Valerie's Journal

Dan Baltazor  So happy to hear that you finally get to go home. That is great to hear. Thanks for the update. Keep on healing!

Jennifer McInerney  Valerie, I’m delighted. I have never met you but thought of you every day like we were best friends. Keep me posted on your progress. Wine awaits you!🥳🥰

Valerie Altman  Thank you guys! I'm still definitely a work in progress but i have much more appreciation for little things now. This journey has been exactly that..I don't know if I'm a good one for advice when it comes to relaxing and surgery and it's aftermath but if complications is the subject I'm your girl lol
Love u guys!

Catie B  Sending love right back to you, Valerie! Complications stink. Hope things smooth out and remain calm from here on out.

Susan Lynn  Valerie - you are a total rock star!!! Keep smiling and stay positive. You will get through this and be better than ever. Good things are ahead! Maintain your focus. You are amazing!

Rob Sparling  Valerie, 22 steps is a big deal! Have them get a walker with lights and a siren because I think they are going to enter a high speed chase to slow you down! Keep kicking its butt! Dont give up. “KOKOPOR.”

LINDA ROBERTS  So sorry for all that you have been through. There are brighter days ahead and will be glad when you are home and feeling much better.

Rob Sparling  Valerie!!!!!! Man. So glad to hear from you! So many of us were waiting for some news...anything. So sorry and so glad to hear at the same time. Thank God! Speechless..... Welcome back! You were missed! ❤️

Dan Baltazor  We are so sorry also. Yes, you were missed. That sounds awful!!!! So glad to hear from you. Onward to getting better. Thanks so much for the update.

Catie B  Ohhhh. Whew! I'm so glad you came through that and are on the mend. So sorry to hear what a difficult time you've had, gosh!! Hope every ounce of recovery is smooth from here out!

Jill Mullikin  I’m so happy to hear from you! I’ve been looking for any info about you since your surgery day. I’m so glad things are looking up. How frightening for you and your family!

Willie Radl  Wow scary. Im Glad to hear you are doing better now! Thanks for sharing your story, it's a good reminder for the rest of us how serious these issues really are.

Susan Lynn  Valerie - That's terrible that you had to go through that. You and your family have been in our thoughts and prayers. Keep looking ahead and moving forward. You've already made tremendous progress. We're here with you for the whole trip! ❤

Dan Vechiola  Oh boy Valerie! So sorry to hear of your battle. Getting out of ICU hopefully will be a big first step. Keep grinding everyday things and hopefully each day will get easier.

Rita Savelis  Don't apologise for having complications! Most patients have something, big or small. I also got a pacemaker 17 days after OHS. I know what that's like. It was a shock. So sorry you had to go through this experience. Here's hoping that you can now get some rest and start moving forward. Take care.

Diane Maher  All the best....stay strong❤️ Eight weeks tonight, I was coming out of my anaesthetic. Believe me, time is your friend.

Judy S  Good news Valerie up is the pain doesn’t turn out to be bad, so relax and enjoy the ride (and your spirometer)!

Jennifer McInerney  Valerie, the pain was way less than I thought. Just take the good drugs (yee haw), next thing you know you are waking up in ICU, where you float in a drug induced haze. Then every day is a little better, you can do this, heart superstar!

Susan Lynn  Valerie - You're going to be fine! I had a bit of discomfort, but not pain. Your medical team will take care od you! ❤

Rob Sparling  All normal thoughts, Valerie! Control what is in your control. The surgical team will control the rest! It will be here soon and that is GOOD. You’ve got this! ❤️💪

LINDA ROBERTS  Certainly understand your feelings. I was a nervous wreck just thinking about it years before I even had surgery. Will be glad when you are on the other side of recovery so this dark cloud is not over your head. You will do great!

Jennifer McInerney  Valerie, you know I got your back. There is a sense of peace coming as you get closer. Or maybe it’s more inevitability. Believe me, if I can do this, for sure you can. However, if you need a plan B, under the bed and copious amounts of wine are still available. I am almost a week out of Hospital and starting to notice improvements already. I slept in bed for first time last night - best sleep since I have been home. My breathing is better and I have a normal heartbeat . I’m praying for you. Let me know if you have any questions (no matter how weird). I’m here for you!

