LETICIA's Heart Valve Journal

Almost 7 months post Aortic Valve and Ascending Aorta Replacement. Feeling good and so very thankful!! Long journey but very doable! Prayers and quick recovery to my Heart Family!

Hi Heart Family, I'm 6 weeks post surgery. Heart is doing well, but I'm still dealing with my vocal paralysis. Last week I got an injection in the left vocal cord to help with the voice but more so the shortness of breath and the sensation of a lump in my throat. It helped a bit but still have a very hoarse voice and shortness of breath and the most annoying sensation of something stuck in my throat. ENT also thinks it may be "Silent Reflux" so I'm on high doses of Prilosec (40mg twice a day for 8 weeks). Has anyone else experienced this and what kind of outcomes have you seen.

Hi Heart Friends and Family, I have found out that what I thought was some kind of gastric reflux issue is actually vocal cord paralysis. Seems that I have had some damage to one of the vocal cords during surgery. Just saw the ENT and he said we need to give the nerve to the vocal cord time to repair. Has anyone else experienced this? On a happier note, I'm doing very well with Cardiac Rehab. Chest feels good, blood pressure and heart rate good too. Hope everyone is doing well!

Hi Heart Friends and Family. I am 2 weeks post surgery and am having an issue with what I might think is some form of gastric reflux. It is the most bothersome feeling. Feels like I have a lump in my throat all the time. No matter how much water I drink the lump is still there. It wakes me every hour to hour and a half at night. feel like I'm wearing down. ER this morning...I can't take another night like this. I have been taking omeprazole, ranitidine and tums for acid. I'm also still on a very bland diet. Anyone else with this issue?

12 days post surgery! Home with my family! Starting cardiac rehab on Tuesday. God is Big!! Prayers to all going into surgery and quick recovery for all! This is a pic of me and my son.

So very Happy to be home and on the recovery side of surgery. I have been reading all posts and comments from the past week and a half. Thank you everyone for all the well wishes and prayers.....God is Big!!
Being at home has really been nice. Neighbors, Friends and Family have been so very helpful and I would like to thank Lance for posting while I was in the hospital. I am so Blessed to have such a wonderful network of people in my life.
I have been resting well and trying to take it easy as I tend to want to push recovery a bit. I have set up my follow up visits with my cardiologist and surgeon. Recovery is going well and I will continue to post updates. If anyone has any questions for me please ask. I am happy to share my experiences. Love to my Heart Family. Prayers to all for quick recoveries and successful surgeries!

Ok, folks... Leticia is READY TO TAKE OVER her journal... :) She made the trek UPSTAIRS this morning and is really sounding both STRONG and EXCITED to move forward from her surgery! RAGING SUCCESS so all that are readying for your own surgery, TAKE HEART (literally ;-)!! Great things await you! The next post you receive will be from Leticia, herself.... :) THANKS ONE AND ALL for continued prayers, well wishes, healing energy (and any questions you might have about her process so far!)... :)

Leticia is home and she got to see her entire family this afternoon. Also, one of her very awesome, childhood friends, Patricia, came in to spend a few days with her. The pain meds were "figured out" before she left the hospital and this evening she said that she felt better than she has so far. She sounded stronger and was moving around really well. Keep sending prayers and well wishes. As those that have gone through this already know, and those who are moving towards it will WANT... OUTREACH and UPLIFTING OTHERS are really some of the very best "medicine". THANK YOU! :)

Leticia is ON HER WAY back to her home! Her daughter, Breanna, said this morning that she was "getting the house ready for mom to come home!" and she had also washed for her. Will have to get an update on her check-out and release from the hospital, but thought all would really like to hear that she is on her was HOME! Thanks for all of the prayers and healing thoughts! (RECEIVED!)

Leticia is GOING HOME tomorrow! She walked 9 "laps" today in the hospital halls, the nurses seem to have the pain meds figured out so she is not nauseous nor has headaches most of the day, the doctor says that all is going fantastic and her heart sounds VERY STRONG, and she is just feeling BETTER and STRONGER OVERALL! :-) She sounds much better and much stronger. Her dad, Robert was at the hospital today and is spending the night. She did say that she listened to her heartbeat and just couldn't believe "HOW STRONG AND LOUD" it was! :-) To say that the surgery was a success would be an understatement. Everyone listening in who is readying to go through with this procedure... TAKE HEART (small pun intended ;-), this process has been a huge success for Leticia. She is well on her road to recovery and may actually take over her own journal entries starting tomorrow. Leticia has a ton of messages and responses to pour through since she began her trek through surgery. One last note (that she will probably like :"), she can actually see Texas' Memorial Stadium here in Austin, Texas from her room. If you are not aware, Leticia graduated from the University of Texas with a Pharmacy degree, and tonight she said "she had so many great memories" looking out towards that stadium. The point is that her mind is not consumed with pain or clouded by meds... SHE IS HEALING PHENOMENALLY WELL!!! MANY, MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE, again, for your support, prayers and healing energy!

