Michelle Maring - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3557 days ago

Hi everyone... Just a quick note to tell you I am still praying for each and everyone of you. I was wondering if anyone who had AVR with a mechanical valve ...Read more

Hi everyone... Just a quick note to tell you I am still praying for each and everyone of you. I was wondering if anyone who had AVR with a mechanical valve can hear it in your neck and ears 24/7? In one way it's a relief hearing the beat but on the other hand it's something I sure hope I get use to..... Was just wondering if you have the same experience. Other than that..... I feel just fine.... And happy.. God Bless you all for the thoughts and prayers

David Augustus Yes, in my neck especially when I swallow hard. My surgeon said its like living next to the railroad ... Read more

David Augustus Yes, in my neck especially when I swallow hard. My surgeon said its like living next to the railroad tracks-eventually you get use to it. Also, gotta have a fan to sleep.

Suzanne Hunter Me too hear it always but I find it comforting to know that it is keeping me alive and well. A small ... Read more

Suzanne Hunter Me too hear it always but I find it comforting to know that it is keeping me alive and well. A small price today for something so valuable.

Curtis Jones Been living with my first for 25years. It freaked me out for the first 6 months or so. You won't even ... Read more

Curtis Jones Been living with my first for 25years. It freaked me out for the first 6 months or so. You won't even notice it soon. Of course when you get on a quiet elevator with a brief case people tend to step back a bit, lol

Michelle Maring Lol I bet so Curtis. That's too funny
Thanks everybody. I hope I get use to the thump thump thump

Michelle Maringposted a journal

3579 days ago

John Noriega reacted to this

Still some soreness and some out of breath issues using stairs, but everyone says my color and even my voice sound better . I have been a little grumpy for ...Read more

Still some soreness and some out of breath issues using stairs, but everyone says my color and even my voice sound better . I have been a little grumpy for some reason that I can't explain but I do realize that heart surgery affects a lot more than just the heart itself. I am also still tired in the evening hours . I don't take a rest during the day at this point past surgery and I am wondering if that could be it. Anyone at 6 weeks post op that would like to chime in on their progression at this point would surely help.

Suzanne Hunter You are experiencing all things similar to me. I am now 6 months post op. Still trying to get warfari ... Read more

Suzanne Hunter You are experiencing all things similar to me. I am now 6 months post op. Still trying to get warfarin levels right. I go back to work as teacher for this new term but only part time. Still get a little weary but it's cause I try to do too much. I'm not breathless or feel unfit like I did so life is truly wonderful and I thank every day for being alive and able to be repaired. Live love and shine

Tammy Pilcher Michelle, I think you may need to rest still during the day. I'm almost 3 months post op and still f ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Michelle, I think you may need to rest still during the day. I'm almost 3 months post op and still feel the need to rest during the day. Our bodies will tell us what we need. Best wishes!

Elaine Foster I am almost 8 weeks post op from AVR. Doing very well. Just mopped my kitchen. Yes, I was still ge ... Read more

Elaine Foster I am almost 8 weeks post op from AVR. Doing very well. Just mopped my kitchen. Yes, I was still getting tired in the evening. I have started cardiac rehab and am doing well, but still go to bed about 9:30 pm. No more naps during the day. As far as the grumpies, each of us are different. I find I get frustrated more easily.

Daryl McCallum Listen to Tammy....let your body tell you what it needs. As far as the grumpiness, I too experienced ... Read more

Daryl McCallum Listen to Tammy....let your body tell you what it needs. As far as the grumpiness, I too experienced that but it was short lived. Relax and let the body heal.

Cristen Marzula Hi Michelle! This Thursday will officially mark 6 weeks post-op for me as well. I still have quite a ... Read more

Cristen Marzula Hi Michelle! This Thursday will officially mark 6 weeks post-op for me as well. I still have quite a bit of tenderness in my sternum and pain throughout my chest muscles. Per the advise of my surgeon, I've really taken this recovery quite slow. I'm looking forward to my follow-up appt. with my cardiologist this Friday. If my echo looks good, I definitely plan on starting cardiac rehab right away. I'm not constantly fatigued, but there are days where I feel very tired and end up taking a much needed nap. I hope your recovery continues to go well = )

