Jennifer 's Guestbook

Jennifer Fuller  I went with a bio valve. I decided that I really didn’t want to have to take a blood thinner for the rest of my life as you do with the mechanical (at least currently) I had the full open heart surgery. That hopefully leaves me with the option of having the TAVR in the future (10 + years) when this valve wears out. 

I know it’s scary, and I won’t sugarcoat it and say it’s easy. But honestly, it’s been less than a week and I don’t feel terrible. I’m able to go to the bathroom, shower, dress, get the mail, etc. independently. My husband and son are helping with meals, but I can make myself simple meals when I want to. 

My best advice is to schedule your surgery for January and use the next few months to prep. Eat well and get adequate rest. Get yourself in shape with whatever cardio you’re allowed to do, and work on increasing your lung function. 

You got this. 😊

Donna Masters  Hi, Jennifer! So glad to hear you’re doing well! We had the same surgery date…Oct. 30th! Our stories really do mirror each others’. Even our recovery sounds similar…we’re two weeks in to the road to a full recovery!!! ❤️

Jennifer Fuller  Ask away! I’m open to any and all questions! Seriously, yesterday I happily told a nurse all about my first pooping experience. I’m usually a very private person, but this stuff is just too real and too important to be shy or embarrassed about.

Jennifer Fuller  Leaving for the hospital in a few minutes. I’m surprisingly calm, though if I took my BP right now, it’s probably through the roof! 😬

Jennifer Fuller  You know I was a bit reluctant to ask for pain meds - dumb I know. I wasn’t worried about addiction issues, just worried about nausea. Any pain meds I’ve ever taken have caused me really terrible nausea to the point where I don’t want to take them. Weirdly, I didn’t have any nausea at all the whole I was in the hospital. I’ve been taking a bit of Tramadol twice a day, and that seems to do the trick for pain control.