Leticia is still in the hospital and is not going to "push" going home too early. Her pain medication has still not been "tweaked" such that she does not feel nauseous. She really wants to get that "right" prior to heading home. Other than that, she is getting STRONGER. She is up and out of bed often now, on her own for bathroom and shower breaks, and is walking the halls of her floor there at St. David's. She has had a couple of tough nights simply because the pain meds have been making her nauseous. Hoping that "that" is corrected TODAY. She has really liked her nursing staff, and (again) they say she is doing FANTASTIC. Further, she was able to listen to her own HEARTBEAT yesterday and, she says, it was the "first time it ever sounded normal!" She's happy about that. She is so appreciative of all of the people who have been posting and responding to these messages, as well as her friends who have been bringing food over to her home for her kids and her dad. THANKS ALL FOR CONTINUE PRAYERS AND HEALING THOUGHTS! More to come...

Not quite 4 days out from surgery (that will be approximately 2:00pm today). To this point, Leticia has been both the ideal patient and the process has gone absolutely perfectly. Her daughter, Breanna and I saw her yesterday late morning/early afternoon and she got out of bed at least 3 times while we were there. Her voice is still "light", but all of her clarity seems to be back and she is coughing (good sign) up any flim & mucous built up in her lungs. The coughing does hurt her some, but again, part of the process and she is really amazing! She had already made 2 "laps" down the hallway, and prior to going to sleep last night, she said that she did 4 more for a total of 6 (AWESOME!). As mentioned in a previous post, she has had all of the tubes removed and only has her vital sensors stuck to her chest now. She pulled the gauze on her chest incision aside and it really is amazing how "little" doctors today need to make the wound and the incision looked both small and perfectly "sealed". She was able to get on her computer yesterday, as well, and read through the posts... She APPRECIATES SO VERY MICH everyone's input, messages, prayers and sweet thoughts! Please, continue to pray for a perfect and 110% recovery, for continued abatement of her pain, and that she becomes among the fastest healers and recoveries known for this type of operation! Will reach out later, assuming she is not yet strong enough to take over the job again herself! MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL!

I spoke with Leticia this morning and she said she was off of "all narcotics" and sounded really great! They took the last "chest drain" tube out this morning and she has already made a walk down the hallway. She said she will make 2 laps today :-) She also wanted all to know that she is working with the Voldyne, which is a breathing (she called it a breath-a-lizer ;-) apparatus that allows her to "exercise" her breathing, chest, etc. She is also in her OWN ROOM and out of ICU! 3rd day of recovery and all is going simply fantastic. THANKS ALL for continued prayers, support and healing energy! :-) More later...

I spent some time at the hospital today. Got to see Damon's "bed" in ICU = 2 chairs pushed together! He is really taking care of Mama. Leticia got some tubes out of her today and hoping to have more removed. The pain is less but the drainage tube to the chest is the most discomforting. Still, she is doing amazingly well and astounding how much progress from just over 2 days removed from surgery. She was drifting in and out of sleep and that was before the next batch of pain medication. Today, so far, she has sat in a recliner a couple of times and even had a very short walk. As most know, the doctors want heart patients up and moving ASAP, which limits complications. So, they are pushing her and she has responded phenomenally well. All in all, she is doing fantastic. More to come... (again, THANKS FOR CONTINUED PRAYERS!)

Day 2 after surgery - Damon checked in this morning and said that Leticia was still experiencing "a little pain but other than that everything is going very well. They want to hopefully move her into a normal room today!" So... she is ON THE MEND! Thanks to all for continued prayers and support! More to come as the info comes in! Please, lift up Damon, as well, as he has not left his mom's side since she went in for her surgery!

Today showed much improvement for Leticia. She is still experiencing pain and discomfort, but the nurse said that this was normal and would soon pass. She was up and in a recliner a couple of times today, so they are already getting her moving. Her son Damon remains by her side and her dad comes up for most of the day. Her wonderful friend Amanda has gone to the hospital both days and more than once; and her amazing neighbors and friends around her home have helped with food for the family. She is very blessed and THANKS YOU ALL for your continued support and prayers. She is an absolute fighter and is handling this exceptionally well considering all. Tomorrow should see even more improvement and will provide more updating. THANK YOU ALL!!! Your prayers are WORKING, so... please CONTINUE! :-) Many blessings to one and all.

I saw Leticia today and she looked GREAT. She was feeling pain, but the nurses had her as comfortable as she could be. She said that the "tubes" in her were as big a source of discomfort so once they remove those, she will probably be much better immediately. They had her up today and she sat in a chair. The nurse said that "we want heart patients up and moving as quickly as possible" and further said that in doing that, they got much better much more quickly with fewer complications. So, they are pushing her. Leticia did say to tell everyone that she was "moving in the right direction!" She also said to make sure to say THANK YOU to one and all for continued prayers and support. Her son Damon has really been a trooper and is waiting on her in addition to the nurses. Robert, her dad is holding down the fort at home and also at the hospital as much as possible. More updates as we get them!