Jennifer McInerney  P.S. Valerie, we are bad asses to make it this far. Get your butt in there like the she warrior you are. You Can Do This!!! The definition of courage: is being afraid and moving forward through that fear. So go ahead and shake in your boots but Be courageous,

Dan Baltazor  So Sorry Valerie. We will be praying for Peace for you to get through the next couple days. You can do it! You've gotten this far, -Stephanie & Dan
P.S. Make a playlist of songs that inspire you, encourage you and give you the strength to meet this head on.

Jill Mullikin  All very legitimate feelings and I’m just a sideline watcher. It took a little Xanax and some Xbox to keep Bastian from walking out of the hospital. Every one of you that have gone through these surgeries have moved mountains. I’ve just been the snow plow driver but I am honored to witness the daily bravery and courage from everyone on this site. Since Bastian’s surgery my new life motto is I can’t be any less brave than Sebastian was (and is!).

Dan Vechiola  Valerie, try to pass on your stess and anxiety to your surgical team and ket go. You are doing a great thing for you and your family. Once it is over time us going to fly by. The recovery is not as bad as you are probably thinking so place some comfort in that. Distract your mind right up until your surgery. The weekend before my surgery we got out of the house both days. I am 5 weeks post op and I am amazed how easy they do these surgeries nowadays. I had a close family member who had bypass surgery in 1974 and 1988 and the recovery is completely different compared to then. Actually after his surgery in 1974 he went in disability for over 10 years! Try to be excited about the new lease on life you are about to receive. Best wishes and I'll see you on the other side.

Heather Brown  My surgery is scheduled for Oct 22, so I'm in the same boat as you. I find that doing a little meditation every day helps to quiet my mind. I downloaded this app called "calm" which takes you through basic meditation. Good luck to you.

Rob Sparling  I downloaded “Breathe” and “Meditation Studio”. I never opened Breathe — didn’t find the time — but did find Meditation Studio helpful and recommend it (or something) to help focus!

It wasn’t until *after* my surgery that I fully understood the phrase “Fear is a Liar”. I thought it was just something intended to be inspirational and a bit cliche. But it is true!

Fear is telling you shitty things that are not true and can ge ignored.

There is nothing here that you cannot do, Valerie! You are bigger than this, it is *not* bigger than you! ❤️💪

Molly Ivers  Your heart IS strong Valerie! Focus on how great you will feel after you begin to recover. I'm set for Oct 25th and that's what keeps me sane.

MARIE PICUN  I was scarde nervous emotional. Listen to everybody here. They went through the surgery and still here. Surgery date came I was calm. My surgeon, and team came to talk to me, before I knew it I was in ICU

Nancy Luth  Praying for your peace Valerie. At some point it becomes a leap of faith in your surgical team. They have this handled for you!

Valerie Altman  Jennifer I never do anything regular so I'm sure something crazy will happen but I'm looking for nice boring text book surgery and stay lol

Jennifer McInerney  I hear you. You never know what they will find but rest assured, your medical team knows what they are doing. I’m praying for you!

Jill Mullikin  Those little people of yours want you to be around for a long, long time! I’m a magnet for misadventures too but all will be well!!! (As will you!)

Susan Lynn  Now you have to tell yourself, this time next week, the hardest part will be over. Better days are ahead! ❤

Meredith Geneja  Thinking of you! Your first few steps and moves are so truly amazing. One step at a time:) Enjoy every minute of your day & week. We are all healing together. HUGS!!!

Pamela Whitcomb  I had aortic valve replacement 5 years ago and I went will the tissue valve via a mini thoracotomy. I did not want to be tied to coumadin and frequent blood test. I was done in Boston at Tufts Medical Center and would heartily recommend my doctors and hospital to others. Since you are younger perhaps you might consider the mechanical valve.

Diane Maher  Valerie...have you considered connecting with members who have recently had valve replacement with the new Edwards Inspiris Resilia tissue valve.....including John Lant?

