Pamela 's Journal

  Pamela, so happy all went well and you're home. Thanks for encouraging those of us still waiting.❤

Arlene VanNorstrand  Best of wishes on your upcoming surgery. I too love reading the posts of those who are on the other side of surgery. This site and the people here have been a real comfort to me as I have been preparing, waiting, and moving forward to surgery. Prayers for all in waiting, having surgery this week, those recovering, and those who carry us because they have been there.

Jeffrey Dyer  Hi Pamela...I remember when my wife first told our pastor that I was going to have OHS. He told us to meet him in his study after service. He gathered the elders and anointed my head with oil and they laid their hands on me and prayed for me. That was the first time anyone had ever done that for me and it was moving. It brought great peace and he prayed for me from that day on in every service and after my surgery. I remember the day before my surgery, I had been preparing myself...lots of prayer and reading my Bible...and I went up for communion. I was kind of weepy that morning, but when I got in line for communion I was finally at peace. Our pastor greets everyone when they take communion, and I remember him looking at me and asking me "Are you ready?" And at that moment I knew I WAS ready...no matter what happened. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ... Philippians 1:21. I celebrate 6 months post-OHS for AVR on Feb 5. Spend your time loving your family and friends around you. The surgery is the easy part...you won't remember anything. Get ready for recovery...it's going to take time and patience...but you are going to feel SOOO much better!

Marie Myers  I will add an AMEN to that! The heart journey is a real roller coaster when it comes to emotions. But things do settle down, for some sooner than others. Acceptance is a big part of the journey. I listened to a lot of “acceptance” videos on Utube prior to my surgery, and I think it really helped me.

Mike Roskowinski  Pam I know it is hard prior to the surgery with the emotions on the crazy spectrum. I found out last year in February that I had heart issues that needed to be addressed immediately due to the 5.3 aneurysm and monocuspid valve. My surgery was May 6th 2019. Within those 3 months I experienced a lot of different emotions. Especially this being new to me and myself being healthy. I was 39 years old with a 13 and 8 year old. My father passed away at 47 from a heart attack and I knew what it felt like to be left alone as a child without his father. I would cry and be sad and then happy knowing I can be fixed and then sad again for my kids. Since my surgery was on Monday morning bright an early I had to attend church on Saturday. I had many people pray with me and for me on that day and when I left I felt an ease over my body. That Sunday I enjoyed time with my kids and a great dinner with my wife prior to our long trek to the Mayo Clinic. I woke up bright and early Monday morning and had the most confidence that I had ever felt in my life. I laughed and smiled with the medical team as they got me ready for surgery. I knew that everything was going to be alright and I will be fine. Have faith in the man above as he has you in his hands. Believe in your medical team as they are angels there to save you and fix you. At times your faith maybe tested (as mine was) but I held strong and kept believing there was a purpose! Now I am 8 months out and feeling great. Doing everything I did before my diagnosis and living life to the fullest. Good luck on your surgery on the 16th the waiting is the hardest part! God Bless

Helge Volden  I had open heart surgery in Sept 2017 and had my ascending aorta replaced and my aortic valve replaced (Bovine tissue) The hardest part was the weeks prior to surgery. Post recovery its important to listen to the nurses. Make sure you get good follow up care and definitely do Cardio rehab if its available to you. ( It seems like my surgical adventure was a longtime ago already, and I guess thats okay. I think of it as a reset.) All the best!

Adam Pick  Pam, Thursday will be a great day for you, your family and your heart. My thoughts, my prayers and my healing thoughts are going out to you now and tomorrow and beyond. You are prepared for this. You can handle this. You got this Pam! I look forward to hearing from you when you are on the "other side". Hugs!!!

Steve Nicklin  Best of luck, Pam. You’ll do great. I had mitral valve repair in 2016 and I’m better than ever. Sending you good wishes and healing thoughts! 🙏🏻❤️

Stephanie Mikrut  I'm sorry I don't have any words of wisdom or experience to share yet (I'm new to the site and just beginning the surgical consult process) - but I can certainly understand the emotions. Based on the many encouraging stories I've read on this site - you are going to do great! Sending prayers and best wishes!

Lise Bowles  Pamela, I had my surgery 3 years ago and I’m in great shape! I was also nervous of course, that’s to be expected! I had a robotic mitral valve repair and I was terrified. I’d never even imagined that there was anything wrong with my heart, so I was shocked when my primary care told me “ you have a really loud heart murmur, and it turned out to be severe regurgitation. I had it done robotically and that in itself had its own complications. Say a prayer to whatever God you believe in and just trust your DOC. This is a biggie, and you will do terrific! Thinking of you and sending you healing thoughts and prayers, Lise

Nicole DuPont  Thinking of you with healing thoughts. You will get through this and be amazed at your own strength. Those emotions are so common and you may find they stick with you for awhile after surgery as you are comprehending the awesomeness of your surgical team and the longer life you have been given. All the best to you in your recovery.

Catie B  To test INR? Ordinarily, patients on anticoagulant therapy have to be monitored for three months by a doctor or clinic before they'll prescribe the in-home device and release a patient to do the self-testing.

Lindsay Rouse  My surgeon is very supportive of the self monitoring kit and actually included the idea of it as a means to help me feel more comfortable about the possibility of a mechanical valve at age 31. Not sure what the process would look like getting that set up post-op. Also, I do know from my research that I believe you only call in to the office if your INR goes outside the acceptable range. But I'm sure there is some time post-op to get your meds stabilized while being monitored before you can get to that level.

Susan Lynn  Pamela - I think everyone on this site will tell you, waiting is the hardest part. Do what you can to stay busy and distracted. By show time, you'll be ready to get it done and get back to your wonderful life.

Chris Calhoun  correct - get the IV in and you are done - then recovery begins!!!!do not worry yourself sick over this - you will have a moment of peace come over you and a warm blanket - enjoy your Christmas - it WILL NOT be your last!!!

Rose Madura  Enjoy the holidays with your family. Try to focus on the fact that these surgeries are done daily and the doctors know what they are doing. Even if you did have complications, the doctors will know what to do. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a very successful surgery and recovery.

Nicole DuPont  Focus on your holidays! By this time next year, you’ll be completely back to your old self and it will have just been one of the many chapters in your life. Waiting is the hardest part. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you heal and recover.

Pamela McKay   Thank you all for the warm wishes of encouragement. I’m new to the site and reading these responses was a wonderful surprise. Thank you all. Much love to all.

Jane Howard  Hi Pamela - I am waiting for my surgery too - I found this Christmas particularly difficult but I am trying to stay as positive as possible, and the wonderful people on here are helping me with that. I will follow your progress with interest and am sure you will do great!