Tina's Journal

Michael Kohring  Congrats Tina! I begin rehab this week as well. I have always been active so looking forward to the challenge of getting back. I am a bit nervous though - had an A-Fib episode a couple of days post op, so I want someone to monitor me when I start pushing myself. From reading your story you are strong and you are going to do great!

Tina Williams  Michael - good luck to you as well! It wasn't bad at all. I met some nice people and feel like I challenged myself. The nurses hooked me up to heart leads and monitored my entire workout. All went well and I'm kind of looking forward to going back:)

Craig Irving  Hi Tina, Today was my first day also. I was afraid that it was going to be cheesy, but I had a good time. Going back tomorrow.

Leslie Bakos  Good morning Tina!!!!! Glad you are doing well...Was it painful? I been following you since I joined....How was your core and back effected...I have lots of back pain because of my curved spine and I think the meds...you look great)))

Tina Williams  Hi Leslie! The pain is manageable but worse now due to fluid. I can honestly say nothing was worse than expected:)

Leslie Bakos  I am glad you are home...I went to a cardio appointment today...it seems like my heart chambers have shrunk and I don't need surgery yet...It was interesting to hear about your feelings after openheart....I have not even had it yet and I am continual uneased.

Rose Madura  Glad all went well. I had a sore throat for a few days. I agree that visits from family and friends was very helpful for my recovery. I wish you continued uneventful recovery.

Gerald Poulton  Glad you have family and friends but the hearts not broken anymore and will be stronger every day ❤️

Rose Madura  We went to Bob Evans on the way to the hospital because I had to go in the night before. I had a Cobb Salad w/Ranch and unsweet iced tea.

Bob Gillespie  Just remember that everyone's main concern after surgery is ''Have you pooped?" I ate Mini wheats to help ensure that happened. LOL

Cathleen Weed  I went to Claim Jumper and ate lots of food the day before my last big OHS. Eat everything you love. Each calorie is one unit of energy (ATP). You'll need the energy. Also, be sure to get on a very healthy eating routine after your surgery once you are feeling up to it. Eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks each day. Even if they are small amounts, make it a priority. Double your protein intake because protein helps you heal. ❤️ I also had a glass of red wine the night before my surgery. My cardiologist said it would relax my heart muscle and help me sleep better than a sleeping aid ever could the night before such a big event. Very true ❤️.

Sandra Chappell  Good luck. Sending you positive thoughts. And we look forward to hearing from you after your surgery :)

Gerald Poulton  Hey Tina, you will do good, we are better for the surgery and should come out better on the recovery side. It is inevitable and beyond our control, I have been there and no it is hard but embrace the positive and relax knowing that you are in good hands. Focus on the positive and the recovery side and your many years family, food, wine and good friends, positive breads positive.
👍🙏💐

Scott BLAIR  I got very similar visits while I was in ICU before my surgery. I'm sure your visits are meant as support like mine were. You'll be through your surgery and in recovery before you know it.

Michelle Vecchione  I can relate to this post on so many levels, im right with you Tina! Mine is Oct though. You wool do GREAT and your right you wont be the same, from everything i hear you'll be Evan better! I pray for a quick and uneventful recovery for you! God bless!!!

Rose Madura  I understand your feelings. I got a couple of gifts and meals as well. Remember that they do these surgeries every day and they know what to do. But, I'll be honest, when you wake up in ICU and know the worst is over, that's a great feeling. When my 13 year old grandson first saw me in the hospital after surgery, he was so happy! The expression on his face was priceless! Best wishes. God bless you. Please keep us posted.

Civita Fahey  What your feeling is very normal.. We have all had that feeling.. I know I did.. Keep thinking positively and focus on recovery, that's how I got through it.. You will appreciate life and all the little things a bit more once you're on the other side. Positive thoughts coming your way..

Barbara Wood  The anticipation is the hardest part. Recovery can have it's challenges, but being " on the other side" is the best! Your friends & family will be astounded at how well you will be doing & how good you will look within a week or two of surgery...& so will you! OHS is very doable! Good vibes & best wishes sent your way:)

Betty Sullivan Sorge  OMG - EXACT same experience!!! I actually started LETTERS to my GRANDCHILDREN just in case!!!
Anticipation turned out to be far worse than surgery. I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow and more important sending up some prayers 🙏👍🙏👍🙏

Brenda McC  I used my cell phone; took an ipad, but never got it out. Cell phone takes less space on bed table.

