It’s hard to believe it was 6 years ago that I was preparing for my Ross procedure the next morning (12/29/14). It was the bravest thing I think I’ve done. ...Read more
It’s hard to believe it was 6 years ago that I was preparing for my Ross procedure the next morning (12/29/14). It was the bravest thing I think I’ve done. If I can give any advice to anyone who is facing surgery, it would be to please give yourself the credit you deserve for facing your fears and doing what needs to be done. It’s not easy but it will be worth it! I’m doing well and still running races in my 50s. I had Covid in the spring with no lasting effects, and have been running and exercising and working without any heart issues. Have faith and stay hopeful. 2021 has got to be better! ❤️ Wishing you all the best in health and healing.
Elyse Sherman Thank you Kathleen for your vote of confidence that there is light at the end of the tunnel! My surge ... Read more
Elyse Sherman Thank you Kathleen for your vote of confidence that there is light at the end of the tunnel! My surgery for AVR is on 1/15 and I am so torn with so many emotions about it, so it’s great to hear all of you Heart Warriors on the other side talk about how well you’re now doing. All my best for continued good health and a full life!
Moussa hojeij hii kathleen, im 21 years old i had aortic valve replacement with a mechanical valve, and fixed aorti ... Read more
Moussa hojeij hii kathleen, im 21 years old i had aortic valve replacement with a mechanical valve, and fixed aortic aneurysm. I'm wondering why the doctors didn't tell me about Ross procedure? and why you chose this procedure?
Susan Lynn Happy 6th Anniversary! It's great you're doing so well! OHS is an accomplishment! The experience ... Read more
Susan Lynn Happy 6th Anniversary! It's great you're doing so well! OHS is an accomplishment! The experience definitely makes us stronger! Wishing you many more decades of good health and celebrations. ❤
Wishing everyone on here peace and hope as you face your upcoming heart surgeries. I'm grateful for gift of the past five years and the good health I've been ...Read more
Wishing everyone on here peace and hope as you face your upcoming heart surgeries. I'm grateful for gift of the past five years and the good health I've been lucky enough to enjoy, following my aortic and pulmonary "switch procedure" a/k/a Ross Procedure. Happy holidays to all.
Rose Madura It's always encouraging to hear posts of five years or more! Have a happy new year.
Today is the anniversary of my surgery. I have had another good year and feel completely back to normal. I feel blessed to have been the beneficiary of Dr. ...Read more
Today is the anniversary of my surgery. I have had another good year and feel completely back to normal. I feel blessed to have been the beneficiary of Dr. Paul Stelzer's skill, and am grateful for the donor pulmonary valve I received, which was implanted when my pulmonary valve was moved to become my new aortic valve. I don't check this website and journal much now, but just want to wish you all the best as you go through this difficult and challenging time.
Adam Pick Wonderful Kathleen!!! So happy to hear you are doing so well after your Ross Procedure. For those in ... Read more
Adam Pick Wonderful Kathleen!!! So happy to hear you are doing so well after your Ross Procedure. For those in our community who are not familiar with the Ross Procedure, click https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/ross-procedure-statistics.php
Lilly Black Congratulations, Kathleen! may you have many more years. I also recently celebrated 3 years :)
Yesterday was the two-year anniversary of my Ross Procedure surgery. I'm grateful for the skill and selfless dedication of the best doctor I've ever met, Dr. ...Read more
Yesterday was the two-year anniversary of my Ross Procedure surgery. I'm grateful for the skill and selfless dedication of the best doctor I've ever met, Dr. Paul Stelzer at Mount Sinai, and for the positive sharing of this community. I hope we all have a healthy new year ahead of us.
Cheryl Batzing Kathleen, so glad to hear from you, and that you are doing well! Stay in touch please, heart sister! ... Read more
Cheryl Batzing Kathleen, so glad to hear from you, and that you are doing well! Stay in touch please, heart sister! Here's to continued running for you--and heart health for us all!
KEVIN RYAN Hi, Kathleen. I am considering the Ross with Dr. Stelzer. In fact, he actually called me a few days ... Read more
KEVIN RYAN Hi, Kathleen. I am considering the Ross with Dr. Stelzer. In fact, he actually called me a few days ago and we had a great conversation. I was amazed that a doc of his stature would be calling me personally. Great respect for his passion towards the Ross. Was scheduled for AVR at Cleveland Clinic on Valentine's Day. Now considering new course (Ross?) Worried about the complexity of the Ross compared to the relative simplicity of standard AVR. How is your Ross doing? Thanks.
Kathleen F. Thanks Cheryl, you too! Kevin, I can't say enough good things about Dr. Stelzer and everyone is plea ... Read more
Kathleen F. Thanks Cheryl, you too! Kevin, I can't say enough good things about Dr. Stelzer and everyone is pleased with the results of the Ross and my echocardiograms. I have another echo scheduled next week so I can let you know more once I get the "two year" report. But I feel fine and I can run short and long distances again (I've run a few 5Ks, a sprint tri, two marathons, and 5 half marathons since my Ross procedure) and take strength or cycling classes at the gym without restrictions. My decision was based on not wanting a mechanical valve and blood thinners, and not wanting any further replacement surgeries. I am hopeful this is it. Dr. Stelzer is known for calling and emailing people personally! He is a deeply spiritual person and a driven surgeon and is excellent at what he does. I felt like I made the right decision and have no regrets.
KEVIN RYAN Kathleen: so glad your Ross is working so well. I think everyone who has considered the Ross has tr ... Read more
KEVIN RYAN Kathleen: so glad your Ross is working so well. I think everyone who has considered the Ross has traveled the decision tree you mentioned with the other options. I am nervous about taking a one valve "problem" and making it a two valve "risk." After all the research, paralysis by analysis; at some point, one just moves forward. So many good things the Ross provides: superior hemodynamics; a return to the normal life expectancy curve vs other options; a living valve can remodel itself; as well as, the issues you mentioned. I believe early failures were as much due to the learning curve, and, in Dr. Stelzer's hands much of those early issues have been resolved. I am so glad for you...and several other patients of Dr. S. who are willing to walk the rest of us through this. Thanks again!
Hi all! There are a few of you having the Ross Procedure with Dr. Stelzer, and I just wanted to give you some hope and encouragement about recovery - I ran ...Read more
Hi all! There are a few of you having the Ross Procedure with Dr. Stelzer, and I just wanted to give you some hope and encouragement about recovery - I ran my first half marathon this weekend, since my diagnosis in the summer of 2014. (My surgery was Dec. 29, 2014.) I have to say that I noticed a difference. It felt easier, yet I ran the same 10 min. mile pace as I did on this hilly course in 2013. The difference was, in 2013 I felt I was pushing myself hard, and this weekend I felt I was jogging comfortably slow, yet I had the same result! My heart was smooth and quiet this time; it wasn't beating hard up the hills and I did not have the same fatigue, even though I haven't trained as much as I did back then.
I do have the green light from my doctors, no restrictions, and now I'm optimistic I can push myself a bit harder and see if I can get closer to my PR of 1:50 in this race, now that my heart is working efficiently. I recovered from surgery at a pace that was comfortable for me, never sure if I was pushing too much or not enough, but perhaps the more we all report our data on this site, we might be able to provide each other and the medical community with comfort that valve replacement does not necessarily need to have the same restrictions as other heart surgeries. In cardiac rehab, I was told I'd never be able to, or shouldn't, do more than a slow 30 minute jog; but my cardiologist and surgeon told me otherwise. Sunday was a wonderful day, when I felt like I had my life back again.
