Michael's Journal

Robert Miller  Blood pressure might increase temporarily but I think it's more because of stress that you feel. It should stabilize. You might be put on some blood pressure medicine for a few months. Talk to your cardiologist. 

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Hey Michael: after my mitral valve replacement, some days I had the pressure down, but it normalized soon. I began walking a little bit first  and growing up every day. I think that in my case this was important in recovering and normalizing the pressure. God bless you.

Grace Mason   Very early on after surgery some additional BP meds were added for me. After more healing I was able to reduce and eventually stop them. Check in with Roberto. He can help you sort it out.

Kimberly Eisenhut  Great news Michael! Nice to see you smiling and so happy you are on the mend now. Keep us posted on your recovery

Sher Follett  I am so glad to see you are sitting up and looking so good and I mean that ! Gives me so much more comfort to see that smiley face. On the road to recovery now for you!

Deena Z  congrats!!!  The hardest part is over.  Home sweet home.  It will make you feel more normal, though it is baby steps for the first month or so.  

Deena Z  How awesome is this news, Michael.  So even faster recovery.  Almost to recovery mode.  Know you wont have much of an appetite the first couple of days, but see if your caregivers can bring in some high protein shakes or drink the Ensure protein containers that Sinai supplies.  I forced the stuff down me.  
Your hemoglobin will be low and that is part of the reason for your exhaustion, so the protein shakes ought to help.  If you can eat beef even better!

 

Tammy Gonzalez  Right there with you (April 2nd). It's a lot to swallow, but I'm thankful we live in the times we do with modern medicine. Good luck to you on your upcoming surgery. 

Deena Z  Hi Michael, 
Not what you would want to hear, but thank God they caught the two blockages.  Not only life saving, but also one less potential future surgery.  You will get through this  with more resilience than you ever imagined.  It’s hard to explain  why I say this with confidence to you, but after recovery you will better understand.  You’re at a great hospital, a great cardiac ICU and have a great surgeon. I was there too. ❤️

Sher Follett  You're going to leap tall buildings after this Michael! Get everything fixed and you will be able to get back to living your life. All the best with your surgery next week, I will be thinking about you on the 19th.

Suzette Schear  Glad pre-op went seemingly well and you’re on the next phase of your journey. Wishing you the best for your upcoming surgery

Marcus Krauss  Welcome to the community, Michael! I had a Ross Procedure a few months ago in late October. There are quite a few others here that have had one as well. You're going to do great! The first 24-48 hours are pretty rough, but I think you'll be surprised at how much better you feel every day through the first several weeks. I started cardiac rehab about 7 weeks post-surgery in mid-December, and was cleared to go back to gym to start re-introducing weight lifting in late January. I took 3 months off of work, but to be honest, the last month of that I felt pretty normal and could have returned to work had I chosen to. Obviously everyone's experience and recovery is a little different and personal to their own body and situation. Happy to answer any specific questions you may have about my experience.

Darrell Malone  Hello Michael. I am a month away from my Ross 1 year valveversary! So far so good and so happy that I was a candidate for this procedure.  I do feel great and do mostly everything before I had surgery.  I ride to and from work most days, use the elliptical a few times a week I do a HIIT program that pushes me some.  I have yet to get back on my mountain bike but that shouldn't be too much longer ( as long as winter agrees) and I can't wait for my grandson to join me.  At the beginning it is tough but nothing is easy.  We all recover different so stay your course.  Time will tell obviously but stats on this procedure are very promising I am so happy to not having to take blood thinners and hopefully another surgery is never.  I am 56 now.  Good Luck on your journey.  Will be watching for your post once you are able. Be Well.

Ana Brusso  I hope Andrew Dial chimes in, he even put together a video. He had this done a couple of years ago. 

Andrew Dial  Hi Michael! I’m excited to hear you chose the ross! It was the best decision I ever made for myself. I am totally open to answering any questions you have! 

