Amy Kenney - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Amy Kenneyposted an update

1918 days ago

I recently was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. I have a bicuspid valve and have to have the replacement done with open heart surgery. I have also had ...Read more

I recently was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. I have a bicuspid valve and have to have the replacement done with open heart surgery. I have also had afib for the past 5 years. I am a young 65 yr. old woman. I am otherwise very healthy. I am very scared about this whole procedure. I am terrified of the actual surgery. Fear the pain and recovery. I am trying to find out as much information as I can online since my cardiologist spent a total of 5 minutes explaining this to me. He has me scheduled for a TEE and Catherization the end of Oct. 2019. I have already found a surgeon at Swedish Cardiology for the surgery. I live about 2 hrs from the hospital so I am thinking of finding a place to rent in Seattle for the first bit after the surgery. I live in a 2 story house with my bedroom and shower upstairs. Not sure if I will be able to navigate that after the surgery. If I move my bed downstairs, I will have 2 cats and a dog who will climb on me. How long after the surgery will I be able to go up and down stairs comfortably? I am also worried about how the surgery will affect my afib. Is it more dangerous to go into afib after open heart surgery. I have so many questions and am reaching out for support.

Rose Madura Hi Amy. I understand your anxiousness regarding OHS. I too was terrified but knew it was something t ... Read more

Rose Madura Hi Amy. I understand your anxiousness regarding OHS. I too was terrified but knew it was something that I needed to get better. 2+ years later, I realized just how bad it had been. I feel so much better now. Know that the waiting for the surgery and asking yourself all the "what ifs" is worse than the surgery itself. You'll go to sleep and wake up when it's over. I didn't experiencde much pain afterwards. They'll give you the medication you need and you should take it to stay ahead of the pain. Regarding Afib, can you ask the doctor if he can fix it while operating? I think it is called the Maze procedure. It was about a week before I went upstairs. Our bathroom is downstairs so we stayed in the spare bedroom for a week. It would probably be good to have someone stay with you for the first week or so. Make some meals ahead of time and freeze them. And move things lower so you can get needed items without reaching, Hope this helps. Don't be scared. They do this every day and know what they are doing. However, if you don't feel comfortable with your cardiologist, you can always get a second opinion.

Amy Kenney Thank you for your comment. It does help to reassure me. I will ask the surgeon if he can do an abl ... Read more

Amy Kenney Thank you for your comment. It does help to reassure me. I will ask the surgeon if he can do an ablation at the same time. Not sure if he does that procedure. Now I will do some research on the maze procedure.

Shannon Gray I understand so well... fear dominated my life for the months leading up to surgery and it is a beast ... Read more

Shannon Gray I understand so well... fear dominated my life for the months leading up to surgery and it is a beast. Find ways to help your mind and body relax... yoga, meditation, focusing on your breath, or any other activity that helps to calm the mind ( knitting?). Take time to write down questions for your surgeon, as you think of them. Sending you wishes for an uneventful surgery and an easeful recovery.

Civita Fahey Hi Amy.. we all heal differently. I had my surgery 2.5 years ago at 55 and as Rose said, you will fal ... Read more

Civita Fahey Hi Amy.. we all heal differently. I had my surgery 2.5 years ago at 55 and as Rose said, you will fall asleep and wake up when its over. Its not easy, but it is doable. I had no pain after surgery, unless of course I coughed or sneezed and then it hurt. I was able to go upstairs the first day home. I was able to shower alone but, had to sit and take breaks for the first week or so. Again it would be good to have someone with you the first week or so to make sure you are ok. The exhaustion was the worst part for me as I was pretty anemic when I got home which is normal. But, in the mean time, just try to relax and think of recovery and you will do great. they have this surgery down pat and they do thousands a day.. best of luck

Amy Kenney Thank you. I seem to be going up and down. It's just been a week since the news and am trying not t ... Read more

Amy Kenney Thank you. I seem to be going up and down. It's just been a week since the news and am trying not to panic. Not sure if reading all about OHS is helping or making it worse.

Civita Fahey It helped me tremendously to read the successful stories. Talking to others who have gone before me w ... Read more

Civita Fahey It helped me tremendously to read the successful stories. Talking to others who have gone before me was also helpful. If you liked to talk send me an email formia0711@gmial.com and we can exchange numbers. I'd be happy to talk.

Amy Kenney Hi Civita! It is a weird coincidence that you had your surgery on my birthday. This site is helping ... Read more

Amy Kenney Hi Civita! It is a weird coincidence that you had your surgery on my birthday. This site is helping to reassure me. Apparently this is my new norm. I haven't quite accepted it yet. Still hoping that the Tee will say I'm not needing surgery yet. I am probably in denial. I appreciate your reaching out. I really don't have family or friends where I live as I am a transplant from Canada.

Joy Vera Hi Amy. I wonder if your cardiologist didn't spend much time explaining because the surgeon would be ... Read more

Joy Vera Hi Amy. I wonder if your cardiologist didn't spend much time explaining because the surgeon would be better at doing that. You'll be meeting with the surgeon prior to the surgery & it would be good to write down all the questions you have for that appointment as Shannon recommended. This is a big deal so it's natural to be frightened. Just know that those of us on this site have been where you are, recovered & moved along with our lives. Just as you will. Sending positive thoughts you way!

Barbara Wood Hi Amy, having a history of afib, you do want to discuss with your cardiologist having a maze proced ... Read more

Barbara Wood Hi Amy, having a history of afib, you do want to discuss with your cardiologist having a maze procedure ( ablation) at the time of your surgery. If he advises it then you will want to find a surgeon who is able ( & experienced ) to do both - you're right, not all do both. I had afib before my mitral valve repair & had a maze along with the repair. I had afib a week after surgery ( & I don't believe it is more dangerous then, it's actually very common), had a cardioversion & had not had afib since - 2 1/2 years. Wishing you all the best, keep us posted:).

Amy Kenney I have been thinking that possibility over. Luckily I usually only have afib 2 or 3 times a year on ... Read more

Amy Kenney I have been thinking that possibility over. Luckily I usually only have afib 2 or 3 times a year on average, and hadn't got to the idea of an ablation yet. I am still wondering why my cardiologist said that I have to have a AVR at this point. My echocardiogram said that my ejection fraction is 58 % and there is nothing else stood out other than moderate aortic stenosis. Which he elevated to severe because of the bicuspid valve. I have to wait until the end of October for the tee which I suppose will tell me more. I don't want to rush into this surgery if I don't have to. I am hoping that they will approve TAVR for bicuspid valve in the near future.