Heather Travar - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

12 days ago

Elizabeth Gilliland, Darrell Malone, Pamela Gregory and 3 others reacted to this

Two days shy of my 1-year anniversary (12/07/23), I swam 1400 yards in 50 minutes (breaststroke). Not record breaking, yet, for me it is a record. Pre-surgery, ...Read more

Two days shy of my 1-year anniversary (12/07/23), I swam 1400 yards in 50 minutes (breaststroke). Not record breaking, yet, for me it is a record. Pre-surgery, I could barely swim 25 yards and had to rest at the end of each lap. I'm pretty darn proud that I can swim non-stop for almost an hour straight!

I can't thank Dr. Judson Williams enough for a better quality of life. Of course, big thanks to all of the surgical team, the nurses, and everyone who saw me through the subsequent staph infection.

Elizabeth Gilliland That's a great outcome and very encouraging!

Susan Lynn Happy Anniversary!!! It takes a strong heart and great lungs to swim like that!!! What progress yo... Read more

Susan Lynn Happy Anniversary!!! It takes a strong heart and great lungs to swim like that!!! What progress you have made!! You should be proud.

Heather Travarposted an update

74 days ago

Yumiko Ishida, Max Jam, Rose Madura and 2 others reacted to this

I'm almost 10 months post op, although my re-entry to normal life didn't start until 6 months ago. So I need to brag a bit. Wednesday, I swam 1000 yards in ...Read more

I'm almost 10 months post op, although my re-entry to normal life didn't start until 6 months ago. So I need to brag a bit. Wednesday, I swam 1000 yards in 250-yard sets in 38 minutes. Not record-breaking, but this time last year I could only manage about 300 yards in the same time. Yesterday was even better. I used my pool buoy, which means I swam using only my upper body. I managed to do it without being terribly winded too. I'm completely amazed at what it feels like to be normal!

Yumiko Ishida That’s amazing!

Rose Madura Great news! Glad that you are feeling much better after the surgery.

Susan Dunne Congrats👍

Rex Austin Great post! Isn't WakeMed, Dr Judson and everyone involved in your care there amazing? Happy that you ... Read more

Rex Austin Great post! Isn't WakeMed, Dr Judson and everyone involved in your care there amazing? Happy that you're doing so well!

Heather Travar Rex Austin, you're right - they are nothing short of amazing!

Heather Travarposted an update

390 days ago

Rex Austin reacted to this

I'm having my AVR on Dec. 7 at WakeMed in Raleigh. My surgeon, Dr. Judson Williams, said I would need to wait 6 weeks before returning to swimming. He's planning ...Read more

I'm having my AVR on Dec. 7 at WakeMed in Raleigh. My surgeon, Dr. Judson Williams, said I would need to wait 6 weeks before returning to swimming. He's planning a minimally invasive surgery. For the swimmers out there, how did you feel returning to swimming? How was your energy? How did your chest feel? How long did it take you to really feel comfortable in the water again? TIA!

Valerie Allen Heather, I’m not a swimmer but I wish you great success in surgery Dec 7. Hopefully some swimmers w ... Read more

Valerie Allen Heather, I’m not a swimmer but I wish you great success in surgery Dec 7. Hopefully some swimmers will jump in (pun intended)

Heather Travar Thank you, Valerie Allen!

Craig Staresinich Heather, Wishing you all the best for a successful AVR. I had an SAVR 9 years ago and in my blog I s ... Read more

Craig Staresinich Heather, Wishing you all the best for a successful AVR. I had an SAVR 9 years ago and in my blog I said, "it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be". Hope this gives you some solice. You're doing the right thing by getting it over with. Good luck!

Craig Staresinich By the way, the reason I'm back on this wonderful website is because I'm having a second SAVR on 12/1 ... Read more

Craig Staresinich By the way, the reason I'm back on this wonderful website is because I'm having a second SAVR on 12/12.

David Rasmusson Your swimming stamina will serve you well.

Karen Hommel Prayers to you today Heather, healing begins today

Cheryl Devaull Prayers with you today right this moment as today is the seventh I wish you the best of luck and Gods ... Read more

Cheryl Devaull Prayers with you today right this moment as today is the seventh I wish you the best of luck and Godspeed recovery and write back in the pool swimming! All the best God bless and much love

Rex Austin Heather! Please read this! You are most likely in TCICU right now. I was there in May and there's not ... Read more

Rex Austin Heather! Please read this! You are most likely in TCICU right now. I was there in May and there's not a one of those nurses back there that I don't truly love and adore! You have one of the absolute best doctors on the planet! If you happen to read this before you're dismissed please tell Dr Williams I said hello. Tell him I'm the one that wrote the song and performed it for them back in August. Dr Bryon Boulton did my mitral valve repair surgery. So wish I had seen your post before you went in for surgery! I believe I could have eased your mind somewhat. I have no doubt you're doing fantastic! Please reach out to me when you're able.