A note about honoring the animals whose valves we now have...
It’s been just about four months now since my OHS to replace my mitral valve & repair the tricuspid. ...Read more
A note about honoring the animals whose valves we now have...
It’s been just about four months now since my OHS to replace my mitral valve & repair the tricuspid. Aside from some residual A-fib (that I still expect to resolve completely), recovery has gone very well. I'm learning how true it is that recovery can be a long process -- when I overdo, I feel it. But the good news is, I feel good enough to overdo sometimes!
Until the day of surgery, it was unknown whether my mitral valve could be repaired. Turns out, it had to be replaced, and I later learned that my Medtronic tissue valve came from a pig.
The first time I ever heard of heart valve replacement was many years ago, when Jane Goodall spoke of her mother's valve being replaced with a pig valve, and adding that she would always have a special love for pigs because of that.
My own history with pigs never factored in the possibility that I might one day receive a pig valve myself. In 1965, when I was 14, I met two pigs on a small farm. I saw their delight as I scratched behind their ears, and realized they were so much like my dog at home. I became a vegetarian that very day, though I had never met or talked to a vegetarian before. But that didn't matter … to this day, 54 years later, I don't eat animal flesh of any kind.
Over the years, I collected little statues of pigs and cows (I also have a fondness for cows). Some of the pig statues have wings... little pig angels. Throughout the decades, I never knew that one day, a pig would enable me to live a better quality, and probably a longer life. That pig's sacrifice wasn't voluntary or the knowing kind, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be mindful of God's creature whose valve is now in my body.
I try to remember to say daily prayers of thanks to God, to the pigs and to the cows, and beseech God to somehow make life better for these animals in the world. Many of them suffer terribly at human hands.
It occurred to me there should be some way for those of us who have had the good fortune to receive a bovine or porcine valve to best show our appreciation. It seems only right that we do something to honor these animals in some small way.
There are farm sanctuaries where cows and pigs have been rescued from dreadful situations to live out their lives in safety, loved and protected. These sanctuaries always need donations.
Please consider donating to a farm sanctuary as a way to give thanks for the sacrifice these animals made in order to improve and save the lives of us humans.
The other kind of “open heart surgery” is only performed by God, and it's always elective.
Please open your hearts and give to a farm sanctuary.
God bless you all! "The righteous man careth for the life of his beast.” ~ Proverbs 12:10
Susan Lynn Julie - That was a lovely tribute! Perfect and impactful quote, too! ❤
Just an update and hopefully some reassurance and encouragement. I'm just shy of 7 weeks post-OHS to replace my mitral valve and repair the tricuspid. This ...Read more
Just an update and hopefully some reassurance and encouragement. I'm just shy of 7 weeks post-OHS to replace my mitral valve and repair the tricuspid. This morning, I mowed my (small) back yard in Florida, and it felt so great to be able to do that again. (I'm 67, and looking forward to being able to get up on the roof of my house again to clear limbs and leaves, too! But that'll be awhile yet...)
During recovery, I have definitely experienced some times of feeling discouraged (as I had been forewarned to expect), but these are diminishing as recovery continues.
For those who, like me, developed A-Fib after surgery, please don't be discouraged if it's not gone by six weeks (as I had read it usually is). When I saw my cardiologist 5 weeks and 1 day post-surgery, I expressed my concern, saying A-Fib didn't have much longer to pack its bags and leave, if it was going to. He assured me that it can take up to three months for A-fib to completely go away.
So, please keep that in mind if you continue to deal with A-fib longer than six weeks. I have noticed that it's coming-and-going more now.... on May 9th, my 24-hour Holter monitor showed A-fib 100% of the time, but the EKG at my cardiologist's on May 29th didn't show any A-fib at all. (Though it's still showing up, but I expect it's on the way out for good.)
So, stay positive and be encouraged if the timelines for various aspects of recovery don't necessarily jibe with what you've read is typical!
I continue to hold you all in prayer, for complete success with your upcoming surgeries and ongoing recoveries. God bless!
Susan Lynn Great progress and a wonderful, inspirational post! Some of the post-op complications can catch us ... Read more
Susan Lynn Great progress and a wonderful, inspirational post! Some of the post-op complications can catch us by surprise, but staying positive always reminds us how many pieces of the process have gone just fine! Good advice for those in the waiting room and those in recovery. Continued success, Julie! ❤
Mike Roskowinski Great post Lisa. Keep up the great progress. It is kind of sad when we start missing mowing and vacuu ... Read more
Mike Roskowinski Great post Lisa. Keep up the great progress. It is kind of sad when we start missing mowing and vacuuming. Or at least I do. But as you say it takes some time but we all will get better and be back to normal soon. Great inspiration and encouragement for us with the positivity.
