3-1/2 weeks and doing good. Cardio rehab going pretty good, I need to be more patient, not my strong suit😕. Seem to have a little infection in chest tube ...Read more
3-1/2 weeks and doing good. Cardio rehab going pretty good, I need to be more patient, not my strong suit😕. Seem to have a little infection in chest tube sites. Note to others... do NOT try to wash even one window at 2-1/2 weeks, that IS too much over head😁.
Christine Oliva Pam, we have to remind ourselves to not to overdo. I did a couple of things that I think it was a lit ... Read more
Christine Oliva Pam, we have to remind ourselves to not to overdo. I did a couple of things that I think it was a little too soon. No major damage, just a distinct reminder from my chest area it was too heavy or weird positioning, ouch!
Yes, most days are pretty good and getting better. Continued good luck in your rehab/recovery and be careful.
Sophia Ridley Good to hear all going well, here they don't start NHS cardio rehab until post 6wks which I think is ... Read more
Sophia Ridley Good to hear all going well, here they don't start NHS cardio rehab until post 6wks which I think is a little late. I did find a private one that starts at 3wk but my insurance company view it as 'preventative' treatment so don't cover it! What do they get you to do?
:) loving the note. I reached to pick up a magazine whilst lying in bed... Not doing that again in a hurry.
Obviously I am not good at posting on sites but here's what's going on... Last Tues. 11/17 I had Aeortic Valve Replacement via open heart surgery. All went ...Read more
Obviously I am not good at posting on sites but here's what's going on... Last Tues. 11/17 I had Aeortic Valve Replacement via open heart surgery. All went pretty smooth, aorta had thinned a little at the valve site so they fixed that too, total surgery time was only 2.5 hrs. I got out on Sunday due to some issues with my chest tubes holding me back a day. Chest tubes were putting out a small amount of drainage which was good but the drainage was orange sherberty looking so doctor wanted to watch me a little longer. All vitals looked good so didn't appear to be an infection. So far the pain has not been near as bad as I was afraid of, there is pain and I have lots of questions regarding what I can and should do while my sternum is healing. For those of you coming up on your surgery you are in my prayers and know how terrifying this is for you, on the day before my surgery all I kept thinking was "is this the last time I am going to do or see this? Am I going to die tomorrow?" I thank God and my surgeon that I didn't but don't let anyone trivialize this on you, this is HUGE, prayer helps along with faith in your surgeon but this is very very real.
Meredith Bray Welcome back! Glad your surgery was a success, and that you're home in time for the holidays! Eating ... Read more
Meredith Bray Welcome back! Glad your surgery was a success, and that you're home in time for the holidays! Eating will make you sleepy, so keep that in mind. Get plenty of rest, take what hugs you can (GENTLY! lol) and remember to stand up as straight and tall as you can, that will help keep the back pain away. And enjoy dessert! (If you have your taste buds back, mine took a while.)
You shouldn't lift more than 2-3 pounds, keep it close to your body, and probably not above your chest. That means no cooking or cleaning! ;)
Meredith
Neil Collins Pam I was 11/20 and getting out today. The pain isn't as bad as expected for me as well but the weakn ... Read more
Neil Collins Pam I was 11/20 and getting out today. The pain isn't as bad as expected for me as well but the weakness was much worse than I expected. This was a big deal and your recovery seems to be going great!
Jean Knappik Thank you for posting...I have my surgery tomorrow and I feel the same way...it is an eye opener...yo ... Read more
Jean Knappik Thank you for posting...I have my surgery tomorrow and I feel the same way...it is an eye opener...you sound like you are doing great...keep up your wonderful progress!
Steven A Husted best wishes and prayers in your recovery take it one day at a time slowly dont rush it time is a heal ... Read more
Steven A Husted best wishes and prayers in your recovery take it one day at a time slowly dont rush it time is a healer
Liz Burroughs Hi Pam, best wishes for a full recovery! Get plenty of rest & let your body heal. I'm praying that yo ... Read more
Liz Burroughs Hi Pam, best wishes for a full recovery! Get plenty of rest & let your body heal. I'm praying that you'll feel better with each passing day. Take care. Liz
Doran Herritt Another 5 day er and Neil a 4 day er. Wow. Good for you guys. Keep on healing! Drn
Emily Rowley
Welcome to the Club! :D
Wow only 2.5 hrs for surgery is great!!! My repair took 6-7 hrs. Which I won ... Read more
Emily Rowley
Welcome to the Club! :D
Wow only 2.5 hrs for surgery is great!!! My repair took 6-7 hrs. Which I wonder whether they have breaks through out? I always see Docs with coffee glued in their hands. I too worry about that :S I want to live so badly.
