Sherri Waineo - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

228 days ago

I am 2 1/2 weeks out from having my aortic valve replacement. In that time I have had 4 episodes of AFib lasting from 12 hours to 33 hours. I am currently experiencing ...Read more

I am 2 1/2 weeks out from having my aortic valve replacement. In that time I have had 4 episodes of AFib lasting from 12 hours to 33 hours. I am currently experiencing an episode that has thus far lasted for 9 1/2 hours. Thankfully I don’t get any symptoms with it other than the sensation of your heart beating too fast! Has anyone experienced this after surgery? It is very unsettling!

Rita Savelis Afib is a common aftereffect of heart surgery. About half of patients get it but it often goes away i ... Read more

Rita Savelis Afib is a common aftereffect of heart surgery. About half of patients get it but it often goes away in a few weeks. I'm sure that you have discussed it with your doctor who can explain more. Sometimes it goes away, sometimes it's treated with medication, sometimes one has procedures to alleviate it. I'm sorry that you have to go through this but know that it is common. Your heart has been through a lot with surgery and reacts in various ways until it settles.

Jill Porter I posted to you but it’s not showing up. I had mitral valve repair on 8/29. I went into AFib about ... Read more

Jill Porter I posted to you but it’s not showing up. I had mitral valve repair on 8/29. I went into AFib about 5 days later and so far they’ve really been unable to stop it. They finally let me go home today and I will work on the rhythm and heart rate from here with the doctors and medications. I am currently on Amiodorone, metoprolol and digoxin which was started just yesterday. Not much improvement yet. I am hoping that as the heart heals and gets used to the new structure, it will return to normal. I agree that it is a very distressing feeling. I am moving forward one day at a time. You are not alone in this!

Sherri Waineo

Sherri Waineo Thank you, my friends!

Rose Madura I had Afib after my surgery in 2017 and it lasted off and on between Afib and Aflutter for about six ... Read more

Rose Madura I had Afib after my surgery in 2017 and it lasted off and on between Afib and Aflutter for about six weeks. Hope yours goes away soon.

Jill Porter Were you on meds or did it just resolve on its own?

Rose Madura Mine, I was on Amiodarone and Metrolpol in fairly high doses.

Jill Porter Oh ok. Thank you. I am on those as well. Hoping it goes back to normal soon.

Sherri Waineoposted a journal

232 days ago

Michele Miller reacted to this

I had an aortic valve replacement with an Inspiris Resilia done through a hemisternotomy J- incision. I had Dr. Aaron Weiss at the Cleveland Clinic, and I ...Read more

I had an aortic valve replacement with an Inspiris Resilia done through a hemisternotomy J- incision. I had Dr. Aaron Weiss at the Cleveland Clinic, and I can't say enough good about him! He's wonderful! I have had two times of AFib afterward so far, one of them lasting 33 hours. That was wearying! I have been put on meds and blood thinners to try to help with that. I have to say it is a miracle what they can do today with valve replacement! Surgery went very well, and I am recovering at home!

Chase Garrett Hi Sherry,
Does the incision hurt? How long ago did you have it done? What the difference in heali ... Read more

Chase Garrett Hi Sherry,
Does the incision hurt? How long ago did you have it done? What the difference in healing with the J incision vs the middle of chest? How many days were you in hospital and are you walking pretty well now?

Marie Myers Glad to hear that everything went well, Sherri!

Valerie Allen Congrats on the successful surgery

Rose Madura Wonderful news. Welcome to recovery.

Sherri Waineo Thank you, all! My incision feels great! I really don't think there is much difference in the healing ... Read more

Sherri Waineo Thank you, all! My incision feels great! I really don't think there is much difference in the healing of the two types of incisions. I was in the hospital for 5 days, and other than being weary from current AFib, I am able to walk well.

Sherri Waineoposted a journal

252 days ago

My heart surgery is now scheduled in Cleveland Clinic on August 30. I was allowed the opportunity to have designated blood donors donate blood prior ...Read more

My heart surgery is now scheduled in Cleveland Clinic on August 30. I was allowed the opportunity to have designated blood donors donate blood prior to my surgery date. Unlike Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic works with the Red Cross to accomplish this! I am having the Inspiris Resilia aortic valve replacement. Further CT scan, to verify the size of the aorta as seen on the echocardiogram, the day before surgery will decide whether or not anything needs to be done with the aorta. I know this is not going to be an easy thing to go through, but I am looking forward to it being done and pray that God will be with the surgical team throughout the whole procedure and guide them!

Rose Madura Sherri, I went through a similar surgery over six years ago and feel great. I k ow is scary but very ... Read more

Rose Madura Sherri, I went through a similar surgery over six years ago and feel great. I k ow is scary but very doable. Try to focus on the positive. You've chosen a great hospital and the odds of a positive outcome are very, very good. God will be with you as He was with me! Godspeed.

Pamela Gregory Hi Sherri, I had AVR and Aortic Root Replacement at the Cleveland Clinic last October 17th. They are... Read more

Pamela Gregory Hi Sherri, I had AVR and Aortic Root Replacement at the Cleveland Clinic last October 17th. They are an amazing hospital with a ton of experience. I was scared to death but have to admit they made it an extremely smooth process and controlled my pain (my biggest fear) to a very manageable level. I think this will go extremely well for you!

