Vicki Woschnick - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Celebrating 2 weeks post-op tomorrow

Journal posted on June 1, 2017

May 19 was a nerve-wracking day. Thankfully I was the first operation of Dr. Abouzelam's day, so not a lot of time to dwell on the impending operation. One Valium-fueled ride to the OR and three hours of surgery later, and I had a shiny new aortic valve. I made quick and steady progress and was released on May 22, a day after my 50th birthday. Other than some tinkering with my anti-coag medication, I have all good reports two weeks post-op and expected fatigue, I am getting stronger every day. Praise God, and true gratitude and thanks to Dr. Zenoun Abouzelam, PA-C Jonathan Nelson and the entire team at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton WI.

Like | Cathleen DeWitt likes this

Marie Myers Glad you are on the recovering side! And happy belated birthday!

Barbara Wood Best of luck Vicki!! I'm just a couple days behind you...you had a very short hospital stay!

Well, it's almost "game day"...

Journal posted on May 17, 2017

My surgery is coming up quickly -- bright and early Friday morning! It seems I have a bazillion things to do yet in preparation, but the reality is that I have few. Subconsciously, I feel like if I finish up my "to do" list I have to admit that this is actually happening, and that terrifies me on some level. It is, after all, Open. Heart. Surgery. I trust my surgeon and his team, but more importantly, I trust God and I know if He brought me to it He'll bring me through it. In my shaky moments (like tonight), though, It gives me great peace of mind to read your stories of anxiety and success. Thank you, my heart fam!

Like | Cathleen DeWitt, Bridget Sawmiller, Barbara Wood and 1 other likes this

Bob Fessler You've got, this Vicki. I like you am not looking forward to surgery but I know and you know that this is what needs to be done and everything will work out. ... Read more

Bob Fessler You've got, this Vicki. I like you am not looking forward to surgery but I know and you know that this is what needs to be done and everything will work out. Hang in there. Think good thoughts. It will be okay.

Bridget Sawmiller You got this! The days leading up are the worst emotionally. Looking back 9 months from my OHS, I can relate to your emotions, try to focus on the other side ... Read more

Bridget Sawmiller You got this! The days leading up are the worst emotionally. Looking back 9 months from my OHS, I can relate to your emotions, try to focus on the other side and the recovery and how great you will feel in 3 months post op. Prayers for a successful surgery tomorrow and a speedy recovery!

Barbara Wood Positive vibes & prayers sent your way - all the best!!

Emotional setback

Journal posted on May 12, 2017

Today, I learned that my AVR surgery scheduled for next Tuesday was changed to Friday, 5/19 due to the surgeon having to reprioritize due to criticality of care. While I understand logically that doctors can't predict the healthcare needs of patients prior to walking in the door, and I am truly grateful I'm the patient being shifted and not the one(s) causing the shift, I find I'm a little emotionally undone. I had Tuesday on my radar for a while and, with God's help, I was mentally prepared for the operation but now, well, it's a new undertaking. Any others experience this? How did you handle it?

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Melissa Houser Sorry to hear - prayers you are able to make good use of the time you now have before surgery.

Barbara Wood I understand how our feel Valerie, I've been rescheduled 3 times since March! You really do feel that the rugs been pulled from under you. No real advice, but ... Read more

Barbara Wood I understand how our feel Valerie, I've been rescheduled 3 times since March! You really do feel that the rugs been pulled from under you. No real advice, but my confidence came back within a few days each time- yours will too:). Best wishes for a smooth surgery & recovery!

Valerie Archual What???!!! We're supposed to be surgery sisters??!!
That's it!!! I'm rescheduling mine for Friday too!!!

Vicki Woschnick Thank you for the kind words, heart fam! Valerie--you rock! Thanks for the smile -- your heart's in the right place (and will be after Tuesday too) ❤️

Rose Madura Praying your surgery goes well on Friday. Keep us posted!

Surgery is set for 5/16 -- I have a question for the ladies

Journal posted on May 7, 2017

I'm getting set for my aortic valve replacement/ascending aorta repair surgery on May 16, and am wondering if a special bra is needed post-surgery to not irritate the incision. If so, where might I look to purchase one?