Anyway it's great to hear your surgery went well and you're on your road to recovery :)
Everything went pretty good. Lucked out and had the angio thru the wrist (really wasn't too keen on the groin), only trouble was getting it to stop bleeding ...Read more
Everything went pretty good. Lucked out and had the angio thru the wrist (really wasn't too keen on the groin), only trouble was getting it to stop bleeding but after a few hours is stayed sealed. Hematomas were kind of painful while they were pressing them out but like I said all and all not bad and found out my arteries are in good shape, only a little narrowing :) The TEE was a breeze and didn't even have a sore throat afterwards.
My question now is how long before the Heprin is out of my system?? Had a cut today on my finger smaller than a hangnail and bled thru two band-aids before it would quit. I don't take aspirin or any blood thinners normally so I am not used to bleeding like this.
Clare Auten Heparin is usually out of your system pretty quickly
I was just informed last Tuesday that I have aortic insufficiency and have to have open heart surgery. Kind of freaking out here. Hated telling my kids, they ...Read more
I was just informed last Tuesday that I have aortic insufficiency and have to have open heart surgery. Kind of freaking out here. Hated telling my kids, they are adults but still babies in my eyes and it's my job to protect them from pain and worry, not cause it.
Meredith Bray Did you have any idea this news was coming? I remember when I got my news - I cried the whole day. My ... Read more
Meredith Bray Did you have any idea this news was coming? I remember when I got my news - I cried the whole day. My surgery was 11 years later, and it's over and it's done and I'm a jillion times better than I was 2 years ago. I found a lot of information, comfort, and encouragement on this site. Glad you're here!
-Meredith
Pam Holgate My GP noticed a murmur last fall and had me go in for an echo, the cardiologist said it was moderate ... Read more
Pam Holgate My GP noticed a murmur last fall and had me go in for an echo, the cardiologist said it was moderate and to get re-checked in a year. I had my second echo done a couple weeks ago and they called last Thurs. saying I needed to meet with a Cardiac surgeon on Tuesday, I just figured they'd put me on some med and say see you in 6 months. I really wasn't expecting him to say I needed surgery and that it would be best to get it done as soon as possible. I am tentatively scheduled for Nov. 17th. I am thankful you guys are here because I have a million questions and am trying to stay strong for my family thru this. (Not easy to do when you feel like crying most of the time),
Whitney Nelson When I found out I was going to have surgery all I did was cry! I couldn't talk about it without tear ... Read more
Whitney Nelson When I found out I was going to have surgery all I did was cry! I couldn't talk about it without tearing up and even though my doctor said surgery what I heard was "sorry, your going to die." This site however has helped so much!! To read all of the stories of people who are on the other side of surgery and better for it is great and very reassuring! I don't cry anymore. In fact im ready to get it behind me and start healing! Good luck! You'll be fine.
Robert Osmachenko Your story sounds very familiar and you are still reeling from the prognosis.
Robert Osmachenko Your story sounds very familiar and you are still reeling from the prognosis.
Trust your feelings and go easy on yourself. Educate yourself about this process and continue on with your lifestyle.
Follow this site and review our stuff and the videos on the site and ask questions. We are here to support you. Prayers aloft.
Rita Savelis I know how you feel about adult kids, but one also has to let them experience this as the adults they ... Read more
Rita Savelis I know how you feel about adult kids, but one also has to let them experience this as the adults they are, in their own way. Being honest about all you are feeling is okay. I
Clare Auten My situation was similar. I found out I had a heart problem on 11/18/2015. Surgery was less than 2 m ... Read more
Clare Auten My situation was similar. I found out I had a heart problem on 11/18/2015. Surgery was less than 2 months later. My 3 kids were under 13 and I still cried, a lot. Ask questions and welcome.
Jean Knappik Hi Pam, Yes your story does sound very familiar. Here is a little food for thought...If you do not ha ... Read more
Jean Knappik Hi Pam, Yes your story does sound very familiar. Here is a little food for thought...If you do not have any symptoms I would look a little further into things...my aortic valve has been moderate to severe for six-seven years now...they had me seeing surgeons until finally one of them from a reliable hospital said "if you feel fine with no symptoms leave it be at this time". If you feel good, exercise and eat well don't rush it. I am finally feeling the need to have it replaced and still very nervous. This is a great site to learn and get support from. Best of luck with all of your decisions.
W. Carter Even mom's get sick and need surgeries. Turn all control over to your surgeon and let him do his thi ... Read more
W. Carter Even mom's get sick and need surgeries. Turn all control over to your surgeon and let him do his thing. Nothing to freak out about, the operation isn't the worst thing in the world, get it done and go on living for your kids.