Rose Madura Great post! Very upbeat. Glad the Afib went packing! I had issues with it for about two months. Si ... Read more
Rose Madura Great post! Very upbeat. Glad the Afib went packing! I had issues with it for about two months. Since then, no problems to years later.
Joy Vera Thanks for the encouraging post, Lisa. I'm just a little behind you at 5 1/2 weeks & about the same ... Read more
Joy Vera Thanks for the encouraging post, Lisa. I'm just a little behind you at 5 1/2 weeks & about the same age. We also share the A-fib after surgery experience. Best wishes as you continue your recovery.
I had my 3-week follow-up appointment at the surgeon's office yesterday, where I saw his nurse practitioner. I was so glad to hear I can now raise my arms ...Read more
I had my 3-week follow-up appointment at the surgeon's office yesterday, where I saw his nurse practitioner. I was so glad to hear I can now raise my arms overhead, can lift 3 additional pounds (8 now!), can stop wearing the elastic support hose, stop wearing the stupid sports bra to sleep, can sleep on my side again.... Little things that amount to a big step forward!
Speaking of steps, being an elevator-phobe, I was thrilled that I could walk up the one flight of stairs to the surgeon's office with ease!
My incision is healing great & there has been relatively little pain so I was able to stop the pain meds pretty soon after coming home. I am so thankful recovery is going so well. (I did experience some trouble with sleeplessness, especially the first week at home.) I thank God my sister was able to travel to be with me for the surgery and my first few weeks at home. My heartfelt prayers are with those who have no one.
I'm disappointed to have developed A-fib, but I know it's very common and am trusting it will go away within a few weeks, as is usually the case. It's no surprise when a heart has been manhandled & gone through so much, it has some kind of reaction & can need time to recover from it all.
My prayers continue for everyone here awaiting & recovering from surgery. I'm so deeply grateful for the prayers & support of the good people on this site.
Tom McDonald Julie,
I'm glad thing are going relatively well for you in recovery. I'm hoping for 5he same in a ... Read more
Tom McDonald Julie,
I'm glad thing are going relatively well for you in recovery. I'm hoping for 5he same in a few weeks. Take care and keep fighting!
Nicole DuPont Thanks for sharing. You sound positive and definitely an inspiration!
Heidi Rockwood Hi Julie, glad you are feeling better! I was wondering if you could expand on the sports bra? I’ve ... Read more
Heidi Rockwood Hi Julie, glad you are feeling better! I was wondering if you could expand on the sports bra? I’ve read several posts regarding not wearing or wearing a bra post recovery. Did your surgeon recommend wearing?
Susan Lynn Great news, Julie! Continued success with your recovery! ❤
Joey Hardee Great update, Julie! You are doing great for 3 weeks! That's exciting. I'm trying to keep the anxiety ... Read more
Joey Hardee Great update, Julie! You are doing great for 3 weeks! That's exciting. I'm trying to keep the anxiety at bay as I approach the "1 month pre-surgery" mark :-))
Diane Esposito Good to hear that you’re doing well, Julie. Keep up the good work.
rich monoson Julie, thank you for posting this. I'm 4 weeks out and feel amazingly well. I feel like I didn't even ... Read more
rich monoson Julie, thank you for posting this. I'm 4 weeks out and feel amazingly well. I feel like I didn't even have surgery......except that annoying post traumatic A-fib. It is the only unpleasant event that I've experienced since the surgery. I'm hopeful also that it will resolve after the inflammation of a beat up heart subsides. It's concerning but I have great confidence in the doctors giving me a high probability it will resolve. Congrats Julie!
susan STALEY I also would like more info on the sports bra... having my OHS on Monday. Is this something needed? ... Read more
susan STALEY I also would like more info on the sports bra... having my OHS on Monday. Is this something needed??
Julie M Thanks, everyone! Rich, I'm believing we'll both be free of A-fib in due time. Heidi & Susan, regardi ... Read more
Julie M Thanks, everyone! Rich, I'm believing we'll both be free of A-fib in due time. Heidi & Susan, regarding the sports bra, I ordered a couple with front closure from Amazon (one size up, they are tight!) to replace that awful hospital bra with the velcro. FYI, I only hook the very top hook, just enough to serve its purpose. It might be very uncomfortable to close all the hooks. i was glad to hear I no longer have to sleep in it, but it is what I wear during the day... Again, just the top hook closed. It may be less of an issue for me due to small breast size. That's about all I can offer but hope it helps! Oh, and I do recall being advised to wear the bra during the early weeks of recovery.