It also helped that I had just read an inspiring book I found on Amazon called "Living Life to the Full" by Ellen Charnley, who did a full Ironman 8 months after (minimally invasive) heart surgery to repair holes in the heart wall. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of progress is possible in the upcoming months! Best of luck to all of you on your healing journeys!
Tammy Pilcher Congratulations Kathleen! So happy for your great recovery!
Kathleen F. Thanks Tammy! I hope you have something special planned for your one-year anniversary coming up!? A ... Read more
Kathleen F. Thanks Tammy! I hope you have something special planned for your one-year anniversary coming up!? A nice long hike? Every day is a new chance to celebrate. :)
Cheryl Batzing Kathleen--wow...great news and congrats on your half marathon! Continued healing heart sister!
Paul Rose Fantastic run Kathlene, congratulations Boston is a great course to prove you are indeed back. After ... Read more
Paul Rose Fantastic run Kathlene, congratulations Boston is a great course to prove you are indeed back. After the first 6months my cardiologist was just the same, said your body will tell you if you're pushing too hard and to go for it, no restrictions. That said I'm really enjoying my running and pushing my PBs down. Best so far 15.5 miles cross country in 2:30 (tough was an understatement) It's amazing how much your body compromised pre surgery without you knowing, it's not until you experience the post surgery improvement and post run euphoria that are certainly palpable. Keep up the great recovery, it only gets better (I'm 3 years post surgery)
Kathleen F. Thanks Cheryl, you too! And Paul thanks for all of your posts and your journal; it helps keep me mot ... Read more
Kathleen F. Thanks Cheryl, you too! And Paul thanks for all of your posts and your journal; it helps keep me motivated that improvement is possible (whereas, pre-surgery, it was not)!
Tammy Pilcher Thanks Kathleen, yes, I wish I had a nice celebratory mountain hike planned for my 1st year anniversa ... Read more
Tammy Pilcher Thanks Kathleen, yes, I wish I had a nice celebratory mountain hike planned for my 1st year anniversary! :-) But, I'll probably have to postpone it until the spring or summer. I may have to settle for a beach hike here until then.:-)
Hi everyone! So, Monday, December 29 was my Ross Procedure (my "bivalvathon" as I liked to think of it, or double heart valve replacement) and now it's Monday ...Read more
Hi everyone! So, Monday, December 29 was my Ross Procedure (my "bivalvathon" as I liked to think of it, or double heart valve replacement) and now it's Monday June 29! I love hitting the anniversaries and milestones. I continue to focus on getting my conditioning back, and also to just enjoy my time more, now that I've faced open heart surgery and am aware of how lucky I am to be here. I'm trying not to put in too many hours at work these days. I've run a 10K race and two 5K races in the last few months, and in my most recent 5K, just missed placing 3rd in my age group by 5 seconds - 25:48 - just a minute off of my time in this race last year, before I knew I needed valve replacement. I was very happy to run that well this soon. The 10K was harder, on a hot and humid day, and I let myself walk a bit after "Harlem Hill" at the top of Central Park. I was able to tell, after a few sessions of cardiac rehab, that my heart rate was way out of the range they gave me, so I thought it was more important to be safe than to be fast. Around mile 3.5 of the course I was able to look up at my hospital window at Mount Sinai, and I was extremely thankful to be on this side, running my favorite park loop once again. And, to celebrate my new heart and increased capacity, I recently started training for my first mini triathlon in early August. I know I have a way to go before I feel comfortable at all three events - swimming/ biking/ running - even the sprint distances - and before I'm even comfortable wearing the triathlon jersey and shorts. Yet, just a few months ago, I was breathing into a spirometer, on my recliner, in my flannel PJs. What's comfortable? This recovery process is amazing, and I just want to continue to get better. I have a follow-up echo in a few weeks, my first since I was discharged from the hospital in January, and I hope everything is as good as it feels. I feel very blessed, and don't want to look back. Today I say a prayer of thanks, and wish all of you a healing journey too, however far along you may be. If you're still in the early months, I've found that it really does get easier with time. Hang in there, it's worth it! While I love being able to exercise again, I know I should also try and eat better, maybe cut out ice cream, wine... I hope by my next update I'll be reporting even more healthy lifestyle changes. The triathlon goal feels daunting, but then I remember the courage it took to schedule heart surgery when I felt fine. I've decided that my triathlon top has a half zipper so that I can show off my scar.
Bradley Lum Thanks for posting your story Kathleen. I had the Ross June 4. I am very active (triathlon/running). ... Read more
Bradley Lum Thanks for posting your story Kathleen. I had the Ross June 4. I am very active (triathlon/running). Based on your experience, what should my expectation be regarding future races? I have a triathlon scheduled for late October but am worried that may be too early. Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance!
Paige Baitinger Wow!!! Kathleen , reading about your physical milestones and amazing strength in an inspiration to me ... Read more
Paige Baitinger Wow!!! Kathleen , reading about your physical milestones and amazing strength in an inspiration to me :-) THANK YOU! I, too was a runner and happiest when exercising - love those natural endorphins!! I am just beginning my process with getting a healthy heart. Had my heart cath today ( no corny artery disease so no by-pass needed) BUT, have bicuspid aortic stenosis and getting valve replacement ASAP. Even today when I left the hospital after the heart cath I was asking " How long until I can workout again?" The more stories I read from folks in the recovery process I see that it's going to be a fine balance of pushing myself BUT not pushing myself too hard- the post-op exhaustion I keep reading about is fair warning. I also keep reading about the post-op depression- what that your experience? Again, your post is so inspirational and makes me smile!! Keep running girl :-) and I laughed out loud when you said you're running top had a zipper to show off your scar? GOOD FOR YOU!!! :-)
Kimberly Biddick So glad to hear you're doing so well!! Thank you for sharing your success with us all!!
Tammy Pilcher Great news Kathleen! So happy you've done so well! God bless you!
Bob M Absolutely awesome recovery! You are awesome heart sister! God bless and rise up!
Kelly Weisgarber Good for you Kathleen. You give those of us still waiting and wondering what things will be like aft ... Read more
Kelly Weisgarber Good for you Kathleen. You give those of us still waiting and wondering what things will be like after surgery hope.
Cheryl Batzing Wow Kathleen! You are impressive! Keep up the great work heart sister!
Greg Johnson Cut out wine?! I thought that was one of the great daily medicines for your heart - in moderation of ... Read more
Greg Johnson Cut out wine?! I thought that was one of the great daily medicines for your heart - in moderation of course. Congratulations on the running, and everything else being healthy does for us.
Kathleen F. Thanks everyone! Greg, you are right - wine is fine in moderation! Paige and Bradley, I just posted ... Read more
Kathleen F. Thanks everyone! Greg, you are right - wine is fine in moderation! Paige and Bradley, I just posted to your guestbooks to answer your Qs. I just had my 6 month echo and my doctor thinks everything looks great. I hope you all are doing well too - thanks for the support and nice words, I really am thankful for this group. All my best to you!
