Susan Roberts - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Update posted on...

May 22, 2018

Celebrating one week since AVR surgery! I got home Sunday, and trying to readjust. So far I feel week,and do not have much appetite, hoping that will come back soon. Having some visual migraines as well. But so glad to be out of the hospital!

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Anna Jones Congratulations on your 1 week anniversary. Sending prayers for a continued easy recovery, and hope that your appetite will improve soon.

veronica gunthner Welcome to the other side, Susan! The first week home is rough. I had no appetite the first couple days especially. Once I could eat again my strength came ... Read more

veronica gunthner Welcome to the other side, Susan! The first week home is rough. I had no appetite the first couple days especially. Once I could eat again my strength came back. I drink Garden of Life protein shakes with almond milk to help heal and keep energy up. Wishing you well in your new reality!

Michelle E Hi Susan - are your visual migraines of the wavy lines variety? I got a lot of that post-op and even now still have them 2-3 times a week. I wonder if it is ... Read more

Michelle E Hi Susan - are your visual migraines of the wavy lines variety? I got a lot of that post-op and even now still have them 2-3 times a week. I wonder if it is a side affect from the anesthesia? Glad to hear you are home! It gets better day by day. I found that after the first week, sleeping comfortably got a bit easier and that made a big difference overall. Best wishes for a great recovery!

Mark Wilbur Our best wishes for a full recovery! Glad you're home!

Michael Eichhorn Hi Anna, no visual migraines for me. Are still taking pain meds?

Rose Madura Welcome to the recovery side. Best wishes for a speedy and uneventful recovery.

Susan Roberts Michelle E yes my migraines are the wavy line variety, maybe it is part of the anesthesia effects. Will keep track of it. Thanks.

Barbara Wood Best healing wishes Susan. I had the visual migraines too, the zig zag variety. My appetite took about 2-3 weeks to return. I drank Ensure for some extra nutrition.

Kelly Stoll Susan, congrats! Take your time adjusting. I know it was a slow process for me but in time, things progressed. Enjoy being home and may you heal well.

Susan Roberts Thanks to all of you I feel better today than I did yesterday! Planning to enroll in cardiac rehab in a few weeks!

Susan Killian I had the visual wavy lines, I did assume they were post anesthesia, took about 2 weeds to disappear.

Update posted on...

May 17, 2018

Hi heart valve warriors! Checking in after surgeryonMy 15th!i am doing well.moved to the step down yesterday and up walking today. I feel sluggish but my Dr and healthcare team are happy with my progress! Best wishes to all of those with surgeries next week! Take care! Susan!

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Judy Shaw Good to hear from you 2 days post op and you're doing well. Praying your recovery continues to go well.

Adam Pick Yay Susan!!!

Susan Lynn Great news!! Continued progress!

Mark Wilbur Happy to know that you are doing well. Keep going!

Wanda Mroz Good job! You are doing great! May your recovery continue smoothly!

Petey Bello Good News, I hope you continue with a successful recovery!

Rose Madura Wonderful news! Welcome to the recovery side! May you have an uneventful recovery.

Barbara Wood Best healing wishes!

Chris Purvis Awesome Susan! So glad to hear from you!

Michael Eichhorn Way to go ValveDay partner! It is true that the worst part was the time leading up to surgery.

A step forward to surgery

Journal posted on April 28, 2018

This week I had my pre-op appointment with the surgeon. It will be a Bovine aortic valve for me! Dr.Ramaiah discussed all of the possible complications from surgery, hope to have none of these, but aware. He said he won't release me to drive until the four week appointment, yikes! Thursday, I had my tooth extracted and getting over that, but no major issues, glad that is done! Big conference at work next week, then a week at home to get all ready work wise and home wise for my May 15th surgery. My energy level is down, trying to keep moving, but not overdo it. And will need to contact my prayer warriors to ask for their prayers!

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Michael Eichhorn Hi Susan, we share the same surgery date. Thoughts and prayers for a successful 5-15!

Michael Cline You and Michael will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck and God Bless on 5/15!!

Gina Fiorentino Holding you both in my thoughts and prayers!

Mark Wilbur Prayers for you and your family, Susan.

Ed Miller Same for me with Dr. Levack on May 3rd at Vanderbilt.

Steven Perrotta Good luck to you and Michael. I do have to say my biggest complaint is being stuck not driving and you have to sit in the back seat if there are airbags. So ... Read more

Steven Perrotta Good luck to you and Michael. I do have to say my biggest complaint is being stuck not driving and you have to sit in the back seat if there are airbags. So many little things that come up and you have to wait for someone to come home to take you. I suppose you could use something like Uber or Lyft, but who wants to pay for a quick trip to the grocery store or pharmacy.

Susan Roberts Thanks to all for the kind words of encouragement! It means a lot to me!

Bonnie Stone-Hope Best wishes and prayers coming your way.

Don't forget to do your breathing exercises!

John Lant Susan, I wish you the best on your upcoming surgery and just remember this surgery is not a choice, it is a must and you will be just fine afterwards.

Valerie Herndon-Vitarella Praying for you.

Chris Purvis Thoughts and prayers with you Susan!

Bump in the road

Journal posted on April 18, 2018

I had my dental appointment yesterday, got a referral to an oral surgeon for a CT Scan for my entire mouth and to look at a tooth/crown that is giving me some pain. The oral surgeon recommends the tooth be pulled, so scheduled the extraction for next week. Soooo I don't have the dental clearance letter yet... Surgery is scheduled for May 15th... Hope it won't effect that date... Fingers crossed....

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Gina Fiorentino Keeping fingers crossed for you. :)

Bonnie Stone-Hope Thinking of you and hoping that all goes well with your dental work.

