Just returned from a brief trip to the beautiful Canadian Rockies in Banff, Alberta. I was able to hike every day and also just sit and take it all in—just ...Read more
Just returned from a brief trip to the beautiful Canadian Rockies in Banff, Alberta. I was able to hike every day and also just sit and take it all in—just what I needed. ❤️🙌🏻
Robert Miller That looks amazing!!! Congrats on doing this!! I have a similar picture with my son after surgery (ab ... Read more
Robert Miller That looks amazing!!! Congrats on doing this!! I have a similar picture with my son after surgery (about a 13 mile hike of so) but that was in Yosemite. I want to go to Banff!!! I lived in Vancouver for half a year or so and wanted to go to Banff but didn't quite make it. It's a long drive...
I had my 6month cardiologist appt following my post-op appt, and was happy to hear that all the new parts are working well. However, my pulmonary pressure ...Read more
I had my 6month cardiologist appt following my post-op appt, and was happy to hear that all the new parts are working well. However, my pulmonary pressure was a bit elevated so he put me on 10 mg/day of Jardiance—wondering if anyone else has taken this med and how it went? Seems to be a lot of potential side effects.
Richard Munson Every pill i ever took had a list of side effects. Just pay attention to them. Unless one is death of ... Read more
Richard Munson Every pill i ever took had a list of side effects. Just pay attention to them. Unless one is death of course.
Sue Maize Hey Richard! So nice to hear from you—I’ve been AWOL for awhile….always appreciate your sage ad ... Read more
Sue Maize Hey Richard! So nice to hear from you—I’ve been AWOL for awhile….always appreciate your sage advice! 😁 How are you and Shadow doing?
Richard Munson We are well, hope your kitty is also well. Wow, sage advise. I give a lot on thanksgiving with our tu ... Read more
Richard Munson We are well, hope your kitty is also well. Wow, sage advise. I give a lot on thanksgiving with our turkey stuffing. Lol.
Kimberly Eisenhut 😂Good one Richard! Sue, good to see you are doing well. Hope the medecine helps. Let us know how ... Read more
Kimberly Eisenhut 😂Good one Richard! Sue, good to see you are doing well. Hope the medecine helps. Let us know how it goes. Wishing you many blessings and good wishes
Robert Miller Pretty much every medicine has a long list of possible side effects. Just monitor if anything changes ... Read more
Robert Miller Pretty much every medicine has a long list of possible side effects. Just monitor if anything changes. I have never been on Jardiance but have been on Metoprolol for a while. I didn't really have side effects except during hot some days, kneeling down and then get up. That's when I sometimes got dizzy. Now I am not taking it anymore but that wasn't due to the side effects. My cardiologist just thought I don't need it anymore.
Maggie Ma I took Jardiance for quite some time. My doctor ordered that for me when I was diagnosed AFiB and had ... Read more
Maggie Ma I took Jardiance for quite some time. My doctor ordered that for me when I was diagnosed AFiB and had blood clots in my left atrium. The main reason then was my heart failure ( low EF due to AFIB). My cardiologist asked me to continue after my surgery for a while for protection purposes only. I don’t feel too much at all for taking it. I’m no longer taking that medication any more - overall I don’t feel any side effects. Main side effect my doctor told me is potential Urinary infection.
Sue Maize Thanks Maggie—yeah it seems to serve multiple purposes—-apparently you pee out a lot of sugar so ... Read more
Sue Maize Thanks Maggie—yeah it seems to serve multiple purposes—-apparently you pee out a lot of sugar so that can lead to some urinary issues. The only side effect I’ve noticed so far is my face when I put cream on it, especially under my eyes—it burns and turns red temporary, so I’m stopping that for now.
Thanks for weighing in—hope all is well! 💕🙏🏻
Daneen Douglas Good news! Hoping that the side effects are minimal and your pressures are better. I loved reading ... Read more
Daneen Douglas Good news! Hoping that the side effects are minimal and your pressures are better. I loved reading your message to me. I’ve missed you a bunch! I left my personal info on your page. Let’s definitely catch up!
Hello everyone! Well, it has been a minute since I last posted on here and I have really missed this community! I had my AVR last June, along with a tricuspid ...Read more
Hello everyone! Well, it has been a minute since I last posted on here and I have really missed this community! I had my AVR last June, along with a tricuspid repair and a single bypass, spent the summer recovering and made really good progress. However, I never seemed to turn a corner on the severe fatigue I was feeling until only a few months ago.
It finally let up and I began to feel physically normal again, around Christmas, but because I had struggled with debilitating fatigue for so long, and being predisposed to depression, it has taken me a long time to fully come around. The depression was pretty intense at times and I wasn’t able to keep up my rehab, or do very much of anything really. It completely took me by surprise because I was initially doing well in recovery and looking forward to the future. Coupled with a few disappointments and having a lot of time on my hands, being retired, it became a bit of a perfect storm that I didn’t see coming. It just continued and I began to fear that that this might be my new normal. In the bleakest moments I began resigning myself to probably dying young , simply because I wasn’t able to do what was necessary to take care of myself. It was AWFUL and I have never felt so alone. How could this be when I had survived such a complicated surgery and was excited for this new lease on life?!
In all honesty, the mental/emotional recovery has been far more difficult for me than the physical recovery from surgery. A strange thing began to happen, which I can now see was a way of coping with all this. I inexplicably went into a complete state of denial over the fact that I had undergone open heart surgery! I didn’t consciously do this, but when going to rehab became too much, it seemed to naturally follow that I’d stop checking in with this community. I mean I knew I had surgery—my scars were clear as day, and I was still taking my low dose aspirin and Bisoprolol. But I was minimizing how serious it had been—all my paperwork, scans, and post-op materials, including Adam’s book I shoved away into a corner of my office so I wouldn’t see them; I lost touch with a heart friend I had met earlier in this journey, and when friends asked how I was doing, I said “great”, and then changed the subject.
But in the last month or so, I have felt things begin to shift again for the better, thank you Jesus! He has been with me faithfully, even when I didn’t feel his presence, and the dawn is definitely breaking, letting the light in again.
I see my cardiologist this Thursday for my 6 month check since seeing him post-op. I don’t know if he’ll understand all this other stuff, but I feel the need to let him know that this, too, is something heart patients might experience. I don’t want to frighten anyone on here though—it doesn’t seem to be all that common; but I do want others to know and be encouraged, that if they do experience a recovery similar to mine, that they can get through it too.
I
Deena Z Hi Sue, thank you for sharing your journey and the way you got through a really tough time. Those mu ... Read more
Deena Z Hi Sue, thank you for sharing your journey and the way you got through a really tough time. Those must have been some long days and nights; and living in it alone is scary. Be proud that you did not give up. Recognize your generosity in wanting to share it with others. I don't think anyone can say that they didn't have some down days and nights after surgery. Nothing is normal about the surgery, being in the hospital, how you feel right after, and forecasting how you will feel. Stay in touch. Godspeed.
Grace Mason Hiya Sue, It is so nice to see a post from you. I'm sorry to hear you have been struggling on y ... Read more
Grace Mason Hiya Sue, It is so nice to see a post from you. I'm sorry to hear you have been struggling on your own for so long, but glad to hear you are turning a corner and also reaching out to this community. I have missed your posts but understand that compartmentalizing is sometimes a good coping mechanism until you feel able to deal with some experiences. Hope to hear more about your upcoming appointment and your continuing heart journey ❤️
Darrell Malone Well Hello Sue. Very nice to see you back. I have thought of you often. I'm glad that you are turnin... Read more
Darrell Malone Well Hello Sue. Very nice to see you back. I have thought of you often. I'm glad that you are turning the corner and able to share your journey. I know it was a tough one for you. I think your cardiologist will understand all of the other stuff. Take care. I don't know about you but winter can't be done soon enough eh! That can be half the battle.
Michael Ponzio I’m so happy to hear that you’re turning the corner. God is faithful and will be by your side eac ... Read more
Michael Ponzio I’m so happy to hear that you’re turning the corner. God is faithful and will be by your side each day. I struggle with anxiety vey badly and has affected my approach to OHS. We need to find strength in God who loves us more than we understand.
Valerie Allen Hello dear Sue! I have missed you and I’m sorry to hear of your difficulties during this time. It i ... Read more
Valerie Allen Hello dear Sue! I have missed you and I’m sorry to hear of your difficulties during this time. It is wonderful that the light is peeking through now. May it continue and grow! 💕
Ana Brusso Oh dear Sue, it’s been a while and reading your post I am sorry you went through all that. I’m gl ... Read more
Ana Brusso Oh dear Sue, it’s been a while and reading your post I am sorry you went through all that. I’m glad you are in a better place now. Are you still taking care of your brothers? I’m so glad you posted and letting us know you’re still here with us thank Jesus. Please continue to stay connected, we are here for you. God bless you 🙏❤️
Rose Madura Sue, it was brave of you to share this part of your journey. Your post is a reminder that we all have ... Read more
Rose Madura Sue, it was brave of you to share this part of your journey. Your post is a reminder that we all have our own journey and sometimes it is really rough. God is good and I'm so glad He was a help to you during this difficult time. I'm so glad you are doing better! ❤️🩹👍
Sue Maize Thank you for your kind messages friends—I have really missed you! It’s so comforting to see thes ... Read more
Sue Maize Thank you for your kind messages friends—I have really missed you! It’s so comforting to see these familiar names pop up and I wish I had reached out sooner. Your messages are like a nice warm virtual hug 🤗🩷 and a good reminder of how well we all understand the sometimes complicated journey of recovery from OHS. I hope you are all doing well too and I look forward to staying in touch. Thank you for asking about my brothers dear Ana—they are both doing well, praise God.
Pamela Gregory Sue, glad you are starting to feel better physically and mentally. I believe there are a lot of hear... Read more
Pamela Gregory Sue, glad you are starting to feel better physically and mentally. I believe there are a lot of heart warriors on this site that have had surprising mental struggles after open heart surgery. I know I did. I feel fine now but it definitely took me by surprise
Sue Maize Me too Pam! Wasn’t expecting it to go on so long and sort of prepared myself to expect it in the pe ... Read more
Sue Maize Me too Pam! Wasn’t expecting it to go on so long and sort of prepared myself to expect it in the period immediately following surgery, but it really set in about 3 months in and for the next 6 months or so. I’m really glad to hear that you’re doing well now—may it continue! 🙏🏻❤️
J Alexander Lassally Nice to see you. I thought of you in your absence. Thanks for sharing - I can certainly relate to a l ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally Nice to see you. I thought of you in your absence. Thanks for sharing - I can certainly relate to a lot it - those early months of rehab/recovery were unchartered with little /no support. Hang in there !
Kathy Ozio So glad to hear you are feeling better! Thanks for sharing- it's what makes this site so awesome- rea ... Read more
Kathy Ozio So glad to hear you are feeling better! Thanks for sharing- it's what makes this site so awesome- real people sharing all sides.
Yesterday I hosted my own “Celebration of Life” party with many friends who were indispensable to me during my pre-, during and post-surgery periods, but ...Read more
Yesterday I hosted my own “Celebration of Life” party with many friends who were indispensable to me during my pre-, during and post-surgery periods, but who have meant everything to me for many years and many reasons anyway. I thought, heck, why wait until we die to tell the people we love what they mean to us? It was supposed to be a pool party/bbq outside but some freak cold front swept through and pushed us all inside (all except the kids, who will swim in anything! :)
It was great fun and a wonderful opportunity for people from different parts of my life who’ve never met to connect and hear why I value each one of these precious friends as if they were family. 🥰❤️
Hey heart friends! I’m looking to get silicone scar tape or scar sheets, also an oximeter or fitness tracker that checks for afib that I can wear while exercising. ...Read more
Hey heart friends! I’m looking to get silicone scar tape or scar sheets, also an oximeter or fitness tracker that checks for afib that I can wear while exercising. Any recommendations for either?? Many thanks—hope everyone is enjoying these last fleeting days of summer!
Robert Miller I have never heard about "scar tape" and "scar sheet". But for checking your heart via a watch there ... Read more
Robert Miller I have never heard about "scar tape" and "scar sheet". But for checking your heart via a watch there are really just two option, the Apple Watch and the Galaxy Watch. Both of them require having a cell phone of the same brand. So it mostly depends on what phone you use. I tried both using two watches at the same time and two phones at the same time. There are some differences but mostly they are the same. At this time, don't expect either of them to detect Afib in the background. You have to measure it with the "manual" feature.
