Delise's Guestbook

Delise Becker  Thank you, Jill. It's been a week since my last cardioversion, and I haven't had any episodes of A-fib or A-flutter. I'm praying that the med tweaks and the fact that I'm almost at 7 weeks means that my heart is finally starting to calm down. I hope that your shortness of breath will soon be resolved. I know that it's frustrating to be so out of breath when you try to do anything. I have been keeping you in my prayers. Thanks again for all your support!

Delise Becker  Hi, Julia. Thankfully, I never had fever. However, we measure our temps in Fahrenheit, not Celsius, so I was not familiar with the temps you mention. In looking up the conversions, though, 38C = 100.5F. While in the hospital, I was told that any temp over 100.5F would be considered a fever. I'm glad that your mother's doctors did various tests and labs. I would continue to monitor her temp and also stay in communication with her doctors. I wish her all the best. 

Delise Becker  Thank you, Grace. I just got discharged late yesterday afternoon. I was in the hospital 8 days/7 nights. The surgery itself went very well; however, I developed (as many on this site have) A-fib and also an irregular atrial flutter. And on top of that, the Norco made me sick. I had dry heaves for a couple of days. We got that under control and I was put on an external pacemaker for about 1 1/2 days. The doctors were constantly monitoring and doing EKGs, but they wanted my heart to get back into rhythm on its own, so they removed the pacing box. Then they decided that my heart would need to be shocked, but about an hour before the procedure was to begin, my heart FINALLY got back into rhythm on its own! No shocking was necessary. Once I was back in rhythm, I began to feel much better . . . but I'm not going to lie; it was a really tough week. With that said, today is my first full day at home, and I feel even better today. I am walking, practicing my breathing, and eating well. 

I want to thank you and so many, many others on this site for sharing their stories and experiences. This community is a godsend. Be well, everyone. 

Grace Mason   Delise, I'm so sorry to hear you have had a tough week. Dry heaves sound awful. I've been thinking about you every day praying each day was a better day for you. That is great your heart got back into rhythm on its own and that you are feeling better now and are home ❤️
Keep taking good care of yourself and give yourself all you need to heal. 🙏💓

Delise Becker  Thanks, all. I had a good day today and slept pretty well last night. I appreciate all your positive encouragement. 

Richard Munson  Lots of mitral valve repair recipients on this site including me so reading your story hits home.  I guess it boils down to nothing is 100% in life including heart valve repair. Best of luck in your upcoming surgery, you sound positive and thats good. 

Delise Becker  Thank you, Kathy and Richard. My understanding is that, based on the most recent echo, the anterior leaflet of my mitral valve has become stenotic, making it too stiff to seal properly when it closes. And, because it is stenotic, that's why a re-repair cannot be done. (A second and third opinion confirmed this.) I am ready to get the valve replaced, so I'm very glad that I don't have to wait much longer.