Sherri Waineoposted a journal

353 days ago

I had an exercise stress test done at Mayo Clinic this past week along with chest xrays. I had a preoperative visit with an NP there and was told that ...Read more

I had an exercise stress test done at Mayo Clinic this past week along with chest xrays. I had a preoperative visit with an NP there and was told that Mayo policy is such that you cannot donate your own blood ahead of surgery or have a trusted family or friend donate for you! Basically they said that if I signed up for the Bloodless surgery, and I needed blood during surgery, they would not give me blood. I would have to die. Can you believe this is a policy of a hospital who claims that the patient always comes first? I canceled the rest of my appointments there and am now checking out Cleveland Clinic to see how their policy on blood donation is. Does anyone have any experience donating their own blood or having trusted blood of their choosing donated for them at Cleveland Clinic?

Richard Munson That sounds a little cold. Interesting to know if that is actually the case, or did you meet with dra ... Read more

Richard Munson That sounds a little cold. Interesting to know if that is actually the case, or did you meet with draculas assistant. Bloodless surgery is an interesting concept. I signed up for surgery but the question of blood never came up unless it was in small print. I just assumed they do what they need to do to keep me alive. Good luck at cc.

Rose Madura I think I remember signing that if I need blood, they can give me blood. If you say you don't want a ... Read more

Rose Madura I think I remember signing that if I need blood, they can give me blood. If you say you don't want a blood transfusion, they won't give it. We never discussed donating my own blood or a trusted person. I don't know if I even needed one but would gladly accept if necessary. I do know that when I was growing up with my heart problems, I was told never to donate blood but I don't remember why. Whatever your reasons for not wanting donated blood, their response was cold.

Richard Munson I like that, a trusted person. So what does that mean? Maybe ana or rose can be my blood donor. Not s ... Read more

Richard Munson I like that, a trusted person. So what does that mean? Maybe ana or rose can be my blood donor. Not sure i trust nancy plus she is cold blooded.lol.

Rose Madura Lol Richard.

Sherri Waineoposted an update

369 days ago

I have just been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. it went from mild/moderate to severe in a year and a half. I have known that I have bicuspid aortic ...Read more

I have just been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. it went from mild/moderate to severe in a year and a half. I have known that I have bicuspid aortic valve for many years and have been having it monitored regularly. Thankfully I have had not had any symptoms of the stenosis. My cardiologist has said it will be in the near future that I will need a surgical intervention of some sort. I have yet to see the surgeon assigned to me at Mayo clinic in Rochester. Anyone else have this done with a bicuspid aortic valve? Were you able to donate blood for yourself ahead of time or have a designated donor of your choosing? I am feeling very anxious about all this and would appreciate any help!
I am also reluctant to go on blood thinners for the rest of my life if i don't have to. Is the only option to have a replacement tissue valve or repair of my valve to not have to go on blood thinners?

Allen Carkner I just had a Ross Procedure for symptomic severe aortic stenosis. My surgeon said no to donating bloo ... Read more

Allen Carkner I just had a Ross Procedure for symptomic severe aortic stenosis. My surgeon said no to donating blood for myself because it has to be fresh blood and it has the potential to make symptoms worse. It is a tough thing to hear for sure. I have known about my bicuspid valve since I was a baby. Mine went from moderate to severe over the course of sround 4-5 years. Just keep an eye out for symptoms and try not to think about it too much until that time I suppose. Lots of people go through this. You'll be alright!

Terrie Syvertsen Dear Sherri,
You have come to the right place for any and all questions about the path you are beg ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen Dear Sherri,
You have come to the right place for any and all questions about the path you are beginning to ready yourself for your heart.
No question that someone here can't relate to or share their own experiences with whatever procedure is decided. I hope you hear from somebody who makes you follow your heart path.

Rose Madura Terrie, I also had a bicuspid valve and had OHS to replace it as well as an ascending aorta and arch ... Read more

Rose Madura Terrie, I also had a bicuspid valve and had OHS to replace it as well as an ascending aorta and arch repair in 2017. I chose a tissue valve. I was 59 at the time. I'm doing well. You don't want to wait until you have symptoms so report any changes to your cardiologist. The discussion of donating blood did not come up. I don't think I needed any but to be honest I have no idea. You are going to the Mayo Clinic and that's a great place. The odds are definitely in your favor so that should help ease some fears. Try to focus on the positive and trust your doctor's. God bless you on your journey. Let us know if you have any questions. We are here for you.

Marie Myers I also had a bicuspid valve and. 2 aneurysms that needed surgery in 2017. You can donate your own blo ... Read more

Marie Myers I also had a bicuspid valve and. 2 aneurysms that needed surgery in 2017. You can donate your own blood ahead of time to be used in the procedure.. It does take some planning and coordination to accomplish this in time for the surgery. Your body will have to build back up your own red cells before your surgery, so the process takes time. You need to discuss this with your surgeon or medical doctor to get started at the proper time. I got 1 unit of bank blood ( thank you unknown donor!) during my surgery, but there are many people who actually don’t get any blood during open heart surgery with today’s blood salvaging techniques. Let us know what you find out from your doctor.