Sophia Ridley Pam, I cried at the thought of having tests. I expected to be told, as had before after ECG, that it ... Read more
Sophia Ridley Pam, I cried at the thought of having tests. I expected to be told, as had before after ECG, that it was mild and nothing to worry about. I even have a letter from 1989 that says my murmur will be "no consequence to my future health"! I knew "in my heart of hearts" what it meant going through with TEE even though I had no symptoms but focused chest pain twice and flutters. I cried when I found out I was having surgery and am now as I write this. I think my surgery (16th) is the day before yours. We are going to be better afterwards!
As a child of parents who have had surgery, been in ICU and lengthy hospital stays - I was glad that my parents told me exactly what was going on as when I knew I was needed, I was there without being asked. I have two young girls, OHS is bringing it's own challenges but I'm being positively honest with them, even using it to educate about the body.
Kim Murray Hi I just found out I have mitral valve stenosis , and there are no surgeons in US with any experienc ... Read more
Kim Murray Hi I just found out I have mitral valve stenosis , and there are no surgeons in US with any experience in repairing this , I have one son in college and 2 daughters in high school, I have not told them either. I don't know what to do yet, my cardiologist says I need a valve replacment IDK
Liz Burroughs Hi Pam, you're going to be just fine! I told my adult son, stepson, & stepdaughter about my MVR surge ... Read more
Liz Burroughs Hi Pam, you're going to be just fine! I told my adult son, stepson, & stepdaughter about my MVR surgery & they've all been very supportive. My son just drove from VA Tech to Charlottesville (UVA) to be here for my surgery tomorrow. Let your kids be there for you. Take care. Liz
Steven A Husted welcome pam you can read some of my posts it may help you when i was told i needed heart surgery i th ... Read more
Steven A Husted welcome pam you can read some of my posts it may help you when i was told i needed heart surgery i thought oh no i am going to die but it was not really that bad and here i am over one year out and doing fine going to cardio rehab phase3 two times a week and enjoying it you will do fine and you will have a lot of prayers going up for you here in our heart surgery family
Enrique K Hi Pam, I told all my family when I got diagnosed with AVI 3 years ago and everyone was very supporti ... Read more
Enrique K Hi Pam, I told all my family when I got diagnosed with AVI 3 years ago and everyone was very supportive. Just had my aortic valve and root replaced Oct 9, 2015 through a minimal invasive procedure. Don't freak out because I have never felt better:-)
Pam Holgate Thanks everybody for all the support. I have been doing a lot of reading of your posts and they are s ... Read more
Pam Holgate Thanks everybody for all the support. I have been doing a lot of reading of your posts and they are seriously helping calm down. My family is really supportive. I have been having symptoms but since I am 54 and dealing with all the fun of menopause I just blamed most of them on that along with having a desk job and the couch.
Kelly Weisgarber Hi Pam. I can relate too to your story. I'm 48 and having surgery November 16th. My kids are 22,20 a ... Read more
Kelly Weisgarber Hi Pam. I can relate too to your story. I'm 48 and having surgery November 16th. My kids are 22,20 and 18 all in college. I hate having them worry about me too... I'm trying to stay positive for them. Good luck to you. This site does show us we are not alone. Take care
Ginger Marine Pam, let your kids take care of you. My two daughters, in particular, made "getting mom well" as the ... Read more
Ginger Marine Pam, let your kids take care of you. My two daughters, in particular, made "getting mom well" as their project. This included going with me to appointments, questioning the doctors, sticking up for me with a social worker who was not listening, insisting on talking with the anesthesiologist right before wheeling me in, holding my hand in ICU, walking the floors, sleeping in the room with me in the hospital, advocating for me--you name it. They literally put their lives on hold--not easy for either but especially for the one with children, one of whom is a year old--and I owe an everlasting debt to them. I hate that they had to go through it, but they were women of faith and are now even more so.
I also have incredible neighbors out here in the country who took care of 19 adult chickens, nurtured 15 baby chicks by taking them to their home, taking care of my cats, working in my garden, and canning over 100 quarts of tomatoes!
The people you love taking care of you will bring you even closer, and aid in your healing immensely. Best wishes!
Dr. Joanna Chikwe is a world-renowned cardiac surgeon that has performed thousands of heart valve operations that include minimally-invasive techniques.
I am from: Wolf Lake, MN
Yes, most days are pretty good and getting better. Continued good luck in your rehab/recovery and be careful.
:) loving the note. I reached to pick up a magazine whilst lying in bed... Not doing that again in a hurry.