Home from the hospital on Monday 4/29! Surgery on 4/23 went well, thank God. The mitral valve had to be replaced, tricuspid repaired. Some relatively minor ...Read more
Home from the hospital on Monday 4/29! Surgery on 4/23 went well, thank God. The mitral valve had to be replaced, tricuspid repaired. Some relatively minor issues: three days postop, I required two units of blood, and for a time it was thought I may need a pacemaker ("cardiac block," which resolved. ) Still some asymptomatic "half block" which should also resolve as the heart recovers from the ordeal & I expect it will, God willing. Soon out of surgery, I also had the relatively rare experience of a dreadful "anesthesia nightmare" ("nightmare is too mild a word) which left me screaming and thrashing --- 6 people had to restrain me & I'm little more than 100 pounds. My poor sister and niece were horrified... I can remember hearing them speak to me, but was unfortunately too imprisoned by the terrifying nightmare (a memory I also unfortunately kept) to find it of comfort. Aside from that, the whole experience in hospital was relatively comfortable, the nurses were all wonderful, truly angels.
First night at home, I had some trouble sleeping, though i slept quite well in the hospital. No doubt I was just wired from a very eventful day. Home health nurse will come today to remove the last of the bandage coverings (Prevena) and my incision will be exposed for the first time. One step & one day at a time, full recovery is on the way. I am so thankful to have the surgery & hospitalization behind me. Many thanks for your prayers and encouragement along the way. You all remain in my prayers & I'll continue to report my progress. God bless!
Susan Lynn Glad you're home and the worst is behind you. Speedy recovery, Julie! ❤
Rita Savelis Wow. Can't believe you're home that fast and able to write such an honest thorough post. Hope the ni ... Read more
Rita Savelis Wow. Can't believe you're home that fast and able to write such an honest thorough post. Hope the nighmares are behind you. Take care.
Mike Roskowinski Glad to hear you are home. Hope the road gets a bit easier ahead of you. Like they say one day at a t ... Read more
Mike Roskowinski Glad to hear you are home. Hope the road gets a bit easier ahead of you. Like they say one day at a time.
Kevin Bradley Julie, I’m sorry to hear about your unexpected events in the hospital. It’s all over now and on t ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Julie, I’m sorry to hear about your unexpected events in the hospital. It’s all over now and on to full recovery. Keep your head up and know the worst is over. The best is yet to come. Keep us posted on your progress.
Alan Jamieson Happy to hear that you’re on the road to recovery, and that the worst is behind you! Keep strong!
Joey Hardee Very glad you are home, Julie! Prayers for a smooth and quick recovery!
Julie M God bless you all for your great support and caring. The journey is a little different for each of u ... Read more
Julie M God bless you all for your great support and caring. The journey is a little different for each of us, but the destination means a fuller, richer life for all of us! You all have my respect and admiration and heartfelt gratitude.
Reghu Madathil Happy that you are home and doing well. I am new to this group and really feel very confident now aft ... Read more
Reghu Madathil Happy that you are home and doing well. I am new to this group and really feel very confident now after joining
Diane Esposito Julie, I’m so sorry you had such a frightening anesthesia experience but so happy your valves have ... Read more
Diane Esposito Julie, I’m so sorry you had such a frightening anesthesia experience but so happy your valves have been repaired and replaced and that you’re home again. Today is one week post surgery for me! We made it!
A week from right now, my open heart surgery will be in progress to fix two valves (mitral and tricuspid), and "Leaky and Squeaky" will become "Snappy and Flappy." ...Read more
A week from right now, my open heart surgery will be in progress to fix two valves (mitral and tricuspid), and "Leaky and Squeaky" will become "Snappy and Flappy." (Humor helps to offset the anxiety.) As I've noted has been the case for others, my eagerness to get it over with now exceeds the dread! I'm not much for social media, but will definitely post updates on my road to recovery.
God has been making a way where there seemed to be no way in several situations leading up to my surgery. I know how powerful prayer is, so would be very grateful for your prayers on my behalf. Please know, you are all in mine.
Catie B I love your sense of humor, Julie. Such a plus!
It's wonderful that you're experiencing the Lord's h ... Read more
Catie B I love your sense of humor, Julie. Such a plus!
It's wonderful that you're experiencing the Lord's hand in your journey. May He give you a very smooth recovery! Sending prayer...
Marie Myers You are in the right frame of mind! Wishing you a smooth journey...
Diane Esposito I too will be in surgery a week from tomorrow and I Love the humor! I’m kind of in between the drea ... Read more
Diane Esposito I too will be in surgery a week from tomorrow and I Love the humor! I’m kind of in between the dread and let’s get this over with. Sending you positive energy for a successful surgery!