Paul Rose Fantastic progress and love that 5K PB, keep up the super work and all the best for the Tri! I unde ... Read more
Paul Rose Fantastic progress and love that 5K PB, keep up the super work and all the best for the Tri! I understand the running, it's great that you can because you want to😎. may your progress continue and your PBs keep falling 👍🏿
Kathleen F. Thanks Paul! Congrats on your recovery as well; your numbers look great! A year ago I would not hav ... Read more
Kathleen F. Thanks Paul! Congrats on your recovery as well; your numbers look great! A year ago I would not have known the significance of LV ejection fraction, LV size or peak gradients, or the importance of a few tenths of a centimeter in AV area - what a difference a year makes!. I chose post-traumatic growth, not post-traumatic stress... and I also hope my PBs keep getting better and better now. Same to you!
Just checking in and thinking of all of you who are somewhere along this valve replacement journey. More good news here; I started swimming at a local pool ...Read more
Just checking in and thinking of all of you who are somewhere along this valve replacement journey. More good news here; I started swimming at a local pool this week, and looked into buying a bicycle so I can participate in a short triathlon down the shore this summer. It should be fun, with no expectations or time goals. I also participated in a 5-mile (running) race yesterday and was happy with my 9:30 pace, which is only a minute slower per mile than I ran this race last year, when I had decent conditioning (but aortic stenosis). It was definitely my slowest time, as I've run it at 7:40 pace when I was more fit, but it seems like I'm making strides every day without pushing myself too hard, which is the goal now - reconditioning. For anyone who is hesitating about getting out there for that extra walk, or doing laps in the pool, or taking a bike ride, I say this is why we got our hearts fixed, no? Let's use them! Good luck to all of you with upcoming surgeries, and it really is better on this side!
Tammy Pilcher Sounds like you're doing great, Kathleen! You go girl!
Kathleen F. Thanks! I was thinking yesterday about one of my first walks when I got home from the hospital in Ja ... Read more
Kathleen F. Thanks! I was thinking yesterday about one of my first walks when I got home from the hospital in January. There's a short incline up my street, not even 100 steps. At the top, my heart felt like it was burning, and I had to sit for about 20 minutes before I could walk back. I'm just amazed at the recovery process. At the time, I couldn't imagine that I would be running 5 miles comfortably this soon, and doing a bit more each week. Key for me, was having faith that it would get better, and I'm so thankful that it has.
I wish I could bottle this feeling and share it with all of you! Today I ran my first 5K race after my Ross Procedure, and I won my age group!
I've been ...Read more
I wish I could bottle this feeling and share it with all of you! Today I ran my first 5K race after my Ross Procedure, and I won my age group!
I've been going to cardiac rehab for the past 5-6 weeks, where they've allowed me to jog on a treadmill, getting my heart rate up to 150 -160 bpm. (When jogging 30- 40 minutes on my own, I allowed it to go a bit higher, up to 165 or even 170 bpm at the top of a hill a few times, which was still comfortable for me, my cardiologist approved, and I've had no problems. I was allowed to stop taking beta blockers in February, and my resting heart rate has been around 60 bpm when I wake up; this is only a bit higher than my pre-surgery RHR.) On Thursday my cardiologist told me that I did not have any heart rate or exercise restrictions at all. I was happy to be able to leave my heart rate monitor behind and participate in my first race since my severe aortic stenosis diagnosis in August, and Ross Procedure at the end of December. I haven't really pushed myself yet, and it felt wonderful to be out there running this morning without any beeping and monitors. I've missed the endorphins!
My pace was about a minute and a half slower than I usually ran when I was more fit (9 - 9:30 min/mile pace today, versus 7:30 - 8), so I finished several minutes slower than my pre-surgery 5K times. I remembered that I did run two 5Ks in the year leading up to my diagnosis which were a few minutes slower than I had expected, and I remember thinking at the time, "What is going on?" and having no idea my aortic stenosis had worsened as much as it had. I thought it was a result of some weight gain, longer hours at work, and just being in my mid-40s. Now that I'm running again, post-surgery, I realize I may not have been as asymptomatic as I thought. I did feel a difference today. Breathing is just easier; I don't have to try so hard. It just feels smoother, and perhaps that's the lack of turbulence (my gradient had been in the 70s) and my heart doesn't bang around in my chest. That had been my "normal" - I didn't know it wasn't?
This morning, the race was small and there were not many people in my age group, and I placed second masters (over 40) female runner and first 46-and-over female! I know it doesn't mean anything; there were no medals, my time wasn't great, and the race was for charity, but I so rarely "place" in a race, that I feel like this was a much-needed sign that I will be OK, and maybe even better than ever.
There were free post-race massages, and as I filled out the brief form they gave me, I realized that, for the first time, I did not have to disclose any cardiovascular / heart condition. My cardiologist told me Thursday I no longer have even a murmur!
So of course I went and celebrated with another first - my first post-surgery pedicure, which included a heavenly calf massage. (Life is good, why not enjoy our time here?)
As Jim Jones, Ole Bore, Mitch Friedman and others have shown in their heart journals, there is running after surgery. I'm thankful to all of you who allowed me to believe it was possible to run and be fit again, and even push myself, after open heart surgery. I love my new, wide-open valves, and look forward to getting more fit in the upcoming spring and summer months. All my best to all of you on this similar crazy journey of valve surgery. Have faith and healing will follow! (And who knows, maybe even an age-group win and free massage!)
Tammy Pilcher Kathleen, that is terrific! It DOES mean something too! You've been through open heart surgery and ... Read more
Tammy Pilcher Kathleen, that is terrific! It DOES mean something too! You've been through open heart surgery and already running a 5k and winning your age group! You should be very proud of yourself! Congratulations!!
Kimberly Biddick Yay Kathleen!!! I am so happy for you!!!! How amazing to be running...and placing...not even 6 mont ... Read more
Kimberly Biddick Yay Kathleen!!! I am so happy for you!!!! How amazing to be running...and placing...not even 6 months post OHS!
Jeff Lashins Wow! This is super encouraging. Glad to hear you are kicking some serious butt 4 months post-op. B ... Read more
Jeff Lashins Wow! This is super encouraging. Glad to hear you are kicking some serious butt 4 months post-op. Big congrats to you!
Terrie Syvertsen Great post Kathleen and I am so proud of you and all of your efforts. You share so much good energy t ... Read more
Terrie Syvertsen Great post Kathleen and I am so proud of you and all of your efforts. You share so much good energy to all of us who are slower in regaining our momentum with exercise that there is hope and make me personally see myself back doing my laps in the pool soon. Take care and continued great healing.
Since I've been jogging and lifting a bit more regularly these last six weeks, after doing very little the previous 8 months leading up to and following surgery, ...Read more
Since I've been jogging and lifting a bit more regularly these last six weeks, after doing very little the previous 8 months leading up to and following surgery, I've felt my chronic Achilles tendonosis and twinge from a previous rotator cuff and shoulder labrum tear start to hurt again. It's funny how happy I was to feel my old sports injuries flair up, and I couldn't help thinking of George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u56OqFjs1dg
It's a Wonderful Life movie clips: http://j.mp/1BcYFIa BUY THE MOVIE: http://amzn.to/tbmXIh Don't miss the HOTTEST NEW TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u2y6pr CLIP D...
Jen Huff Hi Kathleen - have you tried taking fish oil? I had tendonitis from running in both ankles and this s ... Read more
Jen Huff Hi Kathleen - have you tried taking fish oil? I had tendonitis from running in both ankles and this solved it. If I stop taking it and start running a lot, I so feel it!
