Sean Hunt - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Sean Huntposted a journal

3245 days ago

Jan Persico, Shannon Gray, Jill Krajnovich and 2 others reacted to this

4 days, 5/25, removed from my AVR and aorta repair. First Svensson did the entire procedure through a "key hole" or ministernectemy. He did not replace the ...Read more

4 days, 5/25, removed from my AVR and aorta repair. First Svensson did the entire procedure through a "key hole" or ministernectemy. He did not replace the bad aorta, but repaired it. I received a biological tissue valve. Today they tell me I can leave the ICU. Initially all was good but I went into sever tachycardia and afib Friday night. At one point my pulse was over 200 and it was sustained between 125 and 135 for over 24 hours. All of the heart meds made me very nauseous and I was also very hot. They all told me that this was very common. Yesterday afternoon (Sunday) they performed a cardio inversion, to shock my heart back into normal performance. It worked the first time. Today I feel r ally well and hope soon to be moved to my normal room.

Melissa Houser Hi Sean - glad to hear you are leaving the ICU! I was actually in the pediatric ICU for 3.5 days aft ... Read more

Melissa Houser Hi Sean - glad to hear you are leaving the ICU! I was actually in the pediatric ICU for 3.5 days after my operation (see my journal for today - my surgeon is a congenital heart surgeon). I am now here on the 5th floor of the J bldg, which is the post-operative floor for adult heart patients at CCF. You will likely be coming here. You or your family may see me out walking around the unit - small lady with a plaid shirt. I hope to go home today or tomorrow. The unit here is definitely the "Ritz Carlton" compared to the ICU - quiet and with big windows with a great view of Cleveland :)

Sandy Laine Glad to hear you're doing better, Sean - thanks so much for sharing your experience. Best wishes for ... Read more

Sandy Laine Glad to hear you're doing better, Sean - thanks so much for sharing your experience. Best wishes for an uneventful remainder of your recovery!

Catie B Congrats on getting through all you have, and on a successful cardioversion! Awesome! Hope you'll ha ... Read more

Catie B Congrats on getting through all you have, and on a successful cardioversion! Awesome! Hope you'll have smooth sailing with your recovery from here out, Sean!

Jeanette Davidson Sorry you had some trials to deal with. Glad you are on your road to recovery. Stay Strong and Positi ... Read more

Jeanette Davidson Sorry you had some trials to deal with. Glad you are on your road to recovery. Stay Strong and Positive!❤️

Melissa Houser Hi again, Sean - hopefully, you are getting relaxed and settled into your new room in the step down u ... Read more

Melissa Houser Hi again, Sean - hopefully, you are getting relaxed and settled into your new room in the step down unit. Apparently, there are about 15 such cardiac stepdown units here. I'm on the 5th floor of the J bldg. CCF is such a huge place! I may not see you, but you have my prayers for a swift recovery. I hope the rest of your recovery is uneventful. Cardioversion doesn't sound fun! Anyway, I hope you also have a restful time in Cleveland while here for your postop visits. I can say I am looking forward to going home tomorrow! Keep us posted on your progress.

Henry Brouwer Great to hear you are feeling better, Sean. Hope you get home soon!

Jill Krajnovich Appreciated your update, hope your heart rhythm is under control and you are continuing to feel well! ... Read more

Jill Krajnovich Appreciated your update, hope your heart rhythm is under control and you are continuing to feel well!

Phyllis Petersen What's been happening with your release/recovery?

Sean Huntposted a journal

3247 days ago

Shannon Gray, Sasha Saldana, Ronese Nantelle and 4 others reacted to this

This is Lauren, Sean's wife. I wanted to post a quick update. His surgery on the 25th went well, and Dr. Svensson is pleased with the overall surgery and outcome. ...Read more

This is Lauren, Sean's wife. I wanted to post a quick update. His surgery on the 25th went well, and Dr. Svensson is pleased with the overall surgery and outcome. Sean is in ICU now, and he might be moved to a step-down room tomorrow. We will post more details in the next few days. Thank you all for the support and information over the past months!

Phyllis Petersen Fantastic! All the best for continued success.

