Lisa's Journal

Debbie Swartz  Hey Lisa! We did it! Glad you are home. I go home tomorrow. Had boughts of queasy stomach and couldn't eat much or none. As to bra, my hospital gave me 2 bras that Velcro in front and straps that velcro on. Was going to use a sports bra with hook front. One day at a time my valve sister!

Lisa Hostetter  So good to hear from you! I hope you got the nausea under control, I’m sure that wasn’t any fun. The hospital gave me a bra too but it doesn’t fit that good either. Plus I didn’t think about having to wear a bra 24/7. I am so glad you are going home tomorrow, it is a great feeling. Take care my friend.

Joan Hibo  Happy to see you at home. Isn't it just wonderful to sleep in your own bed? You Did It! Sending you good vibes, take it one day at a time.

Lee Wright  Lisa, keep focusing on just getting yourself ready, I did not let myself indulge in worrying about my life being any different after I recovered. That worked for me, at least. I just kept visualizing myself fully recovered and doing things that I loved. I brought pj's and books with to the hospital, I never changed into PJs and never picked up any of my books. I did listen to a whole audio book so I am glad I brought my headphones. I brushed my teeth on day 4 and 5. I also put my hair in a french braid an it stayed in it until day 4 :). Good luck, you will do great!!!

Debbie Swartz  Lisa, I too will get my COVID test tomorrow! Preop on friday. Surgery Tuesday! I am ready too to get this behind and recovered. Gotta be patient with ourselves! Stay positive and so will I!

Steven Methot  Lisa, there was a post here a week or so ago with a listing of all the things to bring and not bring. Err on the side of going light. But - bring a long charging cord for your phone!

Darrin Vohs  Lisa, Wishing you the very best. My advice is like the other comments... less is more: long charger cord for you iphone/ipad, toothbrush, clothes on your back,ipad/iphone, and positive attitude.

Rose Madura  Phone, charger and extension if you have one. IPad-yes. I brought a book but never opened it at hospital. Travel pillow was great for dozing off in the chair. They will give you whatever you need as far as toiletries go. I had to wear hospital gown entire time. No PJs. I worried about my hair at first and even had a friend come and fix it. But after all my complications and readmissions, I got to the point where I didn't care. The aids would help with my hair some too. Best wishes for a successful surgery and recovery. Please keep us posted.

Lisa Hostetter  Thanks everybody for the great advice. I hadn’t thought about a travel pillow, definitely need that. I will have about 2 hour drive home.

Thomas Quigley  I think if you can walk a mile or teo then your heart rate shouldn't be an issue. If you have a sternototmy like I do you might want to wait a bit until that heals.

Lee Wright  Lisa, almost all of us are considered elective, that word is deceiving, if you are having symptoms or even those of us who did not, heart surgery will save your life and improve the quality of your life. I am only two weeks out from surgery but I am so glad that I did it, I don't feel great yet but I saw my family doctor today and he heard no murmur when he listened to my heart!!! The lead up to surgery is the hardest part, at least thus far. Day 2 in ICU was bad for me because my BP got low so I had to go off all pain meds except Tylenol but I am the rare case for that to happen. And even after that difficult day, I still am so glad I did it. You can do it, just try not to think about all the things you will be able to do and enjoy once it is fixed and you have recovered!!!

Lisa Hostetter  Thanks! I am glad to hear you are doing well. Wow to not hear a murmur when you go to the doctor, that will be a new experience. I may need another pep talk in a couple weeks!

Adam Pick  Hey Lisa, You are going to do great! I'm very hopeful your procedure will relieve you of those unwanted symptoms which can really diminish a patient's quality of life, right? Lots of folks here have been through what you are about to go through. Just take it step by step and this will be all be a memory in the not so distant future. Again, take it step by step. Especially the recovery. Being a "planner" you might have an impulse to force your body to heal. That's what I kinda did. It worked against me. Are you considering a cardiac rehab program? That can really help all patients - especially us "Type A" folks. :)

Darrin Vohs  Lee is correct - when you are very symptomatic you need surgery before your heart is damaged beyond repair.

Randy Johnson  Hi Lisa. On October 24 will be my one year anniversary of my bicuspid valve and aortic aneurysm surgery. I had the Edwards Inspiris Resilia valve and a Dacron graft for my 4.5 cm aneurysm. I was 68 years old when I had the surgery. 12 weeks after my surgery I was skiing back in Aspen at altitudes up to 12,000 feet and felt great. The anticipation was the worst part. For the first 12 weeks my whole chest wall was sore but I only took an occasional Tylenol. For many months after surgery I could count my pulse at night laying on my pillow but that went away too. I now run 2-3 miles every day and feel great My only med is one baby aspirin. Given the fact that you were healthy and exercised I'm sure you'll do well. I did a cardiac rehab program and would recommend that but you can actually do it at home. My cardiologist does not even hear a murmur any more.

Kerry McNutt  I was where you are 5 months ago. Dr just said ‘sooner rather than later!’ Waiting is the worst! Prep some simple meals, pamper yourself with a haircut, pedicure, manicure, buy a 10ft phone cord and a shower chair. Take a deep breath and know you’re going to be much better very soon! Each and every day after surgery just gets better as you get stronger.

Gerald Poulton  Hi Lisa. I was born with the same condition. Last August I celebrated my 3 year anniversary. I was just the opposite as I had no symptoms at all but to be on the safe side I stopped running but did lots of Walking, up to and over 10k per day. With your symptoms I would personally have the operation now. Why risk your health or life. I highly recommend, if you can that you walk or do anything you can to work out your lungs. After OHS your lung capacity can drop 50%, Yes it comes back but the better condition going in, the better condition you are coming out. I ran a lot before my surgery and it wasn't long till I was back on the road running again. For those in good physical condition, the biggest fear is fear itself. This is one of the most common surgeries and the doctors are experts I was actually very surprised how easy the operation and recovery was for me and the pain was not bad either. I took the pain killers in The hospital but went home on Tylenol Extra strength. I had my operation at 65 yrs old and opted for the Edwards bovine bio prosthetic valve. I am extremely happy with my new valve and health. Back working hard, running 10K runs and life is good !
You can do this 👍life is-so much better on the recovery side. Feel free to read my journal, as a past runner it may give you some idea what to expect in your recovery. Take care of you and you will do great !

David Augustus  Hello Lisa. I had my aortic valve and root replaced in 2014 as I was born with a bicuspid valve. For me the most important thing was the trust I had in my doctor (Luiz Castro). With the support from this website, my family and friends, I went into surgery knowing I would come out better and I did. So surround yourself with positivity knowing that you will get through this and be a better you. I will keep you in positive thoughts and prayers.

Bernadette Corsaro  Hi Lisa, best wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery. I have aortic stenosis and open heart surgery is in my near future. From what everyone says, after recovery we are going to feel great again. That's what I focus on. You are going to do great ❤️

veronica gunthner  Hi Lisa, I can understand your hesitation, but if you are that symptomatic then it sounds like it can't wait much longer. I am 2.5 years past AVR and I feel great! My surgeon said I had about 2 months only, and my body was telling me it was time. I healed quickly and had no complications. The recovery wasn't near as bad as the anxiety I felt during the 2 years from diagnosis to surgery. There's a good life waiting on the other side!

Barbara Laurie  Lisa, I had my Angiogram, then 2 days later an EP study and Ablation done., Took me a few weeks to really be perky again, so, try to rest a d remember the anxiety of scheduling surgery is draining too. Best Regards, ❤️💕❤️