Jacquelyn's Guestbook

Jackie,

Thinking of you and sending well wishes. Hope you sleep well this evening. Sending prayers for you, your team and family. May you have a smooth recovery and find your experience is not as difficult as you imagine.❤️❤️‍🩹

Hey Jacquelyn,

Thanks for the message and it is great to be home.   Dr. El-Hamasy and team were top notch and I am actually shocked how well I feel considering I am only 8 days post surgery.   If there are any questions at all that I can help with or if you just want to talk feel free to reach out.   I had a tremendous amount of anxiety leading up to things and I know I would have been better served talking about them.   


You are in great hands!

Shaun

What kinds of questions do you have? My surgery was scheduled due to my ascending aneurysm that was found on routine echo in 2016. I had a bicuspid valve also, but as far as I knew, it wasn’t causing me problems. I was busy with my CRNA work, housework, tennis, and horseback riding at the time. I remember being totally shocked at the apparent need for me to have heart surgery. At first, I had intentions to get a consultation at a big name center , but the anxiety and overwhelm took over and I stayed in the area. I found that the waiting time was the worst, and that my anxious mind had me worried about all kinds of things. I do wish I hadn’t worried so much, but hindsight is 20/20. I had a good result and an uncomplicated AVR, ascending and aortic root aneurysm replacements. The first 2 weeks were the worst, where I felt weak as a kitten and very emotional. It is a physical as well as an emotional recovery. This was my first admission to a hospital, and what a way to start! I chose a tissue valve, and that was a very difficult choice to make. I was well enough to go back to work part time in 8 weeks. So far so good, and I am at 8 years on this valve. No way to know how long or short it will last. Let me know what other things you would like to know. You WILL get through this!