Christine Maiorano Hi Sue, I love my Apple Watch. It tracks all of my steps, exercise, blood pressure, blood O2,sleep, e ... Read more
Christine Maiorano Hi Sue, I love my Apple Watch. It tracks all of my steps, exercise, blood pressure, blood O2,sleep, etc. I can use it to take an EKG.It also alerts me if my heart rate goes over a certain number or if I go into Afib, which only happened once , a week after surgery. I always wear it, and love it
Lynne Anderson I've been using the Scar Away brand of sheets. I think they are helping.
Valerie Allen I have but rarely use scar sheets from Amazon. I use them to cover the scar if I am going to be out w ... Read more
Valerie Allen I have but rarely use scar sheets from Amazon. I use them to cover the scar if I am going to be out walking in the sun or if there’s a chance of being in the sun at an outdoor restaurant.
Larry Peterson I use a Garmin Venu 2 smartwatch and it synchs just fine with my Samsung phone. I keep the heart rat ... Read more
Larry Peterson I use a Garmin Venu 2 smartwatch and it synchs just fine with my Samsung phone. I keep the heart rate monitor displayed and if the rate is abnormally high I can follow up with my little Kardia device that checks for afib.
Grace Mason I bought a generic CVS brand of silicone tape and it works great and is easy to apply/remove. I h ... Read more
Grace Mason I bought a generic CVS brand of silicone tape and it works great and is easy to apply/remove. I have used a Fitbit happily for many years but I don't have the model that is supposed to detect Afib(Fitbit sense), so I have no opinion to offer on that.
Caroline Armstrong stratederm gel; any of the scar tapes, and I have successfully used vaseline on smaller scars: the tr ... Read more
Caroline Armstrong stratederm gel; any of the scar tapes, and I have successfully used vaseline on smaller scars: the trick is to keep the air out and the lovely little healing thingies in the skin do their work.
Robert Miller I googled "scare tape". I am not quite sure why you would use something like that. From my experience ... Read more
Robert Miller I googled "scare tape". I am not quite sure why you would use something like that. From my experience, scars heal the best and fastest when exposed to the environment. If the scars bleed, that's a different story but otherwise expose them to air as much as possible. But check with your doctor.
Maggie Ma I’m using Apple Watch to heart rate and EKG myself. I also has heart watch app which track daily he ... Read more
Maggie Ma I’m using Apple Watch to heart rate and EKG myself. I also has heart watch app which track daily heart rate and also I can view heart rate development in the past. I tried three different kind silicon tape - scar away, Walgreens own brand, currently Mederma silicone scar sheet. Mederma silicone scar sheet has to be taken off max 23 hrs, then clean, then dry up and can apply again up to 21 days before change to new one
Maggie Ma I strongly recommend to have HeartWatch app download to your iPhone. With Apple Watch, that app tells ... Read more
Maggie Ma I strongly recommend to have HeartWatch app download to your iPhone. With Apple Watch, that app tells you heart rate development daily bpm, sedentary bmp( heart rate not active after 5 minutes), sleep bmp. You can view historical statistics of your heart rate development for each of these rate categories. For example, I can view my Hr development back to October 2023 ( the time I started to have Apple Watch). Also I like EKG function of Apple Watch . I can do EKG whenever as I want
Sue Maize Thanks everyone for your feedback! It’s not that I want my scar to disappear completely—I like th ... Read more
Sue Maize Thanks everyone for your feedback! It’s not that I want my scar to disappear completely—I like the visual reminder, but I’d like to dial it down a bit.
The Apple Watch is definitely highly rated, maybe I’ll treat myself to an early birthday present! :)— I’d like to be able to track my HR in real time. Lately I’ve been feeling my heart more, especially when I lie on my side, like little tremors. But I’d rather keep track of it over time than run to the doctor every time something seems odd. I’m planning a road trip in the next couple of weeks and at least 1 week of it I’ll be on my own….I hope I’m ready (all 3 doctors seem to think so). 🙏🏻
Just hoping others can weigh in on something I’m experiencing….I feel good generally and especially since getting a good report from my surgeon on Monday. ...Read more
Just hoping others can weigh in on something I’m experiencing….I feel good generally and especially since getting a good report from my surgeon on Monday. However, I still experience debilitating fatigue to the point where I get up early to try and get a few things done (yesterday it was a load of laundry and a 6k walk, then had to rest, felt like I wouldn’t be able to stay awake, before taking a friend out for lunch). Today I had to cancel my plan to visit relatives this weekend (my first road trip since the surgery) because I really didn’t think I’d have the stamina for it, and the fact that I was taking one of my brothers (who’s very dependent on me). It felt overwhelming, but once I cancelled, I went outside and fell asleep in the deck for a couple of hours.
I know we can’t really compare with others but I’m just wondering if anyone else has felt this kind of fatigue at this point (I’ll be 10 weeks post-op this Monday, just thought I’d be able to do more by now.). Thanks heart friends! ❤️🩹
Richard Munson Is it possible you are asking too much for only 10 weeks?
Marie Myers 6 k sounds like a lot to me at 10 weeks. How long were you walking?
Richard Munson Marie and richard on the same team. Love it
Doug Fults I've had just one experience with regular fatigue over the years, in the afternoons... it turned out ... Read more
Doug Fults I've had just one experience with regular fatigue over the years, in the afternoons... it turned out to be sleep apnea. A CPAP solved the problem... until it was recalled. I'm now using a dental appliance (MAD) and found it to work just as well.
Rita Savelis Yes. Post surgery is exhausting. Not tiring but exhausting. This is the word that best described it f ... Read more
Rita Savelis Yes. Post surgery is exhausting. Not tiring but exhausting. This is the word that best described it for me. One step forward. Two steps back. You think you'll get many things done, but you get one thing done. And need to rest the rest of the day. For those who were energetic pre-surgery this is a real shock. It's still early Sue and your body has been through a lot. It's hard to not be impatient. You'll get there.
Dan Fouratt Sue, Just listen to your body and if you need rest take it.
Darrell Malone Hey Sue, just the past 2 days I have had to go to bed at 8:30pm. However I have just been back to wo ... Read more
Darrell Malone Hey Sue, just the past 2 days I have had to go to bed at 8:30pm. However I have just been back to work 3 weeks now. I just think everything has caught up to me as I have piled a lot on at once. Working regular hours and duties, I walk a lot at work on top of that I ride to and from work M,W,F as well as Cardiac Rehab T,Th. This is what I'm experiencing at this time. I suppose our bodies are speaking to us.
Sue Maize Thanks friends—your feedback is really reassuring that this is not something unusual. I start the ... Read more
Sue Maize Thanks friends—your feedback is really reassuring that this is not something unusual. I start the day feeling good, my sleep at night is so much better, but it’s exactly like you said Rita—you think you’ll get lots done and you get one thing done. My surgeon and cardiologist didn’t mention any of these possibilities so that is why this community is so invaluable. If I didn’t have all of you I’d probably feel like this was depression or that I was doing something wrong, not that my body was still in major recovery mode. God bless you my friends—so grateful for all of you! ❤️🩹🙏🏻
Sue Maize Darrell, that is a huge transition, and you are doing incredibly well with work AND cycling AND rehab ... Read more
Sue Maize Darrell, that is a huge transition, and you are doing incredibly well with work AND cycling AND rehab! I’m sure it’s made a huge difference that you were in good shape before surgery, and that may be playing a part here for me. I was not in good shape and now, with all this walking, it’s been challenging. Take good care of yourself and sleep when you need to.
Sue Maize Marie, I walked for about an hour—had some really good music on so it put a little pep in my step! ... Read more
Sue Maize Marie, I walked for about an hour—had some really good music on so it put a little pep in my step! 😁
Doug Fults Sue, my apologies (not yet having had surgery yet), I did not realize how common the experience of fa ... Read more
Doug Fults Sue, my apologies (not yet having had surgery yet), I did not realize how common the experience of fatigue / exhaustion is following this surgery (my only experience has been with Achilles tendon and clavicle repairs, where my only recollection is the consequences of pain mismanagement, which I won't soon forget). I'm just starting to think about recovery, and not sure what to expect.
Rita Savelis I remember that before surgery my surgeon told me that I would be tired for a long time after surgery ... Read more
Rita Savelis I remember that before surgery my surgeon told me that I would be tired for a long time after surgery. Tired, I asked? And he said yes, you'll do one thing and that's all you'll feel like doing that day. After surgery I realised what he meant. And I was grateful that he left things open. He didn't say: You'll be fine after 3 weeks. So I didn't feel like anything wrong was happening. He had described recovery honestly. I had a difficult surgery (double valve replacement and a third valve reinforced, with unexpected pacemaker) but I was back at work in 3 months.
Susan Lynn I was exhausted for months after surgery. Also, if you're taking any medications like metoprolol, ... Read more
Susan Lynn I was exhausted for months after surgery. Also, if you're taking any medications like metoprolol, they could also be contributing to your fatigue. It's very early in your recovery. Better days are ahead!
Valerie Allen Walking for an hour sounds great at your point post surgery. Just keep on what you are doing and it w ... Read more
Valerie Allen Walking for an hour sounds great at your point post surgery. Just keep on what you are doing and it will come. I’m still tired if I do too much.
Sue Maize Interesting you mention metropolol Susan—I’m not taking it but I am taking 2.5 mg of Bisoprolol, ... Read more
Sue Maize Interesting you mention metropolol Susan—I’m not taking it but I am taking 2.5 mg of Bisoprolol, which has fatigue as a side effect…didn’t think of it until you mentioned it—thanks! :)
Betsy Davenport Today I woke up at 2:30 pm. This evening I went out walking and did 1.6 miles no problem. I've taken ... Read more
Betsy Davenport Today I woke up at 2:30 pm. This evening I went out walking and did 1.6 miles no problem. I've taken 2 naps since my late lunch, eaten cold pizza and cold leftover green beans in salad dressing, drank a few glasses of water, wrote a lengthy email to a neighbor with whom I am sharing a drainage project, and I'm about to head up to bed. The kitchen is a mess but it'll still be there in the morning. I'm only 3 weeks post procedure, but you had major, lengthy, death-defying surgery. I don't know the science behind why this is so hard on our bodies, but the evidence is in our daily lives. We are tireder than anything anticipated and there's no denying it.
I had a wonderful reunion with my surgeon yesterday for our 2 month follow-up. She confirmed that I can resume all activities as I feel able. I actually felt ...Read more
I had a wonderful reunion with my surgeon yesterday for our 2 month follow-up. She confirmed that I can resume all activities as I feel able. I actually felt sad when we parted—such a strong connection to the person who essentially saved my life. She told me to keep in touch and let her know how I’m doing. Feeling strong and grateful to God for this new life! ❤️🙏🏻🙌🏻
Sue Maize Dr. Ouzounian and I at Toronto General. ❤️🩹
Rose Madura Beautiful story and great picture Sue.
Sue Maize Thanks heart friends! I’m so grateful to God, my surgical team, and to all of you for walking this ... Read more
Sue Maize Thanks heart friends! I’m so grateful to God, my surgical team, and to all of you for walking this road with me! I feel so blessed to have your support! Much love to all of you! ❤️❤️❤️
Mirza Baig All wonderful- You will do great- I had a TAVR procedure on August 27, 2024 and I am up and running, ... Read more
Mirza Baig All wonderful- You will do great- I had a TAVR procedure on August 27, 2024 and I am up and running, walking 15 minute in AM and 15 minutes PM. I have plan to increase the walking gradually. Still feel little tired, my blood pressure is on the low side and the cardiologist change the medicine, the result is heart rate gone fast. I am wearing the heart monitor and will mail them back on 9/13. see what happens. I hope I dont have to deal with pace maker
This just popped up in my news feed—CC study on artificial sweetener connection to blood clots. a lot of foods that are branded “keto” contain erythritol. ...Read more
This just popped up in my news feed—CC study on artificial sweetener connection to blood clots. a lot of foods that are branded “keto” contain erythritol.