Leticia's son, Damon, and father, Robert, are both at ICU caring for her this morning. She got some much needed rest last night but is still feeling both discomfort and some pain. The nurse said that this was normal and that they would continue to monitor her and her progress. As soon as there is a medical update, will post here. Really just asking for continued prayers, support, and healing energy! The operation went exceptionally well and without any complications. She has a fantastic medical staff tending to her and amazing friends (with a "help" calendar!) bringing her family food each day. THANKS ONE AND ALL FOR THE PHENOMENAL SUPPORT! More updates to come...

Leticia was feeling discomfort and some pain this evening, but her wonderful friend, Amanda, said that the nursing staff really helped "get her comfortable". Further, she said that they wanted her "at least sitting up on the edge of the bed" tomorrow. Hoping and praying that she gets a good night's rest and her pain is reduced significantly asap. Her father, Robert, and her son, Damon, were at the hospital all day; and Amanda spent much time up there, as well. Damon is spending the night with her in ICU. Pray for the family's piece of mind, as well. Thanks one and all for continued prayers. More updates to come tomorrow...

Update at 12:40pm - Nurse called and said that they were "closing up" and that "surgery went great"! She informed that Leticia is "DOING GREAT!" as well. Again, continued prayers welcome!

Just wanted to inform all that Leticia went in for her surgery this morning at 5:30AM, did all of her prep, and surgery started at began about 9:30AM. Newest update was at 11:25AM when the nurse called and said that the surgeons were "almost done" and that Leticia was "doing well". She was very nervous, anxious and scared going in this morning, but did absolutely fantastic up to giving it all over to the surgical staff. Will update when she is out and in recovery. THANKS ONE AND ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTINUED PRAYERS!

Hi everyone, spoke with my surgeon today. We talked about what would be happening on Monday morning. Looks like I will have a full sternotomy. I will be having my aortic valve and my aorta (it is weak) replaced. Surgery will be about 2-3 hours. I'm nervous but looking forward to having this behind me and begin my recovery. Best wishes to everyone with upcoming surgeries and quick recoveries for all! Thank you God for these amazing doctors and procedures!

Hello Heart Friends, my visit with Dr Kerendi went very well. He answered all my questions and made me feel at ease. We set the date for November 2nd in the morning and I have chosen a bovine valve. He may be able to do a mini incision (anyone have any experience they might share with me on this) surgery if ascending aorta is not weak...so far no sign of that...so it looks promising as of right now. Recouping from the Cardiac Cath quite well. Trying to stay active by walking 2-3 miles a day. This helps relax my mind and keeps my focus on the task at hand. Good Luck and many prayers to all that are facing an upcoming surgery and those recovering. Thank you again everyone for all the support. It means a great deal to me.

Hi Heart Friends, my appointment with the surgeon has been moved up a week. I will be seeing him this coming Wednesday (21st). I would like to formulate a list of questions. Please if anyone has any suggestions on what I should ask, let me know. I have ordered Adam Picks book, but it may take a few more days to come in. Feel like this is moving really fast. Thank you everyone for the comments and support.

Hello Heart Friends,
TEE and Cardiac Cath went well on Monday. Tuesday felt a pop and muscle spasm with pain in the groin area. Laid flat, applied pressure and called 911. After CT scan and ultrasound looks like I had more blood in the groin area than is usually seen after a Cath but it was not severe and was not bleeding any longer. Today has been better and I will be meeting with the surgeon on the 28 of this month to move along on this journey. Prayers and best wishes to all with upcoming surgeries and fast recovery for everyone!!!

Wow! Just feeling a little overwhelmed with the realization that surgery is coming up in the very near future. It is one thing to be told, we will watch the heart valve every 6 months...see you next visit and quite another when they say it's time. This week has been difficult. Monday I will go in to have both the TEE and Cardiac Catheterization done. Results will be sent to Cardio Thoracic Surgeon and I will meet with him to discuss surgery and valve options. I'm trying very hard to keep things in perspective and keep a positive attitude. It has been a struggle because I have not had any symptoms but the narrowing of the valve indicates that that I should. I run 3 miles a day four days a week and dance ballet two to three days out of the week. The concern is that the heart muscle may be over working to compensate for the narrowing of the valve. Whatever is happening, I'm going to be positive and hope for the very best outcome. :)

Arteriogram went well on Friday. My cardiologist had ordered the procedure due to my last echo which came back with gradients that indicated that I had severe stenosis. Fridays procedure has indicated that I am still at moderate but will be monitored every 3 months now just to make sure. I am feeling some dizziness every so often so I will make sure to monitor that very closely. I feel like I'm playing a waiting game, almost feels like my life is on hold. Anyone had this feeling before? On one hand I'm happy I don't have to have the surgery yet and on the other I wish I had a properly functioning heart.

Going in on Friday for an arteriogram. The cardiologist will monitor the gradient and this will give us a better picture of what my valve looks like. I have never had this procedure done, so if anyone has any helpful hints, I would certainly appreciate it.