-like accommodations. One more step in the right direction. Less than a month!!!