Doug Fults Thanks Sue! Have always been suspicious of artificial sweeteners, preferring to go for the real stuf ... Read more
Doug Fults Thanks Sue! Have always been suspicious of artificial sweeteners, preferring to go for the real stuff just much more sparingly, preferably in the context of a knock-your-socks-off treat. Getting more serious about a Mediterranean diet (after reading Heart 411) and seeing food in a different way now, seeking out a variety of favorites in whole grains, veggies, fruit, nuts, plant-based fats and ocassional fish - wanting the benefits but also not wanting to replace any of those benefits with empty (or worse) calories. I'm finding it harder & harder to eat out, with all the extra salt, sugar & processed (non-whole-grain) flour products & red meat that are difficult to avoid (and increasingly less & less appealing). Lora has me edging in the direction of a vegetarian diet as well, making eating out even more difficult. On the plus side, I was delighted to discover that dark chocolate is a good source of Iron (and trying to find the least sweetened version that's still yummy :). Would love to hear about anyone's favorite Mediterranean / + veggie recipes out there, btw!
Valerie Allen I’ve also been suspicious of artificial sweeteners and not used them. However, many of my friends d ... Read more
Valerie Allen I’ve also been suspicious of artificial sweeteners and not used them. However, many of my friends do and I need to pass this along. Thanks!
Richard Munson Hard to avoid them as they are in everything. It gets to the point that nothing anymore is good for y ... Read more
Richard Munson Hard to avoid them as they are in everything. It gets to the point that nothing anymore is good for you, including real sweeteners. I watch for artificial sweeteners especially hidden in foods because some can be deadly to dogs. Xilatol comes to mind. One of the worst. Common in chewing gum and other things. Shadow found a package of sugar free gum once in the couch behind the cushion, accident of course but still deadly. after we had visitors. I almost flipped out until i read the ingredients and thankfully it was a safe version. Always on a weekend of course. I was ready to rush him to the emergency room vet an hour away. My wife may have called me an artificial sweetener at one time. Lol.
Pam Dahl Thx for the info, I switched to Stevia thinking it was better than Splenda
Sue Maize Back in the day I was an over consumer of artificial sweeteners, especially diet pop…not anymore bu ... Read more
Sue Maize Back in the day I was an over consumer of artificial sweeteners, especially diet pop…not anymore but occasionally and that seems like even too much for someone like me when you read the article.
It’s been 8 weeks today since I had my surgery! Seems incredible. Prior to my AVR, myTricuspid repair, ligation of left atrial appendage, and surprise single ...Read more
It’s been 8 weeks today since I had my surgery! Seems incredible. Prior to my AVR, myTricuspid repair, ligation of left atrial appendage, and surprise single bypass, I often felt like the day would never come, and now it’s hard to believe it’s been 2 months! Just want to encourage anyone who’s awaiting surgery and feeling anxious—all totally normal, but I can honestly say that this is a journey I have no regrets about taking. God has been so good to me every step of the way and I am so grateful for the new appreciation for life I have and for this wonderful and supportive community of heart brothers and sisters. May you too be blessed with God’s best for you! ❤️💕🙌🏻🥰
Valerie Allen Sue I’m glad you are doing well! Have you had a rec heck with the surgeon, or does your cardiologis ... Read more
Valerie Allen Sue I’m glad you are doing well! Have you had a rec heck with the surgeon, or does your cardiologist handle the post-surgery?
Kimberly Eisenhut Sue, I am so happy to see how well you are doing and inspired and a little less anxious about my fut... Read more
Kimberly Eisenhut Sue, I am so happy to see how well you are doing and inspired and a little less anxious about my future. Thank you for sharing and pray you keep moving forward with your new lease on life and the gift of a better heart
Sue Maize Thanks everyone! You nailed it Darrell—slow, steady yet quickly! Perfect description. Yes, Godnis s ... Read more
Sue Maize Thanks everyone! You nailed it Darrell—slow, steady yet quickly! Perfect description. Yes, Godnis so good Rose—I feel so incredibly blessed, even on harder days when I remind myself what he’s already done. 🙏🏻❤️ Valerie, I see my surgeon for the first time post-discharge this Monday. I’m glad because I want her take on some of the things my cardiologist told me (not that I don’t trust him, just confirmation). Kimberly, anxiety is to be be expected leading up to surgery…just try to keep reminding yourself that the best part comes afterward, but also to stay in the moment and pray for God to lead the way—he is so faithful and there is nothing to fear when we trust him. When is your surgery? I’ll be praying for you! ❤️🩹🙏🏻
Kimberly Eisenhut I have not been told to have surgery as of yet. It is moderate to severe in tricuspid and they do no... Read more
Kimberly Eisenhut I have not been told to have surgery as of yet. It is moderate to severe in tricuspid and they do not do surgery until it is full on severe with certain symptoms for tricuspid. That is why it is so difficult, tricuspid is different than other valves. Thank you for the encouraging words and prayers though
Sue Maize Is a repair possible or does it need to be replaced? My aortic valve was replaced but my tricuspid va ... Read more
Sue Maize Is a repair possible or does it need to be replaced? My aortic valve was replaced but my tricuspid valve was repaired—it was leaking severely.
Kimberly Eisenhut I know they do tricuspid along with other vale surgeries and just add it on if there is any problems, ... Read more
Kimberly Eisenhut I know they do tricuspid along with other vale surgeries and just add it on if there is any problems, but for some reason the complication rates with primary tricuspid repair are not as good as when they are already in there and add the tricuspid to surgery. I am just trying to not think about it every day until they tell me it is time. I think I may take a break from being on here also because I think it just keeps me too focused on it every day. I am so grateful for evreryone and this site. I need to stop focusing on this part of my life so much and start living it a little more :) I think I will let myself come on once a week to check in and see how everyone is, but not every day.
6 weeks post-op today and saw my cardiologist for the first time. Great news—he’s taking me off almost all the meds minus baby aspirin and my statin (contingent ...Read more
6 weeks post-op today and saw my cardiologist for the first time. Great news—he’s taking me off almost all the meds minus baby aspirin and my statin (contingent upon cholesterol bloodwork in September). My heart looks strong and healthy, and scar is healing well—the right ventricle is almost as strong again as it should be and arteries are clear. He believes I needed the bypass because of all the activity in the first surgery and the fact that my right coronary artery was very tiny—-now it’s a big vein from my leg! So relieved to know this wasn’t due to any blockages that were missed. He said I can start swimming again (gently), driving, and that as of September, I should be able to resume all normal activity, including a road trip to Nova Scotia! Praise God! ❤️🩹🙏🏻🙌🏻💃
Darrell Malone Super news Sue! Keep up the good work. I hope you opened your pool. 🏊♂️
Pam Dahl Such awesome news! So happy for you Sue ❤️❤️ that is great to be off most meds!
Grace Mason Sue, That is the most wonderful news! It is a great feeling dropping additional meds post surgery and ... Read more
Grace Mason Sue, That is the most wonderful news! It is a great feeling dropping additional meds post surgery and exciting that you are cleared to swim while the weather is so awesome. Great timing 😀.
Valerie Allen Will you be opening your pool? Sounds like a great report! 💕
Suzette Schear I’m so happy for you Sue, you’ve come a long way. Leave meds behind is a wonderful feeling. Sw ... Read more
Suzette Schear I’m so happy for you Sue, you’ve come a long way. Leave meds behind is a wonderful feeling. Swimming driving, amazing you’re getting your life back. Sending hugs , prayers
Sue Maize Thanks friends! Yes, pool is already opened—the 2 little boys next door might not be thrilled that ... Read more
Sue Maize Thanks friends! Yes, pool is already opened—the 2 little boys next door might not be thrilled that they have to share it with me now! 😅
Ana Brusso Is all good Sue, Praise God! Continued good health. God bless you 🙏❤️
Betsy Davenport WOW. This is astonishing and wonderful. The combination of modern medicine and the body's ability to ... Read more
Betsy Davenport WOW. This is astonishing and wonderful. The combination of modern medicine and the body's ability to heal is remarkable. I'm glad you're improving and will enjoy your regained strength and capacity. Wow again.
Thanks everyone for your feedback about my scar—nothing like having it featured in Adam’s latest newsletter! 😂
I was inquiring to see if it was healthy to be this red 5 weeks out, but I may have given the impression that I was asking for vanity reasons. I’m actually very proud of my scar—it is a constant reminder of the preciousness of this second chance at life. I just want to make sure everything is healing as it should. Your comments have been very encouraging and very reassuring! ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
Rose Madura My scar never bothered me. And it's barely noticable.
Sue Maize Mine just feels like a mild sunburn now but other than that, doesn’t bother me. I feel the scar on ... Read more
Sue Maize Mine just feels like a mild sunburn now but other than that, doesn’t bother me. I feel the scar on my leg where they harvested a vein for the bypass more because it moves more.
Darrell Malone Good to hear. I'd say my scar is still red. Possible due to my fair skin too 🤷♂️ it also i ... Read more
Darrell Malone Good to hear. I'd say my scar is still red. Possible due to my fair skin too 🤷♂️ it also itches sometimes as well. Your Improving everyday 👏
Allen Carkner Looks great! Mine was pink red for some time.
Rita Savelis Oh yes Sue. Keep the scar out of the sun for a year and it will soon match the color of your skin. It ... Read more
Rita Savelis Oh yes Sue. Keep the scar out of the sun for a year and it will soon match the color of your skin. It's still early! The scar itself looks very nice. Thanks for sharing!
Sue Maize Ok, thanks for the reassurance everyone! And yes, definitely keeping it out of the sun—did enough ... Read more
Sue Maize Ok, thanks for the reassurance everyone! And yes, definitely keeping it out of the sun—did enough sun damage to myself in the 70s and 80s. 😏
Darrell Malone Funny you mention sun damage. Yesterday my wife and I saw a young lady sunbathing on a roof. We were ... Read more
Darrell Malone Funny you mention sun damage. Yesterday my wife and I saw a young lady sunbathing on a roof. We were surprised and not at the same time. Maybe the day before. Hard to track the days.
Rita Savelis In 1977 I had 6 weeks of daily cancer radiation treatment to my chest. It was summertime in Californi ... Read more
Rita Savelis In 1977 I had 6 weeks of daily cancer radiation treatment to my chest. It was summertime in California and I still sunbathed everyday. What was I thinking? Heavy sigh.
Sue Maize My mom’s advice to me when I had any pimples was to let the sun burn them off! This was also a time ... Read more
Sue Maize My mom’s advice to me when I had any pimples was to let the sun burn them off! This was also a time when we lay on foil blankets and slathered ourselves with baby oil (SPF zero!) 😅
Sue Maize But I bet you looked gorgeous Rita!! 😁 Everyone back then wanted a California tan—-now you’re ... Read more
Sue Maize But I bet you looked gorgeous Rita!! 😁 Everyone back then wanted a California tan—-now you’re making up for it by living in Paris….where the sun isn’t perhaps quite so intense or culturally significant….that is unless you’re a fan of Louis 14th 😁.
Larry Peterson Sue, my scar at 8 months has faded considerably, particulary over the past 3 months or so. Just a fa ... Read more
Larry Peterson Sue, my scar at 8 months has faded considerably, particulary over the past 3 months or so. Just a faint pink now.
Sue Maize Wow, 8 months Larry!!! When I joined this group I think you were still using your recliner to sleep a ... Read more
Sue Maize Wow, 8 months Larry!!! When I joined this group I think you were still using your recliner to sleep at night! How are you feeling these days?
Larry Peterson Feeling pretty good, Sue. Finished cardiac rehab and spending my days riding motorcycles and chasing ... Read more
Larry Peterson Feeling pretty good, Sue. Finished cardiac rehab and spending my days riding motorcycles and chasing 4yo twin granddaughters. Thanks for asking! Glad to hear you are doing well!
DeWayne Adamson Looks good Sue! Mine went white. Not much can be done. I was told that red ones can get a laser treat ... Read more
DeWayne Adamson Looks good Sue! Mine went white. Not much can be done. I was told that red ones can get a laser treatment to lighten if it bothers you. Kinda proud of mine though.
Denise Kirchner Hi Sue. I think your incision is healing nicely! My surgery was in September 2016. This photo was ta ... Read more
Denise Kirchner Hi Sue. I think your incision is healing nicely! My surgery was in September 2016. This photo was taken poolside 9 months later in June 2017 with my 2 year old granddaughter Coralynn while vacationing on Marco Island. I started using Maderma scar cream on my scar 8 weeks after surgery which really helped. Sending healing prayers your way!❤️🩹❤️🤗🙏🏻
Adam Pick It really is amazing how the scar transitions from red to almost white and now I barely notice it. He ... Read more
Adam Pick It really is amazing how the scar transitions from red to almost white and now I barely notice it. Here's a side-by-side comparison.
