Trina's Journal

Clare Auten  My scar is 20+ months old and is hypertrophic (kind of like keloids). I consulted with a plastic surgeon and she highly recommended silicone strips over creams. I got some ScarAway strips at walgreens. They were about 30 dollars for the box that lasts 2 months. I got the Long so they are 7 inches. My scar is longer but the bottom never shows. The plastic surgeon did say that any treatment will work best in the first 6 months.

Meredith Bray  I was lifting 3lb weights in cardiac rehab at 6 weeks. At weeks, your bones should be pretty much mended. You'll still feel tugs and pulls when stretching. I found swimming to be comfortable. My chest area still felt sloshy and uncomfortable until about 3 months out. My surgeon told me, "If it feels go, do it!"

Trina Nuckols  Dr. Alan Speir in No. VA is one of 3 surgeons who does the valve soaring procedure, he is great! Inova Fairfax is a great hospital!

Autumn Griffin  Oh, I am sorry to hear that! I hope you start to feel better soon. I am glad they were able to repair your aortic valve I have read that is the best way to go.

Tammy Pilcher  Trina, I'm so sorry you're having difficulties, but I'm glad you have your surgery behind you now. Prayers for things to get better soon. God bless you!

joan duncan  Congrats on having a successful surgery and sparing your native valve. That's huge. Glad to hear you had a good experience w/ Dr. Spier Hope you're feeling better soon.

Adam Pick  Hi Trina, Maybe this can help you understand the potential sound of a mechanical valve? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cAa_WeOEFU

Jason Leber  I don't hear mine (On-x) unless I'm in a super quiet room with walls around me. Even then it only sounds like a watch - it's my friendly reminder that it's working :-).

Rita Savelis  50 is young to have a tissue valve as they last shorter times in younger people (8 to 10 yrs). I have 2 mechanical valves and when it is quiet I can hear them ticking. I don't like it, but it's not enough reason to not get one. Hopefully you trust your doctor enough to let him guide you in your choice.

W. Carter  Trina, I'm 58 and I consider myself too young for a tissue valve. You could possibly need 2 more OHS in your lifetime with tissue valves. I am going on 8 mo. recovery from root graft and mechanical valve surgery. There's only one thing worse than the noise/thumping of the valve or the Warfarin side effects such as headaches, bleeding, etc. and that would be the possibility of another operation. That was PURE HELL! Something I wouldn't want to go through again, but I would if it was a life or death situation. Anyways I quit noticing the clicking noise about a month ago, and I do feel the thumping every once in a while but thats no biggy. It seems that other people hear the clicking more than I do.. doctors, friends, etc. I am perfectly happy with my clicking valve that will last a lifetime. God bless you with whatever decision you make. :-)

Tammy Pilcher  Trina, I slept in a power recliner the first couple of weeks. Then I used a wedge pillow from Bed, Bath, & Beyond when I moved to my bed. I just piled other pillows on top and around until I got comfortable. I'm also a side sleeper, so it was difficult at first, but I was so tired I got used to it until I could finally turn on my side again.

Nancy D  I too, like Tammy slept in my recliner for a couple weeks, then tried to return to the bed, which was ok but not great. Finally got comfy with pillows on both sides- to discourage me from rolling to the side, and a pillow under my knees.

Bruce Burnett  I have an adjustable bed which made sleeping on back easy. Little by little you will find yourself turning on your side. At 7 weeks it still hurts to lay on my side long

Tammy Pilcher  Hi Trina, I had my BAV replaced with a tissue (bovine) valve on Oct. 31, 2014. I was 50 at the time. I also got an aortic root enlargement with a Dacron patch. I've done great and my surgery wasn't as bad as I anticipated it would be. You are welcome to read my experience post in my journal. Prayers and best wishes! God bless!

Nancy D  I am a Mitral valve replacement patient, and at 57 years old at time of surgery, I too chose the tissue valve in part due to the clicking factor of the mechanical. I am not a good sleeper at the best of times, and was fearful my little sleep would be none with the mechanical. That and the life long Coumadin dosing that I wasn't fond of that idea either There is no right or wrong, if given a choice, it is yours to make, and I looked at it as what was the lesser evil for me. The tissue won out, and 11 months later I still do not regret that choice.

Tammy Pilcher  Hi Trina, I had my BAV replaced and also an aortic root enlargement with a Dacron patch Oct. 31,2014. I was 50 at the time of my surgery. I live in northwest Florida and went to Orlando to have Dr. Kevin Accola do my surgery. I found him on this site and in Adam's book. I'm so happy I went with him and he was able to get me scheduled fast! He did a hemi-sternotomy which is 3 inches long. I could not be more pleased with him and Florida Hospital! I've done great! I'm sure there are great surgeons closer to you, but I just wanted to give you my story just in case you're interested. You can read more about my surgery in my journal. I wrote a post titled "surgery experience" that might help too. Prayers and best wishes!

Adam Pick  Hi Trina, Great to see you in our community. I really enjoyed our phone call last week. Did you end up talking to Dr. Roselli, Dr. Kern or my Aunt Betty?

Bob M  Sometimes, aortic valves need to be replaced without previous health complications. The heart and lung machine and scar are minor concerns compared to having a fixed heart.

joan duncan  Like you, we live in the WDC area-- and my husband has a enlarged aortic root aneurysm with some aortic valve and mitral valve regurgitation. My husband's situation is not emergent and we have been researching surgeons who do aortic root replacement - valve sparing surgery via a mini-sternomy. There are a number of surgeons who do the valve-sparing, but we have found a very small subset who do this surgery using a small incision. This website is a good starting point to find a surgeon to fit this criteria if you're welling to travel. Although my husband has not decided on a surgeon at this time, we have traveled to Mt. Sinai in NYC and are considering Dr. Allan Stewart.

Trina Nuckols  I've heard that my Dr. Alan Speir is the best & only about 3 centers do this. I didn't get a definitive on the size of the incision and I've been thinking of postponing & going to Cleveland C, but I'm afraid to wait.