Mary Wagner - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

6 Months!

Journal posted on September 5, 2016

I made it to the 6th month and am doing quite well! I had an aneurysm repair and while we thought the aortic valve would also be replaced - the surgeon felt the 26 year old valve still looked good as new! I did have the usual complications - 11 pounds of water and atrial flutter. I did have a cardioversion and that worked! My mother passed in June and then I fell in July and broke my wrist. That hampered my rehab a bit but am now up to an hour in the pool. Energy is good! Best wishes to all of those with upcoming surgeries and continued progress to all others! What they can do these days is truly amazing!

Like | Julianne Beatty, Darlene Smith, Barbara Laurie likes this

Julianne Beatty way to go with an hour in the pool Mary. good for you!

Barbara Laurie I'm so happy for you Mary. What an ordeal though, so sorry about your mom. Love that you use the pool, amazing! ❤️

Update posted on...

August 3, 2016

5 month anniversary for my rather large aneurysm, possible AVR replacement and maze procedure. Aneurysm is fixed and Dr. Speir (Inova Heart Center) said the valve was still looking like new. I had lots of minor complications and after a cardioversion - my heart went right back into sync and has stayed there. I was feeling fantastic and then I fell landing on my back and right arm. Can't wait for this new pain to go away so I can continue the healing process! Best wishes to Bridget (I graduated from Lahser HS) and Steven (not a Fed - taught in FCPS). Tomorrow at this time you will be starting the healing process!

Like | Shannon Gray, Barbara Laurie likes this

Corey Sines Mary, how you doing 5 months out other than your recent fall? Are you still having the fever and chills every night? Still having issues with Water retention? ... Read more

Corey Sines Mary, how you doing 5 months out other than your recent fall? Are you still having the fever and chills every night? Still having issues with Water retention? Just thinking of you. I have 3 kids in Orchestra by the way, it has meant a lot to them (one is graduating this year). So I really appreciate those who teach music!

Mary Wagner Hi Corey, I am doing well. Fever (low-grade) went away after about 2 weeks as did water retention. My heart is doing super - I feel good again and you will ... Read more

Mary Wagner Hi Corey, I am doing well. Fever (low-grade) went away after about 2 weeks as did water retention. My heart is doing super - I feel good again and you will too once you find a doctor. It's hard to do it a second time so hang in there! If you live in the Columbus area - who is the orchestra director...I know a bunch around there!

Corey Sines Pickerington NHS - Jordan Koogler currently is the director, Was Linda Stieg for many years (she retired recently).

Update posted on...

May 22, 2016

My insurance (BCBS) denied my Cardiac Rehab because I only had an aneurysm repair. Anyone have any advice on trying to get at least some partial coverage? Thanks!

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Nap Garcia Just curious, did BCBS contact you directly of the denial of coverage or did the healthcare facility contact you? I'm assuming this was before the rehab was ... Read more

Nap Garcia Just curious, did BCBS contact you directly of the denial of coverage or did the healthcare facility contact you? I'm assuming this was before the rehab was even started? Unless you have supplemental insurance, BCBS should give you at least the opportunity to appeal, even for partial coverage, I would think.

Jean Raber Please let your doc know about this. Sometimes they can get further than you can. Appeals take forever.

Steven A Husted do you have medicare i have medicare and what ever medicare did not cover my bcbs covered the only difference may have been i have federal bcbs but i would ... Read more

Steven A Husted do you have medicare i have medicare and what ever medicare did not cover my bcbs covered the only difference may have been i have federal bcbs but i would check with your doctor sometimes they have ways to help you with cardio rehab my doctors office helped me get into a rehab hospital after surgery which helped me alot

Update posted on...

May 13, 2016

Bummer! Thought I was having a possible TIA on Tuesday evening. Called the cardiologist on Wed. Went today to get a Holter Monitor and the nurse said let's just run an EKG. Doctor came in and said I was back in atrial flutter. Gave me the choice to double the meds or go to the hospital for the cardioversion. I picked the meds - can't imagine my heart could take a shock 10 weeks after aneurysm surgery....

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Kate Watson Yikes sounds scary! Glad you found out what is was and have some treatment options though. Hope it all goes well.

Petey Bello Praying for you Mary that the meds help!

Update posted on...

