Maggi's Journal

A long time since I have posted on here, but today I have hit the ONE YEAR mark and all seems to be great. A bit breathless at times, but that soon passes. This site helped me through one of the most traumatic times - I felt as though I went into surgery knowing exactly what to expect after reading Adam’s book. Thank you Adam for this site and your book and for all the work you put into it. Thank you also to everyone who wished me well a year ago. Good luck to all those facing surgery in the near future.

Big problems with getting drugs right on return home with three days of sickness. Thankfully changes made and beginning to feel better, but haven't been quite as active as I would have liked. Also hadn't allowed in the recovery programme of having to have my beloved Cavalier spaniel put to sleep this afternoon. She was old and it was to be expected, but devastating as any of you with animals will appreciate. Will let you know how recovery progresses.

Hi everyone - just to let you know op went All went well with op on the 10th and home on the 15th. A few niggles since coming home re the different drugs, but both doctor and nurse visited today and hopefully are working to a solution for this. At the moment feeling a bit 'yucky' from drugs that don't agree with me, but I am assured everything else is ok. Will post more in a day or two - nowhere as bad as .i had imagined and very little pain.

Just telephoned the hospital to see if they still expect me this afternoon in view of cancellations. At the moment it's all go ahead, but could change before surgery tomorrow morning - I hope not. A big thank you to all of you out there who have helped me get to this stage by replying to my questions or reading your journals. I am a bag of nerves at the moment - probably better when we actually get to hospital. Hope to post again towards the end of the week. Cheers everyone.

The waiting is nearly over. When I first knew this surgery had to be done I was quite nonchalant about it and confidently read all that I could and watched so many You Tube clips to the extent I was joking that I could probably do the surgery myself!!! Now with another five days to go I am far from brave - very jittery, frightened and scared. Scared, I think, of what can go wrong afterwards - do you spend the rest of your life thinking I mustn't do that 'cos I've had heart surgery. Any sudden aches and pains do you think "it must be my heart". Any last minute tips from any of you guys out there would be appreciated. I have read so many of your journals and they are all inspiring. Confidence at the moment is sadly lacking, but I want to go into surgery confident that all will be well. I have a terrible fear of waking up with the breathing tube in and choking and gagging. I'm sure I am not the only person who has this fear. I have read that if this is the case it can sometimes be removed before you wake up. I know it is important to have a positive attitude with this operation, but very difficult when you have no symptoms except for a little breathlessness. Very confident with my cardiologist and surgeon so maybe that's half the battle. Sometimes I just feel I can't go through with it, but the alternative doesn't appeal yet. Thank you Adam for this wonderful site and the communication it provides for us all worldwide.

Angiogram done on the 5th December and pre-operation tests and assessments today. Everything ok just waiting now for op on the 10th January. Had hoped surgery might be minimally invasive, but surgeon doesn't advise. So have accepted the great man's advice. Going to try and forget about it now until after Christmas. Happy Christmas to you all.

Hi Everybody - I'm from the UK and found this wonderful site after being told I had severe aortic stenosis. I had no idea I had a problem until I had my blood pressure tested in July and a murmur was detected. A summer of various heart tests with a disputed echocardiogram report. Decided to get a second opinion from a cardiologist who confirmed the worst that I had severe aortic stenosis. So angiogram scheduled for 5th December with surgery in early January. So feeling very apprehensive - even very uptight about the angiogram. Wonderful to read reports from others going through the same. I have already purchased Adam's book which has helped so much. Best wishes to everyone out there.