Kim Carpenter - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2169 days ago

Donna Behret, Dan Baltazor, Phyllis Petersen and 2 others reacted to this

Had my 1 year ct scan/check today ! Met with surgeon to go over results ! good news ! I was nervous going in, since I didn’t have any symptoms when this whole ...Read more

Had my 1 year ct scan/check today ! Met with surgeon to go over results ! good news ! I was nervous going in, since I didn’t have any symptoms when this whole thing started!, but thanks to my great surgeon my New valve is working as it should and the aortic root replacement is too! The blood is flowing and heart is ticking away to its new beat! I feel relieved! I feel blessed and so thankful ❤️ I did get a few reminders: No extreme lifting, pre-med before any dental or other procedures, take care of you body and make sure you are in range with warfarin! I will be going yearly for scans for 5 years then possibly to every other year! Cardiologist is every year. Take care of your ❤️❤️❤️ And it will take care of you !

Rebecca DeMarino Great news, Kim! ❤️ Can’t wait for my 1 year!!

John Morales Congrats Kim , im just starting my journey and hope I can have great results like you

Dan Baltazor Congratulations.

Kim Carpenterposted a journal

2195 days ago

Valerie Herndon-Vitarella, Lisa Guinan, Shannon Gray and 3 others reacted to this

I am grateful, thankful, and blessed! One year ago today my family sat in a waiting room for 8 hours while I had aortic valve replacement and an aneurysm repair... ...Read more

I am grateful, thankful, and blessed! One year ago today my family sat in a waiting room for 8 hours while I had aortic valve replacement and an aneurysm repair... they laughed, cried, took selfies and prayed! They took such great care of me ! Here I am a year later stronger than ever! Thankful for my great family, excellent doctors and God! I’m still in disbelief, but my scar reminds me everyday that I am a warrior! ❤️

Susan Lynn Happy One Year Anniversary, Kim! Celebrate! ❤🥂🍾

Dan Vechiola Congrats! BIg accomplishment! Celebrate!

Marie Myers Happy Valve-Versary! Glad you are doing well.

James A. Corbett I had to write, HAPPY VALVE-VERSARY too. Great phrase. All the best to you Kim.

Kim Carpenter I like that,
valve-versary! 👍🏻Thank you so much ! It feels great! To all those out there going ... Read more

Kim Carpenter I like that,
valve-versary! 👍🏻Thank you so much ! It feels great! To all those out there going through the same thing and For those who have had many anniversaries...stay strong and keep on ticking!!❤️❤️❤️❤️We’re all warriors!!!! Best to all ! ☘️

Tracy Fallu Happy 1 year to you. 💫♥️

Kim Carpenterposted a journal

2395 days ago

MONIC DELA ROSA and 1 other reacted to this

Surgery was almost 6 months ago and I’ve been using vitamin e on my scar. Wondering if anyone Has advice on what to use to help even skin tone and help with ...Read more

Surgery was almost 6 months ago and I’ve been using vitamin e on my scar. Wondering if anyone Has advice on what to use to help even skin tone and help with fading ?

pam williams Hi Kim had trouble with my scar also after AVR 17 months ago it was keloid it didn't fade it stayed ... Read more

pam williams Hi Kim had trouble with my scar also after AVR 17 months ago it was keloid it didn't fade it stayed very pink and was raised itchy and sore, I have been attending the dermatologist for steroid injections into the scar every 3 months I have my last session this week, but if yours is flat and just uneven skin tone maybe this is a bit drastic for your needs, I just want mine to lie flat

Rita Savelis Avoiding any sun exposure for at least a year should help with an even skin tone. Your scar color sho ... Read more

Rita Savelis Avoiding any sun exposure for at least a year should help with an even skin tone. Your scar color should eventually match the color of your skin if you avoid the sun, but it takes time (maybe a year at least).

I hear you on being self-conscious. It takes time to get used to a scar, and especially for women (and on your chest). I still avert my eyes from mirrors 3 years later, although my scar has healed quite well. 6 months is still early.
Take care.