Julie M Thanks, Catie, Marie & Diane, et al.! We really are all in this together, and it's always encouragin ... Read more
Julie M Thanks, Catie, Marie & Diane, et al.! We really are all in this together, and it's always encouraging just to know you're not alone. Blessings and genuine love to all...
Tee Ad Good luck with the surgery and recover! You will feel so much better when this is behind you!
I am relatively new and quiet here (not much for social media), but so appreciate the value of this site. Adam's book "The Patient's Guide to Heart Valve Surgery" ...Read more
I am relatively new and quiet here (not much for social media), but so appreciate the value of this site. Adam's book "The Patient's Guide to Heart Valve Surgery" has also been a big help!
My open heart surgery to repair or replace my mitral valve and repair my tricuspid valve is scheduled for April 23rd.
I have prayed for people facing surgery here, and now I'm asking please for your prayers. You will remain in mine, and I'll be sure to update about my progress. God bless you all!
Marie Myers Welcome to the site! Lots of good info and support here.
I hear you about the “not-much for social ... Read more
Marie Myers Welcome to the site! Lots of good info and support here.
I hear you about the “not-much for social media”. I am not on any sites other than this.
Mike Roskowinski Hey Julie welcome to the site. Lots and of us here in the same situation so we are there for you. Th ... Read more
Mike Roskowinski Hey Julie welcome to the site. Lots and of us here in the same situation so we are there for you. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Have faith that everything will be great.
Bradley Dunn You will be great. I don't do social media either.
Julie M Thanks so much, everyone! Encouraging words are so helpful, especially from those who've "been there ... Read more
Julie M Thanks so much, everyone! Encouraging words are so helpful, especially from those who've "been there, done that," or "are there, doing that"! You're the best ... and my prayers are with you all.
Kevin Bradley Julie, this is a great community/family. We are brought here to help each other overcome this difficu ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Julie, this is a great community/family. We are brought here to help each other overcome this difficult time. This group is amazing! Good luck on your surgery. Thought and prayers will be with you.
Louanna Miller Julie, great to have you here with all of us. Please ask any questions you may have. We will all he ... Read more
Louanna Miller Julie, great to have you here with all of us. Please ask any questions you may have. We will all help you as best we can. You will be fine. My prayers are with you for an Complicated surgery, excellent pain management and a complete recovery without complication. Know that we all walk beside you.
Tom McDonald Welcome Julie,
You've come to the right place, ask lots of questions we are here for each other going ... Read more
Tom McDonald Welcome Julie,
You've come to the right place, ask lots of questions we are here for each other going through heart valve surgery or in the recovery stage. Prayers to you.🙏
Rob Sparling This is the only social media I have undertaken and it apparently works. Welcome, you are in the rig ... Read more
Rob Sparling This is the only social media I have undertaken and it apparently works. Welcome, you are in the right place, and you will do fine. Pray. Prepare. Do them both! We will be doing it for you when you do your time travel!
Darren Ketchley Hi julie be strong its a big thing and you get through it day by day. Its emotional and everyone in t ... Read more
Darren Ketchley Hi julie be strong its a big thing and you get through it day by day. Its emotional and everyone in this group has been through it or is going to go through it. Keep on posting and getting support from this awsome group of people. Sending prayers youre way.
Julie M I so appreciate the wonderful people here and your caring words of hope and encouragement. You may n ... Read more
Julie M I so appreciate the wonderful people here and your caring words of hope and encouragement. You may never really know how much it means to someone else. The sharing of your experiences is immeasurably valuable, too. Thank you & bless you!
Darren Ketchley Hope things are going well julie.have a great easter.
I've just scheduled my consultation appointment with the surgeon (for mitral valve surgery... repair or replace unknown, but probably replace, I'm told), for ...Read more
I've just scheduled my consultation appointment with the surgeon (for mitral valve surgery... repair or replace unknown, but probably replace, I'm told), for 3/11/2019. I would really appreciate suggestions for the best questions to ask him... I want to go as prepared as possible! Thanks so much.
Dianne A Which surgeon Julie? I just had repair or replace by Dr Accola at Florida Hospital Orlando. He was ... Read more
Dianne A Which surgeon Julie? I just had repair or replace by Dr Accola at Florida Hospital Orlando. He was able to repair. I will write more when I can, I was very fortunate to have a close friend share all her research with me.
Julie M So glad to hear repair was possible for you, Dianne! You have been in & will remain in my daily pray ... Read more
Julie M So glad to hear repair was possible for you, Dianne! You have been in & will remain in my daily prayers. The surgeon I'm scheduled to see is Sohit Khanna at Halifax Health Daytona (he is also with Shands in Gainesville). Will know more after meeting with him. Take good care & may your recovery be seamless and speedy!