Paula Romero - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Cold before Surgery?

Journal posted on June 13, 2021

My surgery is scheduled for June 22nd and I just came down with a cold. Hopefully I can recover in 9 days so that we don’t have to postpone my surgery. It seems to be just a head cold. Runny nose and headache, no sore throat or coughing. Crossing my fingers. Anyone else have this issue before surgery? Yikes!!

Like | Peter Linn likes this

Rose Madura Because it's always something! I'd let your doctors know. Wishing you all the best.

Lisa Coombe I go a bit of a cold but I managed to shake it fast before my surgery

Update posted on...

June 10, 2021

Hi - I finally saw my 2 Surgeons on Tuesday and had my Ultrasound and CT Scan. I definitely have to have OHS as my Heart has calcification that will have to be addressed during my surgery in case I need to have another valve down the road. Then they will able to do the TAVR. Going in Monday for PreOp and Surgery is on June 22nd. I am so thankful to have found this site and others going through same procedures and everything that goes with it. Luckily I do have a lot of support at home. Will keep you posted. Thanks for everything!!

Like | Adam Pick, Shannon Gray, Scott Kinghorn likes this

Adam Pick Hey Paula, Great to hear that you now have definitive next steps. The path is set and your journey to a healthy heart continues. My thoughts and prayers are ... Read more

Adam Pick Hey Paula, Great to hear that you now have definitive next steps. The path is set and your journey to a healthy heart continues. My thoughts and prayers are with you! If you need anything, please let me know. And, thanks for the kind words about the website. That really means a lot to me. Adam

E Taub I'm having my surgery on the 22nd too! Very nervous but all the comments here have helped so much. We can do this!

Paula Romero Hi Elisa - We CAN do this! As anxious as I am about my surgery all the positive people on this Website have really helped. It’s just a bump in the road. Let’s ... Read more

Paula Romero Hi Elisa - We CAN do this! As anxious as I am about my surgery all the positive people on this Website have really helped. It’s just a bump in the road. Let’s talk after surgery to compare!! Praying 🙏🏻 for us!

Darlene Clark Your comments and positive attitude are so helpful! My surgery to replace my aorta and my mitral valves is scheduled for July 14th with Dr. Doolabh at UT Southwestern ... Read more

Darlene Clark Your comments and positive attitude are so helpful! My surgery to replace my aorta and my mitral valves is scheduled for July 14th with Dr. Doolabh at UT Southwestern in Dallas. Next week I do the heart cath in preparation for the July surgery. I share the pre-surgery anxiety expressed by others, but am so encouraged when I read positive comments by many like you, Paula. Thank you!

Nancy Denny Paula, you will do well!! For someone post 4 weeks, it’s so much better! Prayers to you!

Craig Atwater My surgery was April 5th ... Aortic Valve Replacement and a double bypass (while the surgeon was "in the neighborhood"). Open heart surgery was the right choice ... Read more

Craig Atwater My surgery was April 5th ... Aortic Valve Replacement and a double bypass (while the surgeon was "in the neighborhood"). Open heart surgery was the right choice for me for the same reason you mention: If I need a replacement in the future, TAVR could be used. Even at my current age of 70, that was helpful to know. The open-heart procedure is definitely intimidating, but the final results are well worth it. I will be thinking about both you & Paula on June 22. Yes, you CAN do this!

E Taub Yes Paula. Would love to talk after and compare. Partners in recovery!

Update posted on...

June 2, 2021

Hi All - Just got my Appointments for 2 Surgeons on June 8th along with 2 Tests.One Dr does OHS and the other specializes in TAVR, hopefully they can lead me on the right path. Not sure which way we will go - it depends a lot on my age (66). Of course I would like to go the easier way, but I am up for either one right now. I need to get better as I don’t really know how long I have been in the Severe stage. Did not go to Doctor last year because of Covid. Crossing my fingers for quick decisions. 🤞💜

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stephanie arnold hi, Paula. sounds like you're in good hands. it's scary to find out that the 20 year heart murmur turned into critical severe aortic valve crisis. good the ... Read more

stephanie arnold hi, Paula. sounds like you're in good hands. it's scary to find out that the 20 year heart murmur turned into critical severe aortic valve crisis. good the echo caught that when it did. I also went years with a murmur, routine job physical in 77. ok fine. lived my life as usual,active,hard work, athletic and fit. last year I fell apart, almost died. yup, open heart AVR and aortic aneurisms repair. it's been 13 months. I'm 77 and still healing,but have most of my strength back. I hope you have help at home, a strong support system, and patience with your rebuilt heart. it's hard at first, but you'll be fine. this community is the best moral support in the world, next to Jesus . prayers🙏...love,stephanie

Richard Munson Yea, good luck

Rose Madura It's good you are weighing all options!

