Marie's Journal

Ana Brusso  Congratulations to our local and very helpful nurse. Great news. continued good health and God bless you 🙏❤️🌼🪷🌻🌺🌸🌹👍

Rose Madura  Wonderful news Marie!  So happy to hear and I cal feel the excitement in your post! ❤️‍🩹❤️🌹👍🪖💪

Kevin Hornaday  I don't know why they didn't show but thank you for thinking of me.  I was beginning to think no one on this site could see me.

Richard Munson  Marie, i have one so may go out and lift 100 pounds today after hearing that. Maybe bench presses with shadow. Maybe not.

Daneen Douglas  My arteries were great as well.  I do have a minor blockage in one peripheral artery that was not concerning.  I do have high cholesterol in my family but am not on meds as of yet.  Interesting article!

Rose Madura  I also had great arteries when I had my cath. All five of my brothers are on cholesterol medicine and I'm not!  Interesting.

Sue Maize  I have never been diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm, but my arteries are clear and never any history of high cholesterol…maybe I should ask them to check while they’re in there! 😅
Thanks for posting this Marie! 

Rose Madura  Sue, they will undoubtedly do a heart catheterization before your surgery is scheduled so they will check prior to your surgery. 

Ana Brusso  I had mine repaired in 2022. Thank you for the information Marie. You are truly an Angel 🙏❤️🤗

Grace Mason   Wow! That is aneurysm news that I am happy to hear 😊. I was all clear on my heart cath pre surgery too👍🏼
"like a teenager's" arteries, I'm liking this description in the article 😁

Danielle Elizabeth  This sounds stressful. Please make sure you take the appropriate antibiotics recommended by your cardiologist. Also, I would recommend getting many other opinions about the surgery and if there are less invasive options. If this is the best option I’d ask the cardiologist if they’d recommend an echo a week or so after this procedure. This isn’t medical advice at all but just pointing out that I’d weigh more heavily on what my cardiologist recommends than periodontist since the heart is vital. 

Marie Myers  Thanks Danielle. I am fairly stressed about this, and am already on 1 course of amoxicillin. Will take more at the time of the procedure. I will ask the cardiologist about the echo, but I do have one already scheduled for May. Will see how that pans out. 

Brady Busch  Since November of 2021,I have been taking blood thinners,including low dose aspirin,because of post surgery AF.About four months ago,it was changed from Warfarin to Eliquis.
A couple months ago,I talked to my PCP about my concerns,that aspirin can cause brain bleeding.She said it was okay to discontinue.So after the bottle was empty,another wasn't bought.
Then during a visit with some cardiologists,2-3 weeks later,we discussed my decision.During that time,one of them made a call to my regular cardiologist and he still wanted me to keep taking it.So,some more was picked up.
I'm not sure,if it's the doctor's belief that it does more good than harm and that there is statistical evidence,backing it up.I never asked him,but he's the expert.
By the way,nothing out of the ordinary happened,not taking the aspirin,for awhile.



 

Civita Fahey  Yes, Marie when I had my arm surgery after smashing it, I went off the aspirin for 2-3 days and then went on the day after surgery.  All was ok.. Good luck.. 

Richard Munson  Seems to me like bleeding could be an issue marie, hence stopping the aspirin which thins your blood. I’m shocked, i just gave marie some advice. 

Ana Brusso  Marie, I have stopped for two weeks in the past. Also recently for five days but this time my right eye blocked out for a few seconds, so I started to take it after five days I was supposed to be off for seven. It didn’t do that before. I had to get clearance from surgeon by the way. Yes it has to do with bleeding. 

Greg Lewis  I have never been told to stop the baby aspirin, for dental work. Only have to take the premed antibiotics.  Not sure why you would.

Deena Z  Marie, glad that your home is taken care of. Now just do the same for you and your family. Thinking of you.

