Marian Janes - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

297 days ago

T-minus 10 days and counting. Feeling confident as the infamous date approaches. Enjoyed a light hike with friends yeasterday-3.5 miles, steady pace,... Read more

T-minus 10 days and counting. Feeling confident as the infamous date approaches. Enjoyed a light hike with friends yeasterday-3.5 miles, steady pace, nothing too strenuous. How will I ever survive without fresh air each day?

Marian Janesposted an update

402 days ago

For those who have had OHS did you go back and have the metal wires removed? The thought of having these in me is unnerving. I will want to get these out but ...Read more

For those who have had OHS did you go back and have the metal wires removed? The thought of having these in me is unnerving. I will want to get these out but what will that do to my recovery?

Rose Madura Hi Marian and welcome to this site. To be honest, that thought never crossed my mind. May I ask why ... Read more

Rose Madura Hi Marian and welcome to this site. To be honest, that thought never crossed my mind. May I ask why it is unnerving for you? I don't notice them at all.

Marie Myers Same for me. They have never caused me any pain or problems, and I am a very active person, playing ... Read more

Marie Myers Same for me. They have never caused me any pain or problems, and I am a very active person, playing pickleball,, doing yoga , Pilates and yard work regularly. Try to explore why you might feel this way..

Valerie Allen There are sternal plates that are sometimes used in addition to or possibly instead of wires but it m ... Read more

Valerie Allen There are sternal plates that are sometimes used in addition to or possibly instead of wires but it must depend on the surgeon and on your type of procedure. You could inquire what the surgeons you are looking at use. For mine they said they use some of both. But I am having a different procedure.

Rita Savelis No. I have had mine for 9 years. I don't think they are removed unless an unusual problem comes up. I ... Read more

Rita Savelis No. I have had mine for 9 years. I don't think they are removed unless an unusual problem comes up. I'm so happy that no one has to go inside my chest again! Please discuss how you feel with your surgeon so that she/he can answer all your questions.

Susan Lynn Marian - I had mitral valve repair via a minimally-invasive mini-thoracotomy. As far as I know, I ... Read more

Susan Lynn Marian - I had mitral valve repair via a minimally-invasive mini-thoracotomy. As far as I know, I didn't have any wires. I don't know in what part of NJ you reside, but you may want to check out Dr. Scott Goldman at Lankenau's Heart Pavilion in Wynnewood, PA. I highly recommend him and his whole team.

Laurent G Hello Marian. I had my first surgery few years ago for my shoulder (clavicle ?) and was not very comf ... Read more

Laurent G Hello Marian. I had my first surgery few years ago for my shoulder (clavicle ?) and was not very comfortable with having foreign objects for life in my body... so I think I see what you mean.
Good news is that after maybe 3 days, they were completely forgotten. The only reminder is when I do a XRay. Don't worry for theses wires :-)

(sorry for approximate english)

Pamela Gregory I asked the same question and they said if they bothered me they could be removed but no thank you!!! ... Read more

Pamela Gregory I asked the same question and they said if they bothered me they could be removed but no thank you!!!

Marian Janes The reason I am asking is because I have.a long term relationship with Lyme Disease and co-infections ... Read more

Marian Janes The reason I am asking is because I have.a long term relationship with Lyme Disease and co-infections. Part of the treatment over the years has been to detox my body from metals and such stuff. I had all metal fillings removed and am finally getting to a decent place. My body does not do well with processing stuff. Statins, blood thinners, beta-blockers all have side effects. I can't imagine now introducing more metal to my body that has been compromised over time. This is why I am concerned. Thank you for allowing a place to vent and process all this.

Valerie Allen Marian, I understand your concern. Perhaps you will find an option that does not require metal, like ... Read more

Valerie Allen Marian, I understand your concern. Perhaps you will find an option that does not require metal, like Susan Lynn alludes to.

Abhishek Sharma In some time nobody will remember those wire inside them.. soo don't worry they will adjusted with bo ... Read more

Abhishek Sharma In some time nobody will remember those wire inside them.. soo don't worry they will adjusted with body in some time....

Marian Janesposted an update

403 days ago

I am so blessed to have found this Community! Thank you! I have been learning so much from the video interviews but don't know how I will ever make a decision ...Read more

I am so blessed to have found this Community! Thank you! I have been learning so much from the video interviews but don't know how I will ever make a decision on a surgeon and hospital. I am a Jersey girl.

Valerie Allen Hi Marian-I am originally from NJ too! You will probably get some personal recommendations but there ... Read more

Valerie Allen Hi Marian-I am originally from NJ too! You will probably get some personal recommendations but there is a surgeon finder tool via the menu in the top right. Scroll down to By State New Jersey. Of course you also have the benefit of some excellent NYC hospitals that have been used by many on here. Welcome!

Marian Janes Thank you SO much Valerie!

Grace Mason Welcome Marian. That is very cool that you grew up hearing so much about heart surgery thru your fami ... Read more

Grace Mason Welcome Marian. That is very cool that you grew up hearing so much about heart surgery thru your family. I have found, learning more thru Adam's blog, even more so, how amazing our bodies and hearts are. Wishing you well. The more you use this site for research and follow where it leads you, the more confident you will be in your decision. Get several opinions if you have the time ❤️

Marian Janes Thank you Grace. My mom is still alive but has dementia. I so wish I could discuss this with her. Thi ... Read more

Marian Janes Thank you Grace. My mom is still alive but has dementia. I so wish I could discuss this with her. This blog is amazing and packed with knowledge and insights. Is your surgery completed?

Grace Mason Yes, my surgery was on September 12, 2023. I am 9 weeks out.
That would be comforting to be able ... Read more

Grace Mason Yes, my surgery was on September 12, 2023. I am 9 weeks out.
That would be comforting to be able to discuss your situation with your mother. I'm sorry to hear she has dementia. That is difficult.
Another thing I found comforting when I found this website was clicking on other people's names and reading their journals, I was able to gather more information, gain insight into the process, and read about people's experiences that had similar heart issues.