I've read that going braless isn't an option given the pressure placed on the sternum, and my "girls" are substantial enough that it's out of the question for me anyway, sooooooo... any feedback about a post-op bra is much appreciated. Thanks!

Like | Lynda Ruiz likes this

Clare Auten I woke up from surgery in a tight fitting surgical bra. I wore it 24/7 at the hospital. One nurse got a second one and hand washed the first for me. At home ... Read more

Clare Auten I woke up from surgery in a tight fitting surgical bra. I wore it 24/7 at the hospital. One nurse got a second one and hand washed the first for me. At home i wore my regular bras. Most did not rub or chafe. My husband or 13 year old daughter did help me fasten them in the beginning.

Civita Fahey I found the hospital bras irritating since they had Velcro. I am using my normal bras. I have been able to fasten them myself. Tee shirts seem to be more comfortable ... Read more

Civita Fahey I found the hospital bras irritating since they had Velcro. I am using my normal bras. I have been able to fasten them myself. Tee shirts seem to be more comfortable for me. Button down have irritated the incision in my case but the bras don't really touch it

Clare Auten Civita, I agree about the shirts. My surgery was in the winter and some fabrics were so irritating as well as a collar that hit in just the wrong spot. I think ... Read more

Clare Auten Civita, I agree about the shirts. My surgery was in the winter and some fabrics were so irritating as well as a collar that hit in just the wrong spot. I think we all find those comfort pieces and then wear them all the time.

Marie Myers I found just a soft tee shirt was best for me.

Amy Steele Vicki, I ended up using the AztecHeart post surgical bra. I'm large chested and knew that the girls would be pulling too much on the incision and wanted something ... Read more

Amy Steele Vicki, I ended up using the AztecHeart post surgical bra. I'm large chested and knew that the girls would be pulling too much on the incision and wanted something easier to get into than a regular bra. The post surgical bra did keep things in place relatively comfortably, but they're not meant for anyone over a DD cup. I was right on the borderline for a medium or a large, and I ended up going with a large since my cup size is larger than DD. It didn't fit as tightly around my chest as I would have liked, but the smaller size would have smooshed things a lot.
Overall, I think they're way overpriced for what they are, but I did end up wearing them for about 8 weeks. The unfortunate thing is that my sternum didn't end up healing properly even using the bra 24/7 for 8 weeks... Long story short, use whatever is comfortable for you. As far as shirts go, a cotton v-neck t-shirt was most comfortable for me. It was uncomfortable to have anything touching my scar for about 5 weeks.

Vicki Woschnick Thank you everyone! This is great info, and really gives me peace of mind as to what to expect/next steps.

Bridget Supple I found that the ones that hook up the front were the best for me after getting rid of the surgical bra. I could unhook the bottom few hooks so that it didn't ... Read more

Bridget Supple I found that the ones that hook up the front were the best for me after getting rid of the surgical bra. I could unhook the bottom few hooks so that it didn't rub against the bottom of my incision and it just felt better. I got mine on Amazon, Glamorise brand, come in a wide range of sizes. You might order one a size or two larger than you normally wear. That made it a little more comfortable in the first couple of weeks for me. Avoid the zip front things, no matter what the nurses tell you! OUCH!

Hi everyone!

Journal posted on December 30, 2016

Well, I'm set to join the "zipper club" sometime in the near future as my aortic stenosis has progressed to the severe stage. My cardiologist and I are waiting until symptoms appear to set a surgery date, but probably within the next 6 months. Can't say I understand why we're waiting (not like my valve is going to get better), so any input from the community would be great. My next appointment is at the end of March, so I'll keep you posted. Thanks for your help and support!

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Steve Farthing If you are inclined to do it before symptoms occur, ask if that is 'reasonable'. Maybe they think you prefer to wait.

Phyllis Petersen Symptoms can be subtle and then suddenly get bad. If you can, see if you can do it sooner rather than later. It'll be much easier to plan, get the surgeon you ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen Symptoms can be subtle and then suddenly get bad. If you can, see if you can do it sooner rather than later. It'll be much easier to plan, get the surgeon you want and choose what's the best time for your recovery.

