Sandy's Journal

As of August 6 it will be 4 months since I had surgery. I am back to work, going to the beach, working out not at full capacity as of yet, still walk 2 - 3 miles.

I am at my 5 weeks and doing well I did have open heart surgery and had aortic Valve replacement.  I just started cardio Rehab and wanting to go back to the gym as soon as I get my back to the gym and work.  Driving is still alittle painful with the seat belt on and when I turn either left or right.  

The lasix is finally working the cough is min only wish my surgeon gave me more that medicine to go home with and probably would have not had that problem right know.  It just getting my strength I do go for walks everyday and try to walk alittle further it the upper body strength that I do not have right know hopefully when I start cardio rehab that will help me out.

Well went to the hospital last night with this wicked cough.  The had me that  lasix which is help because I will have water on the outside of my lungs.  I stayed in the emergency dept because there where no rooms.  What a miserable night that was did not sleep  a wink plus woke up in the same clothes i came in.  This morning they took me to x ray with the hopes of draining some fluid out but when they did a ultra song they did not see enough fluid there so they could not drain.  So I got released sent home with lasix I need to pick up.  The cough is caused by the fluid around the lungs..  They wanted me to stay but there was no away i was going to stay in emergency dept again so I  went home.  If I did not have my surgeon apt next Thursday I would have stayed plus I only got enough lasix for 5 days and should have gotten more.  

Hi Everyone:

Was wondering has anyone had a cough after OHS.  I am taking allergy med but not to sure ifs its and allergy.  If you had a cough how long did it take to go away.  I am 3 weeks right know.  Spoke to my surgeon PA and they told me to take allergy meds.  When I no talking I am ok when I start talking that's is when I start coughing.  I did have a cough before surgery too that didn't hurt as much as it does know.  



Thanks for sharing

Sandy

Tomorrow will be 3 weeks since I had my aortic Valve replace.  Still coughing my nose is running probably allergies, just lacking energy.  Couching not to such where that is coming from maybe still water on the lungs. My body is telling me one thing but my brain is telling something else.  I am still walking a snails pace.  My sleep is better since I am in  my own bed.  Still sleeping with a wedge and alot of pillows.  I scab is starting to fall off got alot.  I have my next apt with my surgeon on June 6 the next day June 7 cardio exercise stress test, June 26 need to wwar a monitor for a month to see if I have afib again and then I start cadio rehab.  So have a lot on my schedule for the summer months.  Just want to feel normal or at least feel myslef again.  

 It has not been a week more like 5 days home and I have my ups and downs.  Still cannot sleep in a bed. I am trying to stay up during the day so I can get some better sleep at night.  Eating habits have changes I will still drinking coffee put DeCaf I like the taste but do not like caffeine anymore.  Even my eating habits have changed.  I took a shower for the first time myself and it was every slow going and still a struggle.  So things are improving each day.  Just thought I would give everyone and update.   

On May 6 2024 was my life changer, know I am a member of the zipper club where I had my aortic stenosis valve replace. I got to the hospital and I decided to go in a little earlier just wanted to make sure my daughter had time to get my granddaughter to school. So we dropped her off and did not have to be at the hospital until 11:15. Got to University Of Penn hospital and my other daughter was there too. Off course the Surgeon was running late. They took my back did my vitals and my daughters where able to come back. I did not go into surgery until 3:00. They wheeled me into surgery go on the table and the next think I knew I was in ICU and the recovery process was about to begin. I was in ICU for a night and then moved to the step-down unit. I still had a lot tubs, wires and IV in me every uncomfortable. The bed was not comfortable and either was the chair. It was hard to eat at first and it eventually got better, as the tubes came out it got better. I had one day that was emotional. Then I get atrial fibrillation and magnesium issues and I was coughing a lot because of fluid on my lungs. A new medicine every day and I was only told a month and then my doctor will adjust when I go back for my post opt. Know lets talk about sleeping and energy. Considering that the nursing staff and CDA come in all the time it become excusing not to get the rest you need and then energy is another thing its up and downs. You feel like you have great bust and then you are down and out for the count. I did eat good but I found out that I can only eat breakfast and dinner. The only think that bothered me and my family was we never got any call from the dr coming out of surgery and telling my family how I was doing. I know this surgeon is in demand but still not getting a call from him makes it bad bedside management. His PA were coming in each day to check on my progress and reporting back to him. So I has in the hospital for a total of 6 days on Mothers day by daughter, son in law and grand daughter game to visit which was a nice surprise. I am not at my own house because I live alone and better for me to stay at my daughters house where she has a comfy recliner and it just makes it easier. So, the process of recovery has become and it will be a process.