Sue Maize Wow, Adam and Denise! You wouldn’t know that either of you had OHS! Great healing! ❤️🩹 ... Read more
Sue Maize Wow, Adam and Denise! You wouldn’t know that either of you had OHS! Great healing! ❤️🩹🙌🏻
Sue Maize Larry, so glad to hear you’re doing well! Chasing 4 year olds around will keep your heart in great ... Read more
Sue Maize Larry, so glad to hear you’re doing well! Chasing 4 year olds around will keep your heart in great shape! All the best! ❤️🩹
Michelle Troxell Yes, mine was red… I thought it would never improve. My surgery was in 2021 and my scar is barely ... Read more
Michelle Troxell Yes, mine was red… I thought it would never improve. My surgery was in 2021 and my scar is barely noticeable. After I was allowed, I used Argan oil. Glad to hear you are recovering well 🤗
John Lant Right after your surgery the scar will look nasty and you will wonder if it will ever ho away. But re ... Read more
John Lant Right after your surgery the scar will look nasty and you will wonder if it will ever ho away. But rest assured, It will take about 1 year for the scar to fade. At about the 2 to 3 year mark post surgery, the only thing that you will see is a slight line where they opened your chest.
Kirk Bepler Yes mine was as well but with purple, but it's does transition to a thin white line. It's there but d ... Read more
Kirk Bepler Yes mine was as well but with purple, but it's does transition to a thin white line. It's there but don't really notice it anymore.. 😄
Mary Malone Yes Sue, my scar was red too. I also had some numbness and tingling under the scar. After 3 months a ... Read more
Mary Malone Yes Sue, my scar was red too. I also had some numbness and tingling under the scar. After 3 months a nurse suggested I begin applying Vit E to the area. My scar looks much better with decreased numbness and tingling All the best
Daneen Douglas Your scar looks great Sue! Mine looked better right after my steristrips came off but then got redde ... Read more
Daneen Douglas Your scar looks great Sue! Mine looked better right after my steristrips came off but then got redder and bumpy in places. But mine is really healing well. Still red lower down and fading quite a bit on top.
I am 4 weeks post-op tmrw. The area of my incision feels a bit like a sunburn, especially when it comes in contact with fabric. I sometimes get a pain on the ...Read more
I am 4 weeks post-op tmrw. The area of my incision feels a bit like a sunburn, especially when it comes in contact with fabric. I sometimes get a pain on the right side of my chest, especially when I take deep breaths.
Sleep is still an issue and I took a sleeping pill last night for the first time in over a week. But overall, I am improving very steadily.
I have greater endurance when I walk and take breaks when I get winded—biggest challenge was a steep set of stairs from subway to street level on a visit to hospital last week, and I gave into the siege of Torontonians in a hurry rather than get over to the side where I could go at my own pace….that was not fun, but was another teachable moment in this recovery.
My latest Netflix recommendation is Human: the World Within—there’s a great episode on the heart, but every one is fascinating, just like us and our remarkable bodies! God bless everyone in this community! ❤️🩹🙏🏻🙌🏻
Richard Munson Sue , great news. Next you’ll be running the iditarod with shadow as the first human
Valerie Allen Steps were hard for me until I started cardio rehab. Truth be told I still have a bit of trouble with ... Read more
Valerie Allen Steps were hard for me until I started cardio rehab. Truth be told I still have a bit of trouble with them, not breathing but muscle. Glad you can feel the improvements accelerating. What did they say at your appt?
Sue Maize Richard, better Shadow than one of my cats—tried walking Mr. Feebs and he just kept lying down or c ... Read more
Sue Maize Richard, better Shadow than one of my cats—tried walking Mr. Feebs and he just kept lying down or crawling around in a circle! 😸 Valerie, I’m really looking forward to rehab so I can know what’s normal and maybe what to expect. My appt was another leg ultrasound to check for clotting because of the bypass—I had one last weekend closer to home but Toronto Gen likes to do their own testing. Everything looks good. 🙏🏻❤️🩹
Darrell Malone Hello Sue. Good news that you are doing better. Be careful on the red rocket. I don't want you to be ... Read more
Darrell Malone Hello Sue. Good news that you are doing better. Be careful on the red rocket. I don't want you to be swept up with hustle and bustle of TO. Keep up the great work. 👍🏻
Rose Madura Sounds like you are doing well Sue! Congratulations. ❤️🩹
Rita Savelis Thanks for the update Sue. Don't hesitate to take sleep meds (every so often). Your body needs sleep ... Read more
Rita Savelis Thanks for the update Sue. Don't hesitate to take sleep meds (every so often). Your body needs sleep and rest. Easier said than done after heart surgery. Maybe around 6 weeks one begins to sleep a bit better. Much love.
Suzette Schear The healing process was so much better once I started taking sleeping pills. Sleep deprivation is t ... Read more
Suzette Schear The healing process was so much better once I started taking sleeping pills. Sleep deprivation is the worst. Your determination great attitude and faith will get you to the next step in your journey. You sound really good sue. Just don’t over sue it and listen to your body. Sending hugs and prayers
Anna Ma I wish I had taken sleeping med earlier. The first 4-5 weeks were the hardest for me to sleep at nigh ... Read more
Anna Ma I wish I had taken sleeping med earlier. The first 4-5 weeks were the hardest for me to sleep at night. I was afraid of if I took sleeping pills it would mess up wi the my other medication
Anna Ma Stairs are still difficult for me three months post op. I can climb one story fine, but if I continue ... Read more
Anna Ma Stairs are still difficult for me three months post op. I can climb one story fine, but if I continued to another floor, I have shortness of breath
Leigh Waggoner Happy to hear you're doing good, Im taking your advise on the Netflix shows. Thx
Sue Maize How are you doing Leigh? Are you still waiting for surgery? ❤️🩹🙏🏻
Sue Maize Anna, I had the same concern about the sleep meds but also that they would become habit-forming. My m ... Read more
Sue Maize Anna, I had the same concern about the sleep meds but also that they would become habit-forming. My mom was addicted to sleeping pills and would often sleep away most of the day. I try to stagger them as much as possible so I don’t come to depend on them. Easy does it on the stairs—it’s a big difference from walking on a flat surface. Give yourself lots of grace. 🙏🏻❤️🩹
Sue Maize Suzette—it really is awful to be sleep deprived. My doctor shared a website with me today, mysleep ... Read more
Sue Maize Suzette—it really is awful to be sleep deprived. My doctor shared a website with me today, mysleep well.ca with tips on improving sleep. It’s Canadian but you can most likely access it from the US. Hope you’re sleeping better now. 🙏🏻❤️🩹
Sue Maize Thank you Darrell, Rose and Rita! 🙏🏻❤️🩹
Suzette Schear Sue I’m good with sleeping I’m allowed on my stomach, just watch for those late night informerc ... Read more
Suzette Schear Sue I’m good with sleeping I’m allowed on my stomach, just watch for those late night informercials all the product they try to sell you seem really amazing when you’re lacking sleep . Stairs were hard at first i would rest on the staircase before finishing the climb. It’s okay and I learned not to be too hard on myself.
Grace Mason Happy to hear you are progressing well Sue. Slow and steady is a winner in the heart surgery recovery ... Read more
Grace Mason Happy to hear you are progressing well Sue. Slow and steady is a winner in the heart surgery recovery I believe. I also used sleep meds and would do so again... sleep deprivation is not good for any part of the body. I felt 1000 times better once I got some much needed Zzzz's post surgery. After several weeks, I no longer needed them. I also used every other day or so.... just to be on the safe side
Anna Ma Sue, I did start to take some melatonin after a few weeks. I wish I started to take it earlier. It he ... Read more
Anna Ma Sue, I did start to take some melatonin after a few weeks. I wish I started to take it earlier. It helped me get through the night without feeling the pain
Daneen Douglas You sound like you are progressing so well! Even now my chest still gets sore after doing a lot. Th ... Read more
Daneen Douglas You sound like you are progressing so well! Even now my chest still gets sore after doing a lot. The deep breaths really get ya sometimes. Melatonin helped me at night in the beginning after arriving home. It does get better each day! Continue to listen to your body, especially after a very active day!
You had the surgery a month ago, didn't you? How do you feel? :)
Sue Maize A little better each day Catia, thank you! Still pretty slow moving and practising my breathing exer ... Read more
Sue Maize A little better each day Catia, thank you! Still pretty slow moving and practising my breathing exercises but there’s definite progress. Sleep is probably the biggest challenge but even it’s improving bit by bit. 😊❤️🩹
Nancy Bukowski Great pic, Sue, and I am right there with you poolside. Happy to hear that you are making slow and ... Read more
Nancy Bukowski Great pic, Sue, and I am right there with you poolside. Happy to hear that you are making slow and steady progress- you have been through a lot. It does get better as the weeks go by.
Richard Munson Wow, hope your wearing more clothes than mr. Feebs
Sue Maize Thanks Nancy! I’ve no doubt it does—I’m amazed at how quickly things have already improved. How ... Read more
Sue Maize Thanks Nancy! I’ve no doubt it does—I’m amazed at how quickly things have already improved. How are you doing?
Nancy Bukowski I am doing well, Sue! Trying to get back to my desk job next week, which is the six week mark for me ... Read more
Nancy Bukowski I am doing well, Sue! Trying to get back to my desk job next week, which is the six week mark for me. Looking to start cardio rehab soon once I get cleared from the surgeon (appt is on 7/15). Can’t complain- except for the no swimming- but that is a small price to pay. My chest is still sore on one side, however nothing unbearable. Please continue to keep us posted on your progress. I’m sure that you are very happy to be recovering😀.
Rose Madura Sue, love the picture! Looks like my Zeena did. Glad you are coming along. Remember, slow and stea ... Read more
Rose Madura Sue, love the picture! Looks like my Zeena did. Glad you are coming along. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.
Ana Brusso So glad to hear your progress Sue. God bless you 🙏❤️❤️🩹
Adam Pick After waking up very early this morning, I'm looking forward to a "Mr. Feebs Cat Nap" later today.
Suzette Schear Hi Sue I’m so glad you’re doing better and finding quality time for yourself. I saw your other p ... Read more
Suzette Schear Hi Sue I’m so glad you’re doing better and finding quality time for yourself. I saw your other photo and you look really good. Glad you learned to trust the process and take each day as it comes. I said a lot of prayers for you and sending you the best.
Sue Maize Adam, he could teach a master class in napping! 😄Awww, thanks so much Suzette—yours and others ... Read more
Sue Maize Adam, he could teach a master class in napping! 😄Awww, thanks so much Suzette—yours and others’ prayers mean everything to me, I believe it makes ALL the difference! I hope you’re doing well! ❤️🩹🙏🏻
Sue Maize Thanks Betsy—I actually think I look constipated in this photo but that could just be how things ar ... Read more
Sue Maize Thanks Betsy—I actually think I look constipated in this photo but that could just be how things are currently! 😆 I’m looking forward to EVERYTHING returning to normal! Lol
Happy Canada Day from Stouffville, Ontario! ❤️🇨🇦 I had my scheduled valve replacement/valve repair surgery, followed by my emergency bypass surgery ...Read more
Happy Canada Day from Stouffville, Ontario! ❤️🇨🇦 I had my scheduled valve replacement/valve repair surgery, followed by my emergency bypass surgery exactly 3 weeks ago, so hard to believe! I have been progressing steadily each day, but also very slowly, which is normal I’m told—I keep hearing Rose “Be the 🐢 not the 🐇 “ and Rita, “Everyone’s experience is singular, don’t compare.” I haven’t been posting much since coming home because I’ve felt lead to really unplug and spend time in prayer and just be still. I’ve been blessed by friends staying here to help wherever needed and who have instructed that my only to-do’s for now are to rest, receive and recover. What a blessing, praise God. 🙏🏻🙌🏻❤️🩹 But I think of you all daily and pray for the needs I’m aware of (Daneen, how is your vertigo? And have you returned to school? Please don’t rush that—your health is #1 ❤️)
Because of my CABG, and the vein harvested from my leg, I’ve had one trip back to hospital for a leg ultrasound to check for clots (just a precaution on my gp’s part and all is fine). I’m embracing healthy eating, Mediterranean diet more or less, and continue to move regularly to keep things circulating as they must. I continue to be so grateful for this second chance at life and so grateful for all of you! I love and appreciate all the messages you’ve sent, and cartoons (Richard :), and I will spend some time reading back to see what you’ve all been up to. God bless every one of you with peace and confidence as you approach surgery, and robust and steady recovery if you’re on this side of it. ❤️🩹🙏🏻🙌🏻 remember that we are the fortunate ones!