Grace Mason   Hi Michael,I had my Ross almost a year and a half ago now, with Dr El-Hamamsy and his awesome team. You are in excellent hands.
I journaled my experience and I'm also happy to answer any questions you may have.
Wishing you well ❤️‍🩹

Pamela Gregory  I had huge anxiety about my surgery!!! I had a lot of sleepless nights and tears. Kind of thought I might have a nervous breakdown actually. Here is the good news: The actual surgery (AVR replacement and aortic root replacement) was no where near what my brain had worried about. Survival and pain were my biggest fears. They definitely have the means to keep the pain at a bearable level. I am the biggest wimp about pain that I know, so I say with confidence that you can definitely do this!!!

Marie Myers  I suffered from fear and anxiety prior to my surgery also. I found that yoga and meditation helped me.  I found lots of “calming” and “acceptance “ videos on  U Tube and those helped me also. I asked my doc for some anxiety medication, and when my mind was really wound up at night, I took a .25 mg alprazolam (Xanax). Like Pamela’s post above, I found that the whole experience did not live up to what my worrying mind would have me believe. The specific things that i worried about (waking up intubated, pain, recovery ) went much easier than I had anticipated. Are there any specific things you are concerned about?

Michael Ponzio  Thank you for the encouraging words. Definitely helps. My biggest fear is that something will happen to me before I even get the surgery. Every little thing I feel like in my chest or with my breathing I fear something is happening like a heart attack. Then my heart starts racing ughh it’s a nightmare. I had an ultrasound in December and had consult with surgeon in January. I guess they would have planned the surgery earlier than March if they felt necessary. Thanks for listening guys. I appreciate it. 

Richard Munson  Fear is normal. Keep asking yourself what your life will be like if you do nothing. Then it becomes a no brainer. 

Susan Lynn  Michael- You're going through the most difficult part of heart surgery right now - waiting! We all felt that anxiety, but feel good knowing that once you arrive at the hospital for your procedure, the worst is behind you. Everything else is completely doable! We did it - you can, too! We'll be with you every step of the way!

Rita Savelis  Oh gosh, you are oh so normal. Talking to a counselor can help. Taking some anti anxiety meds can help. Doing whatever helps you to feel more relaxed. Being vocal with your doctors is good. But it's hard not to be anxious. Just sit with it and know that it is normal. Ultimately this surgery is very banal and surgeons are experienced. You don't have to perform surgery - so don't stress over that. You just have to go through a recovery. I was exhausted and in discomfort and then as each day went by I got better. It doesn't sound like your surgery is an emergency surgery so trust your doctors. Take care.

Civita Fahey  I think we all have anxiety over our conditions. I know I never did until then. Mine got worse after my surgery as I was obsessed with my heart rate what I could and couldn't do.  time has helped, but in the long run, we will always have some. I'm on a very low dose of anti-anxiety and it helps take the sting off. 

Michael Ponzio  I appreciate all the support and encouragement from you guys. Tremendously grateful and appreciate all the advice. Thank you. 

Klara Čičić  I am with Richard. Just try to repeat to yourself how lucky you are to have a surgery that will fix your heart and grant you more healthy years. Without it, it is sure and steady worsening..... It is routine surgery in experienced hands and statistics are really on your side. I am naturally more anxious person, but I couldn't wait for my surgery, I was more excited than fearful. Today, my anxiety is worse than before, but that's another story :)) And ofcourse, this wonderful site and these heart warriors helped tremendously in releaving the anxiety....reading succesful stories from real people... You can do this!!!

J Alexander Lassally  I wish I had a magic elixir, but I don't ... Anxiety before cadiac surgery is just plain intense.  Know you are not alone and it is okay to be selfish and do what you need to do... 

Michael Ponzio  You guys are awesome and extremely helpful. Thanks again I’m so glad I signed up for this community

Valerie Allen  Anti anxiety meds as needed and meditation or guided meditation. I also went to a few therapy sessions.