Patsy Stewart  Sending prayers your way and for everyone in hurricane Nicole’s path. Stay safe, Marie! 🙏🙏🙏

Ana Brusso  Praying for all of the people in Nicole’s path. Be safe Marie, my niece and her family are also prepared for it. God bless you and keep you safe 🙏🙏

Adam Pick  Hi Marie, Thanks for letting me know. Sorry about that. I'll look into it pronto! To do that... Can you please tell me what device you used to post to Reggie? Desktop? Tablet? PC? And, which model? And which browser did you use? Thanks! Adam

Marie Myers  I posted using my iPad, about 5 yrs old. Have no idea about what browser, since I am quite technologically challenged. I posted a note for the patient feed, and it didn’t show up, so I put a note in his guestbook. Neither one showed, but Reggie messaged me saying he got the note. So at least 1 made it to him. Hope that helps with diagnosis.

Reggie Hampton  Marie, I had surgery Tuesday 16th, had CT scan just before surgery, mu surgery seen a aortic ascending aneurism, large bulge, didn't see that coming, so he repaired that with a Dupont Dacron material, and cut out badly calcified bicuspid valve , 4 -hour surgery, was in icu less half a day , went to regular room nests day around noon, and got discharged Saturday the 20th, IM very pleased

  Yeah Marie! I can’t wait to get mine, but at the rate we are going here in California who knows when that will be. But I remain hopeful and careful until it happens. Stay safe

  Hi Marie, so nice to see your face. You are one of my angels and have been so helpful to me in so many ways, I just wanted to say thank you and God bless you.

Adam Pick  Hi Marie and Susan, We have been looking into this. However, we are not seeing the issue when we test the system. Can you please tell me exactly what you are experiencing? Thanks so much!!!

Kate Heller  Hi Adam, I too had issues posting at the top of this patient newsfeed page. No issues when I went to post directly to my journal, however.

Kate Heller  (Also just had issues posting a comment while logged in from my desktop, but was able to post from my iPhone).

Rose Madura  I had trouble commenting on someone's post and when I hit the post button, nothing happened. I refreshed my phone and then it worked.

Marie Myers  I had the same problem as Rose. I wrote a note, hit post, and nothing happened. This happened on 2-3 different threads. When I went to the person’s guestbook, the post button worked. I think it is Aliens👽

Mike Czaplewski  WOW!!!!! I heard that you constantly hear that "ticking" of the valve though....and you have to stay on blood thinners forever?

Marie Myers  Yes, Mike. With a mechanical valve, you would hear the ticking of the valve, and mechanical valves do require lifelong Coumadin. The newer Ony-X valve requires a lower level of anticoagulants, though.

Mike Roskowinski  That is so awesome to hear. I am heading to year 1 of this ticker so love hearing of people that have had it for such a long time. The ticking doesn't bother me anymore just glad that I can still hear it. And the medicine routine is just a habit that you get used to. It also helps make sure that I am taking all my other supplements and vitamins also.

Rob Sparling  Bradley and Mike, I am looking forward to hearing about how you each lose at “hide and seek” with your kids! (But keep playing anyway.). Good to hear the ticking! Thanks for the inspiring update. Even us non-mechanical folks appreciate it!

Leslie Houseal  Wow... 40 years! That is truly encouraging. Thank you for posting this. It's still making a difference almost two years later!

Rose Madura  Congratulations Marie on 3 years! I'm right behind you and as you know, I followed you all the way! You've been a great help to me and others! Best wishes for continued good heart health.

Phyllis Petersen  Congratulations! You'll just have to celebrate double when we can all get back to normal life. Stay safe!

Susan Lynn  Happy 3rd Anniversary, Marie! You've been a tremendous resource to me and others on this site. Glad you're staying safe! Wishing you many, many decades of celebrations!

Civita Fahey  Congratulations, Marie. You me and Rose are all in a row! Praying we all get through this pandemic with flying colors. Hopefully if you visit Mass this summer we can get together for lunch.. when things are back to normal!

