Jeff Williams - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

190 days ago

Pamela Gregory, Allen Carkner, Yumiko Ishida and 2 others reacted to this

Today marks 1 year since my AVR and aneurysm repair. It feels like yesterday and 10 years ago at the same time. I'm not quite where I was pre-surgery, but I'm ...Read more

Today marks 1 year since my AVR and aneurysm repair. It feels like yesterday and 10 years ago at the same time. I'm not quite where I was pre-surgery, but I'm getting close.

Suelynn Hanegraaf It IS surreal, Jeff, and truly miraculous. Hoping your strength and stamina continues to improve!

Pamela Gregory Congratulations on your 1 year Valve-aversary!!! Sounds like you are doing great. I think at 1 1/2 ye ... Read more

Pamela Gregory Congratulations on your 1 year Valve-aversary!!! Sounds like you are doing great. I think at 1 1/2 years is when I started to feel a lot more like my old self. Especially fitness wise

Marie Myers I also felt the “yesterday and 10 yrs ago” feeling too. Sounds like you are doing well!

Susan Lynn Happy Anniversary!!!

Rose Madura Happy anniversary!

Jeff Williamsposted an update

367 days ago

Abhishek Sharma, c w, Grace Mason and 1 other reacted to this

6 months and a few days have passed since surgery.

Things are trending back up again after my cardiologist caught VTach episodes. They seem to be ...Read more

6 months and a few days have passed since surgery.

Things are trending back up again after my cardiologist caught VTach episodes. They seem to be the cause of the "black out" episodes I was having from late October to mid-December. He put me on metoprolol and things seem to be under control now. I've been able to get back in the gym for the last 3 weeks so that's great.

Recovery is a wild ride sometimes.

Rose Madura Glad things are back on track. It's certainly a journey. Godspeed.

c w So glad you are doing better! Glad it was diagnosed and treated. I hope the beta blocker helps with t ... Read more

c w So glad you are doing better! Glad it was diagnosed and treated. I hope the beta blocker helps with the BP too. I have been following you on youtube — I appreciate your sharing, and am glad to hear this news.

Greg Lewis Hi Jeff! You got that right! Recovery is a wild ride! 😜 you just never know what's around the cor ... Read more

Greg Lewis Hi Jeff! You got that right! Recovery is a wild ride! 😜 you just never know what's around the corner. "OK, I am back in the gym...oh crap, I hurt myself...OK, back in the gym.. oh crap, hurt myself..physio please. Back in the gym...lol" just know your not alone. And hang on! If it gets bumpy, know it will get better again. Cheers!

Jeff Williamsposted an update

403 days ago

Susan Lynn, c w, Mike Sparr and 4 others reacted to this

Today marks 5 months since my AVR. I also graduated from cardiac rehab today which was bittersweet. I had such a great experience with the kinda and caring ...Read more

Today marks 5 months since my AVR. I also graduated from cardiac rehab today which was bittersweet. I had such a great experience with the kinda and caring nurses over the past 3 months.

I've had some ups and downs over the last month with bouts of dizziness and blackouts. I think we have narrowed down the cause to an electrolyte imbalance. I've made some changes over the last week and it seems to be working.

5 months flies by and recovery has its ups and downs for sure.

Susan Lynn Jeff - Happy 5-month Anniversary and congratulations on completing cardiac rehab! Great accomplish... Read more

Susan Lynn Jeff - Happy 5-month Anniversary and congratulations on completing cardiac rehab! Great accomplishment! Wishing you continued success with the remainder of your recovery!

David Rasmusson Thanks for the post, Jeff.
I’ll be starting rehab in two weeks. It’s encouraging to know that ... Read more

David Rasmusson Thanks for the post, Jeff.
I’ll be starting rehab in two weeks. It’s encouraging to know that it’s been a good experience for you.

Valerie Allen Glad you are doing so well!

Marie Myers Congrats on your 5 month valve-versary!

Abhishek Sharma Saw your videos on YouTube. You are doing well..

Ana Brusso Look at you Jeff, happy 5 month anniversary, congratulations on graduating from cardiac rehab and you ... Read more

Ana Brusso Look at you Jeff, happy 5 month anniversary, congratulations on graduating from cardiac rehab and you are also a star on YouTube. God bless you

Jeff Williamsposted an update

446 days ago

Grace Mason , Michele Miller, Luke Taylor and 1 other reacted to this

A little Halloween heart valve fun. I decided to lean into the wonderful little click that my On-X valve gives me and become Tick Tock Croc for Halloween. The ...Read more

A little Halloween heart valve fun. I decided to lean into the wonderful little click that my On-X valve gives me and become Tick Tock Croc for Halloween. The whole family (other than my 16 year old son) joined the fun.