Kathleen F. Thanks Jen, I hear it's good for hearts too. How do you take it, and how much? I'll try it...
Ed Smith Thanks for the suggestion, Jen. I've been getting some mild tendonitis in my ankles & feet as I've st ... Read more
Ed Smith Thanks for the suggestion, Jen. I've been getting some mild tendonitis in my ankles & feet as I've started playing squash again (10 weeks post-surgery).
Barry Van Gemert Several years ago I gave up running thanks to knees and ankles that were protesting every time I went ... Read more
Barry Van Gemert Several years ago I gave up running thanks to knees and ankles that were protesting every time I went out. Took up biking and never looked back. Great exercise and easy on the joints. The best cure for your ills!
Jen Huff Kathleen - I take it in a pill form. I haven't started taking it again after surgery but I'm going to ... Read more
Jen Huff Kathleen - I take it in a pill form. I haven't started taking it again after surgery but I'm going to ask Dr. Stelzer tomorrow if I can again. I took 500mg a day. Do you remember when you could drive again?
Wiliam Height If you are going to supplement, turmeric is an excellent inflammatory.
Twelve weeks ago at this very moment, Dr. Stelzer was starting the Ross Procedure on me at Mount Sinai Hospital. I will always be grateful that I had this ...Read more
Twelve weeks ago at this very moment, Dr. Stelzer was starting the Ross Procedure on me at Mount Sinai Hospital. I will always be grateful that I had this time to convalesce over the ridiculously cold and snowy winter we just had. My fiancé took care of walking the dog, shoveling, and lifting all heavy things, and the person I report to at work let me start doing a bit from home by early February so I could keep my hand in it, while other people were getting laid off. I was able to relax for the most part and focus on resting, reading, catching up on shows and movies people had recommended but I had always been too busy to watch. Time really slowed down. Family and friends came by or called, and I loved receiving Edible Arrangements, cards, flowers, etc. It really reset the clock, in a way, and gave me time to step out of my busy work life and take time to care - for myself, family and friends, and lots of nieces and nephews in Boston, who all got Valentine's Day goody packages I made for them, in the mail. The free time was wonderful and I'm going to miss it. My doctor thought I'd be bored quickly but he was so wrong. I loved the quiet time to heal and think about what I want to do with the rest of my life.
I'm back to work full-time now. I'd say I started really feeling 100% by Week 10. I started cardiac rehab that week at NY Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia), and I appreciate being monitored while I jog on the treadmill. I keep my heart rate in the 140 - 150s range, even at a slow jog at 4.5 with 2% incline for 30 minutes. My understanding is that as my conditioning comes back, I should be able to go faster while keeping my HR in this same range, around 150. My training before heart surgery was at a higher intensity, but I can get a good aerobic base with the 150 HR training, and progress to interval training at a higher rate once I'm more fit again, I think. Since I have a heart rate monitor, I do this on my own a few times a week also, sometimes on a bike or elliptical at the gym. At rehab, after the treadmill, we also do some arm strengthening exercises with 4 lb. weights, and some leg lifts with ankle weights. I'm not sure how long I'll continue rehab, since my doctors say I don't need to be monitored. I've gone three times and am getting a good sense of what level of exertion they consider safe. I have yet to test my heart with an all-out sprint! Honestly, I'd like to go for a hard run, all out, and not have to slow down because my heart rate is getting too high or worry about my heart condition, as I have since I was diagnosed last summer with severe aortic stenosis. At 3 months post-op, it might be time?
I was able to stop taking any meds after 4 weeks. But the milestone I've had in my mind has always been 12 weeks - 3 months. At this time, I was told, the heart is essentially healed, and I can even start "training" for a race if I wanted. I did sign up for a 10K race in Central Park in June, a race I've done many times over the past 15 years, and in fact, mile 3 of the course can be seen from Room 108a on 7 West - my hospital window. I'm not sure if I really have no restrictions, and my next cardiologist visit isn't for another month, so I'll plan to continue to exercise within the 150s HR range until then.
A final note - Last Monday I walked the dog (a 65-lb. hound mix) and as we were crossing the street in the crosswalk, a car turned the corner toward us and didn't slow down. I was sure he'd seen us, but apparently he was looking down the street as he was turning toward us, and I had to sprint out of the way, dragging/ jerking the leash, and the car just grazed us as it went by at full speed. I was so shaken up by this - the dog was hit in his back leg or hip, but was totally fine. I just think how much we all just went through in the last few months, just to get hit by a car 11 weeks post-op?! Really?!!! I am so thankful the dog and I are both OK. And I realize how lucky I am to have had a full recovery, and how random it all is - to be hit by a car, or to be diagnosed with a congenital heart condition.
I'm thankful for this site, which gives us some control and knowledge over our procedures and recoveries, and especially for the people who have reached out to me and touched me profoundly just by caring enough to respond with a kind word or advice. It's been great to check in, reach out, read, respond, connect. I wish you all a good healing journey, as I had. And I look forward to what the future holds - especially, that good hard sweaty run - but away from all cars and traffic! Godspeed.
Tammy Pilcher Kathleen, what a wonderful post! I'm so glad you're doing so well! That must have been a terrifying ... Read more
Tammy Pilcher Kathleen, what a wonderful post! I'm so glad you're doing so well! That must have been a terrifying experience with the car! Thank God you and your dog are both okay! Prayers and best wishes going forward with your healthy new heart! God is good!
Nancy D Glad you and your dog are ok, and your recovery is ahead of your original goals! It is an amazing ti ... Read more
Nancy D Glad you and your dog are ok, and your recovery is ahead of your original goals! It is an amazing time we live in to be diagnosed and problems corrected that not many years ago the techniques were just not where we needed them to be. As I am now looking for work, it is ever present in my mind how blessed I am (and we collectively as a group) to be given this second chance to be productive, active and still improving daily!
Tim Goff That's a story---geez
Glad you are doing so well on the mend
Jen Huff So glad to hear you are doing well, Kathleen! I can't wait to be 3 months post op :)
Barry Van Gemert Wow, what a story. I guess it goes to show that we can never know what life is going to throw at us. ... Read more
Barry Van Gemert Wow, what a story. I guess it goes to show that we can never know what life is going to throw at us. Stay safe Kath and thanks for sharing your "wake-up call".
Tim Goff Ok I recall you cutting out coffee after a long coffee "dependance". First morning home today I brewe ... Read more
Tim Goff Ok I recall you cutting out coffee after a long coffee "dependance". First morning home today I brewed a cup of my favorite and it tasted absolutely terrible. May not be hard to dump it if it continues to taste like this. Hope your progress continues strong.
I had a good two-week follow-up appointment on Thursday with my cardiologist, who told me I can start some easy running at the one-month mark, which is in 10 ...Read more
I had a good two-week follow-up appointment on Thursday with my cardiologist, who told me I can start some easy running at the one-month mark, which is in 10 days! I was really happy about that. He also said I could get a massage to help my back soreness, and even lay face down on the table, which I find hard to believe right now. Has anyone had a massage after the first few weeks? I imagine it would really help.