  Yeah My sweet angel Marie. Congratulations and yes stay inside. There will be a time to go out and celebrate. Thank you for your constant inspiration, information and care for others, just like Rose, Catie and Susan and Adam and Frank G. God bless you all! Stay inside and take all the precautions you can think of to keep this virus away from you. Let’s also pray that God gives the people in-charged the tools to wipe it out and find treatments for the ones infected.

Kathy Blank  So awesome to see my fellow heart sisters and brothers still on this site! I recently met @Jared on a FB group and encouraged him to check out this site! How are you @Marie @Civita @catie B @Phyllis and @Susan?

Susan Lynn  Congratulations on your second anniversary! ❤❤ Wishing you many, many decades of good health and happiness!

Sandy Laine  Congratulations, Marie! And THANK YOU for all you share on here. I am eternally grateful for the advice you gave me. (I know I've said that before, know that I probably will again! THANK YOU!)

Rob Sparling  Marie, congrats and THANKS A LOT for all your support and contributions here. You’ve helped me on my journey!

Michele Ripley  Marie: Like others who are posting on your journal. Thank you for sharing your positive and encouraging comments. Your posts have helped many to say the least. We appreciate your commitment to the community.

Diane Maher  The list is showing up a bit different....picture/name and date. So my page shows Judy S., Rex Anderson, JoAnn Lenhart, Norma Adkins and Sandy Bauer Schnaus.

Adam Pick  That's right Diane. We also now include the valve issue if it is provided by the patient. As for the display, we needed to adjust when the "upcoming surgeries" menu is shown dependent on the Internet device and the browser size. There's only so much room on those smaller devices. So, you will see the list on laptops and desktops but we could no longer get it to fit in smartphones and tablets. I hope that helps!

Adam Pick  Marie... Here's a quick update I thought you might like to know about. :). https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2018/08/09/upcoming-surgery-schedule/

Gina Fiorentino  Thanks Marie. Nice to see you. You gave me a lot of comforting words as I was going into surgery and I really appreciated that!

Lilly Black  Great advice, Marie! and Congratulations! so glad you are doing well. 1 yr has flown by so quickly. Keep up the cardiac rehab. All the best!

Gina Fiorentino  Marie, thank you for your post. I always notice your helpful, kind and compassionate posts to others on this site and wanted to send you a sweet HAPPY ANNIVERSARY message too!

Civita Fahey  Congrats Marie..so glad you are doing well! Cant believe year has gone by , I followed your posts as I anxiously awaited my surgery !

Rose Madura  I'm so glad you are doing well Marie. Congratulations on your anniversary! I've always followed your story since you were just a few months ahead of me. You've always posted encouraging things to me and for that, I'm most appreciative. May you have an uneventful rest of your life-heart wise...

Helen Daw  Happy Anniversary!! Great advice and I wish I had followed it. I feel I wasted my energy on worrying where there was no need for it.

Marie Myers  Helen- I hear you. I wish I was one of those people who said "Can't wait to get it done" or "I am looking forward to getting through my surgery". It is all a huge life lesson! Got to look on the positive side and not dwell on the negative...

Gina Fiorentino  Happy anniversary. It is hard to believe that things could ever feel normal again after such an experience. But, I'm with you-- I wish I had been able to comfort myself a little more during the preparation process. We are lucky that we had time to plan a little- and now to be able share with others who are waiting for surgery too.

Bill H  That’s great that everything looked good! My first post op echo was technically 3 days after my surgery while I was still in the hospital. Then I had one 1 month post op, and I am scheduled to have one 3.5 months post op and then 1 year post op. Is this normal?

judith monti  I had an echo about 1 wk post op but it was bc I was admitted to the hospital through ER with chest pains. Saw my cardiologist today who will be my primary cardiologist and he did not mention any echo's in the next three months. Not sure what the criteria is.

Take care all!