Cátia Ribeiro god bless you Sue! All the best for you!
Darrell Malone Great to hear. You are coming along and focusing on your recovery. I too am doing some Mediterranean ... Read more
Darrell Malone Great to hear. You are coming along and focusing on your recovery. I too am doing some Mediterranean. The dietitian really opened my eyes, I ate well before but have made some tweaks. For example I now eat 0% plain Greek yogurt and add fruit instead of the Activia flavored stuff.
Rita Savelis So glad you can unplug and be still. Much love.
Sue Maize I just want to take good care of myself Darrell—I was very up and down with my diet, and I would te ... Read more
Sue Maize I just want to take good care of myself Darrell—I was very up and down with my diet, and I would tend to stress-eat (but not salad! 😜). Funny you mention Greek yogurt—I love it but in the hospital I was repulsed by it, just starting to re-introduce it slowly. If you want to be inspired to live/eat better, I highly recommend the Netflix series “Live to 100: the secrets of Blue Zones”So good!
Leigh Waggoner Happy late Canada Day!! Glad you are unplugging and taking care or you first. Healing prayers sent... Read more
Leigh Waggoner Happy late Canada Day!! Glad you are unplugging and taking care or you first. Healing prayers sent you way
Darrell Malone @Sue I'm watching it. So far very interesting. It reminds me of the series Cooked by Michael Pollan ... Read more
Darrell Malone @Sue I'm watching it. So far very interesting. It reminds me of the series Cooked by Michael Pollan 👍🏻
Daneen Douglas I'm so glad you are progressing well, Sue and have such a positive attitude. Wonderful that you hav... Read more
Daneen Douglas I'm so glad you are progressing well, Sue and have such a positive attitude. Wonderful that you have a super support system as well!
I have been so busy with appts and was out of town for 5 days. I am only having very mild episodes, which don't mess with my ability to function. I'm waiting on the results form my MRA (like an MRI only slightly different). I had that test along with bloodwork Monday morning. I meet with the neurologist on the 25th. I meet for the 3rd time with the surgeon tomorrow. I'm preparing for school on my computer and ordering things I need. I will go back on the 20th but not officially until the 26th. School starts August 1st!
Keep relaxing and healing! Keep up the updates too! I'm thinking about you and sending prayers your way every day!
Sue Maize You are one busy lady my friend! I love hearing about yours and everyone’s progress—it’s wonder ... Read more
Sue Maize You are one busy lady my friend! I love hearing about yours and everyone’s progress—it’s wonderful to feel like I’m making progress too! We are so blessed aren’t we—we’ve been given another chance at life and health and to recover so quickly given the seriousness of our surgeries is truly miraculous! 🙌🏻 Before my surgery, I was struggling at points and you really encouraged me when you said how motivated you now were to take care of yourself….I’m feeling that way too—I eat healthy, I walk, I’m sleeping better, I’m off a medication I was taking for years which I no longer need. God is so good. I am praying for you my heart sister—it’s taken me a while to respond to this only because I didn’t realize you had posted—you’ve probably already heard the results of your MRA and you’ve met with your surgeon. Are you doing cardiac rehab? Please provide an update when you can, though I know this is a crazy busy time as you get ready for a new school year—your students and colleagues will be so excited to see you back healthy and strong! ❤️💪🏻 I’m so glad you got away for a few days—I’m planning a road trip for September with a retired teacher friend to the east coast of Canada and I’m really hoping to get some good hikes in (contingent upon dr approval of course! 🙏🏻). Bless you my friend! ❤️🩹🙏🏻
Sue Maize Darrell, I’m so glad you’re enjoying it! This is the kind of programming I love to watch…seems ... Read more
Sue Maize Darrell, I’m so glad you’re enjoying it! This is the kind of programming I love to watch…seems like there’s so little of value on these streaming services. Are you biking a lot these days? Blessings heart brother! ❤️🩹🙏🏻
“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps”. (Proverbs 16:9) This verse could apply to my entire life, but it had ...Read more
“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps”. (Proverbs 16:9) This verse could apply to my entire life, but it had particular resonance over the past 6 months, and especially the weekend leading up to my surgery on Mon. June 10.
As many of you know, from the time back in January that I discovered the Ross Procedure, I became laser focused on that being my best option for AVR surgery. It offered such promise and in consulting with 2 surgeons well practiced with it who believed initially it was a viable option for me, the way forward seemed crystal clear. In fact the other 2 possibilities of bovine tissue, or mechanical valve were abandoned altogether. As a person of deep faith who has learned to trust God with this sort of thing, I had yet to learn that on a whole new level…it meant to trust God with the steps along the way, not simply the end game, to trust his leading not just with making the decision, “to Ross or not to Ross.” So when I received that email from my surgeon 3 days before my surgery saying she no longer felt that the Ross was a safe option for me, I was devastated. I was shocked, sad, and even resentful (how dare she after all this time and knowing this is why I chose her as my surgeon in the first place?!)
But God knew. Had it been a month earlier I might very well have changed course and returned to the other Ross surgeon whose opinion I had sought, and who even stated at one point that he pretty much always does the Ross. As it turned out, that decision might very well have killed me.
The lesson here was that God wanted me to trust his leading not the decisions themselves. So I prayed all weekend and enlisted others as well to do the same. And I just knew…this surgery couldn’t be put off any longer, and that the Lord had already confirmed for me that Dr. Ouzounian was to be my surgeon (that was a step)…..so over the next 6 hours, while my aunt and friend waited in the friends/family waiting area to get and transmit updates, I was having my aortic valve replaced with a tissue valve, my severely regurgitant tricuspid valve repaired, my annulus expanded to accommodate a future TAVR, and my left atrial appendage clamped. It took a bit longer but everything went well and I was put back together, sutured up and prepared for ICU. It was around 2:30 in the afternoon, and while this was happening, Dr. O was explaining it all to my people, and saying when it was safe to visit me.
That’s when everything went south. Suddenly Dr. O was being paged back to the OR, my friends were left stunned and confused. I can’t explain in exact medical terms what was happening, but essentially I was in distress, a major problem with hemodynamics….blood was not getting to my right ventricle via my right coronary artery, and my heart was beginning to shut down. So a whole new team was assembled and they got to work opening me up again to figure it out under extreme time pressure. I had already been on pump for longer than is advisable with surgery #1, so here I was again, with the added much higher risk of a stroke. In fact I was experiencing ischemia and now they had to figure out where the blockage was—it turned out to be in my barely visible right coronary artery, the only blood supply to my right ventricle. Thus began the rapid harvesting of a vein from my thigh to do emergency bypass surgery with a transfusion of 3 litres in order to revive my right ventricle which had been extremely compromised from being on the pump an additional 4 hours. This time there was no good news to report, only that I would be going to the ICU and was to be monitored closely for the next 24 hours. It was now 10:30, My friends could not visit but they would be regularly updated, so they went home……
When I finally woke up, it was Wednesday morning, and I was clueless…I was also pretty out if it and couldn’t remember squeezing my surgeon’s hand when asked to. The ICU nurse looked at me with a big smile and simply said I looked great and that Dr. O would be in later to fill me in. Around 3 pm, I was sitting up when in she came, beaming from ear to ear, telling me the same thing, how I looked so good, holding my hand and explaining that we had made the right choice—with all the time on pump and this sneaky little blockage, complicating everything, an attempt to do the Ross would have meant certain death. I was gobsmacked but instantly knew this was God leading by steps not procedures. She left saying she was catching a flight to Brazil that night to give a talk on the RP, and that now her presentation would include the essential warning to other surgeons to be very mindful of situations like mine. Who knows what difference that might have meant to another patient like me!
I cried when she left—this was the truth bomb of truth bombs to discover how close I had come to meeting Jesus in person. God asked me to trust him no matter what—he knew what was going to go down, and so step by step, by his leading and my incredible team’s skill, I lived and went on to have a very normal recovery, minus one major episode of afib (my fault, for straining at one point, if you get my meaning 💩).
I have been so profoundly impacted by all of this I’m still processing it through. But I know I was given the gift of life a second time and that has changed so much already. But more about that later….this has already turned into a novel. 😅
Thank you all so much for your prayers and your beautiful messages of support—I’ve read them again and again, and though we’ve never met, it amazes me how this community rallies for one of its own. Thank you so much for your concern (bless you Daneen💕) , and thank you for sharing your own experiences of OHS…after all that drama, it was good to know that my extubated throat feeling like shards of glass every time I swallowed, was normal, as was the lack of sleep, the dizziness, the need to stay ahead of the pain, the lack of appetite (I only craved fresh strawberries), the glorious feeling of taking a shower for the first time, and so much more.
I am amazed at where I’m at now 2 weeks later, but heeding all warnings to take time to heal. Thank you dear HVS family for being there for me in ways, maybe neither of us could even realize…..this group is an absolute gift from God! Much love and health to you all. ❤️🩹🥰🙏🏻🙌🏻
Darrell Malone Sue, thanks for sharing. I'm so happy you can be on with recovery. God works in ways we don't alwa... Read more
Darrell Malone Sue, thanks for sharing. I'm so happy you can be on with recovery. God works in ways we don't always understand. 🙏. He guided you to your team and by all accounts a very gifted team. Welcome to recovery. . Hey is it strawberry season here in Ontario. I think so. 😋🍓 short but sweet.
Rita Savelis So glad you trusted your surgeon. No matter how much we research, sometimes we have to give up contro ... Read more
Rita Savelis So glad you trusted your surgeon. No matter how much we research, sometimes we have to give up control and let others (God and surgeons) make decisions. Take it easy. Rest. Heal. xox
Richard Munson Wow, what a story. Happy endings are great to hear.
Valerie Allen Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so glad you are back. Big hugs 💕
Anna Ma Oh my, it brings tears to my eyes, but I’m so happy for you Sue! He knows the best!
Diana Chamblin-Bevirt Wow, such an amazing story and powerful message! I got chills reading it. We sometimes have to just l ... Read more
Diana Chamblin-Bevirt Wow, such an amazing story and powerful message! I got chills reading it. We sometimes have to just let go and trust God, and trust those that are experts in their field. I’m also guilty of being so determined and set on something, I have to sometimes stop and take a step back. I’m so glad everything worked out for you Sue. It sounds like you had an amazing team who worked on you. I hope you can fully rest and recover now! 🙏💕
Christine Maiorano Wow what an amazing story. So happy you’re home resting and recovering. ❤️🙏
Grace Mason Sue, You are truly blessed and also a blessing to this community. So happy to hear you are doing well ... Read more
Grace Mason Sue, You are truly blessed and also a blessing to this community. So happy to hear you are doing well💕
Daneen Douglas What a wild ride, Sue! God had another plan for sure. So thankful you are recovering well. I bet ... Read more
Daneen Douglas What a wild ride, Sue! God had another plan for sure. So thankful you are recovering well. I bet that was a shock to learn what happened. My mom was opened up a 2nd time in ICU due to internal bleeding from scar tissue from a prior surgery. 34 years and more heart surgeries later she's still alive. However we all think she was a science experiment from being kidnapped by aliens in 1947 at Roswell, lol! That's why she's had every medical condition known to man.
Seriously, please be the tortoise! Take it day by day, and listen to your body. Wish I was closer and could come visit and help. Take advantage of the quiet and live in the moment. Try not to be anxious about all the things that "have" to be done. I'm trying to enjoy the last few weeks before I go back to teaching. I find I'm fighting my brain to stop thinking and planning for the coming year.
Kimberly Eisenhut Wow, you are a true heart warrior Sue. God bless you and the road ahead for you as well as us all
Kristin Vano Amazing story! Praying for continued strength during recovery and so happy you are doing well!
Kathy Ozio I'm crying reading it! God is awesome! So glad you are doing well!!
Ana Brusso It’s God always God, he knows better and we just have to learn to trust him. Hallelujah, Amen. Glad ... Read more
Ana Brusso It’s God always God, he knows better and we just have to learn to trust him. Hallelujah, Amen. Glad you are with us. ❤️🩹🙏❤️👍
Suelynn Hanegraaf Sue, thank you for sharing your deep faith and experience. I, too, am humbled, profoundly impacted an ... Read more
Suelynn Hanegraaf Sue, thank you for sharing your deep faith and experience. I, too, am humbled, profoundly impacted and forever changed by His love, protection and over-arching hand in all steps of my ❤️🩹 surgeries and in truth, throughout my life.💕
Deena Z What a series of battles you went through with courage and faith. Not your time! Here’s to your m ... Read more
Deena Z What a series of battles you went through with courage and faith. Not your time! Here’s to your much longer life!!
