Marie's Guestbook

My mom took Warfarin for AFIB only.  She never had heart surgery.  They found her AFIB in her 70s also.   She lived to be 92. It was discovered while she was having a colonoscopy.  In my case, I developed Shortness of breath.   Warfarin messed her up. She was black, blue and red all over.  I told my doctors, when they asked me what type of valve I wanted and that tissue valve was closer to the human heart valve and I would not have to take Warfarin, I told them "I am more of a quality of life kind of person than quantity".  In my opinion, there is no point to live a long life full of pain, bleeding and bruising all the time.   Since stopping the knee shots my skin is finally returning back to being somewhat normal and I don't bleed every time I bump into something.   I will be 81 on April 1st, 2025.  For the last 10 years, I have been just fine.  I may end up with another Aorta Valve, but so far this one is holding up just fine.  When he has told me for 9.5 years that I have AFIB then suddenly says, I didn't have it before but do now, I don't feel I can trust his judgement.  My heart problem is genetic, may of my family members have and had heart problems.  I was told in my 40s, that I had a problem that they could not give me anything for, that if it got worse, it would require surgery.  In school, I can remember not being able to keep up the other girls on track and I am 5'9" weighting about 130 at that time.  I started out ahead but couldn't maintain it.   So the problem got worse and thank God for TAVR.  For me it was easy, in on a Monday and out on Friday without all the step-downs, but the AFIB acted up, hence Metoprolol.  Also, I have always been a person to bonce back.  I don't fit at the profile the doctors are given in their books.  Some people don't.  I wish they would or could take the time to treat everyone as an individual as possible.  Then I could stop dropping them and disagreeing with them.  The best thing this cardio is he has a good bedside manor.  LOL  Thanks

He did murmur. Under his breath. He said you’re old. I went to a rheumatologist a few years back with foot pain and he said same thing. Age related. My second opinion said maybe gout. My uric acid level was through the roof. Put me on allopurinol and it went away in 2 weeks. That ‘you’re old ‘ diagnosis gets old. I call it lazy. 

I saw your comment about getting good help. Almost an impossibility in todays world. It was the # 1 reason my wife retired from her great job managing over 300 people. She loved it but It was killing her. Some of the employee stories would curl your hair. Now she is home every day killing me. Lol. 

Hi Marie I’m still trying to figure out how this site works and am wondering if I’ve missed posts. I’m scheduled to have surgery for aortic aneurysm that now measures 4.5. My regular cardiologist does not think it’s time but the surgeon does. That leaves me with a very uneasy feeling and I’m constantly wondering if I’m doing the right thing as well as constant fear and dread of the surgery. I have a hard time visualizing positive outcomes. I see you said you wished you didn’t worry as much. I wish I wouldn’t either! Did you do a lot of research before your surgery? I feel like I’m going down rabbit holes and making my anxiety worse! Thank you for sharing any of your experience. Much appreciated!

Thanks for your funny note about your filthy dog and filthy husband. You made me laugh. I've just taken a brief nap with the cat and that'll have to do, because tonight's the night. I'm trading rooms with my daughter and putting brand new laundered sheets on the bed for the occasion. 

Hello Marie, it really helps to read through all the stories and have some hope that things will turn out ok. I am filled with so much anxiety and fear about the upcoming surgery and have many questions. You said everything wasn’t as bad as your worrying made it out to be. I really hope that is true for me as well! Hope it’s ok if I reach out to you again! 

Hello Marie ,

I read your story and it is very inspiring to hear of your success in surgery and recovery !  
I’m struggling with deciding when to have the same surgery as you. I’m 48 , I knew I had a history from my grandfather dying from this at my age and my dad having 3 aortic valve replacements now.  I was told in 2016 that I have a bicuspid valve with mild regurgitation and an aorta measuring 4.4cm.  8 years later I’ve just been told I have moderate to severe regurgitation and an ascending aorta measuring 4.9cm.  They would like me to have surgery next month but I’m hesitant as I have no signs or symptoms and I would like to keep working as a Firefighter.  I’m trying to decide the best time for recovery and if it would be better in the summer here in Canada or during the winter months.  I realize the risk I am taking waiting but I’ve heard of people waiting years with over a 5cm aorta for this surgery . How long did you wait to have your surgery and were the doctors telling you to have it asap? 

I would love to hear your feedback. 

thanks, 
Angus 

I believe your mother in law would grudgingly agree. My mother in law, god rest her soul, always had a soft spot for nancy’s former boyfriend of many years ,who got kicked to the curb once yours truly arrived on the scene but later in life she admitted to me in private that i was the better man. I knew it, it just took her awhile to agree. I met him years later at her wake, she was 95. He came up to my waist. He approached me by the way. It was an interesting encounter and the details shall remain hidden and go to the grave with me. 

Well i certainly hope you look me up when you visit taxachusetts. Your mother in law must be great naming her son richard. Bear in mind, i live very close to old cape cod. Maybe pattie page will join us. Shadow is gearing up for your visit. 

Lots of nervous folks out there contemplating ohs. Of course those of us on the other side all went thru it. When its you however , a person thinks its only me. Sometimes i look back just before my surgery and chuckle what a mess i was up until i went to sleep just prior to. Around here its legendary how i tried to escape, thankfully unsuccessfully, from mass general the day of my surgery. I almost made it but not quite. Now i’m glad i had it. Who knows how i would feel today. Obviously not quick witted for sure. 

All my doggie friends have tales of their furry friends dreaming and twitching and yipping away. My question is do other animals do the same thing? Cats for example. What about humans. I can’t recall ever hearing nancy bark in the night except to complain i took all the covers.  

Hii Marie! :)

thank you for your response ❤️



question, was your valve regurgitant or stenotic? According to articles regurgitant tend to progress slower than stenosis? Don't know if its true?


Happy holidays 🙏

Pro enrichment SI belt. Bought it on amazon and it has been great. Also good for bursitis and other hip ailments. It may not work for your richard but worth the $35. To experiment

Just curious how knowledgable you are in abnormal protein m spike readings in some recent blood work.  I am going to a hematologist next week to go over these tests. My kappa readings are way higher than the healthy range. You are very smart so just asking. Right now i am stressed out. I did not need this on my plate.