I felt almost back to normal when I was able to walk the 10 blocks to the train, go into the city by myself and walk the 4 blocks to my doctor's office on my own for the appointment. I met a friend after the appointment and we walked around Union Square and did some shopping before heading home. It was a good feeling to be independent again! On Saturday, my fiancé and I walked to the train to go into the city, and walked across Central Park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where was walked around the Egypt and El Greco exhibits for a while, sat for lunch, walked around some more, and had tea at the Viennese café across the street before heading home. We were out for 7 hours which may have been pushing it a bit, but we were able to sit whenever I needed a rest so I didn't get too tired, but I had a great nap when we got home. I'm not bored yet, for being out of work for three weeks. Today we walked around a neighborhood in Jersey City and found a great restaurant for lunch. Again, a nap was in order this evening. I still am not sure if I'm doing enough or too much, and my doctors surprisingly aren't giving me any guidance when I ask how much walking I should be doing, and I was even told not to use my heart rate monitor, which I have from marathon training. I would feel more comfortable if someone told me what heart rate range I should be working in. Can anyone tell me what kind of workouts you're given in the first few weeks of cardio rehab?
All in all, I seem to be doing great, which I'm thankful for. I'm starting to get a little impatient that my chest is still sore, but I have to remember that three weeks ago today, I just had heart surgery and was still in ICU!
Cheryl Batzing kathleen, you are doing awesome girl! I had my OHS on Dec. 16 and just had my 3rd cardiac rehab with ... Read more
Cheryl Batzing kathleen, you are doing awesome girl! I had my OHS on Dec. 16 and just had my 3rd cardiac rehab with monitors, etc. I'm an exerciser, so it's interesting what they consider "too much" exercise-wise and what they are pushing me to do. Overall they are letting me dictate the pushing, but my elliptical & treadmill heart rates are probably about 120-130 at 4.0 rate on treadmill at 3% incline, and about the same on the elliptical. The area they are telling me to be careful/hold back on are upper body. They have me lifting weights, but 3-5 pounds. I asked to move up to 8 pounds on a few things today and I was told ok if I felt I could. I asked if I could go back to my kick-boxing class soon and I was told NO! My body was healing and remember that due to upper body stuff. I'm not really sore anymore, except for some weights overhead that stretches the incision. I was told that was scar tissue that needed to be stretched. Hope this helps!
Kathleen F. Thank you! I'm glad you are doing so well too, Cheryl! I imagine working out, even a little, will l ... Read more
Kathleen F. Thank you! I'm glad you are doing so well too, Cheryl! I imagine working out, even a little, will loosen up all the muscles so I'll be less stiff and sore. That's the hardest part right now, but I was prepared for much worse, so I'm not complaining! I may go to the gym tomorrow and stretch, walk on a treadmill or pedal a bike slowly, and maybe use really light weights just to get my muscles moving again. It's good to know that stretching the incision a bit with overhead movements is OK. I'm lucky that I was also an exerciser, so I look forward to this, as frustrating as it is to start from scratch. I'm so thankful for this website and the sharing of information; it's like having a bunch of personal trainers/ life coaches in our corner.
Cheryl Batzing Kathleen, I can send you the photo (on the wall of the gym) of the exercises they are having me do in ... Read more
Cheryl Batzing Kathleen, I can send you the photo (on the wall of the gym) of the exercises they are having me do in rehab with weights if you are interested. If you are a weight lifter, you'll laugh. BUT, with an incision...they are not laughing matter! I also went to the gym and did the treadmill "lightly" Week 3 & 4 and it felt great. You sound like you'll do great. My husband's from Rochester area BTW. We love NY!
Jason Leber HI Kathleen, sounds like things are going well. You've had some big outings. I remember the first tim ... Read more
Jason Leber HI Kathleen, sounds like things are going well. You've had some big outings. I remember the first time I took the subway by myself into the city.....felt like a "huge" adventure.
I've been keeping my heart rate while walking between 100 - 115. A 35 min walk, my average HR would be 105 with a max of 115. On the bike my rehab said to keep it between 127 - 132 for 30 minutes for a week, then go up to 132 - 138 if I felt like I could do that.
Clare Auten I was on a beta blocker immediately after surgery. The gals at rehab told me a heart rate monitor wo ... Read more
Clare Auten I was on a beta blocker immediately after surgery. The gals at rehab told me a heart rate monitor would not be accurate because of the meds. They used a perceived exertion scale where I had to rate my own exertion.
Kathleen F. Thanks everyone! Cheryl, I'd love to see the chart. I am definitely not a weight-lifter, but even if ... Read more
Kathleen F. Thanks everyone! Cheryl, I'd love to see the chart. I am definitely not a weight-lifter, but even if I was, I wouldn't laugh. In pilates we have "back to basics" classes where we focus on form, and I think that this year, everything will be "back to basics" and I'm OK with that. Clare, I'm still on a beta blocker too, and that makes sense. What level(s) of exertion do you focus on? I am not approved for cardio rehab until week 10, but my doctors want me to get back into exercising ASAP, so I'm on my own, and this is all very helpful! Jason, I also considered going into the city a Big Adventure and a real milestone, and now I'm coming up with new adventures for this week. Life is good, and I don't feel as pressured as I thought I would about not working. I do love where I live and having so much within walking distance is really helpful now. If only it were a little warmer! But it's also great to catch up on reading, watching shows and movies I never seem to have time for. Having all this time is wonderful!
Massages are great and I still get them twice a month at 4 months post op. I have her use the chair f ... Read more
Massages are great and I still get them twice a month at 4 months post op. I have her use the chair for my massages right now, feels awesome and so good for scar tissue. I massage the sternum area and around 3 inch scar incision with a good oil myself, and having her focus on my back only just for now.
Working out seems to be a personal preference in terms of how much to do. I personally do not think it makes any sense to push in the beginning, with some people the body can rebel, and I am not interested in any of that. I have been taking my time, slowly easing back into things. It's not a race for me, I know I will get back in shape in a year. That's my goal, and time is going fast! But I am very conscious about making sure I am doing enough each day as it is soooo important. I love finishing with some really good stretching, arm lifts, shoulder rolls back and front, and shoulder shrugs feel really good as well.
Kathleen F. Thanks Christine! I'm still trying to figure out what's enough each day. I'm still being very cauti ... Read more
Kathleen F. Thanks Christine! I'm still trying to figure out what's enough each day. I'm still being very cautious about my sternum and not really stretching, or putting any weight on it, or my arms. It is easier to get into and out of bed now, so I think it will get better with time. Or so I hear. :) Thanks everyone!
Amy DiGiovanni Noack Congrats Kathleen on your recovery! I can only pray my results are as good as yours. How are your en ... Read more
Amy DiGiovanni Noack Congrats Kathleen on your recovery! I can only pray my results are as good as yours. How are your energy levels? Do you notice you feel different now that you have a properly working aortic valve?
Kathleen F. Thanks Amy, have you made any decisions regarding the Ross or alternate plan? I wouldn't call it "en ... Read more
Kathleen F. Thanks Amy, have you made any decisions regarding the Ross or alternate plan? I wouldn't call it "energy" since I am sleeping a lot and am not nearly as active as I was before surgery, but I did notice right away that the fatigue and exhaustion I had been feeling for a long time seems to be gone. That seems to be the main difference. It will be interesting to see how I feel when I go back to work - I wonder how much the stress and long hours contributed to my fatigue, and how much was my stenotic valve.
Jen Huff Kathleen - I am so glad you're on the road to recovery! I'm having the Ross Procedure with Dr. Stelze ... Read more
Jen Huff Kathleen - I am so glad you're on the road to recovery! I'm having the Ross Procedure with Dr. Stelzer and have been asymptomatic. I am a runner and crossfitter so it will be hard for me not to be able to workout for so long too. Are you glad you chose the Ross?
