Tamiko's Journal

Susan Lynn  Yay!!! Congrats on your successful recovery so far, Tamiko! I have used Mederma and Vitamin C creams in the past on various scars and they worked well. I didn't use anything on my OHS scar. It's almost invisible now.

I can't answer the pillow question because I didn't have a sternum cut, but maybe one of our other heart warriors can help.

Wishing you continued success! ❤

Mike Dotson  I had a minimally invasive AVR 4 months ago. The first couple of weeks were a challenge but I felt better each day. I was able to do most everything I need but I needed to do everything slowly and rest afterwards. After a month, with my surgeons ok, I began to exercise again. I started slowly and progressed in a linear fashion. I now am back feeling “normal”. Another aspect of this is the mental hurdles. Even though I got clearance from both my surgeon and cardiologist, I reached out to them a couple more times to make sure that I was proceeding intelligently and not putting myself at risk. Good luck to you. Take your recovery day by day and the next thing you know, you’ve climbed that mountain.

D Rogers  Lifting prayers Tamiko. We've all been apprehensive about our situations and empathize and encourage positive thoughts and prayer

Tamiko Tommila  Thanks for your encouraging words of support!
Mike Dotson, my youngest just graduated from HS and my oldest just graduated from college.....I know how special and important it is to be there for them :).
I read your post's and wondered how you feel your heart is working now? Do you have any reservations in terms of being worried about physical exercise? I really went back and forth on the mechanical valve vs Bio but I decided that I didn't want the blood thinners and I am a really light sleeper, and felt the ticking sound was going to be too difficult. I do love the idea of "one and done" in terms of operations, but I am putting my faith in the TAVR valve in valve when my new COW valve breaks down.....hopefully a long time down the road!

Jill Frey  Hi Tamiko, I am also new to the group and am also scheduled for TAVR this month. Although my doctor and surgeon feel Open heart surgery is a better option for me because I am 60 and not 80, I opted for the TAVR because I dont feel I can handle the recovery and also did not want to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life. I am very anxious about how long the valve will last and am making myself emotionally sick over the whole thing. I was also diagnosed at a regular physical and had none of the symptoms associated with severe aortic stenosis yet here I am. Were your doctors pushing you to go with open heart as well? I am by nature a worrier who suffers from severe anxiety and OCD so I have been thinking of nothing but this procedure for the last month. Its on my mind 24/7 and I feel like all I do is worry and am not enjoying anything. I have so many questions about the recovery as well. You are not alone. I will be sending prayers for a full and speedy recovery for you. Please let me know what to expect if you are feeling up to it. Im scheduled for the 12th of July right now but just found out they may have to push it back a while because they got the authorization from my secondary insurance rather then my primary so now more waiting. Glad I picked that up before the day of the procedure. Did you attend the webinar Adam hosted 2 days ago with the TAVR specialists? I found it very informative. I wish I had the good fortune to use that surgeon to perform my TAVR but being in Jew Jersey it would not work for me, Best of luck with your TAVR.

Lisa Coombe  I had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced but it wasn’t minimally invasive, I’m recovering well from my surgery and it will be 5 weeks on monday

Tamiko Tommila  Hi Lisa - soapy to hear you are doing well 5 weeks post! What types of activities are you able to do? Do you need assistance with anything?

Lisa Coombe  I can do a lot, I don’t need any assistance at all, I have been showering on my own since day 3, I do what I can at home and my boyfriend does what I can’t do

Kim McGee  I had open heart to replace the aortic valve on June 24 th I had bicuspid Aortic Stenosis . First few days were tough but after that hasn’t been bad . They are trying to find the sweet spot with the coumidan because I went with mechanical valve so bloodwork everyday . You can do it !keeping you in my prayers . Btw I am 50 and very active so it’s slowed me down for a bit but have to stay patient while healing after 😊