Rita Savelis  I didn't use anything for a few days. No cellphones allowed in my ICU and I was there for 5 days. Later, it was a laptop. But in fact, all I really wanted to do for weeks was rest, rest, rest. It was exhausting.

Laura Jacobs  i used my cell phone. I packed an iPad but never took it out. I also brought my kindle for reading but barely used it.

Lilly Black  I never got an answer and my first surgery was at Stanford where I had access to some of the best cardiologists. In addition to my last surgeon dr Raissi, who replaced my heart valve, he had no answer. The only thing I was told is that a bovine valve will last longer in an older person than a younger person therefore I didn't need a mechanical valve nor does dr Raissi recommend it for a person in their 60s. Fast forward 3 years later since my surgery maybe science has the answer today! Somehow I remember that the amount of physical activity is a factor but that could be a false statement! What did your doctor tell you?

Artie Hall  I consistently asked the same questions once i found myself in the hospital and needing surgery urgently. You see, over the last couple of years I had lost 70 lbs and become a regular at the gym (2+ hours each visit and about 3X per week. Much of that some serious cardio on the elliptical, an hour plus each visit to start my workout) and I am also very active marching and practicing and parading carrying a bass drum with the NYPD Pipes and Drums. When this happened, all I could do was ask repeatedly, "did I do this ?", "did i (somehow) break my heart by overdoing it ?". I still struggle with this as I had a lot of folks and family telling me to take it easy and that I was overdoing it at the gym. As for the doctors, they brushed this off, laughed at my thoughts and told me that, if anything, I had put myself in the best condition I could have facing the surgery and that my heart is definitely strong and working well, just not the valves so much. They told me, I did not cause this and that "it just happens". As I said, I still struggle with the guilt that perhaps I contributed to my failed valve(s) even tough doctor after doctor has reassured me that I did nothing but help. Even in my recovery, I still wonder, "am I doing too much ?, walking too much ? moving too much ? did I perhaps impede my recovery by doing too much ?" again the doctors have told me i'm doing great. I'm seeing my surgeon fr the first time this Monday and she will take an X-ray to see how my chest is doing. I'm hoping to more of the same reassurance during that visit and perhaps relax myself as I continue to recover. You too should rest assured that perhaps there never will be any evident answers as to why. Most important is to get through it and to recover as strongly and confidently as possible.

Tina Williams  I'm kind of wondering if there has ever been any studies done to validate how many patients went through considerable stress or trauma just prior to valves worsening? But Artie - seventy pounds in 2 years is commendable - how did you accomplish that?

Artie Hall  Determination, counting calories using "lose it" app on my phone and burning major calories at the gym. Truth be told, the weight was off in the first 6 to 8 months and I've kept if off since then. Even now in my recovery, I'm maintaining with only my little in chair physical therapy and my walks. Hopefully gonna start Cardiac Rehab on 9/25. I'd lost a lot in the past, but never this much, and never managed to keep it off. I suppose that's why I became obsessed with the gym even though I can think of better ways to spend my time, lol.

Barbara Wood  I wondered about that too- both flaps on my mitral valve needed to be repaired
. Both my cardiologist & surgeon thought the damage was most likely caused by the radiation I had for breast cancer 7 years ago. I haven't heard of stress causing valve disease, but it is certainly a factor in other forms of heart disease, so maybe? If you find any info, let us know- I'd be curious to know!

Jim Stutler  I had the same question for my Docs. My mitral valve failure was discovered at my annual physical. The surgeon said that sometimes valves fail without explanation. I had the same type of situation, flailing leaflet(s) with ruptured chordae . In his medical terminology, he said,"It just broke." As with you, my symptoms were not that pronounced.

Phyllis Petersen  I probably had my prolapse (murmur) for a long time. Mine was progressing slowly, but then suddenly (at least it seemed that way) it went to severe. I can't think of anything in particular that changed and could have accelerated the decline, and the doctors didn't seem to offer any explanations either. Once it started getting bad, symptoms seemed to increase more rapidly too. I was never offered any way to avoid progression, just the usual keep the weight down and exercise that we're supposed to do anyway.

