Matt Jones - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Matt Jonesposted an update

2761 days ago

Cathleen Weed, Jane Welp, Barbara Wood reacted to this

I just got home yesterday (4/30) from a successful AVR for a BAV. I feel great and really have had no complications. Taking my pain meds on a regular schedule ...Read more

I just got home yesterday (4/30) from a successful AVR for a BAV. I feel great and really have had no complications. Taking my pain meds on a regular schedule and walking when ever I can. The surgery team of Dr. Nicholas Engstrom and the whole Asante Rouge Regional Medical Center were great, they really have this procedure tuned in to get the best done for the patient. If there are any of you out there with any anxiety over the operation I would just like to say that these professionals have nothing but your best health in mind. I would recommend to not second guess your decision for getting the procedure but to concentrate on the timing, and get it done sooner than later. Thanks to everyone on here with advice and support. I don't know how I would have gotten through it without all the fantastic advice. Keep on tickin'!

Jane Welp I agree with your comment about sooner than later. I am finally easing out of denial and enhancing my ... Read more

Jane Welp I agree with your comment about sooner than later. I am finally easing out of denial and enhancing my recovery with positive steps.

Matt Jonesposted a journal

2780 days ago

So I'm having surgery for the BAV on April 25, and going to be in the hospital for 5-7 days. I was wondering what my capabilities will be when I get home for ...Read more

So I'm having surgery for the BAV on April 25, and going to be in the hospital for 5-7 days. I was wondering what my capabilities will be when I get home for the first week or so. Will I be able to shower, go to the bathroom, fix a meal? From what I've read from most of you, you're very limited with the sternum still healing. Thanks for your input. Matt

Matthew Russo HI Matt, welcome to the group. I found the biggest limiter when getting home were my energy levels. I ... Read more

Matthew Russo HI Matt, welcome to the group. I found the biggest limiter when getting home were my energy levels. I was able to shower and move around the house quite well but you will find you tire easy.

I organised a recliner for the first few weeks at home thinking I would prefer it for sleeping, but ended up sleeping in bed as the pain was not too bad and it was far more comfortable for sleeping than the recliner.

Where are you having the surgery?

Matt Jones Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford Or. Did you have a lot of help from family or friends ... Read more

Matt Jones Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford Or. Did you have a lot of help from family or friends when you got home? I'm wondering if someone needs to be with me around the clock after I get home?

Ellen Leng Matt, you likely won't need round-the-clock care when you get home. Standby help for the first couple ... Read more

Ellen Leng Matt, you likely won't need round-the-clock care when you get home. Standby help for the first couple of showers is good. I had kind friends who brought food the first week. Don't even think about shopping for at least a week or two. I agree that energy levels, and for different sleeping patterns really define what you can do! By 2 to 3 weeks at home, I was pretty independent with house stuff, but of course still not driving :).

Marie Myers I agree with Matthew. The fatigue was my most limiting factor. It was nice to have someone else there ... Read more

Marie Myers I agree with Matthew. The fatigue was my most limiting factor. It was nice to have someone else there just more moral support, also.

Larry Ring Hi Matt. I had my oldest daughter with me 24/7 the first week. She was a tremendous help...and it wa ... Read more

Larry Ring Hi Matt. I had my oldest daughter with me 24/7 the first week. She was a tremendous help...and it was consoling to know that someone else was around in case of need/emergency.
You ptoblaby won't need any formal 'assistance' in showering or cooking...but all things and tasks will just go slow and, as Matthew said, you will be exhausted. I couldn't believe how tired I was after simply taking a shower! It was mind-blowing.
For me, that exhaustion started to go away in week two. My daughter was still around and kept me well fed and comfy. By week three, I felt like I had recovered to the point where I was ready to be independent again.

Catie B Cooking right away wouldn't be fun. Have some things on hand that you can pop in the microwave. Best ... Read more

Catie B Cooking right away wouldn't be fun. Have some things on hand that you can pop in the microwave. Best to you, as you recover!

Matt Jones Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm probably just overthinking everything. Your posts with your exper ... Read more

Matt Jones Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm probably just overthinking everything. Your posts with your experiences are very helpful to us. Thanks for being there!

Matt Jonesposted an update

2825 days ago

Bridget Sawmiller, Barbara Wood reacted to this

Just finished Adam's book and found lots of great info. Scheduled for a heart catheterization next week. Everything is moving along. Thanks for all the support ...Read more

Just finished Adam's book and found lots of great info. Scheduled for a heart catheterization next week. Everything is moving along. Thanks for all the support everyone.

Catie B I'm glad you're here, Matt, and that you're taking care of yourself. Best to you this week with the ... Read more

Catie B I'm glad you're here, Matt, and that you're taking care of yourself. Best to you this week with the cath!

Meredith Bray Hi Matt, reading Adam's book was a Godsend for me and my family. If you're worried about depression, ... Read more

Meredith Bray Hi Matt, reading Adam's book was a Godsend for me and my family. If you're worried about depression, there's a book for that also - it's by Cohen, called, "Bypassing Depression..." It's an excellent read.

-Meredith

PS Please ask questions1

Matt Jones Met with the surgeon a few days ago and have scheduled a surgery for April 25 for the valve replaceme ... Read more

Matt Jones Met with the surgeon a few days ago and have scheduled a surgery for April 25 for the valve replacement. Leaning towards the mechanical valve as I don't want to have to have a second surgery if I can help it. Being on blood thinners for the rest of my life is a minus but putting my family, friends and myself through a possible second surgery is a bigger minus.
Thanks to everyone for their positive thoughts and prayers!

Meredith Bray FWIW, I have experienced no lifestyle change or difficulties related to blood thinners (anti-coagulan ... Read more

Meredith Bray FWIW, I have experienced no lifestyle change or difficulties related to blood thinners (anti-coagulants) since my recovery. 4/25 sounds like a nice date. Let us know what other questions you have!

-Meredith

Matt Jonesposted an update

2842 days ago

Cathleen Weed, Sue Sanchez Grela reacted to this

I just decided to have aortic valve replacement surgery. It was a tough decision with financial, professional, and family issues in my life right now. But ...Read more

I just decided to have aortic valve replacement surgery. It was a tough decision with financial, professional, and family issues in my life right now. But I have finally come to the realization that now is the time to be selfish and think of myself and my health. I have been reading this website for a few weeks now and you folks, all of you, doctors and patients have given me the confidence to proceed with the surgery. Thank you all and here goes!

Steve Farthing Matt - Good plan. Taking care of your health may well pay off for others around you, too.

Bob Jensen Matt. You are not being selfish regarding all these dishes bottom line if you don't do the surgery yo ... Read more

Bob Jensen Matt. You are not being selfish regarding all these dishes bottom line if you don't do the surgery you won't be around to deal with any of these issues so there really is no choice I'm glad you have a good attitude about it. Everything will go smoothly and everything will come out okay everything else that you have regarding issues will work themselves out when you're healthy and feeling really great about doing this on the other side

Ellen Leng Good choice. Having your best health is important for all long term.

Sue Sanchez Grela Matt where are you having your surgery? I am having my AVR done at Mercy Hospital in Sacramento and ... Read more

Sue Sanchez Grela Matt where are you having your surgery? I am having my AVR done at Mercy Hospital in Sacramento and I believe Weed is close by, correct?