Hit that one month mark today. Feeling pretty good, with some minor pain and discomfort across my sternum, all normal. Vitals are good, and I've been out doing ...Read more
Hit that one month mark today. Feeling pretty good, with some minor pain and discomfort across my sternum, all normal. Vitals are good, and I've been out doing hikes and enjoying the weather before it gets really hot. Enjoying seeing everyone's stories, and sending positive thoughts to all of you getting ready for OHS, or struggling with your recovery! You'll get through it!
Susan Lynn Great news, Alan! Continued success with your recovery!
Joy Vera Congrats on the one month mark, Alan. Glad to read things are progressing as they should. Take care ... Read more
Joy Vera Congrats on the one month mark, Alan. Glad to read things are progressing as they should. Take care.
Mike Roskowinski Congrats Alan. I am not too far behind you for the 1 month. Keep up the walking and hard work. Seeing ... Read more
Mike Roskowinski Congrats Alan. I am not too far behind you for the 1 month. Keep up the walking and hard work. Seeing progress is always good. I am counting down to be done with 8 weeks and then 12 weeks. I really want to start the gym again and weight lifting and also have to get out and golf!
Had the first of my followups this week - everything looks good! The biggest issues that I've had this week was the continuation of morning headaches and an ...Read more
Had the first of my followups this week - everything looks good! The biggest issues that I've had this week was the continuation of morning headaches and an issue where hives suddenly showed up all over my body! Had several tests done and the cardiologist wasn't too concerned saying that this sometimes happens and that it'll die down, and sure enough, it did! Skin cleared up over the past couple of days, but still that headache! Going to try to lie flat on the bed to see if the wedge is causing me issues on my neck.
All in all, I am really happy with where I am in my recovery. Aside from a few, minor bumps, I am cruising along, pacing myself. I count myself very lucky with how well this has gone. Oh, I did sneeze, and I am not looking forward to the next one.
For all of you on your OHS journey - stay strong and I look forward to reading your recovery stories!
Naomi Gray Hi Alan, I'm so glad hear that you are doing well and cleared the 2 week checkup. I just scheduled my ... Read more
Naomi Gray Hi Alan, I'm so glad hear that you are doing well and cleared the 2 week checkup. I just scheduled my first appointments in 4 weeks.
Diane Esposito Great news, Alan! I agree that sneezing is no fun! I hope the headaches disappear soon, I had one fo ... Read more
Diane Esposito Great news, Alan! I agree that sneezing is no fun! I hope the headaches disappear soon, I had one for all 5 days that I was in the hospital and then it just disappeared. I’m hoping you’ll be feeling better each day.
Rita Savelis Sorry about the headaches. I've had vascular headaches off and on since OHS, often in the morning. Th ... Read more
Rita Savelis Sorry about the headaches. I've had vascular headaches off and on since OHS, often in the morning. They come and go and don't last that long, but it would nice to not have them!
It's been one week since my valve replacement. I'm thankful to be home, resting, and in pretty good spirits overall. I'm having the usual issues, still some ...Read more
It's been one week since my valve replacement. I'm thankful to be home, resting, and in pretty good spirits overall. I'm having the usual issues, still some discomfort with breathing fully; and various aches and pains, especially in my shoulders and my neck. Every once in a while the heart chirps letting me know that I was mean to it. Sleeping is an interesting activity, as is fending off my kids from our usual rambunctious snuggling, but they're taking it well. BP looks good, pulse and O2, too. I was having issues with my temp simmering at a little over 99, but that cleared up this morning. All that negative to be said, I'm super happy for the support that I've gotten from family, friends, and all of you. I have good energy, and have been able to walk in the mild May weather here in MD. And I have yet to sneeze! So thankful for my allergies checking out for a few. Looking forward to seeing the cardiologist and getting confirmation that everything is going ok next week. For all of you on this OHS journey - y'all are awesome, and you're going to rock this!
Kevin Bradley Awesome update, Alan! I am glad you are doing well. Keep up the great work.
Joey Hardee Sounds like a fantastic one week update! You are doing awesome! Great job, Alan!