Cathy Zuber  I was like Phyllis...just seemed to suddenly go bad. I have asthma, so I really didn't notice things. I'm always out of breath!! My Docs also said that they have no idea why one persons valve will go bad..and the other persons just stays at a mild murmur..

Kenneth Hart  I had four different opinions from four different hospitals - and all of them had the test results from the cardiac cath, TEE, stress test and echo. I found it helpful to get several opinions before determining what would work best for me.

Craig Wise  I had similar path. Was fit and healthy forever with no heart or valve issues. Then starting excercising intensely for a couple of years: lifting weights and short sprints. Then, all of a sudden I have a heart murmur. Then, within 18 months, found severe aortic stenosis and had valve replaced. I too can not help but feel like that I accelerated my condition. Every doctor I consulted implored that I had nothing to do with my aortic stenosis. That I was born with a bicuspid valve (confirmed post surgery, as I had my surgeon take a picture and send to me.). Still, while I have come to believe I didn't cause my bicuspid valve or the resulting calcification & stenosis, I do believe my intense excercise regime of a couple of years, definitely accelerated my valve's demise. Still, perhaps this was a good thing, as I needed surgery at 54 rather than a decade or two later when it might have been more difficult to recover. (Although my recovery and second surgery, has been horrific, as many of you know.

Who knows the timing or causes. It's a mystery to me.

God Bless to all of us. Our honest sharing, and hopeful encouragement.

Cathleen Weed  I'm sorry you are going through the whys and what ifs. Honestly though, most doctors who say "it will never be an issue" are just being hopeful, they aren't predicting the future. The mitral valve does usually last longer than an aortic valve due to its placement (it takes on less pressure) but it's still a guessing game. Time is the biggest contributor to the valve eventually going downhill. Stress can be a factor (because of blood pressure), lifestyle can also play a part (again blood pressure through that valve whether it's constant or in spurts with too heavy anaerobic activity OR high blood pressure from no activity at all), but TIME is the real culprit...and since we all want as much time here as possible we just have to realize it's our personal price we pay just like anyone else with a health condition. We are lucky in many ways because we are fixable by surgery. It's no fun, it's certainly not something anyone wants to go through, but I promise life goes on and when it's behind you, you will have a renewed sense of awe about everything. Wishing you the very, very best ❤️

Judy Cooper  My doctor said he could answer the question if I had been grossly overweight, smoked, did drugs or drank too much. Since I was none of these, he said that he didn't know what caused it.

Catie B  Tina, everyone's recovery is different. At the hospital, if they see you're in need of rehab or a visiting nurse, they can help arrange things. You would be eligible for Meals on Wheels but that has to be initiated once you're home from the hospital.

I had aortic valve/ aneurysm surgery last Sept. at 57 and had no option but to walk through the process alone. Gratefully, I had strength to navigate the extra days needed in the hotel in Cleveland, due to complications. Flew home and was still on my own. Not being able to drive was the hardest part. They don't really want you to go up and down stairs a bunch of times right after surgery. By the time I got home, my apartment steps were not a problem; neither was walking my dog. The one "need" I didn't have provision for was dealing with the compression hose I had to wear for two weeks. I would not have been able to get them back on if removed. I'd bought adult bathing wipes and used them some. When I showered, I kept the hose on and blew them and my legs dry afterward. Ahead of time I bought frozen foods, and a few times I walked a few blocks to pick up something to eat. Unscrewing a tight jar would not have been possible. Put the things you'll need daily on your counters, so you're not reaching up for them. You won't want to do laundry yourself right away because of reaching for your clothes and pulling them out.

Can you call on a neighbor if you get in a bind?
Wishing you the best in your recovery!

Barbara Wood  Hi Tina, like Catie pointed out everyone's recovery is different & it's hard to predict how our recoveries will go. I had a mitral repair almost 4 months ago & did have my husband around to help out. I think I could've gotten through it alone, but it would have been much harder. I could go up the stairs, but I didn't like to & had to "psych myself up" to make the trip. By week 2 I was pretty independent, making my own lunch & sometimes dinners. By 4 weeks I felt pretty good & was completely ok on my own. Yes, opening cans was a problem & front loading washers & dryers were out of the question the first couple weeks. ( I didn't have compression hose, but a lot of people mention that they did). If I was doing it again I would have a couple pair of drawstring pants, v neck tees & camis handy- you will likely come home with a few pounds of extra weight & wearing a bra might be painful!