Rose Madura  Great news Marie! With all my complications I had several echo at the hospital and afterwards. But I go see my cardiologist for followup next month and I wouldn't be surprised if he orders another. I'm 7 months out. I'll let you know.

Bob Fessler  Great results for you! I had an baseline echo about 1 month post op. They use this to make sure everything is functioning well and to tell if my heart function is improving or getting worse the next time I have an echo. I'm hoping for another echo at the one year point next July when I was told to revisit the cardiologist.

  I had one at one day, day 3 and 1 month. But, my pressures were very high. They had come down nicely by 1 month, then yearly.

Barbara Wood  I had mine 5-6 months after mitral repair, but I had a TEE 2 weeks or so after surgery. Glad all is well Marie!

Rita Savelis  You're doing great Marie! Who needs an echo?!?
Congrats on 10 months!

I can't even count how many I had in hospital and - maybe 10 or15?.... and then every 3 months for a year, then every 6 months.... Now once a year....
Phew.
Perhaps I had so many because doctors here (in Europe) don't worry about insurance companies not okaying the cost...

Civita Fahey  I had my post op echo at 5 months. I dont really know what the standard time is.. I guess it depends on the physician.. Glad to hear all is well Marie.. !

John Dodson  I have an echo scheduled 6 months post op with cardiologist and a CT scan scheduled 12 months post-op with surgeon.

Soggy Rodent  I've had one echo a few days post-op. My previous echos hurt bcz the techs would use too much pressure with the transducer. I told the tech that I wouldn't b able to tolerate that. She was very sweet and gentle. She said that inexperienced techs often make the mistake of using too much pressure. I share this story so that folks know that echos shouldn't b painful...

I was told that I should get yearly echos...

Chris Calhoun  I had an echo 60 days post op and found my ejection fraction was 34% down from pre surgery of a near perfect 59% - now I am getting different blood pressure med Coreg and Entresto? can I get my ejection fraction back and get off this med?

Barbara Wood  Congrats Marie!! Seems like only yesterday...glad that you are doing well, & I concur- ohs is not nearly as bad as I expected- the first couple weeks can be trying but it is absolutely amazing how quickly one can spring back!

Rose Madura  Great news Marie! I'm so glad you are doing well. You've been so encouraging and helpful to me during my ordeal and I really appreciated it. All the best for continued good health.

Sandy Laine  Congratulations on six months, Marie - and thank you so much for continuing to post on here and offering guidance and feedback.

Marie Myers  Leslie- It was about week 6 when I felt like I would eventually feel "normal" again. By week 8, I felt well enough to go back to work 2 days a week. Not that I didn't need a nap now and them... I was in pretty good shape when I had my surgery. I had been playing tennis in the Florida summer heat for years, and I think that helped me tremendously. Yoga and meditation were also part of my arsenal. I have been on baby aspirin and 12.5 metoprolol twice a day. Contrary to other's experience, I did not have any problems being on beta blockers. I have been very lucky, blessed, and thankful!!
Thanks to all those who encouraged me, calmed my fears, and answered my questions early in the game. I am glad to help others any way I can !

Leslie Bakos  Marie...About the stomach area...I have a huge umbilical hernia....and I think I am extremely nervous with and agitated with this beta blocker....Do you think my core would be affected?

Civita Fahey  Congratulations Marie.. I'm right behind you by a month. I agree, it wasn't as bas as our imagination. Continued good health.

Laura Jacobs  I have not, but I just read that a couple of weeks ago. I think it came out of a British study if I remember correctly. I am not sure if I could find it again. The paper was discussing BAV as a complex disease that goes well beyond a faulty valve or weak aorta. I will try to find it.

  I lost my closest friend to a cerebral aneurysm a few months ago. I spent a great deal of time at the hospital with her. Her neurosurgeon told us 30% of the population have them, most never rupture. It's a much larger number than the percentage of the population with BAV, I think is 2%. He also said 50% of his patients come to him straight from the toilet, as she did. A way to relieve pressure on the brain is to blow on your thumb when straining.

