Leigh Waggoner - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

123 days ago

Hey ya'll, it's been a while since Ive been on here, too many irons in the fire. But I have a new surgery date... September 5. Hopefully this one sticks. ...Read more

Hey ya'll, it's been a while since Ive been on here, too many irons in the fire. But I have a new surgery date... September 5. Hopefully this one sticks. My Dr stated that there is no guaranty, if an emergency comes up then I'll be rescheduled again....So, to all people of the world, please do not have any problems with your heart, and live in Oklahoma LOL. Wish me luck

Sue Maize It’s great to see you pop up here Leigh—I had been thinking about you! I’m glad you have a date ... Read more

Sue Maize It’s great to see you pop up here Leigh—I had been thinking about you! I’m glad you have a date and I will pray that it sticks….(and that no one else in Oklahoma needs heart surgery before Sept. 5! 😉)
Hang in there girl—you’ll be on this side of it soon! ❤️‍🩹🙏🏻

J Alexander Lassally Are you willing to leave OK for the procedure?

Trygve Harris Good Luck Leigh!

Mirza Baig Wish you good luck and I am praying for you-

Leigh Waggonerposted a photo

160 days ago

Nancy Bukowski reacted to this

Marie Myers OMG, that is a cute picture! Looks like a really good private duty nurse…

Richard Munson Awwww, how cute.

Leigh Waggoner Thanks Marie, yea she's my emotional support nurse, unless she's hiding under my bed.

Leigh Waggoner Thanks, Richard, she could be Shadows side kick, lol

Sue Maize Oh look at that face! 🥰 is she a cocker spaniel? My last pooch 20 years ago was a cocker and she w ... Read more

Sue Maize Oh look at that face! 🥰 is she a cocker spaniel? My last pooch 20 years ago was a cocker and she was the sweetest dog. Pets are great recovery companions too! ❤️‍🩹

Leigh Waggoner Thx Sue, she is a chiweenie, weighs about 11 lbs. She is a total sweetheart and a definite bed hogg... Read more

Leigh Waggoner Thx Sue, she is a chiweenie, weighs about 11 lbs. She is a total sweetheart and a definite bed hogger.

Leigh Waggonerposted a journal

160 days ago

Well, I had my TEEa test yesterday, the diagnosis is moderate to severe Nonrheumatic mitral valve stenosis. Which is what I believed all along. So ...Read more

Well, I had my TEEa test yesterday, the diagnosis is moderate to severe Nonrheumatic mitral valve stenosis. Which is what I believed all along. So now Im waiting for my surgeon to see the results and contact me. Processing parachute...

J Alexander Lassally Mod-severe doesn't seem too bad. You may have a little time to play with. Are you symptomatic?

Leigh Waggoner Other than being extremely short of breath and fatigued, no. Although we've had this scheduled so ma... Read more

Leigh Waggoner Other than being extremely short of breath and fatigued, no. Although we've had this scheduled so many times, I feel that the Dr will still want to do the surgery. Once again, it's a waiting game... so tired of that. I'm still living out of suitcases from 2 months ago, lol.

J Alexander Lassally I hear you. If shortness of breath, then good to move forward right away ! The waiting and ambiguity ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally I hear you. If shortness of breath, then good to move forward right away ! The waiting and ambiguity are hard. Are you happy with surgeon team? That is the main thing, else get a second consult.

Leigh Waggoner Yes J Alexander, I researched Dr Garrett, he's one of the top surgeons at OK Heart Hospital. I have... Read more

Leigh Waggoner Yes J Alexander, I researched Dr Garrett, he's one of the top surgeons at OK Heart Hospital. I have had several experiences and the OKHH, emergency and otherwise, I have faith in the entire facility, I've never had any doubts or anxiety when it comes to the capabilities of the Dr's, nurses and staff at the hospital.

Mirza Baig Are they going to do TAVR on you

Leigh Waggonerposted a journal

181 days ago

Darrell Malone, Daneen Douglas, Susan Lynn and 2 others reacted to this

Well, I haven't been on here in a minute, I was cancelled once again. The Dr says he wants a current TEE test, so I go in tomorrow for that. Just ...Read more

Well, I haven't been on here in a minute, I was cancelled once again. The Dr says he wants a current TEE test, so I go in tomorrow for that. Just taking things one day at a time. I keep reminding myself, its not in my timing it's in His.

Michael Smallwood I had a tee and that’s what finally found my faulty and fatty aortic valve.

Diana Chamblin-Bevirt So sorry to hear that Leigh! Hopefully you’ll get answers soon and a solid new surgery date that yo ... Read more

Diana Chamblin-Bevirt So sorry to hear that Leigh! Hopefully you’ll get answers soon and a solid new surgery date that you can count on.

Suelynn Hanegraaf I like that your doctor is thorough. As my surgeon said when ordering pre-surgical tests, “we want ... Read more

Suelynn Hanegraaf I like that your doctor is thorough. As my surgeon said when ordering pre-surgical tests, “we want no surprises”.

Suzette Schear Hi Leigh wishing you the best . I understand about doing this alone, but I also learned how to be vu ... Read more

Suzette Schear Hi Leigh wishing you the best . I understand about doing this alone, but I also learned how to be vulnerable and call my friends for rides to the doctors post op. To be honest it was okay. Things have a way of working out. You got this and I believe in you and your strength

J Alexander Lassally How old is your current TEE on file?

Leigh Waggoner Suelynn, that's exactly what he said to me. lol

Leigh Waggoner J Alexander, My lasgt TEE was over a year ago.