Michelle Maringposted a journal

3587 days ago

Well it's been 5 weeks since my AVR surgery. I can say that my shoulder pain has mostly subsided. I hear my heartbeat in my ears about 90% of the time which ...Read more

Well it's been 5 weeks since my AVR surgery. I can say that my shoulder pain has mostly subsided. I hear my heartbeat in my ears about 90% of the time which is in some ways comforting but in other ways annoying. I finally got to take a tub bath today but almost passed out in the tub. I am guessing the water was too hot. I waited till the room quit spinning and got out. I won't be doing that again anytime soon. They are still trying to get my blood thinner regulated. My levels have been up and down ever since my surgery. I'm trying to patient as I have no other choice.... Lol

Jim Gleason Thanks for sharing. Getting AVR on Wednesday. This helps me imagine what to expect post op.

Jim Kelly-Evans Wishing you a continued smooth recovery!

Michelle Maring Thank you

Michelle Maringposted a journal

3595 days ago

Well tomorrow will be 4 weeks post op for my aortic valve replacement and repair of my aortic aneurysm. I feel relatively good except for pain in my left shoulder ...Read more

Well tomorrow will be 4 weeks post op for my aortic valve replacement and repair of my aortic aneurysm. I feel relatively good except for pain in my left shoulder and shoulder blade. I am not sure if this is normal or not. My incision is healing well and other than the shoulder pain I still get a little winded going up a flight of stairs. I start cardiac rehab on the 21st and hope that this helps with my stamina. Anyone who can advise me on the shoulder pain I sure would appreciate it.....

Tammy Pilcher Michelle, I also had shoulder pain. My nurses told me that I would and that it is normal. I also ge ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Michelle, I also had shoulder pain. My nurses told me that I would and that it is normal. I also get a little winded going upstairs sometimes, but it's nothing as bad as it was pre op. I am 10 weeks post op now and feeling almost back to normal. Only, I have a little soreness on the right side of my chest. I think it's just my muscles and nerves healing. The shoulder pain went away probably around five weeks. Tylenol is all I needed though. I hope this helps. Best wishes!

Michelle Maring Thanks Tammy. Its good to hear it goes away. I kind of thought maybe muscles and nerves but glad I ha ... Read more

Michelle Maring Thanks Tammy. Its good to hear it goes away. I kind of thought maybe muscles and nerves but glad I have my ohs friends to help answer questions.

Tammy Pilcher You're welcome, Michelle, also you might try sleeping at a different angle with a wedge pillow and a ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher You're welcome, Michelle, also you might try sleeping at a different angle with a wedge pillow and a pillow on top. I tried different numbers of pillows until I found something that felt comfortable.

Michelle Maring I will do that thanks again

Jason Leber yup, my shoulder pain is still there 5.5 weeks post op.

Michelle Maring Thanks Jason . At least I'm not alone

Michelle Maringposted a journal

3600 days ago

Jennifer Anderson, Vicki King reacted to this

Went to my cardiologist yesterday for a stress test exactly 3 weeks past my surgery. I have the recommendation from him to go to cardiac rehab now so I am waiting ...Read more

Went to my cardiologist yesterday for a stress test exactly 3 weeks past my surgery. I have the recommendation from him to go to cardiac rehab now so I am waiting on them to set that up. My scar is starting to heal pretty good but I have some sharp pains in my breasts and around the incision area. Was assured it is the nerve endings healing. Other than boredom I am feeling pretty good

Elaine Foster So glad you are doing well. Tomorrow is 4 weeks post op BAVR for me, and I am doing very well. I ha ... Read more

Elaine Foster So glad you are doing well. Tomorrow is 4 weeks post op BAVR for me, and I am doing very well. I had a bovine valve. My scar is very sensitive to touch, but not really painful. I haven't taken anything for pain in over a week. I can tell just the last few days an increase in stamina and overall feeling back to myself. Best wishes for continued good recovery.

Michelle Maring Great news Elaine. I still have numbness but it's a sore numbness if that makes sense with some shoot ... Read more

Michelle Maring Great news Elaine. I still have numbness but it's a sore numbness if that makes sense with some shooting pains at times. I'm glad you are doing well and thanks for the encouragement. Stay well