Civita Fahey  Wow.. I never heard that.. Laura if you could find that article I would love to see it.. I guess I should ask my cardiologist. how did you find this Marie?

Marie Myers  Being in the medical business, I came across an article in a medical info email. If you type in cerebral aneurysm and bicuspid aortic valve, several articles will pop up.

Lilly Black  I have never been screened for cerebral aneurysm, but I knew 2 women that have had brain aneurysm and BAV. I was screened only for aortic aneurysm and abdominal aneurysm. My dad has an abdominal aneurysm right now, and my aunt (his sister) died of a stroke due to brain aneurysm. Here's one link with reported on 2017 Jun 8. It says more often diagnosed for people with Coarctation of aorta.

Prevalence and predictors of intracranial aneurysms in patients with bicuspid aortic valve.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28596303

Paul Wells  Yes , we have a higher rate of vascular callogen defect.
So yes more trends toward strokes, Aortic aneurysm and other aneurysms. Also one reason not to go with the Ross procedure, because the auto transplant valve could carry the defective callogen.

Vanessa Corwin  Hey Marie: Sounds great, and that rehab does work! Just started mine this week, and already I feel it is making a difference. Went walking in Central Park today up a little hill that I found somewhat challenging a couple of weeks ago, noticed a definite improvement today. I'm 3 months out and going back to work tomorrow, looking forward to getting back to that part of my life!

Civita Fahey  Great to hear you're doing so well Marie. I know what you mean about getting spooked. I also feeling well and have had no complications but I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. I keep thinking something has to happen or go wrong. Probably just anxiety but I pray it stays the same for us both

Barbara Helen Dance  Hello Marie, thank you for your love and best wishes and advice. I am afraid that this particular 'Brit' is pretty useless at technology ,it sees me coming ....and runs in the opposite direction..haha!!. I think I have it sorted, at least I managed to upload a photo...(more by luck than judgement.....😣), I hope you will get to see my photo and correct date..... but if not.... thank you for your love and help.... which is so gratefully appreciated.....I hope you are getting on ok?. xx Barbara Dance.

Sandy Laine  That's great news! And thank you so much for your suggestion to contact Duke - I'm picking up the images and reports tomorrow to send there - to Dr. Hughes - I think I saw a positive report on here about him.

Civita Fahey  Great news Marie.. its a huge accomplishment.. Congratulations! take it easy, but I'm sure the socializing is pricelsss..

Vanessa Corwin  Congrats, I'm looking fwd to returning to work at the end of June.I'm doing some work from home now but it's not the same as being there. My work peeps have been extremely supportive.

Barbara Wood  Thank you Marie! And thanks too for all your posts & comments- I've filed away alot from them, they'll be coming in handy soon:)!

Catie B  Marie, I hope things ease for you. I don't know about particularly flaring with exercise. But I had a lot of pleural pain, also on my right side, the one where I had a thoracentesis, which was also the side where my excruciating chest tube had been. My discomfort varied in intensity and location over many weeks, including the weeks of rehab, and often disturbed my rest. Breathing in while reclining was troublesome for me for a long time.

Don Catoe  I believe in cardio rehab, keep it up. Be sure to tell the nurse in rehab your concerns and know pains, they are reporting to your cardiologist periodically.

Phyllis Petersen  I didn't have a sternotomy, so I didn't need to carry it long, but I did need to have cushioning behind the seatbelt. I started with a towel, as suggested by the hospital, but bought a fake fur thingy that wraps around the belt. I still use it. When I did sleep on my side a couple of weeks or so after surgery, I used my heart pillow and still do. There is still some residual soreness almost 6 months later that seems most bothersome when sleeping on my side, which is my preferred position too.

