Paula Romero - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1328 days ago

Peter Linn, Civita Fahey, Holly Wale and 1 other reacted to this

Hi Everyone - been quite awhile since I posted. Been pretty busy lately. We have had company off and on for the last few months. Doing well-had to restart Rehab ...Read more

Hi Everyone - been quite awhile since I posted. Been pretty busy lately. We have had company off and on for the last few months. Doing well-had to restart Rehab as our Hospital closed for a few weeks because of COVID. Just started back this week. I really enjoy it. They don’t push and are very good about keeping you within your limits. Really like the stretching a lot. Still have incision pain at the top, but I’m able to sleep on my side and tummy. Woo Hoo!! Hope everyone is doing well!

Paula Romeroposted an update

1403 days ago

Hi all - I am 9 weeks post op and still have a few issues. I still can’t sleep on my side or tummy, my right foot and ankle swells, I still have pain in my ...Read more

Hi all - I am 9 weeks post op and still have a few issues. I still can’t sleep on my side or tummy, my right foot and ankle swells, I still have pain in my incision area. I got plated instead of wired, so I’m wondering if that is the reason. I go 9/2 for another echo and surgeon Appt. I go on the 31st for Cardiac Rehab orientation, looking forward to that. My PCP says he still hears a murmur ( grade 2 out of 5) but local Cardiologist says that is normal?? Also get out of breath doing small tasks still. Anyway, other than all that stuff I’m doing good. I’m hanging in there and hopefully everything will be better as the weeks go on.

Deena Z Hi Warrior Paula, so glad that you safely got through surgery! Not being able to sleep on your sid ... Read more

Deena Z Hi Warrior Paula, so glad that you safely got through surgery! Not being able to sleep on your side or underside is perfectly normal as well as pain in the incision area. I would speak with the surgeon on Sept 2nd about the R ankle swelling and possible murmur. As for getting out of breath still, for sure! Give yourself some time! :)

Kimberly Eisenhut Good to see you are doing pretty well! Let us know how your appointment goes on the 2nd, and prayers ... Read more

Kimberly Eisenhut Good to see you are doing pretty well! Let us know how your appointment goes on the 2nd, and prayers for your full healing and to sleep well.
Much love and hugs sent !

Paula Romeroposted an update

1468 days ago

Darlene Miranda, Lynn Loudermilk, Dylan Kempers and 6 others reacted to this

Surgery coming on Monday……so nervous, but I see so much positivity here that helps me. My Surgery is in Nashville at TriStar Centennial Hospital and I’m ...Read more

Surgery coming on Monday……so nervous, but I see so much positivity here that helps me. My Surgery is in Nashville at TriStar Centennial Hospital and I’m thankful that I am the first Surgery for my Dr. I have to be there at 5:30am. My husband of 48 years will be there with me and for that I am thankful.

Peter Linn Paula, thinking about you now and you will stay in my thoughts through recovery! Light and prayers s ... Read more

Peter Linn Paula, thinking about you now and you will stay in my thoughts through recovery! Light and prayers sent your way.

Adam Pick You got this Paula! Thoughts and prayers are with you!

Bob McRae Hi Paula,
Sending you positive thoughts & prayers. You will be fine ! Your story is similar to mine, ... Read more

Bob McRae Hi Paula,
Sending you positive thoughts & prayers. You will be fine ! Your story is similar to mine, completely asymptomatic, working out hard 5X per week with no symptoms although my aortic valve is insufficient rather than stenosis like you. That's the hard part for me also, feeling great and thinking, what am I about to do to my body. Although I know I'm adding years to my life and I want to go through this process feeling as strong as possible. Bob

Paula Romero Thanks everyone for the Positive Vibes! I will post as soon as I can after surgery……getting fixed ... Read more

Paula Romero Thanks everyone for the Positive Vibes! I will post as soon as I can after surgery……getting fixed will be awesome! 💔❤️💜

Alex Hunt Best wishes Paula. I'm sure it will go perfectly.

Craig Atwater Paula, no doubt lots of anxiety this weekend ... but you've got this. All of us who have been there ... Read more

Craig Atwater Paula, no doubt lots of anxiety this weekend ... but you've got this. All of us who have been there ourselves will be thinking about you on Monday.

Dylan Kempers Paula, you'll do great! Everything will go really smooth!

Will be lifting you in prayer for your surgery tomorrow Paula. God bless you

Paula Romeroposted a journal

1473 days ago

Patsy Stewart reacted to this

I forgot to mention that I will also have a Septal Myectomy. Dr will scrape down thickness of my Heart just in case I will need another Valve in the future. ...Read more

I forgot to mention that I will also have a Septal Myectomy. Dr will scrape down thickness of my Heart just in case I will need another Valve in the future. Then they can do a TAVR if needed down the road. May as well do it since I’ll already be open!! Much Love to All!! 💕💜

Paula Romeroposted an update

1474 days ago

Rose Madura, Patsy Stewart, Deena Z and 2 others reacted to this

Just got a new Surgery Date. Now going in on June 28th. Dr wants to make sure I’m completely over my cold and he was going to be out of town. He wants to ...Read more

Just got a new Surgery Date. Now going in on June 28th. Dr wants to make sure I’m completely over my cold and he was going to be out of town. He wants to make sure he is there for me the whole week, so we rescheduled. Ok with me….. I’m glad he wants to be around after surgery. I do know that I’m getting a tissue valve this time around and just in case I need one down the road he will scape away the calcification so we can go through the artery next time. Hope everyone is doing well. I’ll keep you posted……

Debra Keife Good luck Paula!

Adam Pick Great to hear Paula. All the ducks are lining up for a successful procedure! My thoughts and prayers ... Read more

Adam Pick Great to hear Paula. All the ducks are lining up for a successful procedure! My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Linda Alsdorf God bless you! abundantly Paula! You are 1 day ahead of me. We're going for the same operation!I Wi ... Read more

Linda Alsdorf God bless you! abundantly Paula! You are 1 day ahead of me. We're going for the same operation!I Will lkeep you in my prayers!

Paula Romero Thanks Linda, We can DO this! Talk to you after…..💜

Linda Alsdorf Paula YOU BET WE CAN! AND WE WILL!!!!!!!!

Paula Romeroposted a journal

1480 days ago

Peter Linn reacted to this

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 ...Read more

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!!

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

Paula Romeroposted an update

1483 days ago

Adam Pick, Shannon Gray, Scott Kinghorn reacted to this

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 ...Read more

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!!

Adam Pick Hey Paula, Great to hear that you now have definitive next steps. The path is set and your journey to ... 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. W ... Read more

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 Websit ... 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 val ... 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 ... 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!

Paula Romeroposted an update

1491 days ago

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 ...Read more

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. 🤞💜

stephanie arnold hi, Paula. sounds like you're in good hands. it's scary to find out that the 20 year heart murmur tur ... 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 Z 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 b ... 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

Paula Romeroposted an update

1494 days ago

1 person reacted to this

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 ...Read more

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.....

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 ... 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 cal ... 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 per ... Read more

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 rec ... 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 wa ... 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).