Penny's Posts

Oh, my! So sorry for what you are going through! It took quite a few years before someone listened to me re: symptoms. I am 2 years out from mitral valve replacement (artificial) at Brigham and Women's. I went for a few years with no one thinking it was severe enough for replacement; then a new cardiologist moved into the area, ordered a stress test with contrast (it had been many years since my last one), and he blurted out "boy, are you going to feel better when this gets fixed!!' When you feel uncomfortable with your health providers, get access to your test results & check to see if everything has tested to resolve this. Take care~

My mitral valve repair also failed, but after almost 10 years. I had my surgery at the Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Marc Gillinov as my surgeon. A reoperation is indicated and this time it will have to be a replacement, but I won't know why it failed until I have my consultation before my surgery date of October 21st. Was your original surgery at the Cleveland Clinic? I send you love and the best wishes for your journey to better heart health.

Thank you so much everyone! Had my tests in October at Cleveland Clinic and there hasn't been much change. The goal is to do my exercises and continue to heal. It takes 9 months to a year to completely heal as per my cardiologist. My general cardiologist reassured us they will take care of me. I return in April for reassessment and move forward with planning a redo. The good news is my right ventricle is still normal in size. Trying not to worry, I am more worried about the Tricuspid valve. I am having a little pulmonary hypertension from the severe regurgitation. So trying to be motivated to exercise without fear of agitating anything.

Penny, I just got done reading my whole journal. A full year of posts. And your pic — with the CC pillow — is the first I see. Hug that pillow and get ready for some amazing things to happen. You did it! (At least it looks that way. From your journal I am not sure where you are in your journey.) ❤️💪

I was up late after joining and trying to decide which pic to download and had no idea this one posted. I was in CC hospital over a week ago. I underwent the second phase of my open heart surgery. I had a re-implant of a SICD lead. The other lead had to be sacrificed during my OHS in June. I wore a life vest for 3 months.