Pat Bluemel  Hi Marie, I carried it for about 3 weeks, though I didn't venture out much, when I did I just put it in a bag and hauled it along. It was at about 3.5 weeks that I woke up on my side and figured my body somehow did it while I was sleeping so it was time. You'll want a pillow to hug on once you do start sleeping on your side for a while.

Noreen Kitchen  I was able to sleep on my side in hospital it wasn't entirely comfortable but I really can't sleep on my back. I propped a pillow along my back for support or a rolled up towel worked too. I found I would have to switch sides a few times. I also had a pillow between my knees. It was quite a production. I hope you find a way to be comfortable.

Keith Heflin  Hi Marie,
I never really carried a pillow. They ran out of heart pillows at the hospital so I was using a rolled up blanket, my wife bought me a pillow for home, but I left it by my chair and never seemed to have it when I needed it. I would just place my palms on my sternum and hug myself. Seemed to work fine, but my sternum pain wasn't very severe.

I don't normally side sleep, but could do so without pain at about 4 or 5 weeks.

I went back to the chiropractor at 8 weeks, that is when doctor said my sternum was healed enough.

Rita Savelis  I still use my heart pillow (which is just a little green square pillow) 2 years later. No free pillows for me, I got it at a jumble sale. I like having something between my chest and the world. So I use it while sleeping or reading. It's become my comfort go to item. I don't need it for coughing, but I like it for security.
I slept on my side at about 6-8 weeks. I was told I could do it (by doctors) whenever it felt comfortable. It was up to me. As I've written many times, I now find sleeping on my back comfortable because I did it for SO LONG after OHS.
I think you can go back to a chiropractor after a few months... but your chiropractor will know as well if the time is right and go easy on you...

Amy Steele  Hi Marie! Hope your recovery continues to go well. I used and carried my heart pillow for the first 2 to 3 months. Once I started driving, I didn't use it in the car. Mine was given to me at the hospital, but wasn't really very helpful. The ones given out by my hospital are made by volunteers and don't have enough stuffing to really help much... I slept in a recliner for about 12 weeks. It's a large recliner to fit my husband, and it has lots of room for me to sleep in many positions. I used lots of pillows. I didn't sleep flat on my back, but a little on my side from the beginning. As I got to about 6 weeks, I would sleep on my side, but still propped. I have been sleeping flat in the bed for about 3 months, and I still feel some sternal pain if I lay wrong. (I found out that my sternum didn't heal and I am still waiting to hear back from my surgeon since he has been out of the country.) I went to my chiropractor three weeks after surgery. She doesn't do traditional manipulation, but uses an activator, so she was able to adjust me while sitting. I didn't have to do large movements with my arms. It wasn't a full adjustment, but she focused on my ribs and neck. It helped a lot with the back pain...

Lilly Black  Marie, I believe everyone is different, so you will see different answers from all. From what I remember, it took about 2 months before I could sleep on my side. But it took me about 3 months before I was comfortable driving. I carried a pillow for about 3 months. But I still use a neck pillow, because I cannot stand to hear the sound of my heart when I'm trying to get to sleep, so I keep my ear from touching my pillow....silly, right? Hope you are feeling better day by day!

Pat Bluemel  Lilly - I thought I was the only one! We should be grateful right? I tell myself I am being silly whenever my heart is being a jerk and making me focus on the beating during the quiet times, glad to know their are others.

Lilly Black  Pat, definitely, we should be grateful....and I am very grateful that I have no complications and I've been fixed and can live another few years sharing with my family. I say, 'whatever gets you through the night', so if you don't want to hear the pounding of your heart, just wear a neck pillow.....LOL! glad to hear you & I are the same, Pat. :) Wonder what other idiosyncrasies we share! take care.....have you been doing well?

Duane Beeman  I spent so long in ICU that by the time they let me out, my chest was not a problem ! I gave my heart pillow to the cat, who seemed to get more use out of it than I did, I think they welded my sternum back together because I never felt any discomfort as I can recall....but that "as I can recall" part is pretty important.