Karen Hommel What a warrior you are, so glad you are with us! Thank you for sharing your heartfelt journey 🙏
Sue Maize Thank you all so much HVS family! Can’t imagine being on this journey without you! God is good! ❤ ... Read more
Sue Maize Thank you all so much HVS family! Can’t imagine being on this journey without you! God is good! ❤️🩹🙏🏻🙌🏻
Leigh Waggoner Sue, what an amazinly profound story, it touches my heart. With God guiding the way, you are a true ... Read more
Leigh Waggoner Sue, what an amazinly profound story, it touches my heart. With God guiding the way, you are a true heart warrior. Im glad to hear you're doing well. Keep up the faith.
Sue Maize Leigh!! How are you doing? You have been so patient with your own journey of delays—do you have a ... Read more
Sue Maize Leigh!! How are you doing? You have been so patient with your own journey of delays—do you have a date now? Your faith in God will strengthen you no doubt about it. One day at a time—I can’t wait for you to be on this side of recovery, feeling better and stronger and healthier than ever! I am continuing to keep you in prayer! ❤️🩹🙏🏻
I arrived home today after 10 days in the hospital, 5 in ICU. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to post but the tank emptied ...Read more
Hello HVS family! ❤️
I arrived home today after 10 days in the hospital, 5 in ICU. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to post but the tank emptied out pretty quickly and some days I just didn’t have enough to do very much that involved much cognitive activity, and the seemingly simplest tasks were monumental. Most days I could only do passive activities like listen to music or podcasts, but reply to a text or anything along those lines required more than I had to give (that may resonate with some of you). There were some surprises and some very tense moments—a 4 hour surgery turned into 14.5 hours and 2 surgeries. More about that later.
It’s been a wild ride so far, but I am definitely in recovery and so grateful to our gracious God and to all my loving and supportive friends and family. That includes all of YOU! Your prayers and messages were so life-giving to me! ❤️
I will explain more soon, and though I do feel 1000% better, these early days for me are slow and steady on all fronts out of necessity. As Rose says, be the tortoise not the hare, so that’s what I’m doing. I will reach again very soon but for now I am swaddled up in my recliner with my great big pjs (because you know, fluid retention) and 3 cats snoring nearby. My kind of heaven. Much love to everyone on this site. Trust God and he will do more than you can ever ask or imagine! ❤️🩹🙏🏻🙌🏻
Diana Chamblin-Bevirt Great to hear an update from you! So glad that’s all over for you, now you can focus on healing and ... Read more
Diana Chamblin-Bevirt Great to hear an update from you! So glad that’s all over for you, now you can focus on healing and enjoying being back home.
Ana Brusso Thank you for posting Sue. Glad you are in recovery now, God is amazing. Please, take care of yoursel ... Read more
Ana Brusso Thank you for posting Sue. Glad you are in recovery now, God is amazing. Please, take care of yourself and give yourself time to recover and feel stronger. We will be here to hear your story when you are ready. In the meantime welcome to recovery. God bless you and write when you can. ❤️🩹🙏❤️🤗
Anna Ma So good to hear from you that you’re doing ok!!! Welcome home and this side of surgery! Take your t ... Read more
Anna Ma So good to hear from you that you’re doing ok!!! Welcome home and this side of surgery! Take your time and rest! Hope you a smooth and non eventful recovery!
Rita Savelis Take your time Sue. This is the moment to heal. xoxo
Michelle Persson It sounds like you have been through a lot. Praise God you are home and healing, slowly but surely.
Valerie Allen So great to hear from you and to know you are home with your cats!! ❤️ Time to relax…
Darrell Malone Welcome home Sue. So glad to hear from you. I can definitely understand how tough it can be to just g ... Read more
Darrell Malone Welcome home Sue. So glad to hear from you. I can definitely understand how tough it can be to just get the energy to type a message. Well I'm just going into cardiac Rehab, you will be here soon. Now I will have a little more pep in my step 😀. Welcome Home. 🙏
Nancy Bukowski Very happy to hear from you, Sue, and slow and steady on your recovery!
Leigh Waggoner Glad to hear that you're home. You know God never gives us anything we can't handle. Sending you ma... Read more
Leigh Waggoner Glad to hear that you're home. You know God never gives us anything we can't handle. Sending you many blessings, and no more surprises.
Pam Dahl Glad you are on the recovery side, been thinking of you and looking for an update. Baby steps in rec ... Read more
Pam Dahl Glad you are on the recovery side, been thinking of you and looking for an update. Baby steps in recovery.
Daneen Douglas Sue, I am so incredibly happy to discover you posted this morning! I was very concerned and anxious... Read more
Daneen Douglas Sue, I am so incredibly happy to discover you posted this morning! I was very concerned and anxious to hear from you. Wonderful you are recovering at home. Continued blessings for your recovery and looking forward to learning more when you feel ready. Take care and sending you love and hugs!
Kimberly Eisenhut So happy to hear from you! You are doing great and look forward to seeing your progress! Enjoy those... Read more
Kimberly Eisenhut So happy to hear from you! You are doing great and look forward to seeing your progress! Enjoy those fur babies :)
Cheryl Capps Wonderful to hear you are home and with your kitties. Makes all the difference.
Susan Dunne Good to hear from you. good you are in recovery. Sending healing thoughts. Slow and steady does it ... Read more
Susan Dunne Good to hear from you. good you are in recovery. Sending healing thoughts. Slow and steady does it.
Rose Madura Sue! So glad to hear you are home and recovering. ❤️🩹🪖💪
Maggie Ma Glad to hear you start your recovery at home. Congratulations and best wishes
Suelynn Hanegraaf I am overjoyed that you posted! Praise God. I have been praying for you fervently. Take all of the ti ... Read more
Suelynn Hanegraaf I am overjoyed that you posted! Praise God. I have been praying for you fervently. Take all of the time you need. Glad your kitty-cats are keeping you warm & cozy! 😻
Laurent G Happy to have good news from you Sue. All the best for the recovery !
Christine Maiorano So very happy to hear from you and glad you’re home , in your recliner with kitty’s by your side. ... Read more
Christine Maiorano So very happy to hear from you and glad you’re home , in your recliner with kitty’s by your side. ❤️ wishing you a smooth recovery.
Larry Peterson Good to hear from you, Sue. Easy does it!
Allen Carkner So glad to hear from you Sue! Glad you’ve made it out of the hospital! Sounds like one heck of a he ... Read more
Allen Carkner So glad to hear from you Sue! Glad you’ve made it out of the hospital! Sounds like one heck of a heart journey so far. Look forward to seeing more about your experience. Take it easy!
Just want to share a song that has meant a lot to me, especially during the ups and downs of these last 6 months…maybe it will help encourage someone else ...Read more
Just want to share a song that has meant a lot to me, especially during the ups and downs of these last 6 months…maybe it will help encourage someone else here too. ❤️🩹
As many of you say, T-minus 1 day! 😊 Tmrw, dark and early I’ll meet my aunt at the hospital who knows this world well—-she was the director of nursing ...Read more
As many of you say, T-minus 1 day! 😊 Tmrw, dark and early I’ll meet my aunt at the hospital who knows this world well—-she was the director of nursing and programs at St. Mike’s in Toronto for over 40 years, and some of these people at TGH are her former colleagues. God is answering prayer and guiding it all step by step, but revealing only one step at a time. Friends came over yesterday to help me deep clean my house and remind me I’m not alone in all this. I’m heading to church soon where I know I’ll be prayed over and one of my brother Tom’s new staff at his group home is a Christian and will be taking him in my absence (another answer to prayer). It’s absolute comfort and peace that passes understanding knowing I can lean on the one who knit me together (Psalm 139), whose fighting for me (Ex 14:14) and who is directing my steps (Prov 3:5-6). Even as I face the uncertainty of it all, I know he’s in it. To God be the glory.
When I meet with Dr. Ouzounian in the morning, I will only proceed if I have peace about it—I have no idea what kind of valve I’ll get because I focused on the Ross, but trusting God to make that clear as well. I’m not feeling the need to get another opinion because if it looks as if I need to move in a new direction, I will return to Dr. Ashe in Kitchener, the first Toss surgeon in Canada I discovered 6 months ago.
I almost don’t know how to put into words what reading your comments means to me. ❤️❤️❤️Your empathy moves me tremendously and it strengthens me, it really does. There are mama bears among you seeming poised to fight for a valve sister, and what a gift that is! 🥰🙌🏻 and brothers like Darrell and Allen and others who are protective and encouraging. God bless you! ❤️🩹🙏🏻🙌🏻 This is a family, it truly is, and for this single independent cat lady 😻, I couldn’t have imagined how much I would need you and would learn from you and will continue to do so in the days to come. I may never meet any of you (though I hope that’s not true), but through this site (thank you Adam!) you have become such a big part of my life! It’s a unique fellowship that is as important as the surgery itself, I believe. God bless Barbara and Dan as they face tmrw too—may his peace quench any anxiety for you or your loved ones. I look forward to “seeing” you all on the other side! Bless you friends! 🙏🏻🥰🙌🏻❤️
Valerie Allen I’m so proud of you. Now let’s get this done! 💕 🙏
Darrell Malone Sue, this is a beautiful post. You approach things with such a great attitude. A time that you are f ... Read more
Darrell Malone Sue, this is a beautiful post. You approach things with such a great attitude. A time that you are flushed with all kinds off feelings, but I don't sense anger. A feeling that all of us should have less of. I know you will do what is best along with your faith and God's guidance. Whatever happens tomorrow I will be thinking and praying for you. God Bless You and your support team. 🙏 ❤️🇨🇦
Barbara Litwin I am so sending you my prayers Sue…thank you for praying for me see you next week all cured on the ... Read more
Barbara Litwin I am so sending you my prayers Sue…thank you for praying for me see you next week all cured on the other side…..😊💕
Daneen Douglas Sue, Praying God continues to guide the path to your surgery, the procedure, valve, and the hands of your medical team. It is true many times the outcome of our surgeries are not what we expected.
I was told mitral repair, ascending aorta graft, aortic root and valve replacement, and closing of appendage. Well, the surgeon did not touch the appendage (due to small size) or mitral valve, widened my annulus ( had no idea the root needed that), and the aorta was only partially grafted. So, I was surprised and kind of disappointed. However, I should have been happy about what didn’t need to be fixed.
I am thinking about you and praying for you today, tomorrow, and this week for peace, strength, and healing. ... Read more
Daneen Douglas Sue, Praying God continues to guide the path to your surgery, the procedure, valve, and the hands of your medical team. It is true many times the outcome of our surgeries are not what we expected.
I was told mitral repair, ascending aorta graft, aortic root and valve replacement, and closing of appendage. Well, the surgeon did not touch the appendage (due to small size) or mitral valve, widened my annulus ( had no idea the root needed that), and the aorta was only partially grafted. So, I was surprised and kind of disappointed. However, I should have been happy about what didn’t need to be fixed.
I am thinking about you and praying for you today, tomorrow, and this week for peace, strength, and healing.
Dan Kozina Sue, We are all put on this earth for a reason unknown to us. Your words here are an inspiration to m ... Read more
Dan Kozina Sue, We are all put on this earth for a reason unknown to us. Your words here are an inspiration to me and many others. That is one purpose but truly not your last. We will all be here in the weeks to come for support during recovery and will live life to its fullest after this minor detour in life. Well wishes to you tomorrow.
Susan Lynn Prayers coming your way. We'll be waiting to welcome you to recovery!
Christine Maiorano Sending prayers . You have such a wonderful appreciation for life. Looking forward to hearing from ... Read more
Christine Maiorano Sending prayers . You have such a wonderful appreciation for life. Looking forward to hearing from you once you’re in recovery ❤️
Grace Mason Dear heart sister Sue, Wishing you all the best💕. So glad you are finding yourself surrounded b ... Read more
Grace Mason Dear heart sister Sue, Wishing you all the best💕. So glad you are finding yourself surrounded by so many supportive people. Time to focus on you. Tonight may you feel peace and love and get a little shut eye😴. I feel you and your surgeon will make the right choice for you, and whatever that may be, I will be cheering for you💖
Allen Carkner I hope you’re safe and healthy right now and in recovery if you went through with it this morning. ... Read more
Allen Carkner I hope you’re safe and healthy right now and in recovery if you went through with it this morning. I know it’s been a journey for you to get to this point. I hope that you feel at peace and have an uneventful recovery.
