After a wonderful spring weekend with my kids, we are now ready for surgery this morning! It’s 5:00 am and we are getting ready to leave for the hospital. ...Read more
After a wonderful spring weekend with my kids, we are now ready for surgery this morning! It’s 5:00 am and we are getting ready to leave for the hospital. Kate will be updating you from now on, and I hope she’ll send some photos too!
Thanks so much to all you wonderful friends for your loving messages of support. They mean the world to me! See you on the other side of this great adventure!
Penelope Bodek Sending prayers and positive thoughts, Meg. You will do well. God Bless!
Finally I know what’s happening today! I am doing errands with my kids. At about 8:00 this morning my doctor called to say that the heart was a good match ...Read more
Finally I know what’s happening today! I am doing errands with my kids. At about 8:00 this morning my doctor called to say that the heart was a good match for his other patient and they were going ahead with the transplant! So today someone gets a new heart! Hooray!❤️
About an an hour later they called to say I have been rescheduled for Monday. This means I get to spend unexpected free time with both my kids—a real present for me! So despite a night’s lost sleep, I am glad this short delay has happened. Besides, maybe I’ll have time to locate the sweatpants for my recovery that I bought and promptly lost in my closet.
Thank you you all for the prayers and good wishes. Please keep them coming through Monday! And say a few for that heart recipient who is in the OR right now!
Bonnie Stone-Hope Sending you best wishes for a successful surgery Monday, and easy recovery.
Rose Madura It's hard to get a change in plans but glad you get this unexpected time with your family.
Barbara Wood Prayers for Monday Meg...a little pre-surgery time with your family is a good thing!
Well, yesterday everything looked good to go for my surgery today. I had my pre-op workup, got my hospital wristband and went home to pack. Both Ned and Kate ...Read more
Well, yesterday everything looked good to go for my surgery today. I had my pre-op workup, got my hospital wristband and went home to pack. Both Ned and Kate had arrived and we were set for a lovely dinner at our favorite restaurant.
Then came the call: it was possible that I would get bumped for a heart transplant! It was exciting to think that someone else might be getting a new heart today, but at the same time, I was nervous about postponing the surgery for days or perhaps weeks due to scheduling backups. They told me that I should get a call by 9:00 or 9:30 telling me whether to come in at 5:45 am.
So, we went ahead with our dinner plans, had a great meal, while we anxiously awaited any news. By 10:30 I called the hospital and talked to several people before being told that they didn’t yet know whether they were doing the transplant, and to just plan on coming in at 5:45, but that they would call me. Up at 4:15 to shower with antibacterial scrub and take meds. No call from the hospital! At 5:29 I again called the hospital and the OR nurse said they still didn’t know if they were doing the transplant and they would know at 7:30–the original planned time for my surgery. She called back ten minutes later to say that my surgeon, Dr. McKellar, would call me around 8:00 to tell me what was going to happen. So, dear friends, I am going to try to go back to sleep for a couple of hours. I’ll keep you posted on the ongoing saga!
Anna Jones Sending prayers and best wishes for you and for the person in need of the heart transplant.
Joey Hardee Praying for a smooth and speedy recovery, Meg!
It seems unbelievable that by this time Friday I should be out of surgery and headed to the ICU! I tell myself that I am amazingly calm; however, I must admit ...Read more
It seems unbelievable that by this time Friday I should be out of surgery and headed to the ICU! I tell myself that I am amazingly calm; however, I must admit that I haven’t been sleeping very well for the last week. I guess all the anxiety is lurking just behind my waking moments.
My kids arrive Thursday, just after my pre-op hospital visit. Until then I’m making a few last minute trips to the store, getting the car washed, and writing a few thank-you notes. Keeping busy is my way of not worrying, I guess!
Any more last minute advice?
Rose Madura Meg, I prepared some meals and froze them. Try to relax as much as possible. Best wishes for an un ... Read more
Rose Madura Meg, I prepared some meals and froze them. Try to relax as much as possible. Best wishes for an uneventful and successful surgery.
Mark Wilbur Wishing you a calm and collected few days, Meg, followed by a quick recovery and rehab. Prayers for ... Read more
Mark Wilbur Wishing you a calm and collected few days, Meg, followed by a quick recovery and rehab. Prayers for you and your family.