Exactly two weeks ago today I was on the operating table, and nothing was in my control. Now I'm doing whatever I can to facilitate the best recovery possible, ...Read more
Exactly two weeks ago today I was on the operating table, and nothing was in my control. Now I'm doing whatever I can to facilitate the best recovery possible, including not having any caffeine, even though I was told one cup of coffee a day is fine. And I used to drink a lot of coffee! I figure I'm taking metoprolol for a reason, to keep my heart rate low, and I don't want to compromise the great work of my surgeon in any way.
I've increased my walking over the last few days, and yesterday I was able to walk normally up and down the 40 stairs in my 2nd floor walk-up - three times - in the morning, afternoon and evening - for increasingly longer walks of 30 and 45 mins. with my fiancé and the dog, and an hour in the evening doing some grocery shopping with my fiancé. I really didn't think I would be this mobile two weeks after heart surgery.
I find I don't need the painkillers as much as I did earlier in the week when I first came home. Now I'm only taking ibuprofin every 8 - 12 hours, if needed, and I'm sleeping better too. Last night I slept an uninterrupted 6 hours before I needed to get up to use the bathroom. I'm trying to drink a lot of water and eat fruits and vegetables to get the anesthesia completely out of my system, and limit sugar, which causes inflammation and slows down healing. Overall I'm feeling really great. I hope those of you facing surgery this month can take heart that the waiting really is more challenging than the recovery. Healing thoughts to all of you - let's have a great week!
Elaine Foster So glad to hear you are doing so well!! Amazing what these bodies that our Lord created can go throu ... Read more
Elaine Foster So glad to hear you are doing so well!! Amazing what these bodies that our Lord created can go through and repair itself after talented surgeons do what they do best!. God bless you with continued good recovery
Carlos Ortiz Great to hear how well your doing Kathleen! My surgery is coming up at Mt. Sinai! Can't wait to get i ... Read more
Carlos Ortiz Great to hear how well your doing Kathleen! My surgery is coming up at Mt. Sinai! Can't wait to get it over with and start the recovery process! Best of luck!
Bill Hendrickson Thanks for the supporting news. Glad you are progressing toward a normal life.
Tammy Pilcher Kathleen, what a great update! I'm so happy for you! Prayers for continued success, heart sister!
Kimberly Biddick Kathleen, I am so happy to hear you are doing so well!! Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job be ... Read more
Kimberly Biddick Kathleen, I am so happy to hear you are doing so well!! Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job being proactive in your health and recovery.
Don LaPorte Thanks for the update, very encouraging to all of us who have surgeries coming up
Adam Pick Thanks for sharing your success and tips Kathleen. So excellent to see your progress. Happy 2nd Week ... Read more
See patient reviews of Dr. Paul Stelzer, heart surgeon, in New York, New York.
Cheryl Batzing Glad to hear you are doing so well Kathleen!
Tim Goff Thank you for the post op notes showing us the way forward, it is very helpful. Really, coffee? uggh ... Read more
Tim Goff Thank you for the post op notes showing us the way forward, it is very helpful. Really, coffee? uggh i would not want to drop out the morning mule kick
The temperature climbed into the 20s today, so I took a longer stroll around town this afternoon. I walked 4 blocks south/west to the library, returned a book ...Read more
The temperature climbed into the 20s today, so I took a longer stroll around town this afternoon. I walked 4 blocks south/west to the library, returned a book and checked out a movie, and then walked 4 blocks north to the supermarket, where I wandered around the aisles for a while, picking up only a few light things to carry the 4 blocks home. I was out for about an hour and 15 minutes, and didn't feel tired. I may have to increase my "stroll" to a faster walk, but it was a bit icy so I took it slow. It's actually kind of nice to take it easy on myself and hibernate, eat good food, read, watch movies, and not go into work! That said, I attempted to see whether I could work part-time from home, as I am already starting to feel antsy, but because I'm on Medical Leave, they may not allow it.
Joan Napier Kathleen, you are doing great, and I'm impressed by all your activity. So combining that with the "t ... Read more
Joan Napier Kathleen, you are doing great, and I'm impressed by all your activity. So combining that with the "taking it easy" philosophy sounds like a good plan. Being post HVS and with the frigid winter temps, it is definitely time to relax indoors and hibernate. Try to enjoy your time off, as it goes quickly and you'll be back to work before you know it. I've made a list of things I never seem to have time to do, and it feels good to finally get to them. Wishing you all the best as you continue recovery.
Cheryl Batzing Kathleen--sounds like you are doing great! I had MVR surgery Dec. 16 and have been trying to walk as ... Read more
Cheryl Batzing Kathleen--sounds like you are doing great! I had MVR surgery Dec. 16 and have been trying to walk as instructed, but weather in North Texas has been very cold for me (with wind chill below 32) and I've felt the cold air hard to breathe. Ended up at the gym on treadmill and that worked well. I also got ansy being home as I'm not a "rest" person. I have a job I do from home, and another one I do 7 minutes from home. SO, I released myself back to work at home on Day 15 post surgery and did well from home, able to work 6-7 hours. I added my "go into" job back this week at 3 weeks post op, and was shocked at how much harder it was to go into work each day vs.working from home. I went in about 9 am each morning and crashed by 2-3 pm and came home to nap. Anyway, so glad you are doing well! Take it easy!
Janet Garland Hi Kathleen. I just had surgery Monday, 1/5 at Mt. Sinai hospital and I'm not feeling too bad. The n ... Read more
Janet Garland Hi Kathleen. I just had surgery Monday, 1/5 at Mt. Sinai hospital and I'm not feeling too bad. The nurses, staff are all amazing here. I'm being discharged tomorrow and having some mixed feelings about that. I guess I'm a little nervous that I won't have the professional round the clock care that I have been receiving while I'm here. I feel great though. The first day I walked with a walker as well but after that, I have been walking on my own.
Your speedy recovery is son inspiring. Please keep posting.
Kathleen F. Janet, I'm so glad to hear! I also felt mixed emotions about leaving, for the same reason. But they ... Read more
Kathleen F. Janet, I'm so glad to hear! I also felt mixed emotions about leaving, for the same reason. But they wouldn't discharge us if we weren't ready. It was surprisingly easy to keep track of when to take the meds at home. I could monitor my own weight and temperature, and I had no issues this week. You'll see it's nice to be home. Congratulations, it's the first of many milestones this year. Thanks to the rest of you as well! Cheryl and Joan, I appreciate the work advice! Cheryl, your idea of walking at the gym is a good one. I can imagine the faces of the young people with all their "resolutions" as they see me taking over "their" treadmill for a leisurely walk! Ha! Slow and steady wins this race...
It's tough to know how much walking is enough, without pushing it. I have been home 5 days, and am 10 days post-Ross procedure. I'm only going for one daily ...Read more
It's tough to know how much walking is enough, without pushing it. I have been home 5 days, and am 10 days post-Ross procedure. I'm only going for one daily walk (outside) of about 6 - 8 blocks, with 40 stairs on either end. If it wasn't so cold, I might be tempted to go longer. What limits your walking? Shortness of breath? Burning feeling in chest? I have a sense it's more important to keep my heart rate low right now, than to push it. I do pace around my condo (it all counts!) and look at these single digit temps as a sign I should not break out the heart rate monitor and go for a long walk! I'd love to hear your walking routines. Jason seems to be setting the bar high, at three 40 min. walks a day, that first week, I believe. I am looking forward to that!
