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Diagnosis: Mitral Regurgitation, Tricuspid Regurgitation

Member Since: November 29, 2012

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Sophie Marsh posted an update

11 years ago (February 26, 2015)

❤️ Wow. I can't believe it has been two years already. I am so blessed and thankful for this anniversary of my open heart surgery with Dr. David Adams and team, and for the outstanding work they did repairing my Barlow's Mitral Valve and Tricuspid Valve. Yesterday I was given the opportunity to go to NYC with a friend for her consultation with Dr. Adams for a MVR. It was almost surreal to go trace my steps from two years ago. It brought so many emotions back to me and I can't tell you how blessed I was to be there for her as so many were there to support me. She has decided that this will be the best decision for her. I am so impressed with the amount of time the team spent with us going over all her questions. I was also thankful to see Dr. Adams again. I am a sign painter so I brought him a sign that refers to him as a Mitral Valve Repair Extraordinaire" it was nice to see all the same people in the office like Therese King and Jose and the assistant surgeons too. I am also happy my friend is in the best hands, but I also understand how nervous she is. Well earlier this week I decided to take our pony for a walk because the weather was beautiful. We have had so much cold and snow in the northeast and the driveway was finally showing. Well. she, having barn fever, decided to kick me right in the sternum. It almost took my breath away and I thought I would pass out. I did not , but the adrenaline was pumping! The first thing I though of was my sternotomy. It felt really sore but sound. I ended up going to my cardiologist on Monday to have my heart checked. Dr. Franklin ran all the testing to make sure all was well. Thankfully it was! Glad I didn't get kicked in the face or teeth! My sternum held up perfectly. Earlier this year at my visit with Dr. Franklin I had an echocardiogram. I was so happy to hear that my repair was one of the best he has ever seen. This is amazing considering how mishapen my valve was. I needed a size 36 annuoplasty ring. Overall I feel absolutely great! I have been keeping up with exercise and I am thankful for the endurance I now have! My scar is fading and it's almost hard to see now. I am still covering it with lots of sunblock out in the sun which hasn't been lately as we are still buried in snow! When I look at it I am so thankful. It is the visible evidence of God's grace and healing in my life and says "I love you " to my family. After losing my dad, I could hear the memory of him telling me to me to go to the cardiologist. I felt fine although unbeknownst to me some damage to my left ventricle had already occurred. When I was around 19 a medical professional heard a slight murmur but then attributed it to athletic heart. If I would have been diagnosed it's possible that I would have had a replacement as the repairing was not yet common. All the damage has been healed! What a journey this has been. I am so greatful to be able to support others through their journeys and glad I have the strength - physical and emotional- to do so. my favorite verse for my heart surgery follows: Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.... If you are going through recovery you will get stronger and stronger each day! I am still overwhelmed with all the wonderful people who helped us during our time of need. All the encouragement, prayers and support will always be remembered. Praying for all who are facing these tough times in your life. Remember Romans 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts ❤️ through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. " My hope has increased in all of this and my trust in God has also grown. He never left me through this whole thing and I saw Him in so many of those around me who cared for me and my family! Here's to Two! (not the terrible type) Sophie

👍 Sophie Marsh, Nancy D and reacted to this

Bob M

A song dedication for you and our awesome Community, "Because He Lives (Amen)," by Matt Maher. My favorite verse: "Because He lives I can face tomorrow Because He lives All fear is gone Because I know He holds the future And life is worth the living Just because He lives."... Read more.

Jim Hernandez

Congratulations Sophie!

Robert Osmachenko

Sophie, that was a beautiful journal entry. It brought a tear to my eye and a goodly helping of inspiration. You are grateful and you are blessed for you are a spark of the divine. Your message was so loud! I, too am overwhelmed by the Lord's work and the... Read more.

Barry Van Gemert

I went through your journal and there was a smile on your face in every picture. I am sure that positive attitude was helpful getting you through this journey. Also didn't hurt having perhaps the top mitral valve surgeon in the world!

Sophie Marsh

Thank you so much Bob M. For the song it was very uplifting! Thankful for this day and each full breath I take! Have a great day and thanks for your gift of encouragement! Here's a song for you... https://youtu.be/bfveawSAHJA

Sophie Marsh

Thanks Barry! That definitely was a plus!!! It was hard, and there were some poor me times too...not shown in pics of course. It is good to go back and revisit the tough times to see what we have learned in the process...and it helps to remember so that we... Read more.

Sophie Marsh

Thank you Jim!

Sophie Marsh

Thank you Robert! Yes, this was a storm in my life with a beautiful sunny ending, thanks to Jesus! I was kept safe in a beautiful high tower that was unshakable. I learned so much through it. Sometimes I take it for granted and I don't want that. That's why... Read more.