Susan Roberts Thanks. I called the surgeons office and I won't need to move the surgery date, so that is a relief!

Second opinion and surgery scheduled!

Journal posted on April 11, 2018

I went for my second opinion Monday, he agreed with my surgeon and showed us the TEE and CT pics and explained what we were seeing. Called the surgeons office and have a date May 15th! Now to get ready at work and home for the big day!

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Second opinion. scheduled

Journal posted on March 27, 2018

I scheduled my second opinion for early April. Sent the medical records but had to call back for two tests which were not in the packet .. But glad that am moving forward! Also saw my primary care DR for my usual check up, we discussed my choice for surgery Bio valve etc she was very supportive! Planning surgery for May...

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Moving forward!

Journal posted on March 10, 2018

It had been a month since my CT etc, with no call from the Drs office. I called yesterday for an update. The Drs office put my info into the national data base to decide if my case is TAVR or non TAVr. My results are non TAVR so I qualify for OHS. I still plan on a May surgery date to replace this aortic valve. I plan on a BIO valve to avoid the need for blood thinner. My surgeon performs this by hemi sternectomy unless he just has to cut the whole sternum bone. Now I am debating whether I still need a second opinion.

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Anna Jones Second opinions never hurt. Surgeons have different ideas and approaches to the same matter.

Steve Farthing If you are wondering about the TAVR vs non TAVR question, you might get a 2nd opinion from a doc who specializes in TAVR procedures. You could also ask your ... Read more

Steve Farthing If you are wondering about the TAVR vs non TAVR question, you might get a 2nd opinion from a doc who specializes in TAVR procedures. You could also ask your first doc if he has any documentation to show you that he received from the 'national database' posting to ground his recommendation of non TAVR. Some people even get a 3rd opinion to explore all options.

Susan, if you were hoping to have a TAVR procedure, I would definitely get a second opinion from a center and surgeon who do lots of the procedures. I had a ... Read more

Susan, if you were hoping to have a TAVR procedure, I would definitely get a second opinion from a center and surgeon who do lots of the procedures. I had a TAVR at 60 years old and was home in one day. I cannot tell you how amazing it was. I still am in awe at 4 months post procedure. I know not everyone qualifies, but second opinions never hurt.

Susan Roberts Thanks for your help,

Feb 9th.. completed diagnostic testing

Journal posted on February 10, 2018

Yesterday, I spent the "day" at the hospital, for a CT scan of the heart.. pulmonary and carotid artery ultrasound.. Prior to the cT scan.. I had to have some meds to slow down my heart rate, which delayed the test, but I was able to complete it.. I was NPO from midnight, so it was good to finally get water/food at 1 PM.. After that, had to obtain my Cd's of test results and medical records. Glad that is behind me.. I did learn how caring all of the health professionals are at this hospital.. so that made me feel at ease about my choice!! Next step is a second opinion though!!

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Bonnie Stone-Hope Glad to hear your experience with the health care professionals was positive. Nice to get the tests done.

Helen Daw I have been reading that a lot of people are getting the CT scan. Why? I was never asked to do a stress test or a CT scan.

Don L For me, CTscan for pelvis, abdomen, coronary, is being done for robotic surgery planning and to make sure femoral arteries are large enough for bypass and no ... Read more

Don L For me, CTscan for pelvis, abdomen, coronary, is being done for robotic surgery planning and to make sure femoral arteries are large enough for bypass and no calcium or unexpected obstruction throughout. Surgeon/cardiologist recommended in lieu of heart catheterization. I believe either can be utilized.

Don L Also, I believe stress test is just another verification of MR severity. TEE is supposed to be most accurate test for verification of severity from what I understand.

Helen Daw Don, They did an echo, carotid artery, cardiac cath and the halter monitor. No other tests were asked of me.

Don L Hi Helen, you certainly have one of the best surgeons from what I have read and experts in the area.

Susan Killian For me they did a TEE and then followed up with a stress echo. I think they wanted to see what my mitral valve was doing under stress and to evaluate if there ... Read more

Susan Killian For me they did a TEE and then followed up with a stress echo. I think they wanted to see what my mitral valve was doing under stress and to evaluate if there is any artery blockages, they said low likelihood of CAD but severe regurgitation of mitral valve.

Susan Roberts They did the CT to view my aorta to check for calcium, and to take measurements for the surgery.

Happy to find this support site!!

Journal posted on February 2, 2018

I recently learned that I need to have my aortic valve replaced. I have consulted a Surgeon, but need more tests before he determines what he recommends for me. Trying to decide upon the surgeon for a second opinion.. whether to consult one at the big educational institution.. or one at another facility . Glad to find that I am not alone in this!!

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Bob Fessler Welcome to this site Susan. It has sooo much useful information and support. I had my AVR surgery last July and am doing great. Believe me, the surgery is ... Read more

Bob Fessler Welcome to this site Susan. It has sooo much useful information and support. I had my AVR surgery last July and am doing great. Believe me, the surgery is not as bad as your imagination makes it. In fact, you sleep thru it! In my case, after surgery pain was managed superbly. Surgeons have been doing this surgery successfully for quite some time. You can do this.

Susan Roberts Thanks for the encouragement Bob!!

Helen Daw Bob, This makes me feel better. I am nervous as hell, but every time I read posts like yours, my anxiety gets better and I tell myself if they can do it, so ... Read more

Helen Daw Bob, This makes me feel better. I am nervous as hell, but every time I read posts like yours, my anxiety gets better and I tell myself if they can do it, so can I. Thank you.
And Susan, if you have any doubts, I highly encourage you to go for a second and third opinion. You have to be comfortable with your decision and your surgeons. Good luck!