Bonnie Stone-Hope Sounds like you are very organized.
Best wishes for a successful surgery and easy recovery.
Maria Rios-Ramos Best wishes, Meg. I wish you a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
Charlotte Dowd Meg, you'll do great!! Best wishes for a smooth surgery and quick recovery.
Barbara Wood Last minute advice...wear roomy clothes to the hospital, you'll probably weigh 5-10 lbs more when you ... Read more
Barbara Wood Last minute advice...wear roomy clothes to the hospital, you'll probably weigh 5-10 lbs more when you're released...best wishes for a smooth surgery Meg:)!
Helen Daw Don't worry about forgetting things, everything will get done one way or another. Focus on your menta ... Read more
Helen Daw Don't worry about forgetting things, everything will get done one way or another. Focus on your mental health even though I know it is not easy. I will send prayers and positive thought your way, you got this.
Michelle E Good luck, Meg - prayers and best wishes that you will come through with flying colors! Yes don't be ... Read more
Michelle E Good luck, Meg - prayers and best wishes that you will come through with flying colors! Yes don't be surprised if you gain weight - I think it is from the fluid build up. Also any tops that open in the front are the best. Make that pillow and the incentive spirometer your friends! They really help! It was explained to me that the use of the spirometer not only exercises your lungs but helps get rid of the anesthesia quicker! I believe it.
The surgery to replace my bicuspid aortic valve, repair an aneurysm and the aortic root and perhaps do a bypass in one artery is now scheduled for April 20th! ...Read more
The surgery to replace my bicuspid aortic valve, repair an aneurysm and the aortic root and perhaps do a bypass in one artery is now scheduled for April 20th! I’ve had a number of tests in the last few weeks: a CT scan, stress echo, angiogram, etc. They discovered when doing the pre-angiogram blood tests that I had both pernicious anemia and iron-deficiency anemia, so I had to have a major infusion of iron and am giving myself weekly B-12 shots leading up to y surgery.
After all these months of waiting it is hard to believe that in just two weeks the big surgery will behind me! Both my kids are coming back home for the operation, and that makes me really happy. My birthday is the day after surgery, so I’ll be “celebrating “ in the ICU! I hope to be cheering my new life with my newly implanted bovine pericardial valve!
In thanksgiving to the animal who provided the valve material I am having a cow theme for this event. Friends and relatives who need access to my hoe during my hospital stay and when I am in rehab will be receiving cow keyrings that moo! This silliness helps me to relax about this whole event and takes my mind off the more serious aspects of it all. I’ve left some household tasks for these last two weeks to do the same thing.
I so appreciate all the advice I’ve gotten from reading the entries here. I feel so much better prepared, so thank you all from the bottom of my soon-to-be-mended heart. ❤️
Rose Madura You have a wonderful attitude and the bovine theme is perfect! I love it. Maybe you should pick a na ... Read more
Rose Madura You have a wonderful attitude and the bovine theme is perfect! I love it. Maybe you should pick a name for your valve. Elsie?? I wish you the best and Happy Birthday (early).
Janice Smith What a wonderful and positive attitude. I have a bovine valve also, and sure wish I could have been ... Read more
Janice Smith What a wonderful and positive attitude. I have a bovine valve also, and sure wish I could have been as creative as you. Many prayers.
Kelly Stoll May there be many more moo-ments ahead of you to enjoy! My surgery is 5 days after yours and will be ... Read more
Kelly Stoll May there be many more moo-ments ahead of you to enjoy! My surgery is 5 days after yours and will be "celebrating" my birthday in the ICU too. Feeling inspired after reading your post and wishing you a happy healthy surgery and recovery. Thank you for sharing and for the smile.
Barbara Wood Best wishes Meg...love your attitude!
Susan Killian Prayers sent, my surgery is Wednesday!
Meg Brady Thank you all for your kind comments! Rose, Elsie it is! Great idea! Thanks for the prayers, Janice. ... Read more
Meg Brady Thank you all for your kind comments! Rose, Elsie it is! Great idea! Thanks for the prayers, Janice. Kelly, I love your moo-ments comment! I’ll be thinking of you on your surgery date. We should celebrate our birthdays together ne t year in some fabulous exotic spot! Thanks, Barbara, for all the wishes. Susan, I’ll be sending prayers for you on Wednesday. All the best for those facing surgery soon, and thanks to those on the other side of it!
