Jessica Smith - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3272 days ago

Hello, My name is Jessica Smith and I had a tricuspid vavle repair with a maze procedure via open heart surgery on Nov 17, 2015. I wish that I would have ...Read more

Hello, My name is Jessica Smith and I had a tricuspid vavle repair with a maze procedure via open heart surgery on Nov 17, 2015. I wish that I would have found this site months ago! I believe It would have been very helpful to connect with people that have experience with my heart issues and surgery along with Adams book. I have been looking for a book of what to excpect with the recovery process of open heart surgery. I have not been very successful and find it is very important to know the milestones of post open heart surgery. I am a nurse as well, this whole experience has changed my life and I realize I have been experiencing grief of my life as I knew it. I loved my life and am so grateful for my surgeon at Cleveland Clinic and his team along with the opportunity to have been treated with one of the best surgeon in the world however this really has been one of the hardest experiences I have gone through. I have a new respect for my patients and have been awakend to how much courage it takes to walk through this journey of recovery and choosing to live life at its fullest. Being only 40 years old, and not having history of heart issues, it has been challenging to meet someone who has walked through this cardiac world at my age and not having a long cardiac history. God has been so good to me and provide so many earth angels to help me, however at times I feel alone as I have not meet anyone as of yet whom has my experience. I have learned so much through this chapter of my life. One of the most important lessons is the truth of ones purpose and fully expressing and fulfilling the purpose of my unique spirit and its mission. I look forward to connecting with you all and learning about your milestones that you have reached the through this process!

Sophia Ridley Welcome Jessica! I had my mitral valve repaired the day after your surgery. I've suffered post surgic ... Read more

Sophia Ridley Welcome Jessica! I had my mitral valve repaired the day after your surgery. I've suffered post surgical AF which was persistent for two weeks and now comes and goes weekly for a day at a time. I have numerous arrhythmia during the day but I've sort of got used to it. It's been managed by Bisoprolol and Rivaroxaban. I hope one day that I'll be free of it. I'm 42 with two young girls.

This wonderful site has been a Godsend to me. These wonderful people have helped me face OHS and the challenges it brings, I couldn't have done it without them!

Best wishes for your recovery and look forward to connecting with you!

Jennifer Lorenz Hi Jessica! I understand too. I'm 41 and just had my Mitral Valve repaired with a maze procedure als ... Read more

Jennifer Lorenz Hi Jessica! I understand too. I'm 41 and just had my Mitral Valve repaired with a maze procedure also. I had no idea how difficult this would be and like you said, at our age, there are not a lot of people that understand what we're going through. Welcome!

pino correale Hi Jessica, you gave a very good description of everything with your summary. I had AVR/OHS on Nov. ... Read more

pino correale Hi Jessica, you gave a very good description of everything with your summary. I had AVR/OHS on Nov. 23, so for me it's been exactly 6 weeks tomorrow. I am doing terrific on the physical side ( my walking ect.) but still struggling in trying to get a good
night's sleep, even though i have been taking medication to help me with. However i am sure i will solve this problem. What i am learning as i am going along, is how the post operative state is so crucial and how many of us experience different symptoms. But how great that we can share all of this. I wish you all the best.......

Elaine Foster Hello Jessica, so happy you found this site. You will find many your age who have walked this path ... Read more

Elaine Foster Hello Jessica, so happy you found this site. You will find many your age who have walked this path before you, and have come out better than ever. Give yourself some time, take it one day at a time. I am older (59) but we still all feel the same emotions and have the same worries as to what our lives will be like. I am back 100 % plus no shortness of breath. My trust in Jesus carried me through, and I wish you good health in 2016. God bless you

Jessica Smith Thank you all!!! It is such a relief to connect with others that have walked through this. I have a D ... Read more

Jessica Smith Thank you all!!! It is such a relief to connect with others that have walked through this. I have a Dr appt tomorrow to probably adjust medications for afib. I also am doing a stress test and discussing y readiness for cardiac rehab and returning to work. I am very scared about returning to work and do not feel ready. I have a very stressful management nursing postion and am not dealing with stress very well which is new for me. I get Tachy with emotions and go into afib. I usually handle stress immensely well so I am not sure what to do with it.... Thank you all for the welcome and I look forward to being supported and supporting others! Happy 2016!