Heath Knight Believe it or not I found some SCAR GEL at Wal-Mart that seemed to help with my scar. I put it on onc ... Read more

Heath Knight Believe it or not I found some SCAR GEL at Wal-Mart that seemed to help with my scar. I put it on once every morning as soon as I get out of shower. It helps and didn't really cost to much. The tube has lasted me about a month so far and not sure if I will by another or not. Good luck.

Michael Eichhorn Hi Kim, I cannot comment about the scar yet as my surgery is in two weeks but would love to ask you a ... Read more

Michael Eichhorn Hi Kim, I cannot comment about the scar yet as my surgery is in two weeks but would love to ask you a few questions about your mechanical valve. If you don’t mind please email me at eichhorn33@gmail.com. Similarly, I have been recommended to go mechanical. Thank you

Denise Campbell Don’t be embarrassed. Bit shows how strong you are. You survived and thrived.

Kim Carpenter Hi Pam, luckily mine is flat but it is red/ pink of course at the top ! Don’t think I’ll need a d ... Read more

Kim Carpenter Hi Pam, luckily mine is flat but it is red/ pink of course at the top ! Don’t think I’ll need a dermatologist but thanks and good luck with yours ! They say it does take a long time to get back to norm ! We’ll have to be patient I guess!

Kim Carpenter Hi Rita, thanks for info on the sun I’ll be sure to keep the scar covered! Thanks

Kim Carpenter Thanks for the info Heath I’ll check Walmart !

Kim Carpenter I’m actually not sure if I post responses on my journal our yours hope this gets to you guys????� ... Read more

Kim Carpenter I’m actually not sure if I post responses on my journal our yours hope this gets to you guys????😬

Kim Carpenter Michael, would love to answer questions I can email you ! I do wish you the best of luck on your surg ... Read more

Kim Carpenter Michael, would love to answer questions I can email you ! I do wish you the best of luck on your surgery and you’ll do fine I’m sure! This is the right place for answers, support and positive vibes oh and everything drs don't tell us !!!

Kim Carpenter Denise, thanks so much for your positive words! It really helps!!! I have to keep telling myself that ... Read more

Kim Carpenter Denise, thanks so much for your positive words! It really helps!!! I have to keep telling myself that!

Adam Pick Hey Kim, Great question... I used Mederma. It worked really, really, really well for me. Here's mor ... Read more

Adam Pick Hey Kim, Great question... I used Mederma. It worked really, really, really well for me. Here's more about it - https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2008/04/02/ointment-gel-skin-surgery-healing-mederma/.

I Used A Great Scar Cream Called Mederma…

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2008/04/02/ointment-gel-skin-surgery-healing-mederma/

I just received a great, often-overlooked question from Tim who asks, "Hey Adam - I just saw the pictures of your chest scar after heart surgery. I'm curious to

Phyllis Petersen I'd add massaging the area of it doesn't cause pain.

Bonnie Stone-Hope I used no creams, oils. Just kept it clean with dial soap to ensure no infection. You can hardly se ... Read more

Bonnie Stone-Hope I used no creams, oils. Just kept it clean with dial soap to ensure no infection. You can hardly see my scar. (but I agree that this scar is a source of strength for me to realize that I am strong)

Jennifer Barnett When I first got home about three weeks after surgery I just gently bathed the area with a flannel us ... Read more

Jennifer Barnett When I first got home about three weeks after surgery I just gently bathed the area with a flannel using warm water with Lavender essentail oil added, about a week later I used pure aloe vera gel (which is great for healing scars) with a few drops of 100% pure lavender essential oil added. I then alternated between the gel mixture and an oil blend I purchased called Scarless Solution which is 100% pure natural and organic from Absolute Essential New Zealand www.absoluteessential.com. I continued with this treatment for about 3 months and it worked really well for me.
It is now almost a year since surgery and the top of my scar is barely noticeable and generally it has healed really well and faded.