Liidia Wootten The first week I was home after surgery I was walking 30 to 40 minutes a day - outside (August) By t ... Read more
Liidia Wootten The first week I was home after surgery I was walking 30 to 40 minutes a day - outside (August) By the end of August I was averaging 2 miles a day, then 3 in
September. Kept up with 2-3 miles every day until I stepped on something that affected my heel. It has taken 6 weeks for the pain to subside, so I'm building up again from 1.5 miles a day. The goal for me is 5 miles a day by April. I Iive in a lake community with plenty of nasty hills, with minimal traffic. Today in NC we are unusually cold with wind, so I'm walking around the house, up and down stairs,just to uncreak myself. I won't go out tomorrow, mainly to make sure I'm over a virus I had on Tuesday. As far as pushing - in the beginning it was if I felt weakness - NOT breath issues or burning. One thing for sure, stretch before and after walking. That really helps prevent calf muscle pain.
Bob M For us on the other side of OHS, listen to your doctors and listen to your body/heart. We hear differ ... Read more
Bob M For us on the other side of OHS, listen to your doctors and listen to your body/heart. We hear different recoveries because we are all different. Take it easy, heart sister.
Jason Leber Hi Kathleen, I think you're on track for being home 5 days. I looked back at my records and on day 5 ... Read more
Jason Leber Hi Kathleen, I think you're on track for being home 5 days. I looked back at my records and on day 5 I was walking 45 minutes twice a day but at a nice walking speed - not pushing it. I wasn't doing that many steps so if you can manage 40 on either end I think that's great. You will know when it's ready to go faster or longer. Keep it up!
Cheryl Batzing kathleen, I just posted on your last post....but I was having the same question as you. As an exercis ... Read more
Cheryl Batzing kathleen, I just posted on your last post....but I was having the same question as you. As an exerciser and doing hard gym work out the day before my surgery, is hard to figure out how far to push/walk with the weather cold now. I just feel the cold air made my deep breathing hurt more than it should, so I took that as a sign. My husband suggested I try the treadmill at my gym, so Ive tried to do that 3 X a week for 30 minutes, at a slow speed. Not the 4X a day, 15 minutes each time the release nurse suggested....but it's what I can do now. I wish I could endure to walk outside! Best to you! Sounds like you are doing much better than I am!
Angelo Varrone Kathleen, I think the rule of thumb is not to push it. Do what you feel comfortable doing. This isn't ... Read more
Angelo Varrone Kathleen, I think the rule of thumb is not to push it. Do what you feel comfortable doing. This isn't like training for a race. Take it slow and steady and your body will tell you when to ramp up your activity.
Hi, it's hard to believe last Sunday I was getting myself centered and prepared for the next morning's surgery, and now I'm home, sitting on my couch, feeling ...Read more
Hi, it's hard to believe last Sunday I was getting myself centered and prepared for the next morning's surgery, and now I'm home, sitting on my couch, feeling fantastic. In a nutshell, Dr. Stelzer is an amazing surgeon and the nurses at Mount Sinai are wonderful, caring and compassionate people who took great care of me. It's not fun to be poked with needles and feeling sluggish from all the medications (and 20 lb. weight gain from surgery, which does go away after a week or so). But honestly, I had thought open heart surgery would be so much worse. It was no joke, but it was bearable.
I had the Ross Procedure on Monday, stayed in ICU overnight, then moved up to the regular heart floor. I was surprised at how lucid I was when I first woke up; I expected more "brain fog"! There was no slow down of memory at all, but I was disoriented, and in fact, I scared the chaplain, who came over to say a prayer with me in the ICU, and when he revealed this was a second career for him, I immediately knew his industry, what he did, and who he had worked for. His name was familiar to me, and he seemed to be someone I "knew," but I wasn't remembering him in the traditional sense, as we had really never met. He thought I was a psychic; I think the brain works in mysterious ways. I may have seen his name on a journal article years ago and somehow pulled it up from distant memory decades earlier; that's the only rational explanation, but we are both spiritual people, and I was thankful for the connection.
Another thing I recall from the first few days is it's initially really scary to hear your own alarms going off, and have no one rush over to save you, but the nurses were great at explaining that it's often just a twisted line in the IV that can happen if you adjust yourself in the bed. And my right elbow, where my best IV vein was, is not easy to hold still at night or while eating.
I was out of bed and walking around the floor with a walker by Tuesday, with some appetite (vanilla NePro shakes were great too) and Wednesday, I ditched the walker, and in addition to walking three laps around the floor unassisted, I started practicing on the stairs with a physical therapist, since I live in a walk up with more than 40 stairs. It felt really good to move. The back gets stiff from laying around too much. I was also able to wash up and brush my hair, etc. which made me feel normal again. Wednesday evening happened to be New Year's Eve, and when the staff learned that I've run the Midnight 4- mile Fun Run in Central Park in past years, they moved me to a private room with a view of the park and the fireworks at midnight as the race went off! (There were not a lot of surgeries or patients scheduled that week.) That did a lot for my emotional and mental state. I loved that view and to see all of the runners, and people out walking their dogs in the morning, was so great for me. And I can't stress enough that the more I was able to move around, the better I felt.
By Thursday I was showering on my own, and walking out of the wing and around the gift shop, and doing leg stretches at the railing overlooking the Guggenheim Pavilion; Dr. Stelzer thought I might be ready to discharge after 4 days, not 5!
I got a roommate that afternoon who was having mitral valve surgery with Dr. Adams the next day. She was so nervous, and we talked a lot throughout the night. She was crying as she left for surgery in the morning, she was so scared. I really believe the mental and emotional aspect of this may be a huge part of it, and this brought to the surface that I hadn't yet processed the loss of my murmur, and this huge thing that was just done to my body, which has served me so well in so many marathons and whatever I asked of it. I was a bit down that morning. Now that it's behind me, I'm glad I didn't wait longer for surgery, even though I had that option, because I believe the extra time to get nervous would have had a negative impact on me.
I was able to get back into a more positive frame of mind throughout Friday, and was patient with each new day's procedures - removing the drainage tubes, the pacemaker and wires, which didn't hurt but was not comfortable either. I can't say there was ever any bad pain. I felt some burning in my chest now and then, not at the incision site, but over my heart, but the pain pills worked quickly, and after a few days I only needed motrin, which I'm taking at home now.
By Saturday, to help the process of discharge, when warm prune juice and milk of magnesia just wasn't working, my nurse OK'd my request to take the elevator down to the lobby for a tall brewed Starbucks and a bran muffin! I ran into my (former) roommate's husband down in the lobby, and got a good report of her procedure, although she was still in ICU since her procedure had been 9 hours, to fix a previously repaired mitral valve 15 years earlier. I'm so happy she's doing well.
I realize how lucky I am that my body responded with fantastic numbers, because I know it's not all in our control. I am so sad to see the news of Lisa's passing on here, and that Rhonda, who shared a surgery date with me, is back in ICU in critical condition. I am sending out the most positive energy and prayers for all of you, and thanking you all from the bottom of my heart, for the community of energy you've helped create here. Stay strong - mentally, emotionally, and physically! Much love, Kathleen
Cheryl Batzing so glad to hear you are home doing well Kathleen. Continued prayers for your healing!
