Heather's Guestbook

Heather,

You should be several days post-op now and on the road to recovery. Each day will get better and you will be so glad that you scheduled the surgery. By Christmas, you should feel so much better. I had my surgery 5 years ago and it made a huge difference! Take care and may God bless you and your family this holiday season.



Sincerely,

Carol Bent

Hi Heather,

Hope all went well with your surgery. Its over , which is always a relief. 

I had surgery in June for aortic valve regurgitation and am doing well.  It takes time.  Be patient with yourself during your recover, everyone heals at their own pace.

I wish you a speedy recovery.

Praying your surgery went well! I live in Winston Salem. I had my surgery in 2021 at Wake Forest Baptist. It was my second aortic valve replacement ( first was in 2007). Totally understand the desire to get it done. They kept delaying mine due to pandemic. Got to the point of heart failure that I was incapacitated.

So at 68, I still "ticking". Good luck and best wishes on your recovery. Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas!!

Hi Heather, In 2020 I had mitral valve replacement and we share the same surgeon. I live in Smithfield, NC. I am also a swimmer. We have quite a few things in common. I was swimming at my best speeds prior to surgery and unfortunately had a long break after surgery due to Covid. The pools were closed.  I was also terrified before my surgery but today I feel blessed that I was able to return to swimming and have had no set backs. I walked a lot to get reconditioned and added a stationary bike to my routine as well. I hope you get relief from the fatigue quickly. Walking and increasing the duration daily worked great for me. I encourage you to return to swimming as soon as the doctors give you the go ahead. Let me know how you’re doing. We are practically neighbors! Praying for your speedy recovery. 

Hi Heather!  I hope you are recovering well and the great nurses in TCICU are spoiling you!  Left you a lengthy message in your journal that I hope you get a chance to read before being released from the hospital.  You are in the best place and with the best doctors and nurses on the planet.  Dr Williams is phenomenal!  I was there this past May.  Looking forward to reading your recovery posts!

Hi Heather - hopefully by now you are out of surgery and on your way to recovery!  You picked a great day for Surgery - its Pearl Harbor Day, and its also the day that I too had Aortic valve replacement on 12/7/2021.  (congenital bi-cuspid and severe stenosis)  Wishing you well!  

Heather, I had a bicuspid valve and aneurysm surgery in June 2023.  I'm a medical professional and knew exactly what the surgery would entail.  I have to be honest...it wasn't as bad as I imagined in my head.  There was some pain with the chest incision but it was well taken care of by the nurses.  Of course coughing was the worst, but still not that bad if you use the incentive spirometer that they give you to help you take big breaths every hour.  I found the most difficult thing to do was to get out of bed or chair without pulling/pushing with your arms. 
I am 68 yrs old and still very active, working 2 days a week as a nurse anesthetist.  I have worked out all my life and like to think that helped me recover faster.  Be a good patient!  Keep moving!  It will take time but you got this girl!

Katherine Jensen