Steven A Husted  well being home already i am not sure if your doctor will still help but i knew it would be hard for me before my surgery so i let my doctor know i live alone and he made arangement for me to spend two weeks in a rehab hospital and then to have a visiting nurse and therapist twice a week visit me at my home for 4 weeks after that i was able to start cardio rehab if you cannot get any of these done maybe your doctor can help you get some of them done like a visiting nurse or therapist a couple times a week until you get a little stronger then if you can i would start cardio rehab it really helped me alot your heart brother steven a husted (popeye)

Darlene Smith  Tina, I was 53 when I had my MVR last summer. I was able to get around quite well at 2-4 weeks. I walked slow, took my stairs slow, was able to shower by myself, and really did not need any help around the house. I cooked very simple meals and did no housework. As far as the basics, you will most likely be fine. Of course there are possible complications, but that can happen to anyone at anytime.

Kenneth Hart  I am 58 as well and was in good shape going into surgery. I was working from home two days after being released from the hospital. You should be able to cook, walk. (and more walk), climb stairs and be independant but don't kid yourself - it is still open heart surgery and you will tire very easily. I live in a four story townhome and of course the master bedroom would have to be on the fourth floor. It is helpful to have someone assist you with replacing your dressings which may be once or twice a day or more - in my case I had a lot of drainage that required changes about eight to ten times a day for the first week. Having a family member or friend there for the first week is very helpful if it is only just for the support of having someone there.

Tina Williams  Kenneth - how did it feel going up the stairs for the first time following surgery? I, too, have an upstairs master and no full bath on the main floor - what was I thinking?!! Thank you for being an inspiration. I did arrange for a friend who is also an RN to stay with me the week I get home so I have that covered but after your story I'm hoping that I will be running circles around her by then:)

Kenneth Hart  Hi Tina - after getting back home from the hospital - the first set of steps seemed like a breeze but the second set of steps I noticed I was a little out of breath but by the time I made it to the fourth floor I was exhausted. I learned to like my stairs and saw them as an important part of my recovery since they required more exertion than walking. Just take them slowly at first and remember that if you are going down the stairs to make sure that you have a full head of blood and are well balanced. You will notice for a couple of days that if you stand up quickly after laying down you may feel a little lightheaded which goes away quickly - just make sure if you are going down the steps that you have your balance - and for the first week I would have someone carry things downstairs for you so that you can secure yourself to the handrails as a guide.

Tina Williams  Great perspective on stairs .... sometimes I have to remind myself that my glass is far more than half full:)

Kenneth Hart  Indeed - I have traveled around the world and know that it is a real blessing to have hospitals and a healthcare system that allows us to remedy a condition that is not available or accessible to many people throughout the world.

Tina Williams  Hey, that raises a great question. I too travel a fair share. How soon will you feel comfortable traveling far from home...and from your cardiologist?

Kenneth Hart  Blood clotting is a big concern post op and they will probably put you on a blood thinner for a couple of months - with that said sitting for long periods of time raises the risk of blood clots or DVT. My local cardiologist was initially concerned that I had a three and a half hour drive from NYC back to Baltimore post op. Personally I feel great but the thought of being on an airplane for a long period of time (four plus hours) or sitting in a car for a long drive without a lot of stops is not something I would recommend until after four to five weeks post op.

Tina Williams  Boo! I hate the idea of blood thinners and limitations, travel or otherwise. But I do want this to end well. And nothing is forever. I wonder how many meds the typical person goes home with - though I know each doctor and situation is different? What about antibiotics - is that something you were give pre- or post-op?

Kenneth Hart  Hi Tina - the only antibiotics that I heard that I received was during surgery - but I was not given any antibiotics post op. I was given Lasik, 325mg of aspirin, pepcid, blood thinners as an injection and percocet - all of which I came home with after the fourth night. I am sure everyone is different but that was my cocktail for a couple of weeks. My surgeon has recommended three months of Eliquis (a blood thinner) so I have two more months to go!

Tina Williams  I'm wondering if prior meds have to be continued post-op but forgot to ask my doctor. I take Toprol XL for my irregular heartbeat (beta blocker) - hoping I can say goodbye to it in the near future.