After almost three years of waiting and watching it looks like I am going to be having an aortic valve replacement soon (latest echo shows the valve area at ...Read more
After almost three years of waiting and watching it looks like I am going to be having an aortic valve replacement soon (latest echo shows the valve area at only .75 cm2). My cardiologist is having another expert radiologist look at the scans and then either I’ll head straight to the surgeon’s office or for a TEE first. I am glad to have the waiting coming to an end but pretty nervous about both the surgery and recuperation. I live alone but may be able to have either my son or daughter here for a couple of weeks post surgery. I’d love to hear others’ experiences about what was most helpful during that recovery period. And any advice you can give me about the surgery itself. Also, I already have a pacemaker for bradycardia. Have any of you gone in for valve replacement already having a pacemaker? Many thanks for your support. It’s a kinda scary time.
Rose Madura Hi Meg. A little over 8 months ago, I had an aortic valve replacement with a tissue valve; am ascend ... Read more
Rose Madura Hi Meg. A little over 8 months ago, I had an aortic valve replacement with a tissue valve; am ascending aorta replacement and arch repair. My surgery lasted nearly 7 hours. I had a lot of complications but my team of cardiologists and the surgeon worked together to figure everything out. Now I feel so much better. Not everyone has complications. I think I was an exception due to my being symptomatic. It would be good to have someone with you for a couple of weeks afterward. It would be helpful for you to prepare and freeze some meals and perhaps have home health care for a week or two. Sleeping with a wedge might help or sleeping in a recliner as well. Best wishes for a successful surgery and recovery.
Meg Brady Thanks so much, Rose! Great advice! I’m now scheduled for surgery on a Friday the 13th of April!
Question for all you BAV replacement folks out there: Have any of you had symptoms while your aortic stenosis was still classified as moderate? My valve is ...Read more
Question for all you BAV replacement folks out there: Have any of you had symptoms while your aortic stenosis was still classified as moderate? My valve is ar 1.07 in area now, but I've been having lightheadedness and passed out once already. Any one else have a similar experience?
Michele Cryer-Bruce Hiya, this is my first time on the community. Can you tell me how and where I post any questions plea ... Read more
Michele Cryer-Bruce Hiya, this is my first time on the community. Can you tell me how and where I post any questions please? Do I create a journal or write the question on another part of my profile? Many thanks in advance.
Sophia Ridley Hi Michele, just write a journal as Meg has. t will post and give opportunity to others to comment. Y ... Read more
Sophia Ridley Hi Michele, just write a journal as Meg has. t will post and give opportunity to others to comment. You can also respond to those comments as we've done here.
Sorry Meg, I'm a mitral valve patient. I would recommend checking your blood pressure and hydration.
Ruth Valenzuela Hi Meg. I started having symptoms where I thought I'd pass out but didn't. Also I would get pressu ... Read more
Ruth Valenzuela Hi Meg. I started having symptoms where I thought I'd pass out but didn't. Also I would get pressure in the chest area which would let up after a bit. I decided to get in to see my cardiologist and he ordered an angiogram which I believe reveals a better look at what is going on. My valve area measured 1.0 and at that time an aortic root enlargement which measured 4.7 was detected during this test. It was the first time even hearing about having this. I had many echos prior to this test and it was never mentioned so I was pretty surprised by that finding. My cardiologist also mentioned that he couldn't get the wire through my aortic valve because it was so tight; in other words he said it should have an opening the size of a half dollar and mine was a dime. He recommended surgery sooner than later and set me up to see the surgeon. I saw the surgeon on a Thursday and he operated the following Tuesday so not much time to prepare but overall it was probably the best thing for me. I only had a few bouts of afib after my surgey for the bicuspid aortic valve and root and I'm doing good. I am 6 months post-op! I would recommend you get into see your cardiologist...
Meg Brady Thanks so much, Ruth. I have an appointment with my cardiologist and planned CT and echo, but he may ... Read more
Meg Brady Thanks so much, Ruth. I have an appointment with my cardiologist and planned CT and echo, but he may decide to do other tests too. I'm glad you are doing so well now. It gives me hope!!!