A wrench has just been thrown into everything. I just got an email from my surgeon who no longer thinks I should have the Ross procedure because of my liver ...Read more
A wrench has just been thrown into everything. I just got an email from my surgeon who no longer thinks I should have the Ross procedure because of my liver enzymes. I’m in shock and reeling from this news because if that’s the case I could have had this In Feb with the first guy, plus she said 2 months ago that if I was her sister she’d recommend the Ross for me out of all the options, thinking it would give me the best life expectancy and outcomes. I don’t know what to do but I don’t feel ready any longer to have this on Monday. 😰 I’m just going to have a big cry, sleep on it and start over in the morning. Please pray for God’s wisdom in this…I want what’s best even if it means a different procedure. 🙏🏻❤️🩹😰Was not expecting this at all, but have to trust God.
Darrell Malone Hello Sue, I'm so sorry to see this post. You have been through so much with dates being changed as ... Read more
Darrell Malone Hello Sue, I'm so sorry to see this post. You have been through so much with dates being changed as well. I will be thinking and praying for you as we all want the best possible treatment and outcome for you. God Bless
Susan Lynn Sue - That's tough news to receive two days before your surgery by any method of communication, but ... Read more
Susan Lynn Sue - That's tough news to receive two days before your surgery by any method of communication, but email would be completely unacceptable to me. The decision is yours, but unless you're willing to live with your surgeon's proposed treatment plan (because it is one you'll live with for the rest of your life), I'd consider canceling and getting more opinions about the Ross procedure. Best of luck to you!
Dan Kozina So very sorry. Do they now want to put in a standard bonine valve. Thats what I am getting. After 10 ... Read more
Dan Kozina So very sorry. Do they now want to put in a standard bonine valve. Thats what I am getting. After 10 years then A TAVR procedure
Allen Carkner I’m so sorry Sue, this is such difficult news to hear before your surgery. I’d have a cry as well ... Read more
Allen Carkner I’m so sorry Sue, this is such difficult news to hear before your surgery. I’d have a cry as well. I hope you can find clarity regarding your surgeons opinion and hope that you have a safe surgical journey. I feel so much for you in this time, I know I personally have been a biased advocate for the Ross procedure as it has been great for me. I hope that I didn’t make you feel like the Ross procedure is the only way. Know that the other options are still amazing and can provide great relief to your heart and are safe and effective. The mechanical valve route is still a great aortic valve replacement and I hope you feel confident still in your surgeons opinion. I hope you are ok right now and know we’re thinking about you, all of us on Adam’s site. Bless you!
J Alexander Lassally Hey it seems like there is a lot of question here... I would circle back to your internist and get so ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally Hey it seems like there is a lot of question here... I would circle back to your internist and get some things straight regarding paths forward. For what it is worth. this surgeons office seems difficult. You expressed this way back in the early days. This may be for the best. Fresh start. Fresh dialogue.
Rose Madura I'm so sorry to hear this Sue and like Susan said, I can't imagine getting this news via email. At l ... Read more
Rose Madura I'm so sorry to hear this Sue and like Susan said, I can't imagine getting this news via email. At least have a PA or nurse call you. Dear Lord! Anyway, think this: Everything happens for a reason and God is in control. Sleeping on it is good, as is a good cry. I'd be getting another opinion. Do liver enzymes affect any OHS or because of receiving a donor pulmonary valve?
Ana Brusso I will pray for you Sue. That you will come to the best conclusion and decision for you. God bless yo ... Read more
Ana Brusso I will pray for you Sue. That you will come to the best conclusion and decision for you. God bless you 🙏❤️🥰🤗😍✝️
Kathy Ozio How frustrating! After the good cry, get on those other opinions. I definitely agree with Rose. God... Read more
Kathy Ozio How frustrating! After the good cry, get on those other opinions. I definitely agree with Rose. God is in control and even if we can't see it now, there's a reason.
Rita Savelis E-mail?? This is so upsetting. My heart goes out to you Sue for the unfairness of it all.
Dan Fouratt Sue, I am so sorry for you. My thought and prayers will be with you as you make your decision and lo ... Read more
Dan Fouratt Sue, I am so sorry for you. My thought and prayers will be with you as you make your decision and long after that.
Dan S-otts 🙏🏼 for you Sue, your faith will help you through this. Take Good Care! 💔❤️🩹❤ ... Read more
Dan S-otts 🙏🏼 for you Sue, your faith will help you through this. Take Good Care! 💔❤️🩹❤️
Valerie Allen Wow. Oh Sue, I’m so sorry. You’ve already had so many reschedules. Sending you strength and praye ... Read more
Valerie Allen Wow. Oh Sue, I’m so sorry. You’ve already had so many reschedules. Sending you strength and prayers. ❤️🩹❤️
Grace Mason Oh my goodness, Sue. I'm am so sorry that you have been put in this position. An email was not approp ... Read more
Grace Mason Oh my goodness, Sue. I'm am so sorry that you have been put in this position. An email was not appropriate for that suggestion or change in surgical plan. It makes me want to cry thinking of how you must be feeling. Sending you lots of hugs and a virtual shoulder to cry on. I would definitely be asking more questions. What was she thinking!! Going into surgery you should be at peace with your choices. This is a big deal and she should have considered what kind of frame of mind that would throw you into right before a major surgery. Shame on her! Can you email her back and request a phone call?
Praying for you and that you receive some guidance that relieves all the questions, frustrations, fears and that your path becomes clear and true again ❤️🫂💕
Maggie Ma Oh, no…, many hugs virtually. After a good cry, move on and focus on your attention on what to be d ... Read more
Maggie Ma Oh, no…, many hugs virtually. After a good cry, move on and focus on your attention on what to be done best as next steps
Leigh Waggoner Oh mhy goodness, that must have been hard to hear, but this is not our plan it is Gods plan, and I pr ... Read more
Leigh Waggoner Oh mhy goodness, that must have been hard to hear, but this is not our plan it is Gods plan, and I pray he takes charge of your situation. Just know that it is all in His timing and His power. I know God will see you through this. Take care and hang in there.
Maggie Ma My surgery was very successful but also with small hiccup before surgery. Let me share here in case i ... Read more
Maggie Ma My surgery was very successful but also with small hiccup before surgery. Let me share here in case it may help others.
My original surgery was scheduled on 5/23. Then it was rescheduled to 5/30 because they gave me too much insulin at beginning of surgery. The hospital called me one day later and apologized for their mistake on 5/23 - they suppose to give me antibiotic, but instead gave me insulin. They soon found the mistake and stopped it. I was shocked and couldn’t believe how such low level mistake could happen. I asked myself whether I could still trusted the hospital. I decided to quickly move on and looked at the case in different perspectives. first they catch the issue quickly, take quick action of correction, and also they are open to communicate that with me and promise to investigate for learning perspective - that means their process and system is rubber and works well; Second, I believe anesthesiology will be extra careful next time. In addition, I trust Dr Bolling. I decided to quickly moved on and focus on my attention on surgery preparations and what I can do. My surgery on 5/30 is very successful. Dr Bolling is amazing doctor. Care services of the hospital is also very good. I do noticed they changed my anesthesiologists on 5/30 as well
Deena Z Sue, this is odd. Didn't the surgeon at-least investigate why you have high liver enzymes? Assume thi ... Read more
Deena Z Sue, this is odd. Didn't the surgeon at-least investigate why you have high liver enzymes? Assume this is AST and ALT. —Could be due to lipid in liver, Tylenol use, etc. Sounds like a quick change in decision without further discussion. I would want to know more and a second opinion. At minimum, a ultrasound on your liver
Daneen Douglas Oh no! that is a surprise you were not expecting for sure. As the Bible says, "His will is made per... Read more
Daneen Douglas Oh no! that is a surprise you were not expecting for sure. As the Bible says, "His will is made perfect in our weakness." So sorry that you were blindsided with this news. This may be a blessing in disguise to give you time to revisit your options, or at least get a second opinion. Praying God closes doors that are not meant to be, and opens the doors that will lead to the correct procedure and timing as well. God is definitely in control.
Sue Maize As always, I appreciate all your compassionate comments and support.❤️🩹 It’s been a s ... Read more
Sue Maize As always, I appreciate all your compassionate comments and support.❤️🩹 It’s been a surreal 24 hours, to say the least. A friend came over late last night and helped me put together a reply making clear my shock and asking for an explanation. I was grateful to see a reply in my in-box this morning, especially since she’s currently out of the country. She doesn’t believe a Ross is safe for me for a few reasons….my very high AST (82) and ALT (78) levels, which may be caused, partially at least, by a now severely leaking tricuspid valve, which was going to be repaired anyway, and she’s concerned that repairing the valve is hard on the right ventricle and with the amount of time that I’d be on the heart-lung machine with a Ross procedure, that this would be too much surgery and likely cause problems for the right ventricle. Bottom line is she doesn’t feel that the Ross is a safe option for me any longer.
Valerie Allen Sue, I’m glad you found out more about the heart of the matter. No pun intended. Let us know what y ... Read more
Valerie Allen Sue, I’m glad you found out more about the heart of the matter. No pun intended. Let us know what you decide. I’m sure your decision will be sound, whatever it is. 💕
Betsy Davenport Well that's just sucky. Is it the first time your liver enzymes have been high? Ugh, hope you can get ... Read more
Betsy Davenport Well that's just sucky. Is it the first time your liver enzymes have been high? Ugh, hope you can get to the bottom of it and get it sorted so you can have the procedure you'd chosen.
Christine Maiorano Sue, so sorry to hear this! You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Surprised this came up so late in th ... Read more
Christine Maiorano Sue, so sorry to hear this! You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Surprised this came up so late in the game.
Pre-op day today…went with my best friend from high school who made sure I didn’t lose all my papers and antiseptic soap and other bits and bobs….good ...Read more
Pre-op day today…went with my best friend from high school who made sure I didn’t lose all my papers and antiseptic soap and other bits and bobs….good thing because I found it challenging to remember and focus….I think because it’s all so new and feels so real now.
bloodwork, ECG, chest X-ray, met with nurse for questions and instructions, pharmacist and anesthesiologist, swab for a type of bacteria
All tests were in normal range except ALT and AST (liver enzymes)—both quite high, and iron saturation was in low range. 😬
Sometimes I think I can know too much and reading those results was one of those times. 😰
Valerie Allen You are on your way, girl! I felt more settled as the surgery was near. I wish the same for you. 💕 ... Read more
Valerie Allen You are on your way, girl! I felt more settled as the surgery was near. I wish the same for you. 💕
Daneen Douglas One step closer Sue! Do they do anything extra because the of the low iron and high liver enzyme te ... Read more
Daneen Douglas One step closer Sue! Do they do anything extra because the of the low iron and high liver enzyme test results? Glad your friend was able to support you today.
Allen Carkner You’ve got this Sue! I wish you a safe and successful surgery and steady recovery.
Yumiko Ishida You’re almost there! Glad they checked your iron saturation. Anemia is common post surgery, apparen ... Read more
Yumiko Ishida You’re almost there! Glad they checked your iron saturation. Anemia is common post surgery, apparently. No one said anything to me until my PCP was checking for something else and noticed I was still anemic couple months out. If I had known about it, I would’ve added more iron-rich food to my diet earlier. There is no such things as knowing too much!
Grace Mason Glad your friend could come and support you on your pre-op visit. Hope you get answers/guidance on yo ... Read more
Grace Mason Glad your friend could come and support you on your pre-op visit. Hope you get answers/guidance on your blood work soon.
Christine Maiorano You’re almost there! The closer my surgery, the calmer i became. You’ll be smiling in recovery be ... Read more
Christine Maiorano You’re almost there! The closer my surgery, the calmer i became. You’ll be smiling in recovery before you know it. 👍
Deena Z We are with you in heart and prayers, Sue.
Darrell Malone Great Sue, your pretty much ready to go. So enjoy your weekend and don't worry about the deck. Will ... Read more
Darrell Malone Great Sue, your pretty much ready to go. So enjoy your weekend and don't worry about the deck. Will be waiting for your post surgery posts when you are ready. 🇨🇦 👍🏻
Pam Dahl You got this Sue! Trust in your healthcare team. Will be praying for you and following your recover ... Read more
Pam Dahl You got this Sue! Trust in your healthcare team. Will be praying for you and following your recovery.
