Mary's Journal

Deena Z  Oh Mary, you have been through so much, and all not due to your own doing. Hang-in-there. You just need the "right" surgeon or cardiologist. So...I had my tricuspid valve repaired three months ago, but it was during my mitral valve surgery. The surgeon did explain to me after the surgery a bit about tricuspid valve surgery. Think about going to one of the best surgeons, at least on the East coast, for your surgery, particularly if you are in interested in the clip. Maybe you are already doing that, given your upcoming virtual appointment. BTW, I am currently receiving cardiac rehab at Inova Fairfax in your home town:)..... Here's a link about your clip on this website; the cardiologist is in Charlottesville, not too far away.
https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2017/09/18/mitraclip-tricuspid-dr-scott-lim/

Mary Wagner  I replied but I guess I did not hit post. I have had all of my work done at Fairfax and they have been very good. I do not think I am going to be a candidate for the clip. Fairfax was one of the 7 hospitals in the pilot. I may look at the C'ville doctor though. Thanks!

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! ❤️

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 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).

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 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

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

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!

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.

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 :)

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 this was normal and it could take 6 months to go away. I'm surprised not many people mention this here.