Susan Lynn Thrilled you're doing so well! It's amazing what a difference a week makes! Just think how great y ... Read more
Susan Lynn Thrilled you're doing so well! It's amazing what a difference a week makes! Just think how great you're going to feel with another one behind you... and another... and another. 😁
Rob Sparling So glad to hear you are on the mend and doing well. Sneeze-free is a benefit not to be taken lightly ... Read more
Rob Sparling So glad to hear you are on the mend and doing well. Sneeze-free is a benefit not to be taken lightly! My first one post-surgery was more than I was ready for (see journal for deets). Keep up the walking! 👍
Two weeks to go. Got my dental preop next week, and then my actual preop two weeks from yesterday. I've been considering cutting caffeine (I drink a single ...Read more
Two weeks to go. Got my dental preop next week, and then my actual preop two weeks from yesterday. I've been considering cutting caffeine (I drink a single cup of coffee in the morning) out before the surgery. My cardio doc says it's fine for me to keep on drinking it, but I know that I'll be asked to knock it off for a few weeks after the surgery. Maybe cut to avoid any additional discomfort due to caffeine withdrawal? Or, maybe I'll just sleep through it (and be distracted by the other discomforts). Anyone in the same boat?
Rita Savelis No doctor ever asked me to cut out coffee, before or after OHS, and it was served at hospital....
Marie Myers I agree with Rita. I only drink 1 cup a day, and I continued my habit throughout the whole journey, ... Read more
Marie Myers I agree with Rita. I only drink 1 cup a day, and I continued my habit throughout the whole journey, including the hospital.
Marjorie Murphy Same here. One cup a day now and after surgery. In fact before surgery they ask if I was a coffee ... Read more
Marjorie Murphy Same here. One cup a day now and after surgery. In fact before surgery they ask if I was a coffee drinker. Said yes and I was given a caffeine pill right before surgery
William Fults Coffee should be fine, I drank it up to the last day before surgery, and didn't suffer any without it ... Read more
William Fults Coffee should be fine, I drank it up to the last day before surgery, and didn't suffer any without it in recovery. Pain meds etc. probably helped ward off any withdraw symptoms ( I used to drink A LOT of coffee!). I didn't drink any caffeine for a few weeks after the operation just because I was really watching my heart rate, but that was just a personal choice, they offered it to me in step down.
Bradley Dunn I did the same even though I wasn't asked. I think I skipped coffee for 6 weeks or so... Now I am bac ... Read more
Bradley Dunn I did the same even though I wasn't asked. I think I skipped coffee for 6 weeks or so... Now I am back on the hard stuff.
Phyllis Petersen They didn't restrict it, even in the hospital. I could even have a drink the night before surgery, so ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen They didn't restrict it, even in the hospital. I could even have a drink the night before surgery, so long as I let them know. They can take all this into account. The most important thing is not to hide anything that could affect anesthesia, etc.
Mike Roskowinski Just be honest when you get there and they will know what to do. I want to have a beer with my dinner ... Read more
Mike Roskowinski Just be honest when you get there and they will know what to do. I want to have a beer with my dinner the night before I go to surgery. I already told my surgeon. I am sure you will be just fine with some coffee.
Alan Jamieson All - thanks for your information, nothing like the community coming in clutch for me. I swear I saw ... Read more
Alan Jamieson All - thanks for your information, nothing like the community coming in clutch for me. I swear I saw that I wasn't going to be able to have coffee post-op for a few weeks, but I'll just keep on drinking my morning cup and let them know when I get there.
Susan Lynn Alan - i don't know if coffee has the same effect for you as it does for others, but release from th ... Read more
Susan Lynn Alan - i don't know if coffee has the same effect for you as it does for others, but release from the hospital after surgery is contingent upon proving the ole' digestive system is in working order. I found my favorite Dunkin Donuts regular did the trick. 😉
Meredith Bray HAHA Susan, McDonald's coffee worked for me! I didn't give up coffee either. I had become so sensitiv ... Read more
Meredith Bray HAHA Susan, McDonald's coffee worked for me! I didn't give up coffee either. I had become so sensitive to coffee that leading up to surgery I had cut way back. My first cup of home coffee was wonderful the day I came home, and I haven't looked back. I love my brew!
Three weeks out and we're all-in on our to-do lists. Plenty of stuff to keep me busy while I wait. Am I the only one that has gotten to this point and is actually ...Read more
Three weeks out and we're all-in on our to-do lists. Plenty of stuff to keep me busy while I wait. Am I the only one that has gotten to this point and is actually looking forward to the surgery? Not in any sort of morbid way, but to get it done with so I'm not waiting around any longer. Still asymptomatic, but ready to get to recovery so I can get past it and lift my kiddos again.
Mike Roskowinski I am right there with you Alan. I am ready to get this fixed and move on. May 6th for me! I have e ... Read more
Mike Roskowinski I am right there with you Alan. I am ready to get this fixed and move on. May 6th for me! I have every emotion in the world going through my mind. But one is excited and happy to get it fixed and move on with life. Also I am asymptomatic! I am going to the gym 7 days a week right now to keep my cardio going right up to surgery. Yesterday I played 7 games of volleyball in league and felt great afterwards. I am very athletic and hope that helps in my recovery. I will share my journey with you and Peter Eglinton as he is also scheduled on 4/29. we got us 3 going right together
Alan Jamieson I was pretty active prior to the latest cardiologist visit where he told me to knock off any exercise ... Read more
Alan Jamieson I was pretty active prior to the latest cardiologist visit where he told me to knock off any exercise, so I haven't been doing much and it's driving me nuts. Can't wait to get this over with!