Rose Madura Great news. Glad to hear everything went well.

Henry Brouwer Great news on Sean. Best wishes and prayers on Sean's recovery. Sounds like all went well.

Ronese Nantelle [[<3]] _/\_...

Sean Huntposted an update

3250 days ago

Cathleen Weed, Phyllis Petersen, Shannon Gray and 5 others reacted to this

Tomorrow morning is the big day for me, and surprisingly I am peace today. I slept well last night and have been overcome with calm. I attribute that to all ...Read more

Tomorrow morning is the big day for me, and surprisingly I am peace today. I slept well last night and have been overcome with calm. I attribute that to all of the knowledge and encouragement I have received from the great people on this site. Knowledge trumps fear. I can't thank this community enough for getting me to today, and I hope to contribute to others in the same way everyone helped me.

Jill Krajnovich Hi Sean, I just joined this website last week and am following your story as I will have the same sur ... Read more

Jill Krajnovich Hi Sean, I just joined this website last week and am following your story as I will have the same surgery at the same hospital with the same doctor in the next few months. So needless to say, I am very interested in everything you post. Hope all goes perfectly for you tomorrow and look forward to your next update!

Adam Pick Sean, My thoughts and prayers are with you!!!! Fyi, you are in great hands with Dr. Svensson. He is a ... Read more

Adam Pick Sean, My thoughts and prayers are with you!!!! Fyi, you are in great hands with Dr. Svensson. He is an incredible surgeon and a great guy. I've been lucky enough to know him for several years now. Many patients in our community have had great success with him and the Cleveland Clinic.

Adam Pick Here's a bit more about Dr. Svensson - https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Lars-Svensson-C ... Read more

Adam Pick Here's a bit more about Dr. Svensson - https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Lars-Svensson-Cleveland-Ohio.php

Dr. Lars Svensson - Heart Surgeon in Cleveland, Ohio

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Lars-Svensson-Cleveland-Ohio.php

See patient reviews, physician biography and videos of Dr. Lars Svensson, heart surgeon, with phone number and address in Cleveland, Ohio.

Sean Hunt Jill. If I can answer ANY questions you have, please don't hesitate to ask. So far Cleveland has exce ... Read more

Sean Hunt Jill. If I can answer ANY questions you have, please don't hesitate to ask. So far Cleveland has exceeded all of my expectations. I'm happy to help.

Robert McElrath Cleveland Clinic. I hear it doesn't get any better than that. I'm sure you will have a great result ... Read more

Robert McElrath Cleveland Clinic. I hear it doesn't get any better than that. I'm sure you will have a great result and I hope the post-op weeks fly by for you. Dr. Svensson has 10,000+ surgeries under his belt. Wow. You chose well.

Jan Persico I had an AVR at Cleveland in February. My surgeon was Dr. Johnston. Cleveland Clinic is truly amazing ... Read more

Jan Persico I had an AVR at Cleveland in February. My surgeon was Dr. Johnston. Cleveland Clinic is truly amazing. Everyone there, from the surgeon, to nurses, dietary, maintainence focus is always on the patient! I also felt an overwhelming calm the day before my surgery, I was very much at peace.
Sean and Jill, if I can be helpful in anyway, please reach out.

Sean Huntposted an update

3258 days ago

Shannon Gray, Mary Rodriguez, Barbara Wood and 3 others reacted to this

With just over a week to go until my AVR and AAA repair, I look more and more to this site for inspiration and calm. I wanted to thank everyone that continues ...Read more

With just over a week to go until my AVR and AAA repair, I look more and more to this site for inspiration and calm. I wanted to thank everyone that continues to post, answer questions and provide feedback well after their surgery. It helps me more than I can put into words. I only hope that one day I can help bring as much calm, inspiration and hope to someone as this community has brought me.

