Maryann's Journal

It’s been a little more then 3 months since my valve replacement. I’m doing well. Right now I’m in cardiac rehab which doesn’t thrill me but I understand the importance! I’m still taking 100 mg of metroroporal and I’m hoping that it’s reduced soon. I still have some pain in my chest area when stretching. But overall I am grateful and blessed. If anyone would like to ‘talk’ or wants to know anything, I’d be glad to chat. Best of luck to those waiting.

When does chest pain, pinching, burning go away? It gets better each week but at 9 weeks, I still have those pains. I read that the pain should be gone at 6 weeks!

Interesting status. I was discharged from care by Dr Gerardi, my surgeon a few weeks ago. Awesome! However, my cardiologist I’m still taking all of the same drugs that I took right after the surgery. 100mg of Toporol succ ER ; an adult aspirin, a water pill, When do they stop the 100 mg Toporlol? WHO is suppose to monitor your pills? The cardiologist or your family doctor?

Hello my heart warrior friends. Life gets better with each passing day. I still have some pain but but it’s less each week. The great part is that I can actually cough now without going through the roof! I have been discharged by Dr Girardi, my surgeon. My cardiologist is now in charge. I’m sleeping in my bed now and walking everyday. Can’t walk far because I have a bad knee which I will have operated on in February UGH! But I try hard. My incision is healed. Scar is minimal. To all of you that are ready to go into this DO NOT BE SCARED! Believe me, it is not as bad as your fear makes you believe. Life is good!

I am now 3 weeks post op. Went to my cardiologist yesterday. She said everything looked good, sounded perfect! My cardiologist is in New York. We live in New Jersey so was a trip in and back which took up the morning and afternoon. By the time we got home I was exhausted. I have no idea how some of you returned to work after 2 or 3 weeks! God bless you! I don’t have that much stamina yet. The swelling in my feet and legs will take quite awhile to go away. Maybe another month or two! That discouraged me. But I am a trooper and I see progress daily so I just have to be patient!!

Fluids. Way too much. They have taken off about 30 lbs of fluid. 20-25 more to go. Lots of diuretics. The doctor told me not To worry! They will get it out of me although it may take awhile. Everything else is good. No pain having the chest tube taken out or any other tube. No pain having the wires removed. It’s smazing. I’m taking 2 Tylenol every 4 hours.

To all of you waiting. When you ge into that operating room God or whatever higher suthority you believe in will hold you in their arms and sooth your body into readiness. You will be fine. Believe it. Think it. Picture it. Leave your worries behind. It will be okay. You’ve got this.

Well my friends, I did it! My surgery was Monday afternoon. This morning I was up and walking down the ICU hallway. I am still in ICU because my body is holding on to too much fluid. Lots of Lasix going into me! I will go to step down unit tomorrow if all goes well. I feel good. Really, this was not half as bad as I had imagined. The vent turned out to be nothing. It was removed when I was still groggy. The chest tube was nothing. It was removed yesterday. No pain. Again, my only issue is the urine output. Those of you that are waiting, should know that this is not nearly as bad as the fear! Thank God and all of the blessings sent my way!

ONE DAY TO GO Tomorrow is the day. In my minds eye I see dinner at the Eiffel Tower with my husband Lon. We were there for my 60 th birthday and I remember the entire evening in detail. It was magical. Tomorrow I will turn my body over to Dr Girardi, who is a world renowned Cardiac surgeon. NY Presbyterian-Cornell is one of the best hospitals in the East coast. I know without a doubt that I am in good hands. So while I plan my next trip to Paris I am forst taking a trip to the hospital where Dr Girardi will replace my aortic valve. I’m confident that I will return to my beloved Paris by April. There is nothing like springtime in Paris! This has proved to be a wonderful distraction for me and I know that I am going to get to the other side of this surgery just like the rest of you found the strength to do. I’m ready.

Today I had periodontal surgery done with a laser. They numbed by entire lower jaw . 2 hours later I left knowing that any gum infection that I had is now completely gone. About an hour ago the novacaine wore off and there is a lot of pain. I figured that this is nothing compared to what is coming on Monday. 4 days to surgery date and I find I’m accepting the inevitability of this journey. I just want to get past this now and get my life back!

Like most of you, I have had aortic stenosis (bicuspid ) for many years. My cardiologist had told me many times that someday I would need a new valve. Well, that someday has arrived!