Sandra's Journal

Kate Watson  Some people don't have symptoms but I did. I felt extremely short of breath doing normal activities and was very fatigued by the time I had it replaced. I was 29 the first time and got a tissue valve then, a large bovine valve. Mine started to fail at 10 years, which was sooner than I expected. I had to have both my mitral and aortic valves replaced this time and had mechanical valves put in for various reasons. The time frame for re-surgery seems to vary quite a bit for tissue valves. There's lot of people on this site who have them and can give you more feedback.

Tammy Pilcher  Congratulations, Sandra, on your 2 year anniversary! Very inspiring for all of us! I'm 6 months post op and doing great too! Thanks for posting, it's nice to hear from someone that far post op!

Robert Osmachenko  Thanks for writing in, Sandra. I really don't trust some of the medications we are prescribed. I too, am using Atenelol 5mg once a day and am going to ask for a reduction because it tires me out unnaturally.
Take care.

Joe __  Glad life is good for you. What a ride. Very inspiring to hear such positive thoughts despite the complications. I'm considering Penn for AVR shortly - can u share some of your thoughts on the level of care there? Which doc? Thanks!

Sandra Wummer  there is U of P and there is Penn Presbyterian. I had mine at Penn Presbyterian. It was a wonderful hospital that gave individual and first rate care . I would go back in a heartbeat....get it.? LOL I heard U of P, the other Penn Heart center down the street is just as good. I had some scans there.

Michael Vargo  My first AVR was in August 2013. Twelve weeks later I had my second AVR as a result of a very serious case of bacterial endocarditis. My symptoms ( chills / night sweats; fatigue; muscle/joint pain; and double vision) started about 8 weeks post op. Until them, I was back to feeling pretty good and walking 3 miles per day. The infection caused 5 strokes as well as a mycotic aneurysm. I had an endovascular coil procedure on the aneurysm the day prior to my 2nd AVR. My bovine valve along with a part of my aorta was replaced with a homograph valve and tissue. Thanksgiving was spent in intensive care. Eight more weeks of IV antibiotics ( 6 at home) followed. Eighteen months later I feel much better heart wise, but still have lingering effects from the bacteria "flaking" off and traveling to my legs where I have nerve and vascular pain fairly constantly. Nevertheless, I am very thankful as I know you are for being one of the "less than 1%" who have recovered from this very serious, but rare AVR surgery complication. I wish you well. and God Bless you!