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Mary's Posts

Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Pulmonary Stenosis

Member Since: November 24, 2021

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Mary VanSlyke posted an update

4 years ago (January 13, 2022)

I have had a very difficult week and here is a great place to just get it out. Family and friends are great, but they haven't been through it. I have been so fatigued. Friday and Saturday night I was in the ER with hydrophrenosis. That is an enlargement of... Read more.

Sara Latina

Mary I am so sorry for all you are having to deal with. This is definitely the place to get it all out. It is hard for others that have never experienced anything like this to be able to understand how you feel. While the pain is obviously hard to... Read more.

Martin Smith

Wishing you strength and the best outcomes from a heart valve recipient north of the border.

Susan Lynn

Mary - i am so sorry to hear you're in such pain. It's good news that they can restore your kidney function. It's going to be very important to be your own advocate. If you're not satisfied with the speed (or lack of it) in addressing your condition, then you... Read more.

Anonymous

Mary, I agree with Susan Lynn, but I'm so sorry for all that you are going through. Keeping you in prayer for the best outcome. God bless you

Richard Munson

Sounds like what comes first, the chicken or the egg. If they cannot perform heart surgery without good kidney function, maybe that is number one. Good luck mary.

Mike Tirrell

Mary - I am sorry to hear this. FWIW, I had a relative that had a similar kidney situation. He had "drains" put in. I use quotes because that is the word they used for it but I assume they were stents as you've described here. It went off without... Read more.

Louise Moore

Mary, I'm sending my support to you. Kidney pain is unbearable and I'm glad there's a solution and relief in sight and the correction will give you normal function back as Mike relayed above. You will get through this, the body is an amazing machine and this blip will be... Read more.

Mary VanSlyke posted an update

4 years ago (January 5, 2022)

I had COVID in December and it has caused kidney failure. I see a nepherologist next week about dialysis. Next week I am scheduled for MRIs of my heart valves and vascular system of my chest and then to see the surgeon for a consult. It's unlikely they will be... Read more.

Mike Tirrell

Hi Mary, I am sorry to hear of your challenges with getting your valves fixed. This is certainly complicated enough without adding kidney concerns. I am not sure what images they needed via the MRI(s) but perhaps they could do a trans esophageal echo instead? prior to my surgery, they... Read more.

Susan Lynn

Mary - I am so sorry to read your news. I agree with Mike on the TEE. I'm guessing they want to avoid contrast dye since that can affect kidneys. Stay positive - your kidneys may still recover. Ask your nephrologist if you could benefit from a renal artery angioplasty... Read more.

Mary VanSlyke

Thank you so much both if you for these ideas. It was explained to me that, the MRIs are needed because of my congenital disease and they need to rule any other abnormalities in the chest prior to surgery. I have had a TEE before and that may be a... Read more.

Susan Lynn

Mary - I'm curious - how do you know that your kidneys were affected by the Covid virus? I know of three people whose kidney function was affected by the vaccine, not the disease. I have yet to see any reports from the CDC reporting possible adverse renal impact. With... Read more.

Richard Munson

Anything that comes from the cdc is probably suspect anyway.

Mary VanSlyke

Susan, my doctor told me that early on in COVID there were many people whose kidneys were affected by COVID. He told me it can cause blood clots in the kidneys as well. I think the biggest reason he suspected COVID as being the cause is because a month ago... Read more.

Richard Munson

Mary, you have been thru a lot. I hope your puppy is keeping your spirits up.

Mary VanSlyke

Richard, my puppy is so incredibly feisty. Oh to have that energy.

Mary VanSlyke posted a photo

4 years ago (November 27, 2021)

My new puppy, "Winter Snow", I call her Winnie. When I came home from Christmas shopping yesterday, my husband had this huge surprise waiting for me. He had been planning this for weeks and I only found out Wednesday I need surgery. It's just the dis

👍 Kathleen F., Rose Madura and reacted to this

Richard Munson

Aww, how cute. Your tree is up already? Sounds like my wife who just put up the village and has begun xmas carols non stop till i am ready to scream. Looks like we have started the heart valve kennel club. I love it, dogs rock.

Deena Z

Adorable. Winnie will be by your side giving you lots of love. Just what the doctor ordered!

Mary VanSlyke

Lol. I put my tree up just before Thanksgiving!!! I completely understand your wife Richard. I also do decorative cookies, outside of working full time, so I am really busy during the Christmas season. This pup is going to be so good for me. He planned this before I even... Read more.

Richard Munson

Agreed, except by the time xmas arrives i am so tired of carols. Bah humbug. Cassie moped around the house until i got home then stuck to me like glue and when my wife said enough, she got a little grumble. My favorite xmas song might be " little saint... Read more.

Mary VanSlyke

😄 it's so nice to have something like that to look forward to. I have a 2nd dog named King and I am so worried about him while I am in fir surgery. He won't eat unless it's me that feeds me. Doesn't eat for my husband.

Richard Munson

The one good thing about dogs is that food is a huge motivator. Never had one starve. When they get hungry enough, they will eat. Once we had 2 dogs ( never again ), and nikita died. Tasha went into mourning and did not eat for 2 days but finally... Read more.

Mary VanSlyke

Thanks Richard. I hope Cassie continues to improve and has some good days ahead of her. I am not convinced right now that 2 dogs is the best thing, but things are looking up.

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