Jennifer McInerney  I’m going with tissue. Surgeon told me about valve in valve procedure should it fail. I was comfortable with that. No blood thinners, no watching my leafy green veggie intake. It just seemed easier. However I’m 64 which makes it an easier decision

Meredith Bray  I was 43 when I got my mechanical valve. I'm coming up on 5 years on anti-coagulants and have had no incidents related to my medicines. I eat what I've always eaten (I don't like kale) and my RN that checks my blood every 6 weeks adjusts my dose to my lifestyle. My cardiologist suggested one type of valve, and my surgeon suggested the other. They both encouraged me to do my own research and make my own decision.

Meredith
Holiday, FL

Dan Baltazor  Hi Valerie, This is Dan's wife Stephanie. Dan is 44 and we struggled with this decision as well. His surgery is about a month away or so. He just decided this past Friday to go with the Edwards Inspiris Resilia tissue valve. It's newer, but lasts 20-25 years. When it fails, he can do a valve in valve and shouldn't need to worry past that. Our anxiety level dropped dramatically once we had a confident decision. It's a tough one for sure and I hope you can find the "right" one for you soon!

Robert Machado  Valerie the surgeon I consulted with had a long discussion with me about tissue vs. mechanical. At 53 years old he guaranteed if I went with a tissue valve I'd need another valve replacement in 15 -20 years. I only want to do this once so i chose a St. Jude mechanical valve knowing full well I'd be on coumadin or similar for life. My GP and my cardiologists both agreed with this and my GP told me there are break throughs coming in coumadin therapy coming within 5 years or so that will make managing blood thinners much easier.

Valerie Altman  Thanks Jill I know but dang I feel like I'm gonna have a heart attack just thinking about it this SUCKS!!!

Duane Brown  My only problem with any type of food after AVR was while eating very dry toast, Felt like crumbs stuck in my throat and the coughing caused because of that, was not very pleasant.

Bradley Dunn  I cough when I eat too... Makes it hard to breath or eat much. Food isn't enjoyable for the most part. It might be the salt in the food and my body rejecting it. I don't seem to have a problem with say oatmeal or cereal.

Leroy Fernandez  I found it a lot more difficult when people brought dinner over. I just wanted to rest and not eat. When I did eat, it was small. I suggest that they bring dinners over before hand and freeze it and use it when you want. That way you won't have to socialize when you don't feel like it. Everyone will understand

Susan Lynn  Valerie - I recommend that you find out if you'll be taking blood thinners. If you are, you're going to need to be consistent about your intake of ingredients that are high in Vitamin K otherwise your INR numbers are going to fluctuate. I was on blood thinners for three months and basically stuck to about five low Vitamin K meals and my dosages were pretty stable.

Meredith Bray  Small meals! I enjoyed a small bowl of spaghetti & a piece of garlic bread. Cottage cheese & fruit. Quiche was good too. Definitely foods that are easily prepared/reheated. Small portions.

Judy S  Hi Valerie, I actually had an appetite from day one. Susan is right that if you are on blood thinners, say with a mechanical valve, that will make a difference as to what you can eat. Fresh fruit was appealing to me and simple dishes like pasta and chicken. All heart healthy options were best.

Rita Savelis  You may want to wait to see how you feel after OHS. I didn't have an appetite for a long time. I needed a lot of rest and didn't have the energy to deal with guests, no matter how lovely their intentions were.

MARIE PICUN  We all have meltdowns. At least I do. Just letting you know you are not alone. I just keep saying I will be feeling better, and enjoying my grand chrildren. We have to positive.

Susan Lynn  A certain amount of denial is part of the process. You'll get to the acceptance stage by the time your day arrives. Think positively!

Diane Maher  I empathize with your pain, Valerie but, yes, the great news is no blockages and that we didn't have our angiogram a day or two before our surgery!

Valerie Altman  Didn't meet my surgeon yet,but found out his name yesterday from my cardiologist and felt 9000 times better when my surgical nurse said he would be in her top three choices if she needed surgery. She also had a birdie on her shoulder that said they do tavr procedures on mitrals there, but wasn't sure about aortics. Wouldn't that be wonderful?!?!? Feeling a little more relieved about it all for now...maybe I'm still in twilight 🤔🤗😂

Anna Jones  Well, that's a little more than 1/2 tsp or 1000 mg of salt on a package label. So it basically means you are cooking for yourself from scratch and going light on breads, cheeses, processed and canned foods.