It will now be my costume every Halloween going forward! 😂

Ann T Great thinking lol! I do not know many other people who also have the on-X valve. Do you hear the ti ... Read more

Ann T Great thinking lol! I do not know many other people who also have the on-X valve. Do you hear the tick pretty much constantly? I do and just never know how to compare it to others to know how much of it is normal. I could check my pulse just by watching the second hand of a clock at any given time.

Klara Čičić Hahaha Jeff, that's awesome 👍

Marie Myers Great idea!

Jeff Williams I hear mine all the time if I try. Every person that has one is different so some are loud and others ... Read more

Jeff Williams I hear mine all the time if I try. Every person that has one is different so some are loud and others are virtually silent.

Valerie Allen Too funny, Jeff!

Rich Butela Nicely Done

Rita Savelis Don't hear my 2 valves very much. Or maybe after 8 years it just seems normal. I never think about it ... Read more

Rita Savelis Don't hear my 2 valves very much. Or maybe after 8 years it just seems normal. I never think about it. A stranger on Halloween could certainly not hear me!!

Deena Z Having a great sense of humor helps the healing. Welcome to your new norm and a better one!
(bea ... Read more

Deena Z Having a great sense of humor helps the healing. Welcome to your new norm and a better one!
(beautiful family:)

Jeff Williams Thanks Deena. Humor is great medicine for sure. You have to have fun with life.

Pamela Gregory I love it!!!

Ana Brusso Soooooo cute! Thank you for pictures. Love Halloween 🎃

Rose Madura Beautiful family! Not surprised the teenager didn't want to have a little fun.

Grace Mason Oh my goodness!! What awesome costumes! ❤️ Tick Tock Croc is too funny and perfect Jeff. Beautifu ... Read more

Grace Mason Oh my goodness!! What awesome costumes! ❤️ Tick Tock Croc is too funny and perfect Jeff. Beautiful family 💞

Jeff Williamsposted an update

447 days ago

Has anyone had issues with low blood sugar after valve replacement? I'm 3 and a half months out and have had 2 episodes and almost passed out. I never had ...Read more

Has anyone had issues with low blood sugar after valve replacement? I'm 3 and a half months out and have had 2 episodes and almost passed out. I never had the issue before even if I'd go a day without eating. Just curious if this is a somewhat normal occurrence.

Allen Carkner Was it low blood sugar or blood pressure med side effects? I had to tweak my beta blocker and losarta ... Read more

Allen Carkner Was it low blood sugar or blood pressure med side effects? I had to tweak my beta blocker and losartan doses and drop a different med because I would get a little lightheaded and weird vision.

Jeff Williams Blood sugar seems to be the thing. I've worked with a nutrition counselor to help me get on track (j ... Read more

Jeff Williams Blood sugar seems to be the thing. I've worked with a nutrition counselor to help me get on track (just north of 3500 calories a day for my lifestyle). It's just strange to have the issue after the surgery when I never had anything like it before.

My theory is that now my muscles are getting the proper blood/oxygen they need and my metabolism is boosted. Food doesn't seem to stick with me as long. Who knows though.

Jeff Williamsposted an update

459 days ago

Susan Lynn, Grace Mason , David Rasmusson reacted to this

I'm just over 3 months out from my SAVR. Yesterday, I had an echo and wanted to share the comparison image from my echo in March (pre-surgery) to yesterday. ...Read more

I'm just over 3 months out from my SAVR. Yesterday, I had an echo and wanted to share the comparison image from my echo in March (pre-surgery) to yesterday. It's amazing to see how much of a leak I had and to see that it is virtually completely gone. Amazing!

Left image is yesterday, right is March.

christine blackway Wow, that is amazing ans very encouraging for those of us that haven't had surgery yet! Thanks for sh ... Read more

christine blackway Wow, that is amazing ans very encouraging for those of us that haven't had surgery yet! Thanks for sharing.

Jeff Williams It can be a scary process but trust your surgeon. Plus, you'll feel so much better on the other side ... Read more

Jeff Williams It can be a scary process but trust your surgeon. Plus, you'll feel so much better on the other side.

You can also see how much my aortic root was dilated on the right vs the prosthetic on the left.

Susan Lynn Nice result!!!

