Pam's Journal

Valerie Allen  I’m around 4 months too and it does seem like the getting back to normal point. With a few exceptions - some afternoon naps in particular.

Daneen Douglas  I just passed my 4 month point too and mostly back to normal with a few exceptions like Valerie.  Still sleeping a lot after working full time.  I think I will feel back to normal after I wear my heart monitor and hopefully be free of a few meds after I’m found to be afib free. Fingers crossed!   

Darrell Malone  Congratulations to you all. Proud moments on all fronts. Good to hear Dave that your all cleared up. Keep up the good work 👏 

Suzette Schear  Amazing, it’s really simple things- he was there for his youngest daughter.  What a beautiful family enjoy they grow up so fast

Ana Brusso  Congratulations and great family, very proud parents. Ditto with Valerie on the catering 😂🙏❤️

Robert Miller  Congrats on your recovery and congrats to your daughter for her graduation. Isn't it great to be there. In a few months you can do whatever you want. 

Daneen Douglas  Great news and just in time for this marvelous milestone occasion.  Congratulations to your daughter!

Suzette Schear  That’s awesome,  he’s moving forward,  driving and especially gets to see your youngest graduate.  Lack of sleeping is annoying hopefully that too will soon be behind.  

Darrell Malone  Pam sorry to hear about the glitches but sounds like Dave is turning the corner.  Onward and Upward from here. Dave has a great supporter 👏  Take Care 

Rose Madura  Pam, I'm so sorry Dave has has some setbacks. It's hard on you too.  I had Afib and Aflutter as well and it's no fun. Hope all goes smoothly from here on out.

Ana Brusso  Hi Pam as Rose said everything that Dave goes through also affects you. Glad he is getting better which also means relief for you. Don’t forget to take care of yourself also. God bless you both 🙏❤️❤️‍🩹

Pamela Gregory  Hi Pam. I also had to be re admitted for pericardial effusion. I believe quite a few warriors on this site have had that procedure. I think your husband will be cruising smoothly now

Kevin McCarthy  Sorry to hear about the problems, but glad he is back on track now. Hope you are getting lots of support for yourself.

Sue Maize  Dave is so blessed to have you Pam and I’m happy to hear things are looking up! May it continue. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

nml hats  These reports help me so much as I try to be ready for my husband's surgery next week. Knowing about these seemingly common complications makes me more aware of what to look out for, especially if any of it happens at home.

Rose Madura  And he is smiling!  Afib is the pits. I hope he converts out of it soon.  Welcome to recovery! Time to listen to the doctors and listen to your body.

Andrea Babcock  Sending Best Wishes for Dave's recovery!!! Dean went also into Afib in the hospital after surgery. He had Afib prior but they did ablation during his surgery. After 2 weeks at home no more Afib and we are at 3 month and still no Afib. Hoping for Dave that the Afib will also resolve. 

Daneen Douglas  How is Dave doing? Have been thinking about you both. I just got back home on 5/1. My AFib and lung issues were a challenge but being in the hospital was the best place to be. Hope Dave has had the afib fixed.

Marie Myers  Hang tight! He will be through with the surgery soon. I went through that same “surprise” of needing open heart surgery for the same bicuspid valve and 2 aneurysms.  Take one day at a time, and be gentle with yourself and the patient. Please keep us posted!

Susan Lynn  It's a long and emotional day! Think positive thoughts and be sure you're taking good care of yourselves. Please keep us posted.

Deena Z  Hope he is in recovery now (It's !7:40pm Eastern) and sleeping well. It's been a long day for everyone. Try to get some good sleep tonight.

Sue Maize  These are the warm and nurturing, maternal voices of experience. Praying for all to go well Pam—keep the updates coming and reach out just like that! This group is a safe place to land. 🥰🙏🏻

Ana Brusso  Thank you for sharing your family. Keep us updated on your husband’s heart journey. God bless you 🙏❤️

Rose Madura  I'm sorry there was a delay. It's rough when you are mentally prepared. At least your husband isn't the emergency. I guess that's a good way to look at it. Mine was delayed for a week and after the call, I cried all day.  Emotions!  😩

Susan Lynn  Pam - As Valerie said, dental clearance is required, but if the crown can wait, then hold off. The preparation and the delivery of a crown often result in bleeding of the surrounding gum tissue. When germs in the mouth get into the bloodstream, that can increase the probability of infection in the heart. Make sure you get your teeth cleaned before surgery and let your hygienist and dentist know about your heart condition.

Valerie Allen  Susan Lynn, is there a timeframe in which that would be a concern (a crown)? Mine was done 3 months prior to surgery. I wanted to get it done as I currently don’t have to take antibiotics for dental, but I will afterwards of course.

Klara Čičić  It is smart to get your teeth happy, clean and sorted out as much as possible before the surgery so that afterwards there is as little messing with them as possible! (Sorry for my clumsy English phrasing) :)

Susan Lynn  Valerie - The American Heart Association has changed recommendations about premedication for dental procedures over the years. There was a time I took antibiotics for three days before and after my dental appointment because I had a mitral valve prolapse. They eventually switched to shorter duration and bigger doses of medications. I think the current recommendation is not to take them at all because antibiotics may become less effective when patients need to use them for other forms of infection.

My dentist always had me premedicate before my heart surgery and continues to recommend it. The regurgitation many valve patients have causes blood to go backward into the heart and, unfortunately, it carries the bacteria and germs from our mouths in its path. If you had your crown done three months before your surgery, then it wasn't a problem for you. I suspect most people don't have a problem, the antibiotics are precautionary and there are many solid reasons not to take them more frequently than necessary. It becomes an individual choice, but my opinion is that it might be safer to undergo these types of dental procedures when the regurgitation is mild or non-existent. There are situations where a crown absolutely has to be done (i.e. a broken tooth with exposure to the pulp, a root canaled tooth at high risk of fracture, a cracked deep filling, etc.), and in that case, it's advisable to get it.

Mirza Baig  I have severe aortic stenosis -My front teeth(teeth number 9) was broke down with the crown on it in November while I was oversees. I text and send pictures to my dentist in USA- she text me back and told me that I need implant-On November 26 she has extracted the teeth and did the bone grafting- now it is about 4 months or so. I have a dentist appointment on April 23 for pre-opp.  I am hoping they will perform the implant, wait for 6 months for implant to solidify  and after the screw the crown.

What should I do -Hold everything and have my surgery done (TAVR) or wait till the implant and crown was done

I am very anxious and nervous

Andrea Babcock  I ordered the one in 10 pillow for propping up in bed. He likes it and sleeps comfy. We don't own a recliner but have a comfy upholstered chair he uses during the day and a Ottoman to put his feet up. We had those already. And I got him a soft teddy bear to squeeze which he is using a lot 

Anna Ma  this is the one I ordered, but it looks like it is out of stock now. there are similar chairs on wayfair too: https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/latitude-run-faux-leather-power-lift-recliner-chair-with-massage-and-heating-functions-w004143629.html?piid=932232743

c w  The only thing I can think of that is not always mentioned is a back scrubber for the shower… the kind with a handle and a bristle brush or a loofah on the end so it can double as a back scratcher. After surgery you're not allowed to reach behind your back for a while. They sent me home from the hospital with one that had a soft sponge on the end, but did not satisfy the need to scratch!