Civita Fahey Sean I'm 3 weeks out of AVR. It's no walk in the park but no where near as bad as I imagined. Prayers ... Read more

Civita Fahey Sean I'm 3 weeks out of AVR. It's no walk in the park but no where near as bad as I imagined. Prayers for a successful surgery. You will do great

Marie Myers I have to agree with Civita. I am 7 weeks out of an aneurysm, root, and AVR. Things get better slowly ... Read more

Marie Myers I have to agree with Civita. I am 7 weeks out of an aneurysm, root, and AVR. Things get better slowly... Was amazed that pain was not a big issue for me. Exhaustion, yes, But not a lot of pain. Just be patient with yourself once you get home.. Good thoughts going your way.

Melissa Houser We will be on the other side of OHS soon, Sean!

Lynda Ruiz Me too, Sean.Scheduled the same day as you. This site has been a Godsend. It does intimidate some f ... Read more

Lynda Ruiz Me too, Sean.Scheduled the same day as you. This site has been a Godsend. It does intimidate some friends & family when I am spouting all the details I have learned here and speak of everyone here as if they were long time neighbors.

Sean Huntposted an update

3267 days ago

1 person reacted to this

As my wife and I prepare to head to Cleveland we are trying to figure out the best way to keep friends and family updated on my progress, are there any sites ...Read more

As my wife and I prepare to head to Cleveland we are trying to figure out the best way to keep friends and family updated on my progress, are there any sites that you guys recommend? I don't want my wife having to deal with repeating herself over text to dozens of people. On another note, what did you guys do post op to pass the time at home while you recovered? Im considering getting Netflix and/or learning Spanish. Any other unique ideas?

Clare Auten I couldn't concentrate on much so learning a new language might be hard.

Cathleen Weed I made lots of soundtracks and listened to as much music as possible. I kept a calendar of progress s ... Read more

Cathleen Weed I made lots of soundtracks and listened to as much music as possible. I kept a calendar of progress so I could track it....otherwise days can blend together. Honestly don't push yourself to do anything that you wouldn't do in normal life. Learning to cook new meals or just reading a great book is plenty ❤️. Netflix is always great! I can recommend plenty of new shows Lol.
As far as updating friends and family, your wife may want to designate somebody else to do it. That way she could text that one person and they can spread the word so she isn't dealing with too many responses all day long.

Kathy Blank Your family and friends can have access to your journal on this site and you can post it to one place ... Read more

Kathy Blank Your family and friends can have access to your journal on this site and you can post it to one place. I had planned to work on my technology but it was enough keeping up with meds, rest, nutrition, walking, etc. Your energy level and post surgery mindset makes you feel like doing the mindless and relaxing things you typically don't take time to do.

Melissa Houser Sean, I don't have any great ideas and am thinking the same as you. BTW, my surgery is the day befor ... Read more

Melissa Houser Sean, I don't have any great ideas and am thinking the same as you. BTW, my surgery is the day before yours at Cleveland Clinic. We may end up room neighbors on the same floor post op. I am also having the same surgery as you, an aortic valve replacement (mechanical valve) and a graft of my ascending aorta, which is also dilated like yours. We are certainly heart sibs :)

Civita Fahey I'm recovering now and I've tried to have a set schedule. Get up have breakfast take meds. Rest a bit ... Read more

Civita Fahey I'm recovering now and I've tried to have a set schedule. Get up have breakfast take meds. Rest a bit take a shower rest and then take a walk. Rest and watch some Netflix or on demand. It's getting a bit boring since there isn't much that doesn't take all your energy. I'm two weeks out tomorrow and got to 4000 steps with 3 walks. I add streps every day. I've also read a lot. I thought I would get some sewing done but really can't sit in that position long enough.

Rita Savelis I don't ever remember being bored, only exhausted. Just watching the world go by and time pass was en ... Read more

Rita Savelis I don't ever remember being bored, only exhausted. Just watching the world go by and time pass was enough. In this way , OHS was like no other surgery I ever had.
Your wife may want to write group emails...
Keeping people informed can be exhausting, and hopefully your friends and family will understand that you do what you can but there are other priorities... Take care. Wishing you the best.