Steven Longchamps

Sophie; There's a time and purpose for everything as you know. Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: You as well as I have escaped death and for me it has been many times, and therefore we are allowed by God to... Read more.

Duane Beeman

Great recap for those of us who are "yet to come". I knew there was a reason I have always been afraid of horses. Everybody tells me how gentle they are.....and I know they are......but that occasional kick in the chest got my attention at an early age. I don't... Read more.

Sophie Marsh

I'm sorry to day that I did shun Mistletoe the pony for a couple of weeks after that, but we've made up now and spring is here and she's out in the field enjoying the green grass!

Sophie Marsh posted a photo

11 years ago (February 26, 2015)

It was such a blessing to return to Mount Sinai with a friend yesterday for her consultation with Dr. Adams. I am thankful to be able to go with my friend because I know what she is going through and hope to comfort her. Two years ago today I had... Read more.

👍 Sophie Marsh, Jim Hernandez and reacted to this

Bob M

Awesome!

Sophie Marsh

He fixed my heart, I made him a sign! Thankful I can still use my trade!

Sophie Marsh posted an update

12 years ago (November 26, 2013)

Wow, I can't believe nine months have passed since I had both Mitral and Tricuspid Valves repaired by Dr. David Adams at Mt. Sinai Hospital in N.Y.C. I feel amazing! Lot of things have happened since my last post which was a long time ago! I went through eight weeks of Cardiac Rehab starting in April! I am so glad I did this because it gave me so much more confidence in my heart function! The nurses at Middlesex Cardiac Rehab were amazing and motivating! They got me back to running and in July I ran the Caroline's Miracle Foundation 5K. At the time I had a maximum heart rate of 150, so with the help of the Pear heart rate monitor and app, I could control my pace. I did need to walk a little bit of it to lower my heart rate, but I finished at 39 minutes which I was very pleased with! Since then all my limitations have been lifted and I am now running and going to Anytime Fitness which is great because the weather has turned cold. In June we went to New Hampshire and while there we went to Gunstock Mountain's zip lines and aerial treetop adventure which is a series of zip lines and suspended obstacles that are up to 100' above the ground. My sister-in-law Kim and I made it through the entire challenging course! https://www.gunstock.com/summer/treetop-adventures/ We also did the long zip lines from the top of the mountain. That was an adrenaline rush! I can't wait to do that again! In August I celebrated birthday number 43 and was moved to tears of thankfulness when I woke up that morning, because I was still here to count another and to be here to love the ones I love! In September we moved into a new house in our town and I was able to keep up with everyone carrying boxes, lifting furniture etc. We are still settling in to our new house, now. Last week my family and I returned from a Disney trip where I really got a chance to test out the ticker...we rode the Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller coaster, Space Mountain, and Everest to name a few! It felt great to get to experience all my adrenaline-inducing favorites again! My daughter and I returned home with a cold from burning the candle from both ends. I am thankful that is the first sickness since my surgery. It's almost gone now, so that's good! Maybe we shouldn't have stayed out until 2 a.m. The only thing that remains with me is the scar and memories, some scary and many warm memories too. The scar is a visible reminder of God's grace in my life. It's fading now and looks really good! (Scar-Away silicone sheets are great) Scary memories were finding out from Dr. Franklin, my cardiologist, that I needed surgery. Waiting and wondering what would happen, where to go and just a feeling of anxiousness. Fond memories include my nurse, Cymbie in the Cardiac Care Unit who's care was over the top, family and friends who came all the way to NYC to visit, delicious dinners that we were blessed with make me smile. Even the calls from the Cigna phone nurse who checked up on me often with helpful advice. I am so very thankful for my surgeon Dr. Adams and his team! When I saw the before and after photos of my Barlow Mitral Valve, I was amazed! He is a master-craftsman! I am thankful for my amazing husband, Geoff, who supported me through the entire process. You did what you said you would do and I love you for being a man of your word! Thank you to my beautiful daughters for your love and support and for pushing me in my Cardiac Rehab! Thank you Mom, for traveling outside your comfort zone and stepping into the world of hospitals and Docs all the way in NYC to be there for me! I am so thankful to Jesus for prompting me to go to see Dr. Franklin, my cardiologist when I felt no symptoms at all for He knew my heart needed work, when no one else did. He orchestrated all that happened and also answered so many prayers. He works all things together for good! I pray for anyone who is facing surgery and is in the place I was in last year at this time. I have learned to be a more trusting person through all of this and my faith has also grown. I've relinquished some of my control-freak tendencies, too! So my physical heart is fixed, but spiritually, it's still a work in progress! Happy Thanksgiving!!!! Sophie Marsh