Joan Sheehan  My PT suggested ice packs on my lower back and that helped a lot. Also doing my usual stretching across my bed each day.

Keith Heflin  Marie,
I bought a TheraCane and it really helped me to access pressure points and relieve my back pain and tightness until my sternum healed enough to go to the chiropractor. I also got on the floor and rolled my back on a 6 inch hard foam roller.

Thera Cane Massager: Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NH0XG7E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_6ph6ybGE7XM8Y

Lilly Black  Great to hear....on with the recovery! I hope you have a quick recovery. Lots of walking definitely helped me heal quickly. Take care.

Amy Steele  So glad to hear that you're doing so well, Marie. Sounds like you had the same surgery I did. You will just continue to feel better and better.

Rita Savelis  Yes Marie, that exhaustion is something, isn't it?! It's hard to describe. You may feel your energy go up and down for a few weeks now. I'm glad to hear you are well and able to go outside. Take care.

Paul Wells  They may tell you you'll feel better right away. But could be 6 months or more. Lots of healing inside and the heart needs to resize and retime itself.

Terrie Hodges  Marie...did you ever say which valve you decided on? Hope you are still recovering well💟Don't post surgery blood pressure meds and diuretics contribute greatly to overwhelming fatigue? I used to work with a young man on two BP meds and he talked about feeling like he was trying to walk through water and severe tiredness..

Marie Myers  Decided on a tissue valve to avoid Coumadin. I think that the beta blockers can contribute to fatigue, but I had been on propranolol 60 ER since discovering the aneurysm last fall.Never noticed fatigue till post op. I think my fatigue is more related to an 8.5 hemoglobin when I generally run 14. Things are improving day by day, as I imagine my hemoglobin is rising.

Terrie Hodges  yes, if you don't have enough red blood cells for oxygen you would be tired...is the low hemoglobin from blood loss during surgery? did you have a transfusion? I am glad you decided on a tissue valve...encouraging you feel progress👍

Marie Myers  Yes. I got 1 unit of packed cells. My starting HBG wass14, but postop I was 8.5. They kept me on the OR table an extra 2 hrs to watch my blood loss. I was an oozer, I guess. Luckily I did not have to be reopened...

Catie B  Awesome, Marie! So glad you're on your way home where you'll be able to rest and mend. Congratulations on your successful surgery!

Larry Ring  Hi Marie! So glad you are getting released...and that the surgery went well. I agree...it's impossible to rest at the hospital. Getting home will be a major step in recovery.
Welcome to the recovery side of this journey!

MaryAnn Laser  Hi Marie Congratulations on your successful surgery.
This was a great post to read as my MVR surgery is on Tuesday.Hopefully I will be going home this time next week.Good luck on your continued recovery at home. Thank You for posting and Adam thank you for this awesome website !

Civita Fahey  Great news Marie. Glad to hear all went well. What valve did you end with? I know it was a hard decision for you

Marie Myers  Went with the tissue valve cuz I thought it was reasonable at 63. I really didn't want to mess with Coumadin either. Hoping to get 15 years at least, and if need be a TAVR. Hope I made the right decision, but there is no point in second guessing...Just gonna move on to healing now! Thank you to everyone who thought about me or prayed for me!! I made it!!

Amy Steele  So glad to hear that your surgery was successful and that you're going home, Marie! You will be surprised at how much better you feel in a few weeks. I know what you mean about it being hard to sleep in the hospital. Get plenty of sleep at home. It'll help you heal. I hope you're satisfied with your tissue valve... I'm very happy with mine. You will continue to be in my prayers for a swift recovery with a minimum of pain...

Henry Brouwer  Happy to hear all went well, Marie. I am scheduled to have a similar procedure done on April 10th, so your post gives me new confidence that I can get thru this........keeping you in our prayers that your recovery goes smoothly.