timothy morris - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Update posted on...

July 13, 2018

Question,
How long did need to be on Metoprolol after valve surgery?

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Nancy Surprenant Takahashi I was on it before and after, I had my surgery on 4/10 and I'm still on it but I went into afib after surgery. I think it might depend.

Anna Jones I had 1 metoprolol in the hospital when my heart rate increased too high after a walk. I am now on the lowest dosage of Carvedilol on an as needed basis. ... Read more

Anna Jones I had 1 metoprolol in the hospital when my heart rate increased too high after a walk. I am now on the lowest dosage of Carvedilol on an as needed basis. I find it lowers my blood pressure too much and does not decrease my heart rate at all, so I am not taking it.

Steve Farthing About 3 days immediately after MV repair.

Toni Z I’m still on it 1/2 in the morning and night since my surgery in January

Jennifer John On Metoprolol for about 2 weeks after surgery, then at my one month folo-up visit, I was switched to Toprol XL and for 6 months only, a milder diuretic, Aldactazide.

Rita Savelis I stayed on it for a year with doses being reduced gradually. I asked to stop and was so happy to stop!! That said, my heart beat remains fast and I live with ... Read more

Rita Savelis I stayed on it for a year with doses being reduced gradually. I asked to stop and was so happy to stop!! That said, my heart beat remains fast and I live with that. Since I am on anticoagulants, it's okay to have a faster heartbeat. Some patients are not comfortable with that, though.

Marie Myers I have stayed on 12.5 mg twice a day since my surgery 16 months ago.

timothy morris Thanks so much for the feedback.

Sixth day post surgery

Journal posted on July 9, 2018

So glad that is behind me. It really is the period between finding out you need open heart surgery and the actual surgery that is the worst part of it. Not saying in any way that there are not struggles afterward but you are recovering and the goal is to get back doing all the things that you want to do feeling stronger and healthier than before.
The biggest issue I had was with the breathing tube it was very difficult for me but once it was out which was Goal #2 (Goal # 1 is always surviving) oh what a relief. The tubes coming out was painful but not as bad as I thought. Was in the hospital for 5 days no longer needed anything stronger than regular Tylenol after day 3.
Going home was great and so far my recovery is going very well. I lurked for quite a while on this site before posting and want to thank everyone for all the great information and advice that I obtained it was invaluable.

Like | Mark Wilbur, Julie Gerard, Kelly Stoll and 2 others like this

Mark Wilbur Happy to hear another positive story, Timothy. Thanks for your comment about the breathing tube. I'm sure you're very glad to be home and continuing to have ... Read more

Mark Wilbur Happy to hear another positive story, Timothy. Thanks for your comment about the breathing tube. I'm sure you're very glad to be home and continuing to have an "uneventful" recovery. Keep it going!

Kelly Stoll Congrats and welcome home. :)

John Lant Glad to hear the worst part is over and now your recovery is beginning. I am 2 weeks post surgery and thank god I feel better each & every day. Keep up with ... Read more

John Lant Glad to hear the worst part is over and now your recovery is beginning. I am 2 weeks post surgery and thank god I feel better each & every day. Keep up with the walking & breathing exercises and you will be back to normal soon.

LINDA ROBERTS So glad you have the surgery behind you and you are now in the recovery phase. What valve- brand name-did you receive?

timothy morris Pericardial tissue valve Model 3300TFX Edwards Lifesciences

Sleeping the night before

Journal posted on July 2, 2018

How in the world is anyone able to sleep the night before open heart surgery. I am trying to figure that out. I need to be at the hospital tomorrow at 5 am for morning surgery.

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Susan Lynn Thinking of you, Timothy. You're probably not going to sleep tonight, but you'll get a fabulous nap, tomorrow. It will seem that quick! You'll also sleep ... Read more

Susan Lynn Thinking of you, Timothy. You're probably not going to sleep tonight, but you'll get a fabulous nap, tomorrow. It will seem that quick! You'll also sleep most of the remainder of the day waking up periodically to eat the World's Greatest ice chips! You'll be fine! Looking forward to your good news!

Steven Methot I don't have the experience of OHS (yet), but I've been sleepless the night before surgery. Don't let the lack of sleep stress you. Quiet music, looking at ... Read more

Steven Methot I don't have the experience of OHS (yet), but I've been sleepless the night before surgery. Don't let the lack of sleep stress you. Quiet music, looking at photo albums, even a sit on the porch or the front step. As Susan said, you'll sleep soon enough! Pulling for you. All the best tomorrow.

Marianne Charters I spent the evening before watching silly movies with my oldest son who had come to stay with us through surgery. We had some wine and talked about fun memories. ... Read more

Marianne Charters I spent the evening before watching silly movies with my oldest son who had come to stay with us through surgery. We had some wine and talked about fun memories. I slept a bit, but you’ll have plenty of catch up snoozes soon!

Chris Purvis It wasn’t easy but I managed 5 hours that was about all I could give. Tomorrow you should have a different mindset and be more at peace with everything.

Helen Daw I didn't sleep at all the night before. I was terrified. Just hang in there and you will be on the recovery side before you know it. It is not bad at all..The ... Read more

Helen Daw I didn't sleep at all the night before. I was terrified. Just hang in there and you will be on the recovery side before you know it. It is not bad at all..The whole process was not bad. The waiting was the worse part. Good luck!!

Rose Madura They had me come to the hospital the night before surgery. They offered a sleeping pill but I was ok without it. I did sleep some but you know how a hospital is....hard to sleep.

timothy morris Thanks for all the great advice and comforting comments.

Kirk Bepler It's hard sleep the night before as your thinking about the surgery, just know you will be in good hands and soon on the road to recovery.
As Chris said above ... Read more

Kirk Bepler It's hard sleep the night before as your thinking about the surgery, just know you will be in good hands and soon on the road to recovery.
As Chris said above you need to be at peace with it, a friend also told me to go in with a clear at peace mind do not let the dark to invade your mind. It was good advice

Just ready to get back to normal

Journal posted on June 28, 2018

After being grounded and not being able to do strenuous activities for the past 3 months after being diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis due to a bicuspid valve, it is driving me crazy so I am ready to get the valve replaced and have a path back to where I was.
I have gotten great inspiration and advice from everyone on this site that has been through what I have or another heart surgery.
Either way open heart surgery is terrifying idea but one has to trust in the amazing surgeons and advances in medicine to get through it.
Best to all who have had OHS and recovered, are recovering and are where I am about to have it.

Like | John Formby , Valerie Herndon-Vitarella, Susan Lynn and 2 others like this

Susan Lynn Best of luck with your surgery, Timothy. We'll be here waiting to welcome you to recovery. You're going to be fine!

Chris Purvis Timothy I was right there with you..my time was shorter at about 45 days from discovery to surgery. Getting back to normal life is the name of the game for ... Read more

Chris Purvis Timothy I was right there with you..my time was shorter at about 45 days from discovery to surgery. Getting back to normal life is the name of the game for sure. It is scary man but the odds are in your favor. Mine risk of any complications was under 1% and I also had an ascending aorta aneurysm replaced. It’s just another day at the office for these guys.

Rose Madura You said it all very well. Let us know if you have any questions. And keep us posted.

timothy morris Thanks for the kind words and wishes. 7/3 is the big day