Peggy Whitecotton Phyllis is right, sometimes symptoms can be subtle at first. I was told the same thing so I decided to get a second opinion with a surgeon and a good thing ... Read more

Peggy Whitecotton Phyllis is right, sometimes symptoms can be subtle at first. I was told the same thing so I decided to get a second opinion with a surgeon and a good thing I did as he saved my life. My heart valve went from severe to critical in a matter of 6 weeks. During that period I couldn't walk from my front door to my car without getting short of breath. My recovery was very long and difficult because my valve was so bad by the time I had surgery. My surgeon said sometimes these cardiologist wait too long. Now, I realize that I was having mild (subtle) symptoms for years, my ankles swelling, I actually avoided stairs because I would get winded and have chest tightness and was tired all the time. All which I blamed on my age and weight...

Phyllis Petersen I was actually complaining to the doctor about sudden bouts of fatigue and no one made the connection. They just ran blood test and said they didn't find anything. ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen I was actually complaining to the doctor about sudden bouts of fatigue and no one made the connection. They just ran blood test and said they didn't find anything. I'd get occasional flutters, but they didn't last so ...

Peggy Whitecotton Same here, my surgeon says symptoms can start off so mild that you may not notice them. Then came the day my symptoms were really bad and decided to see a surgeon, ... Read more

Peggy Whitecotton Same here, my surgeon says symptoms can start off so mild that you may not notice them. Then came the day my symptoms were really bad and decided to see a surgeon, almost waited to long. Now, I feel better then I have for 20 years, I now realize symptoms I had (I thought normal) are now gone. Because my heart was so bad it took me a full year to recover. Even now 14 months post-op I have a few little quirks now and then that will make me aware that my heart is still going through changes.. Read my story and journals.

Cathleen DeWitt Schedule an appointment with a cardiac surgeon who sees this every day. Let him look at your results and run additional tests. Do NOT take the opinion of your ... Read more

Cathleen DeWitt Schedule an appointment with a cardiac surgeon who sees this every day. Let him look at your results and run additional tests. Do NOT take the opinion of your cardiologist only. I was critical when I went in for surgery. My valve opening was the size of a coffee stir straw. The echos at my cardiologist's office were not telling the whole story. My lack of symptoms was deceiving, even to me (a veteran/pro at this). I had almost no symptoms other than palpitations. Get double and triple checked if you have to and trust the numbers. You are at the stage where you need to do that. This is considered an "elective" surgery for a reason. Don't wait until it's an emergency. Go in strong and come out strong. That's my advice.

Vicki Woschnick Thank you everyone! Your advice is eye-opening (Cathleen, your story is nearly identical to mine) and I will follow up accordingly. I appreciate the info shared ... Read more

Vicki Woschnick Thank you everyone! Your advice is eye-opening (Cathleen, your story is nearly identical to mine) and I will follow up accordingly. I appreciate the info shared and the time everyone took to respond.

Cathleen DeWitt :) I'm really glad you are going to follow up. The sooner the better. If a surgeon says you can wait, great! Better to know for sure! :) If I hadn't been so ... Read more

Cathleen DeWitt :) I'm really glad you are going to follow up. The sooner the better. If a surgeon says you can wait, great! Better to know for sure! :) If I hadn't been so proactive due to my history, I wouldn't have had my surgery in time. Plus it can take awhile to get through the whole pre-surgery fiasco (appts, tests etc) so either way it's good to get on the radar now with your top choice. :)

Phyllis Petersen Cathleen is right about how long pre-op testing can take, and that's before you ever get a surgical date.

Catie B Vicki, I'm glad you'll be consulting a surgeon. It is better to be a little bit ahead in this instance, than behind. And it's true that the lead up to surgery can take some real time.

Lynda Ruiz I didn't want to get to the critical stage when I might have fewer choices in where surgery would be done. Locally in my home town area is not an option I'd ... Read more

Lynda Ruiz I didn't want to get to the critical stage when I might have fewer choices in where surgery would be done. Locally in my home town area is not an option I'd choose. My Cardiologist said "within a year" in Jan for my moderate to severe aortic stenosis. Then I found this site! Experiencing more breathlessness & fluttering now, some edema. Walking short distances challenging.