Hello Jennifer, I also go to Northwestern in Chicago. I live in Mchenry and travel there to see my cardiac specailist every 6 months. I will be having a... Read more
Hello Jennifer, I also go to Northwestern in Chicago. I live in Mchenry and travel there to see my cardiac specailist every 6 months. I will be having a TEE next in April and even that makes me expremely nervous, but I know it is necessary. You really ar in god hands with Dr Malaisrie. I spoke to him a couple of years ago about my tricuspid (which is very rare) as mine is moderate to severe at this point and I have been watching since 2016. I do hope to see you here often and update us about everything. You are in the right place for support and a wonderful, caring community of people with similar heart issues. You are a strong, beautiful human being and I will be thinking of you and have you in my prayers as I do everyone on this site every night. Know you are not alone in this and we all are here for you
Thomas Brusstar I had my mitral valve repaired at Northwestern in 2018. The time before surgery is definitely the wo ... Read more
Thomas Brusstar I had my mitral valve repaired at Northwestern in 2018. The time before surgery is definitely the worst mentally! You should have confidence in the team at Northwestern. I went in Tuesday morning and was home for dinner Friday. I actually had a dream a couple times in the months before surgery that my heart had just stopped — and after the surgery the dream never came back! My body knew it was fixed. So just work through the worries and keep yourself busy with getting ready with some exercise (even walking) and prep your house for like a week or two of no lifting anything, easy/ lazy living when you first come home. Once you hit the surgery, I think you will find it energizing to see how fast your body recovers: track your blood counts and exercise and weight and pain and you’ll see that your body is amazing.
Jennifer Holly Thank you so much for the information. It has been so frustrating because Dr. Malaisrie stated I cann ... Read more
Jennifer Holly Thank you so much for the information. It has been so frustrating because Dr. Malaisrie stated I cannot exercise until after the surgery. When I walk. the chest pain and dizziness occurs. I hope my surgery goes as well as yours!
Glad to read you have not cancelled your surgery. Its very normal to be in fear of it, in fact, strange if not. Have not heard anyone say, yup, i am having ...Read more
Glad to read you have not cancelled your surgery. Its very normal to be in fear of it, in fact, strange if not. Have not heard anyone say, yup, i am having open heart surgery and i’m jumping for joy at the thought of it. I have read a bunch of post surgery posts saying i’m glad i had it, however. I was the poster boy of pre surgery jitters so i can understand. Its scary, but in most cases necessary.
Jennifer Holly Thanks for letting me know my feelings are normal.
Valerie Allen Jennifer, your feelings are definitely normal. I had almost a year wait until my surgery and I contin ... Read more
Valerie Allen Jennifer, your feelings are definitely normal. I had almost a year wait until my surgery and I continually tried to find ways to handle the fear of heart surgery….this site being #1. A couple months of therapy to talk it out..anti-anxiety medication…and meditation. It all helped and as I said earlier, the week of surgery I just kind of mentally let the expert surgery staff take over. You are on the right track! 💕
Sher Follett posted a note for Jennifer that says:
Hi Jennifer,
You are having your surgery on my birthday so I will be thinking about you on that day. You have a great doctor that I've watched on this ...Read more
Hi Jennifer,
You are having your surgery on my birthday so I will be thinking about you on that day. You have a great doctor that I've watched on this site. I hope you will be feeling so much better going into spring and summer after your surgery. Take care and Happy Valentine's (Heart) Day to you!
Jennifer Holly Thank you so much for the good wishes! I really appreciate the reassurance that my surgeon will do a ... Read more
Jennifer Holly Thank you so much for the good wishes! I really appreciate the reassurance that my surgeon will do a great job!