Susan Lynn Been there, Alan. You're mentally where you need to be before surgery - ready to put it behind you ... Read more
Susan Lynn Been there, Alan. You're mentally where you need to be before surgery - ready to put it behind you! All the best!
We're 5 weeks away from the surgery (May 1st) up at Medstar Washington. The good news is that it is the busiest time of the semester for me and my family, so ...Read more
We're 5 weeks away from the surgery (May 1st) up at Medstar Washington. The good news is that it is the busiest time of the semester for me and my family, so we haven't had much time to dwell on the upcoming surgery and recovery. We had hopes that I would be able to get the TAVR procedure that had the study wrap up recently, but because I have a bicuspid valve, it rules me out. For now, we're waiting and, in bits and pieces, getting the house ready (I bought a recliner!) and everything set before May 1st.
Bradley Dunn Lots of human resources here. Ask away if you have questions.
Civita Fahey Bradley is right.. ask away we are all willing to help.
Alan Jamieson Thanks all, I really appreciate the support!
Mark Jaycox Alan, I also had a bicuspid valve and couldn’t do TAVR. I went with the Edwards Resilia valve and ... Read more
Mark Jaycox Alan, I also had a bicuspid valve and couldn’t do TAVR. I went with the Edwards Resilia valve and couldn’t be happier. It’s amazing how fast time flys by. You’ll do fine and book that vacation so you reward yourself and family after your surgery.
Mike Roskowinski Hey Alan welcome to the community. I myself also at the ripe old age of 39 found out I have a unicus ... Read more
Mike Roskowinski Hey Alan welcome to the community. I myself also at the ripe old age of 39 found out I have a unicuspid valve and aneurysm. I am set for surgery on May 6th to do the repairs through OHS. Somethings that I have purchased are easy slip on shoes, eye cover (with ear plugs :)) for sleeping since my recliner is in the living room and gets lots of sun. Recliner is all setup and tested. One important thing I am doing is paying attention to what I use daily that is above shoulder level. I was told that I would not be wanting to reach for things for a few weeks after surgery. Get plates/bowls/cups and anything else that you may use down. Also since we are going to be on a lifting restriction I have asked my family to help store anything (milk, juice, containers) in smaller containers so that I am able to lift them on my own. I also am planning to purchase a new FitBit to keep track of my daily steps to see how well I am recovering. I will let you know if I think of any other things. God Bless and good luck!
Over the holidays, I was diagnosed with aortic stenosis at the ripe old age of 37. Turns out, like many of you, I had a bicuspid valve, and a routine physical ...Read more
Over the holidays, I was diagnosed with aortic stenosis at the ripe old age of 37. Turns out, like many of you, I had a bicuspid valve, and a routine physical picked up a heart murmur. I have Crohn's disease, and the thought is that the inflammation caused by Crohn's accelerated the deterioration of the valve. I'm not sure. Regardless, my valve measured at 0.7, and replacement is in my near future. Right now my family and I are going through the second opinion procedure, and I'm hoping that the answer is that the surgery can wait until I've wrapped up my semester (I'm a professor).
Molly Ivers Good luck Alan! Do you have any of the symptoms they talk about? I was very asymptomatic for the most ... Read more
Molly Ivers Good luck Alan! Do you have any of the symptoms they talk about? I was very asymptomatic for the most part. But I was lucky they didn't wait for me to startt fainting - they knew I needed a new valve and time was of the essence. My recovery was very quick.
Alan Jamieson Thanks! I don't have any symptoms beyond the heart murmur. I was warned that they might start appeari ... Read more
Alan Jamieson Thanks! I don't have any symptoms beyond the heart murmur. I was warned that they might start appearing considering that my stenosis is quite advanced. I'm hoping that it holds off!
Molly Ivers Hi Alan, your story sounds similar to mine. They docs kept telling me - you don't realize how much of ... Read more
Molly Ivers Hi Alan, your story sounds similar to mine. They docs kept telling me - you don't realize how much of your life you are missing...always making excuses because you are so tired. In a way they were right, I do have more energy now, but not "10 years younger" energy they sold me on! My cardiologist says once I get back in condition I will feel more energetic. Good luck to you, keep me posted. You'll be glad you did it, better to get it done before any symptoms happen so you will heal fast.