Lisa's Journal

Hi all heart brothers and sisters! Good luck to all upcoming brothers and sisters on their surgeries and recoveries. Wondering how much any of you remember post op in the first 24 or so hours? As I visit more with my husband, it seems there is a significant amount of time that I have obviously blocked out or was too out of it to remember. My husband wonders why this matters - and it really doesn't - other than I somehow have blocked an entire day out of my memory! I traveled from the Midwest to New York for surgery - so other than my husband I had no family there to recall events of the days in the hospital. I think most of it just ran together for my husband as well since he was the only one with me. My surgery was on Sept. 30th about 9:30 am and I think I got to ICU at about 7:30 pm. I thought I remembered everything from about 11pm - but now I'm realizing I don't remember anything until about 11pm on Oct. 1st! Is this even possible?? Just wondering if anyone else had a similar experience? It sounds like most are moved out of ICU the following day - I think it was midnight on the 1st for me as there weren't any rooms available. I just think it's crazy I spent a whole day functioning and awake and can't remember any of it. I'm very thankful to be on the recovery side of this and thankful that I don't remember the ventilator - it just feels so odd to have such a big block of time missing! Lisa

Hi heart brothers and sisters - I think I am doing incredibly well - better than anyone - including myself - expected! I am back to walking - my pace has improved to about 3 miles an hour - and I have no problem walking 3+ miles a day. I really haven't had any problem with pain - my chest is tender and sometimes uncomfortable - such as when driving and wearing a seat belt. I have lost all the water weight from surgery - unfortunately nothing additional yet. I am back to being independent as I was cleared to drive last week. Now, if I could only keep up with my 13-year-old daughter! Some days I have to remind myself of the major surgery I went through - just because we look healed from the outside - I think there is a lot of mental and emotional healing still occurring. Being asymptomatic prior to surgery, I think it will take awhile for me to actually notice that I "feel" better. I would imagine if I had symptoms prior - it would be a relief to not feel them anymore. This site - along with all the contacts I made prior to choosing the Ross Procedure - have been incredibly helpful in my healing process. To all of you in the waiting room - know that those of us that are on the recovery side are all praying for you and available in any way to help ease your fears and concerns. Lisa

For those of you in the "waiting room" - that truly is the most difficult stage! The anticipation is enough to put anyone on edge. I struggled with the fact that I wasn't having any symptoms - and yet was scheduled for OHS. That was a tough situation. I obviously felt much better going into surgery than coming out. I do believe I made the right decision as being otherwise healthy, my recovery has been better than I expected. I don't seem to have much pain - other than my back has started bothering me as I was always a side sleeper and have now been sleeping on my back for the last 2 weeks. I'm slowly getting rid of the excess fluids from surgery and building up strength by taking short and slow walks. For all of you waiting - you can do this! Everyone here is thinking of you and praying for you during surgery and your recovery. Bless all of you Lisa

I'm so sorry I haven't updated my journal - neither my phone nor my tablet would allow me to post. I am now 10 days post op and doing incredibly well! Surgery went amazing with best possible outcome of the Ross Procedure with Dr. Stelzer. What an amazing surgeon and human being! My first 3 days post op were pretty tough as I seem to not do well with anesthesia or the narcotics pumping in my system -- couldn't eat for 3 days due to the nausea. I was able to check out of the hospital 5th day post op - my husband and I stayed in a hotel and went for lots of very slow walks. We flew home 9 days post op-yesterday. I feel so blessed to be home with family after two very long weeks. I was even able to attend my daughters cheer & dance competition in a neighboring town!! I seem to be healing quite well - I'm only taking motrin to help with inflammation yet. I also have another 10+pounds to lose from the surgery as well - slow but sure. My poor husband caught a cold in the last couple of days - I'm sure he got quite run down taking care of me. What an amazing man to stay by my side - he was strong while I was terrified. Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes - and if anyone wants more info. on my surgery etc. - feel free to contact me. I will definitely pass on any wisdom I have gained since I am now on the recovery side. Special thanks to Jeff S.! I was Dr. Stelzer's #584 Ross Procedure! Lisa

I made the board - no turning back now! I pray that I'm able to stay strong mentally this week. I'm sure there will be lots of tears as I leave most of my family behind in South Dakota and travel to the Big Apple for surgery - but I'm taking them all with me in my heart.

I haven't made the surgery board yet - must just be too many - as I share the Sept. 30th date. I feel very fortunate that I have remained asymptomatic and have gotten to enjoy the summer before having OHS. I have gotten to participate in my son's senior pictures which I was worried I was going to miss out on. I have also gotten to attend 5 Cheer and Dance Competitions of my daughter's - this was really important to me as it is her first year competing on the varsity squads. Some days, I feel quite confident going into this - and some days I'm on the verge of falling apart. It would appear this is quite normal. I'm having a difficult time "giving up the reins" with my kids. I'm very Blessed that my mother is able to stay with them and then remain to take care of me while I recover. I just hate to miss out on being MOM for those couple of weeks. I added a photo of each of my Joys - so blessed!

Hi everyone! After being followed for my bicuspid aortic valve since about 10-years-old - I have now been told it is time to replace it. I now also have an ascending aortic aneurysm and severe stenosis of the aortic valve. I have already been in contact with some wonderful people helping to guide and support me in this difficult and emotional decision. I have been scheduled for the Ross Procedure with the best - Dr. Stelzer at Mount Sinai in New York on September 30th. Now the wait, research, and preparations begin.