Pamela Gregory Looks so much better!!! Amazing to see

Jeff Williams I knew everything was okay based on the hospital, surgeon, and other things like rehab along the way, ... Read more

Jeff Williams I knew everything was okay based on the hospital, surgeon, and other things like rehab along the way, but seeing these comparisons with my own eyes yesterday made it all click.

Deena Z Awesome. Pictures say it all!!!

Grace Mason Awesome!

Delise Becker This is wonderful! Thanks for sharing your results.

Jeff Williamsposted an update

486 days ago

Valerie Allen, Robert Miller, Kimberly Eisenhut and 3 others reacted to this

I just finished my 2nd week of rehab today. It's probably a little slower going than I want, but it's been great. I've also been doing a little running each ...Read more

I just finished my 2nd week of rehab today. It's probably a little slower going than I want, but it's been great. I've also been doing a little running each morning to go along with it. Not bad for 10 weeks post surgery.

Grace Mason Nice going Jeff

Jeff Williams Thanks, Grace. You won't be far behind. Just don't get excited and overdo it.

Rose Madura Congratulations Jeff. Your recovery seems to be on track.

Patty power Very good Jeff wish I could have done that

Dennis Shaffer That's awesome! Glad you are bouncing back quick. Thanks for posting updates like this. I am consider ... Read more

Dennis Shaffer That's awesome! Glad you are bouncing back quick. Thanks for posting updates like this. I am considering the On-X valve, it's such a hard choice.

Jeff Williamsposted an update

500 days ago

Sharon Behl, Grace Mason , Iona Macintosh and 1 other reacted to this

Today marks 2 months since my valve replacement. It feels like years ago and yesterday at the same time. I'm very thankful that I haven't really had any issues ...Read more

Today marks 2 months since my valve replacement. It feels like years ago and yesterday at the same time. I'm very thankful that I haven't really had any issues with recovery. I did notice a small "flutter" in my heartbeat last week (only because I can hear the valve). I'm wearing a monitor for a couple of weeks to make sure all is good there.

I also start my cardiac rehab next week so that may also help figure the heartbeat out since I'll be monitored live. All good things and I can't wait to start running again.

Rose Madura Sounds great Jeff! Thanks for sharing. You are doing well.

Marie Myers Cardiac rehab will give you the confidence and strength to further your recovery. I know what you me ... Read more

Marie Myers Cardiac rehab will give you the confidence and strength to further your recovery. I know what you mean about feeling like the surgery was both yesterday/ and in another lifetime…It was a huge event in our lives!

Jeff Williamsposted an update

517 days ago

Jill Porter, Grace Mason reacted to this

I had a 5 week post surgery visit with my cardiologist today. All looked good, I'm actually able to drop one of the BP meds I've been on for the last 20 years. ...Read more

I had a 5 week post surgery visit with my cardiologist today. All looked good, I'm actually able to drop one of the BP meds I've been on for the last 20 years. I also got the referral to cardiac rehab so I'm hoping that gets set up soon. I'm ready to do more than walking at this point.

Amazing how much progress happens in a relatively short time.

Valerie Allen Wow you sound great! Congrats!

Ana Brusso Congratulations Jeff, continued good recovery and God bless you

Rose Madura Wonderful report! Thanks for sharing this with us.

Pamela Gregory Wonderful news Jeff!

Grace Mason So glad things are progressing well for you. Awesome to get off a med!

Jeff Williams It looks like the cardiac rehab here in town is backed up for a couple of weeks. I have orientation s ... Read more

Jeff Williams It looks like the cardiac rehab here in town is backed up for a couple of weeks. I have orientation scheduled for next Tuesday. I hope I can talk them in to starting earlier.

Jeff Williamsposted an update

524 days ago

Cathleen Weed, Grace Mason reacted to this

Hello all. I'm new here, but I've been watching the videos for a few months.

I had my aortic valve replaced and a Bentall procedure a month ago. The ...Read more

Hello all. I'm new here, but I've been watching the videos for a few months.

I had my aortic valve replaced and a Bentall procedure a month ago. The information I got from this site and community was extremely helpful. I had my one month post op appointment yesterday and everything is going just as planned, I may be a little ahead of schedule even.

I've been making videos along the way in hopes that it could help someone else going through the same thing. I'll share the link here (they are completely amateur, but hopefully helpful). I hope this is ok to share. If it is against the rules of the community, please delete.

Thanks all.

Jeff Williams

https://youtube.com/@bicuspidaorticvalvereplacement