May 4, 2016

Surgery (aneurysm) was 9 weeks ago. Just set the alarm so I can go to school tomorrow to do a rehearsal with 116 4th grade string players. If I do well tomorrow, I will go back to work on Monday to finish my 39 year teaching career. Problem is my ankles still swell, I still get really out of breath walking and my blood pressure wanders and I have anemia. Am I nuts for going back?

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Clare Auten As an elementary special ed teacher, I know how hard it is to be away. Especially at this time of the year. Can you go part time? Congrats on your long career. I am on year 26.

Sophia Ridley I had low iron post surgery and was put on iron tablets for 3 months. It's back to normal now. I also ate iron rich food to supplement this.
Have you done cardiac rehab? It gently gets you fit again.

Denise Campbell You want to be healthy to enjoy your retirement. I work with kindergartens so I know the pace. Won't you still be able to retire with all the benefits even if you stay on medical leave?

Petey Bello Mary, I'm sure you miss your students. Good luck on your first day back. You will know your own body & if you're capable. Sending prayers to give you the strength you need to make the right decision!

Update posted on...

April 18, 2016

I am 6.5 weeks post-op for an aneurysm (Already have a mechanical valve and pacemaker) When I got home I gained 11 pounds of water and that was resolved. Now I am gaining water again - did anyone else have on again off again water (mostly in the feet)? I am on a strong diuretic. Advice?

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Update posted on...

April 13, 2016

How long does anemia last after OHS? What do they do for it if your body doesn't repair itself?

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susan kotansky I took iron for one month and then my levels went back to normal. I imagine if they hadn't I would h as ve t a ken the iron for some more time. Think positively!

Gail Magnus I was told it lasts 3 months. How long has it been for you? Are you eating a lot of protein and taking iron? How low are your numbers?

Mary Wagner Trying to eat protein but they wanted me to wait 2 more weeks before adding iron. I am not sure if the tiredness is from the anemia or still just from the surgery.

Wanda Mroz I took iron for several weeks 3x a day.

Sophia Ridley Blood test is the best indicator, they need to do iron in blood and also iron stored. The iron stored is probably depleted (mine was). I ate lots of iron rich foods and then was put on iron tablets.

Emily Rowley It depends on your iron and hemoglobin levels. I had suffered from it after surgery until I was given iron transfusions which really helped :)

Here's my newest picture!

April 11, 2016 Like | Elaine Cutri, Nicola Laker likes this

Mary's journey

Journal posted on April 10, 2016

I had aortic aneurysm surgery on March 3 at Inova Fairfax Hospital in VA. I found this site by googling loud heartbeats after surgery. What a great service! Wish I had found it before. Surgery went well - I already have a mechanical valve, a pacemaker and Arrythmia. The doctor thought he would have to replace the valve but after 26 years it is going strong so he only did the aneurysm. I went home after 5 days and had home health care. I did gain a lot of water weight but that was resolved. I do have some questions....does anyone have a lump at the end of your scar? And is anyone's pulse going too fast when resting?
Thanks for any advice.

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Elaine Cutri Welcome to the group Mary. I'm sorry you're having a few post op issues.
I had a fast heart rate for a few months, especially in the evening. I also had fluid ... Read more

Elaine Cutri Welcome to the group Mary. I'm sorry you're having a few post op issues.
I had a fast heart rate for a few months, especially in the evening. I also had fluid retention. LASIK did not help much. I ended up being readmitted, another heparin drip until my INR level was low enough to tap and drain the fluid behind my right lung. They had to do this twice about 6 weeks apart. After the second tap, my energy picked up and my recovery progressed much better. I started cardio rehab a few weeks later and continue now on my own. I'm 11 months post op and feel good. Like you, I have a pacemaker. I had a similar surgery to yours, but I got a new mechanical valve. The previous one was 22 years old, working fine, but a little undersized.
Keep asking questions, the heart buddies are very supportive. Best wishes.

Denise Campbell Wow. Glad to hear about fast heart rate. Mine has been fast since surgery I had mitral valve replacement. 4 weeks ago. My appt with my surgeon is tomorrow. I'll ask him about it too

Linda Richards About 6 weeks ago i had minimally invasive mitral valve repair. At my 2 week follow up with my surgeon I had hardness and a lump near my incision. He said ... Read more

Linda Richards About 6 weeks ago i had minimally invasive mitral valve repair. At my 2 week follow up with my surgeon I had hardness and a lump near my incision. He said this was normal and it could take 6 months to go away. I'm surprised not many people mention this here.