Ruth Valenzuela - Heart Valve Journal

Steven A Husted amen to that with out him i know i could not have made it thru this journey to god be the glory and the many friends i have made on this site

Amy Steele Congrats, Ruth! I'm glad that you're doing so well. I hope to be feeling much better in a year from now and posting something similar to your post. As I ... Read more

Roseline Rosario Any tips on what we should pack or leave?

Ruth Valenzuela Yes Amy. I believe you'll be talking about how well it went for you also. My cardiologist and surgeon are both with Pima Heart and I can't say enough good ... Read more

Ruth Valenzuela Rosa line. To be honest I only packed some pj's and a robe to come home. I also took my computer but hardly used it. I just never really needed much while ... Read more

Update on Ruthie

Journal posted on September 29, 2015

Hello Heart Family,
This is Christine, Ruthie's daughter. My best friend went into surgery at about 0930 this morning. I spoke with the CT surgeon beforehand and he still wasn't sure if he was going to replace her aortic root which mad me nervous. I didn't want her to end up back in the OR in a year. We decided it was in God's hands. Well, about 2 hours into surgery the OR nurse came out and told me he was replacing both. This was a huge relief but also made me even more anxious because of the higher risk for a post on stroke. It is now 1830 and she is in ICU (has been for 4 hours). Surgery went alot faster than I thought it would. She is still intubated which I know she is not happy about. I spoke with every doctor and every nurse about her anxiety about the tube. Her nurse is working on getting it out. She is just too drowsy still. She looks comfortable, I got a couple smiles out of her which made me relax. So far so good and I can breathe a little easier. I can't thank you all enough; her heart brothers and sisters for your support and encouragement you have given her and ME!! She tells me stories all the time about you kids and how well you have done. I'm an ICU registered nurse and see this kind of stuff all the time, but man does it feel like a ton of bricks when it's your most favorite person. This site has educated her to no end and I am so proud of her for it. Thats the biggest advice for those of you having surgery soon, educate yourselves!!! Thank you for all of the prayers as well. My mom and I were at such peace this morning. Praise God. Lastly, to John Schutte, Lisa Heinen, Gram Peku, and Susan Kotansky you all are in my prayers as well as my mom's. I pray that God guides your surgical teams, gives you peace, and that you heal beautifully. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart to my mom's new and improved heart!

Like | Elaine Cutri, Susan Wozniak, Ruth Valenzuela and like this

Helen Yad God Bless The Many!! Power Of Prayer for sure!!

Fantastic. Thanks for the update. Christine, you are a great daughter. Your mom loves you very much and it makes me happy for her that she has you by her ... Read more

Ruth Valenzuela Painting her toes last night and updating her heart family were my tasks given by her! She's an amazing girl and I'm lucky to have her!! She's resting now with ... Read more

Alma Mater Christina, thanks so much for updating for your mum! Please tell her I have been praying for her off and on all day!

Steven A Husted thank you so much for the update you are so right we need to educate our selves as much as possible it really helps and this site and these stories really really ... Read more

Ruth Valenzuela Popeye! I don't think you realize how much you have helped my mom and me. I remember her telling me right before your surgery how scared you were. Now you're ... Read more

Doran Herritt Hoping for a speedy recovery. Thoughts and prayers

Paul Taylor They will probably look into replacing that valve and the root (the portion of the aorta just above where it connects to the left ventricle). Hang in there Ruth!

Tammy Pilcher Ruth, I'm so glad you don't have any blockages. I was so grateful too when I found out my arteries were clear. My surgeon had to do an aortic root enlargement ... Read more

Dan D. I scheduled surgery for my aortic root replacement, got a cath that no blockages so I was glad. Then, as part of pre-surgical tests, was told to have an MRI. ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Hi Ruth, it's good to see you here again. I would call the cardiologist and let him know. Maybe he can get you in for a check up earlier. What you described ... Read more

Hi Ruth. I get that same thing from time to time and my Cardiologist doesn't seem to think it's from my valve. I don't know if I believe that or not but since ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen Hello Ruth. I am one year out of surgery now and remember was asymptomatic right up to near when the date was set for surgery with the exception of having periods ... Read more

Ruth Valenzuela Thank you Tammy and Karen! I have called my cardiologist and of course he was with a patient and his assistant will get back with me... It's so nice to get ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher You're very welcome, Ruth! Please let us know what you find out. God bless you!

Ruth Valenzuela I was able to get an appointment with my cardiologist this coming Tuesday. Will let you know what he says.... Bless you guys also!

Ruth Valenzuela Well, I saw my cardiologist yesterday and he thinks I might have had a heart attack. He looked at an echo I had done while I was hospitalized in Mar/Apr and ... Read more

Virginia (Ginger) French Ruth, You are being prayed for. It is amazing the trials God allows in our lives. I never thought I would go through five major surgeries in three years, ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Ruth, I'm so sorry to hear about your latest health issue. I've already said a prayer for you and will continue to do so. I know God is going to take care ... Read more

Bob M I pray that your rash will be gone.

Ruth, I am so sorry to hear that you are having this to deal with now. I will keep you in my prayers. Please keep us posted.

Ruth Valenzuela Thank you all for your prayers and comments. Your prayers mean a lot to me! Virginia, you really have been through the mill and it's encouraging to see one ... Read more

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