Shandra's Journal

Ellen Leng  Congrats Shaun draft! We had same day surgery and I wondered when you would pop back up :) Sounds like a tough road in the hospital! Have to agree that it's good to be on the other side. Keep on healing!

Amy Steele  Great to hear from you Shandra! Glad to hear that you're doing well. I'm a few days behind you in my recovery, but share your sentiment about being glad to be on the other side. Way to go Heart-Sister, keep up the good work.

Phyllis Petersen  Good to hear that your better and ready for surgery. Best wishes for a successful surgery and easy recovery!

Bob Fessler  Great attitude! I hope to have a similar one. Good luck with the surgery and I hope you have an uneventful recovery.

Terry Gillen  They just wanted to get the paperwork out of the way, where you initial and sign five or more pages. Then they ask you about your meds you get to watch a short video telling and showing you what will be happening to you from the moment you get to the hospital surgery day until you wake up in intensive care. Also they took a X-ray of my lungs, drew blood from my artery. A therapist will come in to talk to you and show you how to use the respirator they send you home with. They even put your hospital bracelets on just simply making it to where when you get there for your surgery you don't have to do a thing they will look at your bracelet and send you straight back to surgery makes everything easier for you and the hospital. I almost forgot either your Surgeon or the gentleman that buts you to sleep will come and answer any questions you might have and walk you through step by step what will be going on while you are asleep. I can't ever spell the title of the man who puts you to sleep so just wanted to say that because they work for their degree and I certainly do not want to come across disrespectful. Mine was a very nice man and very good at what he does. God bless you my dear and everything is going to be just fine. I had my surgery at the Heart Hospital in Austin Texas so I am not sure if your pre op will be the same but I bet it is similar. One more thing when they start to draw the blood from your artery they usually send their best to draw the blood I did not even feel mine she told me the trick to it was to find a place where the arteries are not crossing each other. When it was over I ask her why she did not tell me she was so good at it beforehand, she said she did not want to brag. Do not be afraid to speak up and ask her about what I told you about arteries not crossing each other. I don't want to scare you this doesn't even hurt for most people I have had several surgeries and I think I must have had a few people who just like to hurry and get it over with. Anyway I need to quit harping on that I am just a big baby when it comes to getting stuck with needles. But when it comes to Heart hospitals they hire nothing but the best I will be praying for you sweetie.

Terry Gillen  Oh I forgot to answer your other question yes it is normal that you are meeting with your Social Worker she makes sure you take home folders with resources you may need in them. God Bless!!!

Joshua Trimberger  For Pre Op they make sure you are very informed and answer any questions you have. They also draw blood, do X-rays, and it may include tests like CT scan with dye or heart cath (they will have told you about those prior to you showing up). They will also have paper work for you to fill out and surgical consents to sign. Depending on the hospital you may meet with financial services as well to discuss payment. They will probably give you a special soap to shower with on the surgery day too. The social worker is not out of the ordinary. They just want to make sure you're going to be ok when you are released from the hospital and go home. The one thing they don't want is to have to readmit you weeks later because you had trouble with recovery at home or didn't have anyone to help you at home. They also can help set up home health care or rehab or even help get equipment like oxygen for your home. Basically in my experience the social worker was just another point of contact with the hospital that checked on me periodically to make sure everything was good and I was on track for recovery. Their main goal is to make sure you aren't readmitted to the hospital as they are graded on that and it can affect funding if they have a high re-admittance rate and can even affect insurance companies not wanting to renew contracts with the hospital if they have a high re-admittance rate as re-admittance costs the insurance company more money.

Corey Sines  There is that anxiety and hope when you start getting close and you just want it done with so your life can get on with it. Stinks you have been sick in advance of it all. Cough / Colds are worse when your heart/lungs aren't functioning great.

Shandra Boyd  You hit the nail on the head Corey. I am sooooo ready for this. I went to the doctor immediately yesterday and let her know what was going on and to let her know that I cannot miss my date. I know that the first few weeks will be a challenge but as long as I know that relief is coming, I can deal with it.

Elaine Cutri  That's what we're here for. This is a temporary frustration. It sounds like you are making good progress to getting your health and energy back. Finding a surgeon you have confidence in is huge! Best wishes!

Rita Savelis  I feel you Shandra. It's so hard to see your body not be able to do what it used to do, when you are normally an active person. And especially when you have a child to take care of. You've been through a lot and that's why you are ready to face this. Take care.

Ron Broadhead  You've passed an important point when you are looking forward to the surgery that will help you. I remember that point and I actually felt pretty good about everything after that. Best wishes for a smooth and successful surgery.

Corey Sines  I know your struggles and look forward to the improved quality of life that Valve replacement offers, and the extra years with our family and children it will open up to each of our lives.

Adam Pick  Hey Shandra, Great to hear you are on an accelerate path to getting more informations and a resolution!!!

Amy Dorsey  Welcome and thanks for your story. I am 39 and just one week post op from severe mitral valve regurgitation. I had a successful repair. I am a fitness trainer and very active so when I found out I was pretty bummed about it however I was also feeling short of breath and tired all the time so knowing I had to do this I wanted to get it done as soon as possible. You will love this site. You will find a lot of comfort and gain a lot of knowledge to help you feel at ease and we are all here to support you through every step.

Shandra Boyd  Amy---I read alot on the site before I actually signed up and I thought the information, knowledge and sharing of experiences were extremely help as I start my journey through all this.

Shandra Boyd  Clare Auten---what type of mechanical valve did you received. I have been thinking about a mechanical valve due to my age and not wanting to go through this type of procedure anymore. I do understand that with the mechanical valve that you will be taking coumadin for the rest of your life but I have been taking coumadin for the past 7 years so I did not think it would be that major.

Rita Savelis  I had 2 valves replaced and a 3rd one repaired. If you are already on coumadin mechanical valves might be a good choice with double repairs because those new valves (if tissue) can wear out at separate times in the future. I understand your wanting to get on with it, because yes living with the tiredness is hard. Double valve surgery can mean a longer recovery, and it takes time to feel good again. I hear you about wanting to be active again. You'll get there. Take care.

Clare Auten  I have an On-X valve in the aortic position. It's been over 2 and a half years. My INR only needs to be 1.8-2.2 to be in range so my warfarin dose is fairly small.

Meredith Bray  Hi Shandra! Clare and I had our surgeries within a few months of each other, and I have an On-X also, with a lower required INR. I was 42 when I earned my ticker, and my quality of life has improved so much since surgery. I can't speak for others, but I like to tell people about my experience, so if you have any questions, please ask. You can find my email address in your followers list!
-Meredith

Kevin Shackelford  51 yo. Here and just had my Aortic On-X valve installed 6 weeks ago. Opted for this as INR can be lower and really did not want to have another OHS in 5-15 years. I feel great and am starting cardiac rehab tomorrow. Looking forward to riding the bike and going to the gym again. Best of luck on your valve decision I know it is a tough one. This site helped me a great deal.

Emily Rowley  Hi Shandra, welcome to the community. This is a big decision, a tough one, and one for you to make the final decision (unless in surgery your Surgeon needs to otherwise) that you feel comfortable with useful information. A second opinion is a great idea! Might they be able to repair your valves? I've had severe mitral regurgitation, and am happy to be of any assistance to you and others ☺