Pamela's Journal

Returned last night from a wonderful week in St. Thomas with my husband, daughter, and her fiancé. Tried to land in PHL but as we were approaching the runway we could not land because of high winds. Went to Baltimore for a couple of hours and landed safely much later. Very scary in the wind! Very glad to be safe!

It is with great sadness to tell my Heart Valve friends that 2 of my students, their Mom's, and a great friend and fellow coach from the University of Delaware were on the flight that crashed last night. It is devastating

Just got home from Cleveland and a stress test to look for a potential blockage. Good news is no blockage and I am considered low risk so all clear. Not sure what that means about my heart though. My Echo showed apical septal segment and apical inferior segment are severely hypokinetic. Dr. said that means the muscle is weakened, usually a blockage causes that which is why they checked again. I guess when I talk to them next week we will see if it can improve? Has anyone else had this result after surgery on an echo? I don't feel bad but if I overdue it I notice strange chest feelings.

Today is my 2nd Anniversary of my AVR. Happy to report that I am feeling good! I want to wish the best to those waiting for surgery. It is amazing what they can do and you will be amazed at how your body responds to the procedure

Just got home from Cleveland and my one year ( actually 15 months since I push everything forward). Glad to report everything with my AVR and root replacement is looking strong! My kidneys took a hit during surgery and are not the best now which is a little upsetting but I am doing everything possible to keep them from getting worse. Good news is I feel really good

I am very happy to let everyone know that today is my 1 year Valveaversary!!! I am very thankful to all of the medical staff at The Cleveland Clinic, especially Dr. Roselli. Also to my wonderful family and friends who helped me in many ways! A special shout out to my HeartValveSurgery.com family!!! I honestly don't think I could have survived mentally without this group and all of the support it offersThank you everyone

My little baby turned 25! Trying to make this my profile picture but can’t seem to get it on there? I did something to accidentally remove the last picture?

Today is my 9 month Valve-a-versary! Very happy the surgery is behind me but feeling weirdly anxious all day. Still a weird mental game I think. Very happy to be alive and able to enjoy things again. Wishing all those waiting for surgery peace and my best wishes.

Happy Easter everyone!🐰 just returned from 2 weeks in Arizona. One week with my husband, wonderful sister in law, and brother in law. They live in Cleveland 30 mins from the CC and I was able to recover at their house. I will forever be grateful to them💗. Ended up extending my stay for a second week of rest and relaxation with my sweet daughter who flew out. She also came to Cleveland with me and stayed 4 nights in the hospital with me. Great to spend time with everyone away from a hospital. I am 5 1/2 months post surgery so hang in there to everyone who has it coming up!!! There really is life after surgery 💗😊

Traveled back to Cleveland for a CT scan and happy to report that Dr. Roselli gave me a great report and I can live my life with no restrictions!!! I owe my life to him and will be forever greatful💗. I also got to visit Allison Gorecki who is on this website. She was struggling a bit so please pray for her. Hopefully doing a bit better today🙏. Thanks to everyone on this site especially Adam Pick for giving us all this outlet💕

Just about to leave on a Celebrity Cruise Ship in Ft Lauderdale! Feels nice to do something fun after the last 3 months. Thankful to be celebrating my 25th Anniversary alive💗🎉. Good luck to Shane and Dana this week! You will do great.

At 3 months, things have been progressing pretty smoothly till this week. I stupidly thought I could go for a walk in the woods with my friends and my dog on Sunday. I have done the walk hundreds of times but it was a little bit more hilly than I remember and it was cold and windy(34). I had to stop at least 5 times and didn't feel well the rest of the day. The next day my blood pressure was elevated at Cardiac Rehab but I could still do what I have been doing. I teach figure skating and started back the week before very part time 3 days per week T,W,TH only for a couple of hours each day. When I am in the cold rink (not skating around, just standing at the side), this week I notice I don't feel well (chest discomfort, headache) and after a heated ride home my blood pressure is really high 151/98. BP has been averaging 115/75 till the walk. After warming up for a couple hours it comes back down t 120/80ish. I feel very nervous which isn't helping. Wednesday while exercising my blood pressure was good at Cardiac Rehab. I don't know if it was the walk that has me wonky or just being cold? Yesterday I had on a million layers and had a heater but still crazy BP when I got home from the rink? Maybe stress of work although I don't really feel like I am stressed. Sorry for the "way too long post" but I feel worried for the first time in a long time.

I just want to share that it has been 3 months today since my AVR and Root Replacement. Feeing pretty good. Overdue it sometimes then pay the price but overall better each week. Go Eagles!!!

First, I would like to wish everyone on this site a Merry Christmas and Happy "HEALTHY" New Year! This has been a trying year for me to say the least. My gift this year would be having a successful AVR and Aortic Root Replacement by Dr. Roselli at the Cleveland Clinic. I am still recovering and in Cardiac Rehab but each week is getting better and better. I had a follow up appt. in Cleveland with my Cardiologist Monday and it looks like everything is going really well. I had a meltdown when I was leaving out of sheer relief that I lived through this. I also had a lot of memories creeping in throughout the day and I am just so thankful for all of the Dr's and Nurses that helped me get through this experience. I would like to thank everyone on this website who helped me through my emotional rollercoaster as I don't think I could have done it without all of your incredible support and encouragement. You are all wonderful and I am incredibly blessed. Good luck to everyone who is preparing for surgery and my recommendation would be to stay connected to this invaluable site

Had my final tests and follow up at the Cleveland Clinic today and I am happy to report that I can finally fly home tomorrow ✈️😀. No more fluid around my heart and the extra week here actually made me much stronger. I feel ready and can’t wait to see my golden Maisy and my 2 cats!!! I miss them so much. I would also like to thank everyone who helped me with such amazing advice through this journey so far. I couldn’t have done it without the support of people who understand. Best of luck to anyone who is facing this surgery. This site will be invaluable for you🙏