Sue Maize Thanks everyone! Apparently my iron levels mean I need to go in tmrw for an infusion, glad they’re ... Read more
Sue Maize Thanks everyone! Apparently my iron levels mean I need to go in tmrw for an infusion, glad they’re on it, but it really messes with my to-do list! 😅
Sue Maize Daneen, I’m going to email my surgeon about the liver enzymes—you have great instincts about thes ... Read more
Sue Maize Daneen, I’m going to email my surgeon about the liver enzymes—you have great instincts about these things! 👍🏻
Kristin Vano Prayers for a successful surgery and smooth recovery ❤️🩹
Andrea Babcock Best Wishes for you successful surgery!!! You got this!
Daneen Douglas Glad the doctors are taking care of everything, Sue! Let me know what the doctor says about the enz... Read more
Daneen Douglas Glad the doctors are taking care of everything, Sue! Let me know what the doctor says about the enzyme test.
Rita Savelis Congrats Sue on being featured in Adam's newsletter! You're a star.
Sue Maize Ha! I didn’t realize I was and was scrolling casually until my giant face startled me!😆 How a ... Read more
Sue Maize Ha! I didn’t realize I was and was scrolling casually until my giant face startled me!😆 How are you doing dear Rita? 💕 I owe you a reply, which I likely won’t get to until post-op now….at least I’ll have some news to share! ❤️🩹
Sue Maize Will do Daneen! 👍🏻 Thank you Andrea and Kristin! ❤️🩹
Date change #6….now June 10, 2 days earlier so I’m glad about that. Now that I have 2 fewer days to prepare, I’m paring down my to-do list! I suppose ...Read more
Date change #6….now June 10, 2 days earlier so I’m glad about that. Now that I have 2 fewer days to prepare, I’m paring down my to-do list! I suppose power washing my deck can wait. 🥴
BRENDA JUNIEL HI Sue!! I got my date changed today!! At first I was bummed about date change but after reading you... Read more
BRENDA JUNIEL HI Sue!! I got my date changed today!! At first I was bummed about date change but after reading your post I feel alot better.
Sue Maize I’m so glad Brenda—I’m learning to trust God’s timing in this. When is your date and what is ... Read more
Sue Maize I’m so glad Brenda—I’m learning to trust God’s timing in this. When is your date and what is your surgery?
BRENDA JUNIEL 6/14 Aortic valve replacement and CABG. I am trusting God to!
Darrell Malone I think you have broken a record 🤣. You will be happy once your surgery is done and in recovery m... Read more
Darrell Malone I think you have broken a record 🤣. You will be happy once your surgery is done and in recovery mode. The deck will be ready when you are .
Sue Maize Haha, I’ll get a t-shirt made! 😂 You’re right Darrell…will be so good to be on the other ... Read more
Sue Maize Haha, I’ll get a t-shirt made! 😂 You’re right Darrell…will be so good to be on the other side of this. As for the deck,I might just milk my fragile state a little with friends to get that checked off. 😅😇
J Alexander Lassally Boy - that office is working you hard. I know you had shared their early access difficulty, and I gue ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally Boy - that office is working you hard. I know you had shared their early access difficulty, and I guess they are putting you though the paces. If it is any consolation, there are lots of schedule tweaks all around, and I think bigger academic hospitals don't have their *hit together as much, schedule wise !
I just want to encourage any of you who may be feeling anxious or afraid, or if your mood plummets some days, and ...Read more
Warning: long journal entry ahead…
I just want to encourage any of you who may be feeling anxious or afraid, or if your mood plummets some days, and you don’t want to get out of bed, then maybe on another day you feel hopeful again. This journey, for me anyway, has been as much mental/emotional as it has been physical. Yes, I am prone to depression anyway, but these last weeks and months have been a personal test like no other for me, and I’m sure will continue to be. There are many moments when I feel excited about the good things in my life—family, faith, friends, and the projects I want to invest in during this retirement phase of my life—doing some writing, getting to Italy eventually, doing the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, opening my cafe I’ve dreamed about, getting back to doing pottery, and working on behalf of people with special needs and mental illness like my brothers, etc etc etc.
But these are also interspersed with some real dark moments when I can fear the worst possible thing happening, whether it’s the surgery itself, or the recovery afterward, cardiac depression taking me down, or not being in good enough shape for recovery (because in fact, I’ve put back some of the weight that I initially took off—trying to lose weight in a stressful situation when it has been one of your coping mechanisms for stress is not very effective). My energy has been low because I’m symptomatic, but I’ve also been depressed, and it has been really hard to muster the strength to go for walks many days. Depression for me doesn’t necessarily manifest as sadness—it can be more just an inability to do anything that requires much effort, and it can look look like laziness. Depressed people aren’t lazy; we may look like it, but we’re actually trying really hard to live, to do what comes more naturally and easily to those who aren’t; and many days we may know too the feeling of that weight lifting and that freedom to live, and do and get things done and take care of ourselves and those entrusted to us as well. I have a very strong faith in God, and know that he’s got this, and I honestly could not imagine facing this or any of life’s challenges without him. I know that’s true for many of you in this community too. Mental health is not something I’ve ever been comfortable talking about as it pertains to me, likely because of social stigma, but also because it means being vulnerable and sharing what could be perceived as weakness.
But nothing in my life has ever made me feel more vulnerable than facing open heart surgery; it has put its finger on every fragility, every tender area, every Achilles heel, even every bad habit, that has been hitherto heavily defended and guarded. And I feel exposed because of it. I didn’t realize how much I thought I could control in life, mine and others…until now. I didn’t realize how much I would need other people to help me or how hard it would be to ask for that help…until now. I didn’t realize that I’m not invincible (seriously! ) and that one day I might actually have a serious health issue I would need to address…until now.
But I am experiencing through all of this, something else I’m not sure I would have without open heart surgery, and it has been as invigorating and wondrous as it has been scary. I’m not even sure what to call “it”, but it feels hopeful and transcendent, fumbling yet strengthening, beautiful and awkward all at the same time. It beckons me forward and assures me that all is well, even if sometimes it doesn’t feel like it.
Not what I would typically write in THIS journal, but definitely what I would in my private journal. And not what I would typically put out there for all to see…but this is a very personal journey and if anyone else can relate, then I’m happy to share if it can help you to know you’re not alone as you sort through your own beautiful mess too. ❤️🩹🙏🏻
Andrea Babcock Thank you for sharing. Stay strong. You will get through this. The time before the surgery is the wor ... Read more
Andrea Babcock Thank you for sharing. Stay strong. You will get through this. The time before the surgery is the worst and hardest. It was for us as well and many of the feelings you have, my husband and me the wife had as well. It was all such a shock and so very scary. Best wishes for your surgery and a good recovery. You will make it to Italy!!! We just got home from 3 weeks in Germany and Greece and Dean did really good. He will be going back to work finally after 4 month off during recovery next week.
Christine Maiorano Dear Sue, thank you for sharing with such honesty. I understand what you’re going through . My husb ... Read more
Christine Maiorano Dear Sue, thank you for sharing with such honesty. I understand what you’re going through . My husband has struggled with depression, although with the help of the correct medication and dosage he’s been great for the last 15 years. When he was going through a difficult time, friends and family didn’t understand, and yes sadly there is a stigma that goes with it! Depression is like any other illness, with the right doctors, meds and positive thinking you will get through this. Like you I felt invincible! My life is good, health wasn’t an issue, I have a great family and suddenly I was hit with open heart surgery. I got through it and have a new appreciation for life. I urge you to share your thoughts and fears with your Dr. Look forward to an eventual trip to Italy ( it’s one of our favorite places) and the many wonderful things life has in store for you!. Sending prayers and hugs❤️
Rose Madura Sue, your comments are valid. I'm sorry that you suffer with depression. I'm sure your faith helps y ... Read more
Rose Madura Sue, your comments are valid. I'm sorry that you suffer with depression. I'm sure your faith helps you. You have great aspirations and with God's help, you will reach them. Writing is a form of talking about it and you did just that. May God bless you
Valerie Allen When I was telling my daughter how I was feeling before surgery, I said “I feel so vulnerable” - ... Read more
Valerie Allen When I was telling my daughter how I was feeling before surgery, I said “I feel so vulnerable” - just as you said. That was a scary feeling. I too have suffered from depression so I can relate to so much of what you write. And for the record, it is much better afterward. ❤️
Darrell Malone Hi Sue, this community has got you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, it took some courage. Your go... Read more
Darrell Malone Hi Sue, this community has got you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, it took some courage. Your going to do great.
Suzette Schear Hi Sue, you spend so much time comforting others by your positive reinforcements and your beliefs. ... Read more
Suzette Schear Hi Sue, you spend so much time comforting others by your positive reinforcements and your beliefs. I understand and validate your feelings. I had many of nights before my surgery and another night like that specifically last night. If this is the journey that was chosen for me I don’t want to but have to accept it. The hardest part is just letting go. Letting go of control and all of it. You are in good hands. It’s these times that you’re more supported than you think. Had I joined this group sooner I would have found a way to get you the heart pillow to you, but I know from my friend in st Catherine’s , stuff always gets stuck in customs and it might not make it there in time in June. I believe from my feb broken heart to now fixed heart- that you got this and will write about your journey and other things bringing more light into this world. Sending a hug. Hope this didn’t come across corny
Daneen Douglas Sue, thank you for sharing your emotional and physical journey, as depression definitely includes both.
I have a mood disorder and anxiety which without medication causes me to have mood swings and lack of focus.
I can totally relate with the lack of energy and really had to push before my surgery. Now, the drive to recover has given me the motivation I didn’t have prior. It’s very hard to explain. It’s like an inner strength and drive to do more and get stronger each day. It’s probably the new heart parts as well! Seeing the daily progress has been very motivating. Even though I’m still recovering and am only feeling about 75% or so, I feel stronger emotionally and overall physically, than I did before surgery. ... Read more
Daneen Douglas Sue, thank you for sharing your emotional and physical journey, as depression definitely includes both.
I have a mood disorder and anxiety which without medication causes me to have mood swings and lack of focus.
I can totally relate with the lack of energy and really had to push before my surgery. Now, the drive to recover has given me the motivation I didn’t have prior. It’s very hard to explain. It’s like an inner strength and drive to do more and get stronger each day. It’s probably the new heart parts as well! Seeing the daily progress has been very motivating. Even though I’m still recovering and am only feeling about 75% or so, I feel stronger emotionally and overall physically, than I did before surgery.
This community and the support and encouragement I have received and continue to receive, especially from you Sue, has been invaluable. You are a very strong woman!
Now is the time for you to receive support. I’m very independent and always have been the care giver my whole life. It is a difficult switch, but necessary. I’m very glad you have a network of friends around you.
Sending prayers for continued strength and peace as you near your surgery. You’ve got this and God will lead you through to recovery.
Lots of hugs! ❤️🩹😊
Sue Maize Thanks everyone—hearing from you all was better than a thousand therapy sessions, I mean it. It is ... Read more
Sue Maize Thanks everyone—hearing from you all was better than a thousand therapy sessions, I mean it. It is the power of human connection! 🥰 I’m coming to believe that there is tremendous strength in sharing vulnerably like some of you just did with me. Andrea, Valerie, Christine and especially Suzette and Daneen—you know—you reminded me of things that I absolutely needed to hear and you give me strength, really you do. God works through people and all of your comments are proof of that. We don’t always need to be fixed…we just need to know we’re not alone. Rose, you have been such a support right from the beginning—I’m so grateful for you. Darrell, you are always encouraging me and others and your updates fuel our own hopes for recovery. Appreciate you all so much and feel so connected at a time when I need that more than ever. I think we all do—let’s face it, this is scary. May God continue to bless and strengthen each of you today and in the days to come. ❤️🙏🏻
Dan Fouratt Sue, Glad to hear you are feeling better.
BRENDA JUNIEL I am so grateful for this post. An to know that I am not alone. I not retired yet and I plan to go... Read more
BRENDA JUNIEL I am so grateful for this post. An to know that I am not alone. I not retired yet and I plan to go back to work when the Doctors says I can. As a nurse I never imagined being on the side of the patient. Thankful that the compassion I give out to care for others I know it will come back to me.
Thank you for posting your emotional journey it has blessed my heart and mind.