Sandy's Journal

Terrie Syvertsen  Hello Sandy and Gary. I have had SVT's since 2014 prior to my surgery. For anyone who wants to look this up it is called Super Ventricular Tachycardia. I had events similar to Gary's and went to the ER for a fast heart rate several times. Each time but once in the ER the heart reset itself before they had to give me injections of medication. Sense just prior to my surgery I had been on a medication that I take once in the morning and once in the evening that helps to keep them in check. I take a drug called
Dilacor XR/Diltiazem. It lessens the episodes for me and once the heart has had time to heal from surgery we are discussing having an "ablation"
to see if it can stop them. If interested look up or talk to your cardiac people about a possible ablation that might correct the situation. You may find that it stops as you heal and if not it can be dealt with meds. I was also told this had nothing to do with my heart valve problem but was a separate issue. Continued healing and you both take good care of yourselves. I hope he starts getting better soon and that you realize that the stress of this new event is one that will add to low energy as I am sure he is ready to get this recovery and healing path moving forward. If either of you want to talk to me about it write me at tsyvertsen1@sbcglobal.net.
I will write you and give you my phone number and maybe I can reassure you both. Take care.

Terrie Syvertsen  Hello Sandy and Gary. Since it has only been 10 days since surgery I am going to preface my comments with- if you have any pain you can't understand it is a good idea to check in with your physician if nothing else it will ease your minds. That said- I had the same full sternotomy incision with the same aortic bicuspid valve replacement on Aug. 20th. 2014. I remember my cardiologist, surgeon and especially the nurses after surgery telling me that it will be quite a while for a lot of the aches and pains from surgery to heal as in opening the sternum up many things
are aggravated and need time to calm down. I call it the "Shaken Sternum Syndrome" which applies to the entire chest wall that withstood things that will require you being gentle with yourself and follow your instructions about not lifting, reaching, etc. as it seems as we heal we have a tendency to get aches and pains especially within the chest wall and heart area. I remember when trying to go to sleep the first couple of weeks I could feel/sense my heartbeat very strongly and my whole chest had a variety of odd aches and sensations that drew my attention that sound like what you area describing. Take care and I hope I didn't confuse you more!

Steven A Husted  i think i had a similar thing after my surgery i could feel my heart beating like i had hit my thumb with a hammer but it only lasted a few days but i agree with terrie you should let your doctor know if only for your own pease of mind steve (popeye)

Pat Bluemel  I had it for a few weeks. Keep an eye on pressure and heart rate. I think mine went away around week 4. I asked my surgeon if it's normal to feel hyper aware of my heart beating and he simply said "yep."

Dan D.  Glad to hear this. Happy for you Sandy and Gary. My surgery is 3 weeks out and hope things go as well for me.

Ericka Carlson  WOW that is wonderful!!!! You can't help but be grateful for the technology that has saved our lives, it's astounding to me.

Linda Whitney  You are in good hands at Mayo. I will be thinking about you and sending healing vibes. This will be over with before you know it. God Bless!

Mary Myers  I chose tissue valve, and am very happy I did. All will go well. Thinking and praying for all.of you. Am nine months post op mitral valve reolacement, and doing fantastic! Gof bless and try to relax.

Jim Phillips   Sandy I am 36 and now over two months in recovery from ohs. Tell Gary to focus on getting through the surgery and onto recovery. Put your faith in God and trust in your doctors. God bless.

Greg Johnson  Hey fellow Hawkeyes! I'm in desmoines and just started week 7 of recovery. Cardio rehab is tough but good. Are you. Going to UofI hospital?

Terry Shermeister   Sandy and Gary I'm a Badger Fan but rooting for you both to have a winning day during surgery!!! You are both winners prayers and strength.

Adam Pick  Hi Sandy, I hope this video helps answer your question. https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-cl=84359240&x-yt-ts=1421782837&v=ZIEvCzBhEO0

Barry Van Gemert  From what I have seen the answer is "the simplest procedures". I think the envelope is being pushed every year, but right now if you have a complex procedure scheduled, they will be opening you up.

Duane Beeman  I'm finding that there are different levels of "minimally invasive". Transvascular or Percutaneous is one level and is the least invasive. However, they also appear to be referring to a partial median sternotomy as "minimally invasive" as well. The partial allows them to access the heart without totally cutting the sternum. My understanding is they only cut half way down, thus making the recovery process a little easier and quicker (in theory).

Jim Kelly-Evans  I was offered an isolated aortic valve replacement via mini sternotomy, but turns out I need more complex surgery (aortic root and aneurysm replacement in addition to the valve.) That requires a full median sternotomy.

Elaine Foster  My BAVR 5 weeks ago was a median sternotomy. Incision is only 3 1/2 inches. I feel it really helped speed recovery along. After 2 weeks, there was very little pain, and able to raise arms to do my hair. 1st sneeze was uncomfortable, but even that got better quickly.

Wiliam Height  Not knowing how complex your issue is, I would say yes. But after I went through the denial, why me, and was in fear stage I went for 2nd and 3rd opinions and I found a cardiologist who told me what I wanted to hear--that I would be a good candidate for a minimally invasive clip procedure that could be done through my groin. What I wanted to hear, wasn't going to give me the best outcome. Go to a heart center listed on the right that performs multiple surgeries a day each week and let the surgeon decide what is needed. I didn't want to raise my hand and be picked, but what I want is trust in my surgeons skill/technique for the best outcome to have this done once. What I've learned on my journey is that these heart centers are the best specialists and many of the cases they take on are re-repairs from prior procedures. We used joke how things were easy and say this isn't brain surgery. Well this is heart surgery and it needs to be done right. Find the best heart center as a first step and go from there.

Daniel Spurgeon  My diagnosis arose out of the blue at age 34, and within two hours I went from thinking I had a perfectly healthy aorta to learning I needed open heart surgery. It was only after nine months that I realized how much the anxiety was affecting others in addition to me, so please keep the line of communication open with your husband. It took me awhile to come to a level of acceptance of my diagnosis and schedule the surgery, but when I did I felt significantly better. There are many people on this site who have successfully recovered from just about every type of heart and aorta treatment available so your family is not alone in navigating these waters.

Emily Mrozek  My son is 10 and had a Ross procedure and the replacement of his aortic valve he was on life support for 9 hours..technology is amazing. .the living torture was the days leading up to the day for me cuz I love him so much..my son was calm too..that means he and ur husband have faith and it is good they are positive. He needs to be calm but understand your pain has the closes person to him that will wait while he's in surgery sit in icu..help him recover. .please be strong and take care if yourself. The cardiologist will take care of your husband. A few days before surgery go out and get a cute comfortable outfit possibly a new purse healthy snacks kleenex chapstick notepads pens candy for your self to be completely together and feel good because you are the one that needs to stay healthy and strong for him like I did for your husband. One really cool thing my sister did to help rid my stress was made a appointment for me to get a tension massage it helped me the day before his huge surgery be more at ease! In order for you to be a good caregiver u must prepare your self with some items to feel better! I have all kinds of snack ideas ect if you want to ask! Prayers and don't feel guilty your going through something I have been through its so hard I feel ur pain.

Emily Mrozek  We went with a frozen cadaver valve. It will grow with him and he accepted it awesome. The can preserve valves for 3 years..technology is amazing in 2015! Stay strong