Whitney's Guestbook

Hi Whitney, i definitely sympathize with you. That's been my problem since my OHS/AVR. Once i got home from the hospital i couldn't sleep at all. I finally had to resolve the problem with a sleeping pill, which i am still taken and i am three month's Post/Op. A doctor ( friend of mine ) told me that particularly when you're in recovery, you must have enough sleep in order to recover better. He also said that eventually he will wean me off with proper guidance. On a side note, i really think that our cardiologists and surgeons are great when it comes to the actual surgery plus the good service that we get in our hospitals. Where i think they should improve is precisely the time they send you back home. How...? By simply warning the OHS patients( before they are sent home ) that some of us might get caught somehow with emotional, stressful situations, anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, insomnia, depressive states ect. So basically i am a proponent that this ""warning"" should be part of the whole(hospital discharge package). Good luck to all and i wish a great recovery.

Whitney, I'm sitting at home today, off work because I live in El Paso, Texas, and Pope Francis is in Cuidad Juarez just across the US/Mexico border. Due to the huge crowds and since I work near the border, our office closed. I just happened to get on this site and see your blog TODAY! On the day that you are having surgery! God works in mysterious ways. I had aortic valve replacement on 11/13 so I'm just over 3 months out. When I first woke up after surgery I was still intubated, and I was terrified. The nurses had rolled me up on my side for some reason. I found my husband's face and looked into his eyes. I remember trying to tell him with my eyes that I didn't think I would live through this! Tears were streaming down my cheeks. But guess what!!! I MADE IT!! I'm back at work part-time. I'm doing cardiac rehab three days a week (which I highly recommend), and even though I still have a way to go in my recovery, I am feeling so much better and healthier than before! You'll be just fine! Take your time and don't push yourself too hard. Do what the doctors, nurses and therapists tell you to do, and have faith!

Whitney, not as late here is n the west, so I wanted to post: Praying for you tonight, praying for your best bud, and that all will go well and you will be feeling better fast.. God Bless, Best Regards🌹🌹❤️❤️

Hiya Whitney! When you hit eight weeks post-op, have your cardiologist test you for your lifting capacity without compromising your incision. Don't just settle for anyone's "at eight weeks you should be okay." You don't want "shoulds" with this! Be sure. All my best, Artie.

Wow, Whitney your story is somewhat similar to mine, when I was child. I was told about my murmur at 13 years old, but mine was the mitral valve. When I had my valve repair done in 2000 my daughter was 13. I know it is a scary time, especially since you are a mom. The waiting is the hardest part of this process. The pain is manageable and honestly for me it was tolerable. This day will come and go and be only a distant memory. Are you getting a repair or replacement?

Hi Whitney, I can understand your anxiety and fear. But as my surgeon told me, the mortality rate for these operations is TWO PERCENT! And, he added, those patient usually were old and had other medical problems. To us, this operation is a life-shaking event. To our providers, it's pretty routine (though they take their work very seriously). I never ever thought that my operation date might be my "last day," because I knew it was the right thing to do and I never worry about anything which is so clearly the right thing to do. I guess that's my spiritual faith. As for which type of valve, yes, the bovine one might only last 30 or so years. But can you imagine what medicine will be like in 30 years. I'm confident they won't even have to cut you open to fix this by then. But do research the pros and cons of mechanical vs. bovine. Get as much info from as many sources as possible, and then choose what feels right to you. BTW, my own operation was full open incision, mitral valve repaired, aortic valve replaced. After all that, it took me four to five weeks (not months) to get back to feeling really good again, and after the sixth week, I was rip-roaring. Everyone goes through this differently, so don't listen to those who say, this is gonna be really rough. For some it is, for others it's not. The recovery certainly isn't a joy ride, but have faith in your body's wisdom to find its way back on track. Oh, and make friends with all your caregivers by joking with them and asking about their own lives (their family, their interests, etc.) That'll make you feel reconnected to life really good. All the best for Feb. 17 and thereafter. You may later see that date as your second birthday. I certainly do about my own date. I'll be celebrating it every year for the rest of my life.

Hi Whitney! I have been having trouble posting on your guestbook as well... hoping this goes through. Please feel free to email me anytime - Id love to answer any questions you have! kimberlyabiddick@gmail.com

Whitney, thanks so much for your sweet note in my journal. I'm so glad my surgery experience post was able to help. The breathing tube was also my biggest fear before my surgery, so I understand completely . It really did turn out to be something I vaguely remember. I was so out of it that it felt like I was dreaming and it seemed to all happen very fast. As soon as I noticed it, they took it out. It wasn't bad at all. I'll be keeping you in my prayers for your surgery and recovery. Where are you having it done? Let me know if I can help answer any questions. God bless you! Isaiah 41:13.