Suelynn Hanegraaf 💕

Sue Maize Oh Leigh, God bless you for all these false starts! I didn’t realize this latest delay before posti ... Read more

Sue Maize Oh Leigh, God bless you for all these false starts! I didn’t realize this latest delay before posting to your GB…..has the surgery been re-scheduled, or better yet, have you had it? They did a TEE on me during my surgery to figure out where a blockage was….much better to get that done ahead of time! Praying for you! ❤️‍🩹🙏🏻

Leigh Waggonerposted a journal

193 days ago

Well 6 days to go and counting. Im so busy trying to get everything done and my To Do list doesn't seem to be getting any shorter. Either I keep adding ...Read more

Well 6 days to go and counting. Im so busy trying to get everything done and my To Do list doesn't seem to be getting any shorter. Either I keep adding things I just thought of or I go out and buy new garden plants that have to be planted.lol. I still have mixed emotions, I want to be on the road to recovery, but am still so nervous about the whole thing. It has really been great to read everyone's posts, I have so much new info and resolve going into this, thank you.

J Alexander Lassally I hear ya loud and clear. Just dive in - you will be through this soon... Being busy is good and help ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally I hear ya loud and clear. Just dive in - you will be through this soon... Being busy is good and helps pass the time! Just don't get covid before, so be careful.

Lynne Anderson Try to relax and focus on those items that will make your life easier for you and your caregiver when ... Read more

Lynne Anderson Try to relax and focus on those items that will make your life easier for you and your caregiver when you get home - clean house, cleans towels, clean sheets, clean clothes, make some meals and put them in the freezer, etc. I too was trying to add all sorts of big projects. Finally focused on what absolutely had to be done and I felt like a huge weight was taken off of my shoulders. Used my new found free time to focus on ME (visual imagery for the surgery, meditation and good sleep hygiene).

Leigh Waggoner Thanks Lynn, that's good advice. I have already been focusing on visual imagery and meditation. I p ... Read more

Leigh Waggoner Thanks Lynn, that's good advice. I have already been focusing on visual imagery and meditation. I practice before I go to sleep, and I also use sleep meditation with affirmations. I seem to sleep better when I do this. I found this guy on YouTube, Jason Stephenson, I really like his work, plus he's got a great accent, lol.

Andrea Babcock Best Wishes for your surgery and recovery. You got this!

Leigh Waggonerposted an update

206 days ago

Well they've given me a new surgery date... June 13, 2024. Wish me luck. The Dr said he was on call last time, that's why they had to cancel.

I really ...Read more

Well they've given me a new surgery date... June 13, 2024. Wish me luck. The Dr said he was on call last time, that's why they had to cancel.

I really enjoy reading all the updates from everyone.
Does anyone have any tips or good advice for recovery?

Maria Trejo Hi Leigh, pack several pillows for the car ride home. Create a relaxing spot near your recliner, plac ... Read more

Maria Trejo Hi Leigh, pack several pillows for the car ride home. Create a relaxing spot near your recliner, place things you'll need in hands reach. Remember most all of, don't rush your recovery. I read the posts on this site during my recovery and it helped a ton knowing I wasn't alone in this journey. God bless you!

Sue Maize You don’t need luck Leigh—you’ve got the Great Physician overseeing it all, and an amazing high ... Read more

Sue Maize You don’t need luck Leigh—you’ve got the Great Physician overseeing it all, and an amazing highly skilled surgical team who do this every day! I’m right before you and I’ll be praying for us both! All is well! 🙏🏻❤️‍🩹

Suelynn Hanegraaf Wishing you peace & hope as you get closer to your surgery date. 🙏🏻

Patricia Miller Leigh- glad you have a new date for your surgery. Having a couple low sodium soups/meals in the fre ... Read more

Patricia Miller Leigh- glad you have a new date for your surgery. Having a couple low sodium soups/meals in the freezer will be helpful to pull out when you need. Comfortable compression socks are also helpful. I had Boost protein drinks on hand to help w/ my nutritional recovery. I found starting to work on puzzles during recovery was a great distraction and was good passive range of motion exercise. I had a pretty short attention span for awhile. Puzzles are an easy ask to borrow from friends/family/neighbors. Oversized loose button up shirts are easier to get on till you can reach overhead. Pick up any over-the-counter meds you anticipate needing in the days ahead. My niece gave me a great powder/dry shampoo to take to the hospital and for home.

Rose Madura My advice is slow and steady and try not to compare your recovery to others.

Robert Miller Check out the learning center. Scroll down to "The Recovery". https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/lea ... Read more

Robert Miller Check out the learning center. Scroll down to "The Recovery". https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning-center.php

Learning Center for Heart Valve Disease & Surgery

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning-center.php

Get important facts about heart valve disease, symptoms, risks and treatment.

Leigh Waggoner Thank you all for the well wishes and useful information. It seams you can never be too prepared. I ... Read more

Leigh Waggoner Thank you all for the well wishes and useful information. It seams you can never be too prepared. I really like the pillow idea for the ride home, Maria. My ride home will be just a little over an hour and I was worried about it.

Leigh Waggoner Sue, thanks for the encouragement, we are in this together!! We can keep each other company. I lift ... Read more

Leigh Waggoner Sue, thanks for the encouragement, we are in this together!! We can keep each other company. I lift us both up to His will and His grace.

Leigh Waggoner Great idea for the puzzles Patricia, I love puzzles.