Flavor foods with spices and herbs. There are mixes for this purpose in the spice aisle of your grocery store.

Sending best wishes.

Susan Lynn  Valerie - I'm so sorry to hear that, but there are many positives in making this modification to your diet.
Salt restrictions can be challenging since many foods have inherently high sodium levels even before a speck of salt is added. Creating a list of low-sodium foods and recipes you like may be the easiest way to keep your salt intake down and take the daily guesswork out of it. Eating the same menu repeatedly can get boring, so you may want to consider herb blends to add flavor.
My father was diagnosed with high blood pressure in his early 40s, so my mother used minimal salt in preparing our meals since I was a child. The whole family got used to it in a short amount of time.
Reducing sodium can make a big difference in your health. It's definitely worth it! Best of luck!
https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/there-foods-naturally-salty-3389.html

Valerie Altman  Thanks so much this is a hard adjustment we don't use salt at home at all already. But it's all the extra stuff that naturally has it is the trick! Ugh hello new world I'll write a book one day for others lol

Janet Skinner  3 g? That's 3000 mg/day! Seems like a lot. Here in Canada the recommended daily intake is 1500mg with maximum of 2300mg. The recommended daily intake is higher in the US and is less than 2300 mg.
I have to watch my sodium intake ... easy because I don't use processed foods. I use fresh herbs for flavour.
Read packages and you'll soon be on your way to lower sodium consumption. Lots of information on sites such as the CDC.
Best wishes!

Bill Gillam  It's going to be okay. The technology today is awesome. At this point I would say focus on your medical team and pick the very best surgeon you can who does lots of your type of procedures. I found Adam's book and members on this site have helped me with my anxiety tremendously. Have faith!

Chris Purvis  Your going to do great Valerie. The rate at which these surgeries are done allows our surgeons to continue to gain valuable experience. I know it’s scary and causes anxiety but believe me the ‘waiting’ game is the absolute worst part.

Kelly Stoll  Chris said it best. Waiting game is the absolute worst part. Small steps, and try to take it one day at a time. It will go by quicker than you expect. As for the worry, it doesn't seem to go away 100% but it tends to be bigger in our minds versus reality. Hang in there and best wishes.

Thomas Brusstar  I have a 13-year-old boy, and he has been a sweetheart throughout my surgery one week ago. It was important to us to manage his perceptions of my problems, so he understood that I would have a serious operation, but wouldn’t be terrified to the point of actually thinking through the worst case. All I can say is to pick some family and friends, even parents of your children’s friends — people with whom you are maybe not actually super close with yet, but whom you trust — to help take care of your children. We were lucky to have the mother of my son’s best buddy available to let our boy sleep overnight for several nights while I was in the hospital. At the end, once you find the right person to help, who will become much better friends with them!

My son visited me once I had moved to a regular room at the hospital, in the evening of my second night there. I asked them to remove the nasal cannula supplemental oxygen for his arrival, which they were fine doing because my oxygen levels were OK. I wanted to appear as normal as possible. Tubes going in and out of your face, even simple nasal cannula, can be disconcerting to a child. I switched the TV to a channel we were accustomed to watching at home, just so the hospital room seemed a little bit more familiar. I saved my dessert from dinner for him and I was happy that he ate it. It showed that he was not super freaked out.

Some comments from the doctors after my surgery suggest that the only real problem they had was probably related to the fact that my pulmonary hypertension had gotten quite bad before the surgery. We didn’t know it at the time a year ago when some chords probably ruptured on my mitral valve, but my heart was in increasing distress probably a year before surgery. This weakened the heart muscle, and made it harder to restart my heart. So once you know there is a problem, getting the surgery done as soon as possible is a good idea in terms of enabling your optimal recovery.

Your children will be touchingly sweet in helping to care for you. They will surprise you with their thoughtfulness. Best of luck, and you can do this!

Susan Lynn  Keeping up a strong exterior isn't always a bad thing and you don't have much choice when you have small children. Control what you can and as Thomas recommends, try to keep the scary medical stuff out of sight, if possible. Your children will only be frightened if they think you are. You're going to be just fine!