Deena Elani Way to go Paula. You will have no regrets!

Paula Romero Thanks All, I will keep you posted! 💜

Tom Everson Make a list of questions, tell the doctors your concerns ( must be honest) ask about what to expect before and after the operation, will you need a pace maker, ... Read more

Tom Everson Make a list of questions, tell the doctors your concerns ( must be honest) ask about what to expect before and after the operation, will you need a pace maker, i asked the doctor what questions other patients ask. Do not rush your visit . I believe you must feel a connection with your heart team. Bring someone with you , they will hear more than you. If you are not allowed to have someone, have them on the phone. I believe you are responsible for your health so go in prepared

Update posted on...

May 30, 2021

Well, I’ve waited more than a week now for the Heart Surgeon to call me. I was released from the hospital on May 19th with severe Arterial Stenosis and was told to wait for the Surgeon to call. Should be within a couple of days, not..... I phoned them and did not get a call back. In the meantime I have been told not to drive and not to over exert myself.
After the Holiday I will start checking in again and see what is going on. I don’t feel bad, but Cardiologist made me really scared about what could happen. He says my valve issue is no joke. So why is it taking so long to get into the Surgeon’s office for a consultation? Not sure but will find out this week.
Thanks for listening.....

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Lynn Loudermilk That happened to me too, but turns out he was on vacation called when he got back.

Susan Lynn Paula - Waiting is the worst especially when your status is serious. You'll probably get more than one surgical consultation, you might want to reach out ... Read more

Susan Lynn Paula - Waiting is the worst especially when your status is serious. You'll probably get more than one surgical consultation, you might want to reach out to a few other surgeons and get your appointments scheduled. Please keep us posted. Best of luck to you! ❤

Richard Munson Paula, please call somebody else tuesday.

Joseph Heinzmann Paula, I also had to be persistent to get an initial appointment with the surgeon. In addition to calling, get an email address and send a nice email to the ... Read more

Joseph Heinzmann Paula, I also had to be persistent to get an initial appointment with the surgeon. In addition to calling, get an email address and send a nice email to the office. It they have something in writing, like an email, it's going to get a response.

Richard Munson As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. You can be persistent in a nice way. The key word is persistent. All this worry is not helping you. Good luck.

Debra Keife That also happened to me. I was very persistent in getting another surgeon since the one that was recommended was going on vacation and could not see me until ... Read more

Debra Keife That also happened to me. I was very persistent in getting another surgeon since the one that was recommended was going on vacation and could not see me until July. No Way was I going to wait. Mt cargoedilogist recommended another surgeon who has already seen me for consult and I go back for the 2nd consult with his new partner (not new as a DR) to schedule a less invasive open heart surgery. You have to be your own advocate, it seems/ Good luck!!

Richard Munson Yes you do.

Craig Atwater Although my aortic stenosis was critical, I had to wait for the surgeon and for a hospital bed. I was told that, for whatever reason, there was a backlog of ... Read more

Craig Atwater Although my aortic stenosis was critical, I had to wait for the surgeon and for a hospital bed. I was told that, for whatever reason, there was a backlog of patients. There was speculation that as COVID-19 restrictions began to ease, and more people were vaccinated, that more people were seeing cardiologists (which they had put off) or having certain elective cardiac surgeries. I was kept in the hospital for 9 days until the surgeon and a room became available (on April 5).

Here's my newest picture!

May 22, 2021 Like | Nancy W, Patsy Stewart, Steven Methot and 6 others like this

65th Birthday Picture with Hubby.

Marie Myers Happy Birthday! Beautiful picture...

Ana Brusso Hello Paula and welcome to our community. Love this picture. Happy Birthday and many more. Let us know what procedure you decided on. Will pray for you to make ... Read more

Ana Brusso Hello Paula and welcome to our community. Love this picture. Happy Birthday and many more. Let us know what procedure you decided on. Will pray for you to make the best decision for you. God bless you