Renee Merrill - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3117 days ago

Virginia (Ginger) French and 1 other reacted to this

Hi my name is Renee Merrill I am 43 and I am facing arotic valve surgery but not right now... We want to wait until I can't take the side effects anymore. ...Read more

Hi my name is Renee Merrill I am 43 and I am facing arotic valve surgery but not right now... We want to wait until I can't take the side effects anymore. I am at high risk because of the amount of radiation I've had to my chest. I was also diagnosed with breast cancer last September. They believe the radiation was the cause. So now I'm just playing the waiting game for the valve surgery. With new they are not really worried about the surgery itself but the post op.. All due to the radiation. The death rate is high with patients such as my self. I just want to know if there are any patients out there like me who have had the dmsurgery and are doing well?! It would make me feel so much better to read their stories. Thank you! God bless! Renee

Elaine Cutri Welcome to the group Renee. I'm confident you'll get some great suggestions for your situation. Best ... Read more

Elaine Cutri Welcome to the group Renee. I'm confident you'll get some great suggestions for your situation. Best wishes.

Bob M God bless Renee! You are a survivor!

Rita Savelis I feel for you Renee. I had cancer many many years ago and radiation treatment. My valve problems aro ... Read more

Rita Savelis I feel for you Renee. I had cancer many many years ago and radiation treatment. My valve problems arose because of that radiation. Typically you will be operated on by a surgeon who is accustomed to what radiated tissue is like and what problems can arise afterwards/during. I am doing fine today, 6 months after surgery, but I did have several bouts of fluid developing in my lung lining after surgery, which had to be drained 4 times.

Tina Maroon Wow!! God Bless you. I hope you can find a surgeon who can do this for you. I don't know where your f ... Read more

Tina Maroon Wow!! God Bless you. I hope you can find a surgeon who can do this for you. I don't know where your from but the Cleveland Clinic is where I would go.

Virginia (Ginger) French Renee, I think I may be able to help you some. I have had six surgeries in the past five years, and ... Read more

Virginia (Ginger) French Renee, I think I may be able to help you some. I have had six surgeries in the past five years, and they include two surgeries for breast cancer early in 2012 and heart valve replacement for a bicuspid aortic valve that was past the serious phase and actually was critical when it was replaced on July 31, 2014. So I am just a couple months past one year for the HVS (heart valve surgery). In addition, I had a traumatic brain injury several decades ago that caused damage and problems that I still deal with on a daily basis. One of my closest friends who I met on this site knows I have been dealing with a lot, but thought maybe I could help you, so thank Terrie S for letting me know about you. Do you want to try to set up a phone call or what do you think would be most helpful?

Jeanette Davidson Tenee~
I had AVR and triple bypass due to RADIATION TO MY CHEST FROM CANCER TREATMENT 3 months ago. ... Read more

Jeanette Davidson Tenee~
I had AVR and triple bypass due to RADIATION TO MY CHEST FROM CANCER TREATMENT 3 months ago. Contact me for support and check out my story. I am here to support you!❤️

Renee Merrill Thand you all so much for your comments! wow i thought and felt like i was alone but i know now i am ... Read more

Renee Merrill Thand you all so much for your comments! wow i thought and felt like i was alone but i know now i am not! God bless you all and i look forward to reading your stories and talking with you.. I am from Michigan. And i will be going to the Cleveland Clinic when it comes time to have the surgery. How long before you all had to have surgery?? Thanks again! <3