Terry's Heart Valve Journal

Hello - I know it has been a while since I posted and appreciate the notes of concern and encouragement. A little over a week ago, I had a bleeding event that required an ambulance ride to emergency. They got the issue corrected (no additional surgery was required - thank goodness!) during my week in hospital.

I am feeling much better and doing my walking (laps around the house) and have been out a few times. I will have my follow-up with the surgeon next week and hoping to get started with cardiac rehab soon.

Thanks again!

Terry

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am at home and comfortable. Sorry, I haven't been posting and didn't intend to worry anyone but just needed to focus inwardly for a bit.

As Deb mentioned, the surgery was a success (we had a couple of hiccups but the docs were on top of things and got it all straightened out quickly). An absolutely fantastic team at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano. I am so grateful for the tremendous surgeons, doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, therapists (physical, respiratory, occupational) and the skill they applied to correcting my heart problems and caring for me through the process. Thank you.

Thank you to everyone for your kind words, well wishes, prayers and support over the past couple of months up and through my surgery. I don't think I could have done it without you. From my family who has done so much and continue to do so, to each of you on this site cheering me along every scary step of the way, you-yes-you, will never know how much you lessened the burden. Thank you.

I suppose it really does "take a village" and I am glad you are part of mine! :)

Thank you again - Terry

Sending out a big thank you to everyone for the kind words, well wishes and wisdom.

It is hard to believe that only 2 months ago I found out that I need AVR. Well tomorrow is just right around the corner. I feel fairly calm and ready for this.

A special thanks to my cousin Deb who has walked most of this path with me. Words are not enough to express my gratitude. You are my heart angel.

Tune in tomorrow, Deb will be posting while I am off the air!

All my best to all of you! ♥

Peace ✌️

Reposting for people who are new to HVS.com : A little while back someone posted a link to a YouTube video. It was one of a four part series. I watched them all and found them helpful. So I am reposting the link to the series:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRd22xoRmEi7i7-hIkrVUSg

I wondered how it would feel seeing my name in the right hand column "Upcoming Surgeries". I actually feel at peace (most of the time). I do have a special moment every now and then. I am keeping busy wrapping things up at work and around the house. Looking forward to feeling good again and know this is the next stop on the road to there and doing the things I love most (and have let go of the past few years).

We met with the surgeon yesterday to talk about CTA results and surgery plan. Good news! We are on the same plan for AVR + CABG (x2) nothing else was found to be fixed during surgery. On to the next step, pre-op appointment late next week.

Thanks to everyone for their kind words and support!

Final meeting with surgeon tomorrow to review CTA and surgical plan. Only two more weeks.

I am now 3 weeks away from surgery.

Today is my CTA day. Waiting for the outpatient imaging center to open.

Reposting for people who are new to HVS.com : A little while back someone posted a link to a YouTube video. It was one of a four part series. I watched them all and found them helpful. So I am reposting the link to the series:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRd22xoRmEi7i7-hIkrVUSg

From the YouTube description:

This YouTube channel contains four informational videos and one 5 minute overview for those who are about to undergo open heart surgery or who have just had open heart surgery (and their families). These videos are NOT a bunch of graphic surgical images, they are a practical guide to open heart surgery, described from a patient's point of view, and narrated by a heart patient who has actually been thru open heart surgery. You will get a complete and easy to understand description of the procedure along with some helpful tips for before, during, and after your open heart surgery. Each video explains step by step what a patient and their family can expect to happen during their bypass surgery (CABG) and/or valve replacement / repair surgery. These videos are not meant to provide any form of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any kind, and are only meant to give patients some practical advice and tips about their surgery and their recovery.

A friend who works for one of the valve makers sent this http://www.valveadvice.org/
It is a good collection of the basics. There is also a valve choice calculator to use with your doc.