MaryAnne Jardis I set up a carepages.com personal website. It was set up by me but managed by my sister who provided ... Read more

MaryAnne Jardis I set up a carepages.com personal website. It was set up by me but managed by my sister who provided every update on my progress twice a day. So I sent an email to everyone I knew inviting them to register on the site and to go on there to view my updates. I got lots of messages and support and my husband and children did not have to deal with the constant checking in of well intentioned friends and family. And I loved reading all the messages. It really helped with my recovery.
And I did lots of puzzles during my recovery and online shopping since it was during the Christmas season. I took advantage of the peace and quiet I had to have.
Best of luck!

Melissa Houser Oops - I said things wrong: my surgery is two days before yours, Sean. Still might be neighbors at s ... Read more

Melissa Houser Oops - I said things wrong: my surgery is two days before yours, Sean. Still might be neighbors at some point on the post-op floor. Are you planning to stay in Cleveland for a while after surgery? I am planning to have a hotel room available for my family to stay in while I'm there.

Sean Hunt Melissa Houser, its neat to know someone having the same procedure as I am will be there near the sam ... Read more

Sean Hunt Melissa Houser, its neat to know someone having the same procedure as I am will be there near the same time as me. My wife and friend have booked a hotel at the campus and I have a reservation until the 10th of June so I can go to my post op visits after I am discharged before flying home. Maybe we will cross paths while there.

Meredith Bray I used this site to update my friends and family. I invited them to subscribe to my journal and my hu ... Read more

Meredith Bray I used this site to update my friends and family. I invited them to subscribe to my journal and my husband updated it throughout the first few days. I posted the link on my Facebook page and just told everyone if they wanted to know what was going on they could check out heart-valve-surgery.com and search for my name. The only people that had to be updated by phone were my in-laws. It worked out very well. And I was answering my own texts and emails 48 hours after surgery.

Lynda Ruiz That was a good question Sean. For all the medical situations my husband had I had a long list of em ... Read more

Lynda Ruiz That was a good question Sean. For all the medical situations my husband had I had a long list of email addresses and wrote posts every could days. I did start out the email with saying this is how I would let everyone know as phone calls to many would be impossible. It worked well. I may ask my sister to do the same, but I do have a couple dear friends who do not do computers/smart phones. Thanks for making me think about it.

Lynda Ruiz I am also glad to hear you will be recovering in nearby hotel until first post op. For some reason m ... Read more

Lynda Ruiz I am also glad to hear you will be recovering in nearby hotel until first post op. For some reason my family here in Plano, TX and sister in Cincinnati all expected I would be going to a skilled nursing facility post hospital. I think using the term cardio rehab (for physical therapy) threw them all off.

Sean Huntposted an update

3284 days ago

I received a call yesterday to schedule my AVR and AAA repair, making it more real to me than ever. I will be traveling to Cleveland for my procedure and have ...Read more

I received a call yesterday to schedule my AVR and AAA repair, making it more real to me than ever. I will be traveling to Cleveland for my procedure and have read Adam's book. I also have several doctors including a cardio thoracic surgeon that are close friends, but none of them have lived it like many of you have. Any words of wisdom or pieces of advice that you wish were passed to you prior to your surgery?

Petey Bello Sean, you are going to one of the best hospitals in the country. I think picking the surgeon/hospital ... Read more

Petey Bello Sean, you are going to one of the best hospitals in the country. I think picking the surgeon/hospital is one of the hardest choices & knowing that you made the correct choice! Having good support through this process is key.

Also, Reach out to the people on this site with any concerns or questions you may have. There is so much knowledge here from people that have been through it. It was my life line after surgery (once I was able to use my phone). I had questions the drs & nurses didn't answer, that people here did!

The best to you & stay positive :)
God Bless!

Catie B Sean, I had aortic aneurysm, root and valve surgery at CC last September. Like you, I'd known about t ... Read more

Catie B Sean, I had aortic aneurysm, root and valve surgery at CC last September. Like you, I'd known about the valve from an early age. I know it's super stressful, but you'll be in the best of hands.

Cathleen Weed Walk, walk, walk after surgery! I'm talking the DAY after surgery. It will save you from 99% of the p ... Read more

Cathleen Weed Walk, walk, walk after surgery! I'm talking the DAY after surgery. It will save you from 99% of the post-surgery complications.
Best wishes!