So I went to the hospital yesterday had my last visit with the surgeon and all my pre operative testing down do just waiting for that phone call for what time I need to be at the hospital on Monday for surgery.  

I am about 3 weeks away from my surgery.  I have my pre opt testing on May 2 and that will be the last time I see the surgeon before May 6.  Really am not thinking about this yet to many other things to think about and get done before I am home and out of work for a couple of weeks.  I did have and apt with my cardiologist but cancelled that, no need to see him until after I have been discarded from the surgeon will see him later in the summer.   Have had some issue trying to apply for short term disability.  Got denied because the company said it was a pre existing condition but the company never requested documentation from my visit with the surgeon in Feb.  So I recently filled an appeal and hopeful that company will reinstate the claim.  I just do not want to have to go back to  work to soon after surgery but might have no option if my claim is not reinstated.  So that is where I am at at this time.  

Hey there looking for anyone out there who had heart surgery at University of Penn, what was your experience like and who was your surgeon.  What kind of surgery did you have, who was your doctor, what was your hospital stay like.  Please reach out to me if you can.

Thanks

Sandy

I am wondering what so of your symptoms where like when you had aortic stenosis bicuspid valve.  And when did you start having any kind emotions before your surgery date.  How did you feel.  My surgery is not until May and right know not really thinking about it. My symptoms tired even though I slept well, weight gain, get winded when I walk to fast or on and uneven surface.  Just want to know  how you where feeling and what your symptoms like prior to surgery.   

Today I went to see the Cardiovascular Surgeon at University of Penn Medical Center in Philadelphia. I had and appointment with Nimesh Desai. I had all my test results, and I was told by my doctor's number do not lie. My aortic valve size is at a 1.6 and was hoping it would be a lot larger. I knew that something would have to be done soon then later but I was not prepared for the sooner part. I was hoping to get surgery within a year and not this soon. So, I was schedule for surgery May 6. I have alot of my plate and need to get my i dotted and all my t crossed. Its alot to think about and to do in the next two months. If anyone has some any words of wisdoms, please feel free to reach out to me. If you have had surgery at University of Penn would like to know how your experience was and especially if you have had aortic stenosis biceps valve replaced.

I went back to see my primary cardiologist this morning to get a script for a CTA Chest w wo contrast for my heart and a script for blood work that has to be beforehand to make sure my kidney functions.  It was like pulling teeth.  I call University of Penn and they told me since I am not and established patient my primary cardiologist would have to provide me with the script.  It really makes no sense since I need to see this new doctor.  Ok that fine wish someone would have told me what to do.  I got the answer I needed so I schedule my CTA scan for Friday January 26 prior to my apt on February 13.  

Going to post this to see if anyone has seen Dr. Nimesh Desai - Cardiac Surgery from University of Penn in February has anyone had any experience with him and his staff if so what did you think.

My name is Sandy Schemelia and I live in Hamilton NJ I am 62 year old and was recently diagnosed with Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease with Aortic Stenosis.  I have had EKG, Echo, Cardio Cath and know getting a script for CAT of my heart.  I have already made and apt to see a Cardio Surgeon at University of Penn Perelman Center in February.  My Doctor name is Nimesh Desai.  I was told I am not a candidate for TAVR so the next step is seeking out a  Cardio Surgeon which I have done.  So at this point just waiting for the appointment and what my time frame might be.  I do have 2 daughters and told them to get and Echo to make sure this is something that they do not have.  So right know its a wait and see until Feburay.