nancy arnold - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1542 days ago

I'm sure that others here have had a TEE and I'm wondering if you could tell me how it went for you. For me...well, can I just say oh my GOSH! The spray they ...Read more

I'm sure that others here have had a TEE and I'm wondering if you could tell me how it went for you. For me...well, can I just say oh my GOSH! The spray they put in your throat was the first Bad Thing. No, it didn't taste good, but it was the spray itself, the propulsion of it that was so bad - it kinda hurt and I couldn't speak for several moments. When I woke up my mouth and throat burned and the nurse said I vomited a little and she had to suction me (also peed a little). But the main Bad Thing was that whole day it hurt SO bad to swallow - it was an 8 on a pain scale. Was anyone else's experience that bad?

Darrin Vohs I don't remember the TEE. It was over before I knew what was going on. I didn't have any throat pai ... Read more

Darrin Vohs I don't remember the TEE. It was over before I knew what was going on. I didn't have any throat pain from the TEE but I did from the actual procedure. Having a tube down your throat for 5 hours while they operate has some impacts. It was about a week before I could talk without sounding hoarse.

Pat Bluemel I had to gargle the numbing agent, three times - no spray. It made it difficult to swallow after. The ... Read more

Pat Bluemel I had to gargle the numbing agent, three times - no spray. It made it difficult to swallow after. They then knocked me out w/propofol and did their thing. I did have a sore throat but had had OHS 3 days prior so that could have been the vent. Sorry you had a rough time with it. We all react in different ways.

Marie Myers I got propofol sedation. Went to sleep, woke right up, no sore throat no coughing. They did not use a ... Read more

Marie Myers I got propofol sedation. Went to sleep, woke right up, no sore throat no coughing. They did not use any spray on my throat. Different places do things differently. Sorry your experience was not the best.

Susan Lynn Nancy - I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience. My throat numbing agent was administered in a ... Read more

Susan Lynn Nancy - I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience. My throat numbing agent was administered in a mist. I remember, it wasn't the best tasting, but it was tolerable. Like Marie, I had propofol and was completely out for the TEE. Most importantly, I had a fantastic nurse who was by my side from start to finish who calmly talked me through each step. I was incredibly relieved when it was over and happy to hear my cardiologist say that he was certain I'd be getting a repair rather than replacement of my leaking mitral valve. Stay positive - this experience is not indicative of what your upcoming tests will be like. ❤

Barbara Wood Sorry you had a bad experience! I had a gargle, was out like a light, no bad after effects...

Rose Madura They did mine just before the surgery so I don't remember anything about it. Every hospital seems to ... Read more

Rose Madura They did mine just before the surgery so I don't remember anything about it. Every hospital seems to have a different protocol.

nancy arnoldposted an update

1560 days ago

I'm surprised that I haven't heard the TAVR procedure mentioned. Has anyone had it?

Marie Myers Several people on here have had TAVR. I am sure one of them will chime in if they see your post. For ... Read more

Marie Myers Several people on here have had TAVR. I am sure one of them will chime in if they see your post. For those of us who had other pathology to correct like ascending/ root aneurysm, TAVR is not an option. I am hoping for a TAVR when my current bovine valve wears out. I have a 100 year old friend who had TAVR 4 years ago and did well with it.

Rose Madura Yes, my 75 year old aunt had it done about 5 years ago - the first in her county. She's doing fine ... Read more

Rose Madura Yes, my 75 year old aunt had it done about 5 years ago - the first in her county. She's doing fine with it. She said it waa a piece of cake compared to traditional open h ew art surgery.

nancy arnold I had my aneurysm taken care of in 2007. That's what I'm reading, Rose! I'm crossing my fingers that ... Read more

nancy arnold I had my aneurysm taken care of in 2007. That's what I'm reading, Rose! I'm crossing my fingers that my team will approve it for me. If it's good enough for Mick Jagger . . . well, you know the rest.

Marie Myers Wow, so you had the aneurysm first? Wonder how often that happens...

nancy arnold Yes, the aneurysm was discovered by accident and was then followed with echos for a number of years. ... Read more

nancy arnold Yes, the aneurysm was discovered by accident and was then followed with echos for a number of years. I had the surgery a week after my 50 birthday. I was told that I was backwards, that usually they have to replace the valve first. The bicuspid has lasted another 13 years; it looked pretty good, which is why they didn't do anything with it at the time, although I did get a CABG while they were there. ;o)

Nancy Chavez I had TAVR in April of this year. I was lucky enough not to have other cardiac issues and was able t ... Read more

Nancy Chavez I had TAVR in April of this year. I was lucky enough not to have other cardiac issues and was able to have a large valve placed via TAVR which will allow for future valve in valve placement. I was in the hospital overnight and my recovery has been great. It was a great solution for me and so grateful I was able to benefit from this new technology.

Debbie Kelly I was part of a clinical trial test for low-risk patients at the Methodist Hospital in Houston and ha ... Read more

Debbie Kelly I was part of a clinical trial test for low-risk patients at the Methodist Hospital in Houston and had the TAVR procedure in March of last year. I had to stay a day longer than expected, but, other than one bump in the road, everything went smoothly. I, too, am able to have future valve-in-valve placement. Just a few months later, the FDA approved TAVR for low-risk patients. I feel very blessed to have been able to participate in this program.

nancy arnoldposted an update

1563 days ago

I'm having a heart cath on Monday the 17th, and I'm wondering if any of you spent the night in the hospital after your cath.

Jennifer Kepler I spent 1 night in the hospital after my cath 3 weeks ago. Is this the first time you’ve had one?

nancy arnold No, the second. The first was in 2007 and I didn't spend the night. I haven't been told definitively ... Read more

nancy arnold No, the second. The first was in 2007 and I didn't spend the night. I haven't been told definitively that I would, but it's apparently a possibility. Maybe protocol has changed since my last one.

Deena Royal I am having one tomorrow and they said if they have to put in a stent then mostly likely I would stay ... Read more

Deena Royal I am having one tomorrow and they said if they have to put in a stent then mostly likely I would stay overnight. My test is more for clarity for my mitral valve surgery in Sept. I am hoping to be out by the afternoon.

Rose Madura I did not stay overnight. I was released after about 3 hours.

Just like Rose I was release a couple of hours afterwards. Hi Rose!

Marie Myers I did not stay overnight. But if any complications occur, or you have other serious underlying issues ... Read more

Marie Myers I did not stay overnight. But if any complications occur, or you have other serious underlying issues, the doc may elect to keep you Overnight for observation.

nancy arnold Sounds like it's kind of up in the air. The reason I asked is I'd like to be able to tell my ride whe ... Read more

nancy arnold Sounds like it's kind of up in the air. The reason I asked is I'd like to be able to tell my ride when to come. I don't have any family here, so I'm having to impose on friends for my rides. I'd much rather give them a plan than just say, "I'll call when I need you.". But apparently, like so many things in this situation, it's beyond my control. Like, I know I'm having surgery, but don't know when or what kind, yet. *sigh* Serenity NOW! Lol Thank you for responding!