Tammy Pilcher Kathleen, I'm so happy to hear your great news! Your experience of post op sounds very much like min ... Read more
Tammy Pilcher Kathleen, I'm so happy to hear your great news! Your experience of post op sounds very much like mine. I hope the rest of your recovery will go as well as mine too! We have an awesome God! Best wishes heart sister!
Carlos Ortiz Hi Kathleen! So happy your doing well. No doubt being physically fit has helped you tremendously with ... Read more
Carlos Ortiz Hi Kathleen! So happy your doing well. No doubt being physically fit has helped you tremendously with your recovery. Wish I'd been more active these past years, oh well...I was also thrilled to hear that you had Dr. Stelzer perform the surgery on you...he's my surgeon as well and will be performing an aortic valve replacement on me January 14th at Mt. Sinai...I'm a bit nervous but confident everything will go well. Like you and others have said a positive mental outlook is very important to a successful outcome....continued success and God Bless!
Bob M God bless! What an awesome recovery! Great news for Kathleen!
Jim Kelly-Evans Congratulations! Keep up the excellent recovery!
Kimberly Biddick I am so excited for you! What a wonderful feeling that must be!!!
Emily Shively Great news Kathleen! It's inspiring to hear how upbeat and mobile you are so soon after. Good luck w ... Read more
Emily Shively Great news Kathleen! It's inspiring to hear how upbeat and mobile you are so soon after. Good luck with your continued recovery.
Linda Crawford Thanks for the update Kathleen. I want to be just like you 😀
Daniel Spurgeon The part of my post-op experience that came closest to suffering was the severe thirst the first few ... Read more
Daniel Spurgeon The part of my post-op experience that came closest to suffering was the severe thirst the first few hours after surgery. I was begging for any ice chips or moisture in any form.
Wiliam Height Great news Kathleen, thanks for report I am scheduled in Mt Sinai end of month looking forward to it. ... Read more
Wiliam Height Great news Kathleen, thanks for report I am scheduled in Mt Sinai end of month looking forward to it. At next years midnight run you can look up at those windows and this experience will be a distance memory.
Like many of you, I was diagnosed with a murmur and BAV as a teenager at a high school sports physical, but have always been athletic and healthy. I am now ...Read more
Like many of you, I was diagnosed with a murmur and BAV as a teenager at a high school sports physical, but have always been athletic and healthy. I am now 45, and was told this summer at a routine cardiologist appointment that my stenosis is now severe and the valve needs to be replaced this year. I was surprised, as I've been running well and am asymptomatic. I'm "heartened" to find so many young people, fellow runners, as well as so many generous, kind and compassionate people on this site. You've all helped me during this waiting process and I hope I can do the same for some of you!
Joseph Ballett We all pass it forward in one way or another,it's just awesome to help and move forward.
Bob M Kathleen, welcome to our awesome Community! You have a beautiful family. God Bless! Many here are doo ... Read more
Bob M Kathleen, welcome to our awesome Community! You have a beautiful family. God Bless! Many here are doorkeepers where we have been on the other side of open heart surgery (mine was on Dec 10). We are here to pray for you, share our experiences and answer your direct questions.
Welcome Kathleen. Feel free to read my journal, if I can help in any way, I will.
Kathleen F. Thank you all. Christine, I will also be at Mount Sinai, like you, but my surgeon will be Dr. Stelze ... Read more
Kathleen F. Thank you all. Christine, I will also be at Mount Sinai, like you, but my surgeon will be Dr. Stelzer for the Ross Procedure. I'm glad to see your recovery is going so well; thank you for all of your honest posts! Please don't let one person's unprofessional or thoughtless comments in rehab discourage you. As you said, there's no room for negativity in recovery! I think we have to be just as careful about what we let into our minds, as we are about what kinds of foods and nutrition we give our bodies. Thank you all for reaching out to me; the positive energy is definitely appreciated!
Tammy Pilcher Welcome Kathleen! My surgery was 7 weeks ago and I'm doing great! Best wishes and feel free to ask ... Read more
Tammy Pilcher Welcome Kathleen! My surgery was 7 weeks ago and I'm doing great! Best wishes and feel free to ask any questions.
Cheryl Batzing Kathleen, I also am very active and asymptomatic, so when I was told in October it was time to move f ... Read more
Cheryl Batzing Kathleen, I also am very active and asymptomatic, so when I was told in October it was time to move forward with mitral valve repair I was in shock. But they said better to do it now while I'm "young" and my ventricles are all good. I did kick boxing class, elliptical, and weights up til the day before my surgery on Dec. 16. Will be praying for your upcoming journey.
Amy DiGiovanni Noack Kathleen nice to meet you. dr. Stelzer is awesome! I reached out to him as I'm contemplating the Ross ... Read more
Amy DiGiovanni Noack Kathleen nice to meet you. dr. Stelzer is awesome! I reached out to him as I'm contemplating the Ross procedure too and he got back to me the same day! He also suggested this site which has been amazing. I would love to talk to you about your decision to go with Ross procedure.
Kathleen F. Thanks everyone! Tammy, I'm glad you're doing great! Cheryl, I hope your cardio conversion went well ... Read more
Kathleen F. Thanks everyone! Tammy, I'm glad you're doing great! Cheryl, I hope your cardio conversion went well today. It's amazing to hear you still worked out up until the day before your surgery. I still feel good but backed off from exercise except for pilates and light swimming, just to be safe, and agree with my surgeon as well that it's better to do this while I'm "young" and ventricles and chambers have not been affected. There did not seem to be any benefit to waiting. Looking forward to hearing great things about your recovery over the upcoming weeks! Amy, feel free to email me if you prefer (y2kfay@aol.com) regarding the Ross. I personally didn't want the risks of a mechanical valve and blood thinners and maintenance for the rest of my life, and wanted to minimize the need for future reoperations with the tissue valves, so the Ross made sense for me. None of the options were that great, to be honest! I do believe there will be great advances in tissue valve replacement in the next decade, but I'm hedging my bets that the Great Dr. Stelzer can fix me now. It comes down to the right surgery for the right patient, with the right surgeon. Obviously I don't know how any of this will turn out, but I'm putting my faith in Dr. Stelzer and what is available now. It's not an easy decision, but if you are considering having another child, the Ross definitely warrants consideration! Would you be able to come from Canada and have Dr. Stelzer do it? Healthcare is likely a big factor but definitely find someone with a lot of experience with the Ross!
Amy DiGiovanni Noack Thanks Kathleen. I have Dr. Tirone David who has had very good results over the past 20 yrs with his ... Read more
Amy DiGiovanni Noack Thanks Kathleen. I have Dr. Tirone David who has had very good results over the past 20 yrs with his Ross procedure so I'm comfortable with him, it's the very involved procedure that I'm worried about and the fact that now 2 valves will be replaced. You are right about the having faith part, it really is out of our control on how we will end up after surgery, I'm just trying to make the best choice for the long term. Thanks for your email...I will reach out with some questions if you don't mind:)
Don LaPorte Hi Kathleen, asymptomatic and active as well. We are fortunate to all have each other to share the j ... Read more
Don LaPorte Hi Kathleen, asymptomatic and active as well. We are fortunate to all have each other to share the journey with, and very good results from people who are in the other side of surgery! Thanks to Adam for putting us together.
Bill Hendrickson Praying you have successful journey in the near future,you should do well.