Pam Gabriel - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

167 days ago

Darrell Malone, Geoff Curtis, Chris Charbs and 4 others reacted to this

What I learned after open-heart surgery😊 The biggest thing I learned is how much I am blessed with people who love me! I am so thankful my son Corban was ...Read more

What I learned after open-heart surgery😊 The biggest thing I learned is how much I am blessed with people who love me! I am so thankful my son Corban was with me whenever I came out of surgery and stayed with me until they made him leave. my daughter Mckenna for the sloth gave me in recovery, he’s been my constant companion during my recovery my brother Greg, and his wife Teresa for being with me on that first horrible day!(I know they were all there when I was still intubated. I wish I could remember that part) n friend Kara driving through the night so she could take over. Dianne for relieving Kara. I had a plan. Nothing went as I planned. Way too long in the ICU way too long in the hospital. God had a lesson for me and I’m thankful for it. I definitely learned. I am not in control. God has put amazing people my life to love me and help me and I just need to trust him and let them be there for me. I am so thankful everything went so good, I had fantastic nurses here at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City Utah. Every single shift was amazing, kind, attentive, just a joy to be with. Can’t say enough about Dr Doty and his staff, his PA Chelsea from day one was fantastic. I was released the 21st and made it home back to Boise safe and sound. I am day 11 and home going for walks and resting. I was losing a bit of weight but that has slowed(not much of an appetite) and I still need oxygen at night but they say that will be temporary. Every day is a little better and like my night nurse Shelly kept telling me “it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon”

Richard Munson Love the sloth. I have to say it. Is he just hanging around?

Margaret Fielden So pleased you are making progress. God bless your healing.

Mohammed Abdulrahman Hope you are doing well

But, why the surgery done by open chest? and not minimal invasive proc ... Read more

Mohammed Abdulrahman Hope you are doing well

But, why the surgery done by open chest? and not minimal invasive procedure?

Suzette Schear Glad you’re surrounded by love and family as you heal.

Geoff Curtis Yay! I had mine 10/15 & know those lessons. Keep on rocking ❤️

Pam Gabriel Mohammed I had a Ross Procedure and aorta graph.😊

Sue Maize Wonderful update! Welcome to recovery Pam! ❤️🙏🏻🙌🏻

Mohammed Abdulrahman Hope your health are getting well

special greetings from Iraq, Babylon to you

Marie Myers @Mohammed Abdulrahman- Pam probably had the full sternotomy due to the aortic aneurysm repair. Some d ... Read more

Marie Myers @Mohammed Abdulrahman- Pam probably had the full sternotomy due to the aortic aneurysm repair. Some doctors prefer to fully open the chest when another repair like the aneurysm is done. I had the same procedure done with a full sternotomy in 2017.

Rose Madura Great post! I can certainly relate to things not going as planned. Hopefully smooth sailing to Rome ... Read more

Rose Madura Great post! I can certainly relate to things not going as planned. Hopefully smooth sailing to Rome here on ...

Robert Miller Our son loves sloths. We saw some at a hotel in Costa Rica. I need to get him that stuffed animal... ... Read more

Robert Miller Our son loves sloths. We saw some at a hotel in Costa Rica. I need to get him that stuffed animal... Family and friends are the best support group. You can manage without help but having help is making things easier. Recovery takes some time. Just make sure you have regular checkups with the surgeon's people for a few weeks and than with the cardiologist.

Rita Savelis Lovely photo. The plan is to not have a plan and give up control. It will happen as it happens. Now y ... Read more

Rita Savelis Lovely photo. The plan is to not have a plan and give up control. It will happen as it happens. Now you can recover. Take it easy. You've been through a lot. One day at a time.

Mohammed Abdulrahman Hi Marie
Thanks for your clarification

John Crawley Always much better when you're surrounded by people that love and care for you! Best of luck going fo ... Read more

John Crawley Always much better when you're surrounded by people that love and care for you! Best of luck going forward!

Michelle Persson So glad you are home & recovering. I also had to have a sternotomy, Dr. said it was became of my ... Read more

Michelle Persson So glad you are home & recovering. I also had to have a sternotomy, Dr. said it was became of my anatomy. You really see how important friends & family are in times such as this. The love helps you heal.

Pam Gabrielposted an update

198 days ago

Pam Gabriel reacted to this

How long were you in the hospital after open heart surgery? I am trying to make my housing plans since I will be out of state for my surgery.

Bernie Ofczarzak Hey Pam - 7 days on the first cut and 8 days on the second cut.

Pam Gabriel Thanks for the information. Hope you are doing well!

Rose Madura 6 for me. It varies with each person.

Bernie Ofczarzak Have good thoughts Pam - you are going to feel great....I promise. Absorb as much information as you ... Read more

Bernie Ofczarzak Have good thoughts Pam - you are going to feel great....I promise. Absorb as much information as you can before surgery - it really can set your mind at ease.

Rita Savelis 3 weeks

Shawna D. 6 days. They told me it would be 5-7.

Doug Fults We'd reserved for 9 days after surgery, but were able to return home after 6, as things went smoothly ... Read more

Doug Fults We'd reserved for 9 days after surgery, but were able to return home after 6, as things went smoothly without complications (1day ICU, 2 days step-down and 3 at the Airbnb leading up to the follow-up appointment for Lab, EKG, TTE & stitch removal).

Pam Gabriel Thanks for sharing and I thinking should over plan and shoot for not needing all the time.

Susan Lynn I was out in three days. Surgery on Friday morning and released on Monday by lunchtime. I had tw... Read more

Susan Lynn I was out in three days. Surgery on Friday morning and released on Monday by lunchtime. I had two hours of travel time back home and I was fine.
My advice is to walk, rest, and repeat at the hospital if you're able. You're in great shape, so you will likely do well. Positive thoughts!

Deena Z Discharged the morning of day 7. (including the day of surgery as day one). I had my sternum cut, i ... Read more

Deena Z Discharged the morning of day 7. (including the day of surgery as day one). I had my sternum cut, if I had minimally invasive it would have been much shorter duration as Susan Lynn noted right above.

Brady Busch I was in the hospital for nine days.It might have been shorter,but developed atrial fibrillation and ... Read more

Brady Busch I was in the hospital for nine days.It might have been shorter,but developed atrial fibrillation and had sinus block,which required a pacemaker implant.

Larry Peterson Hi Pam - I had an aortic valve replacement and a repair of my ascending aortic aneurysm about 10 mont ... Read more

Larry Peterson Hi Pam - I had an aortic valve replacement and a repair of my ascending aortic aneurysm about 10 months ago. My surgery was on a Friday and I was released on the following Wednesday. They wanted me to be able to walk up a flight of stairs with a cane and have a normal bowel movement. I was only a 30 minute drive from home - not sure I would have been ready for an extended road trip or flight until day 10 or 12. Good luck!

Pam Gabriel Thanks everyone. This has helped with my planning.

Pam Gabrielposted an update

199 days ago

Paul Doria reacted to this

I will be heading to Intermountain Heart Institute in Salt Lake City Utah on October 14th for a Ross Procedure preformed by Dr. John Doty. Any ladies out... Read more

I will be heading to Intermountain Heart Institute in Salt Lake City Utah on October 14th for a Ross Procedure preformed by Dr. John Doty. Any ladies out there with women specific advice for what to have at the hospital? I would welcome advice from anyone but I realize that sometimes we women need things that the men do not. Specifically, any kind of after surgery clothing for comfort and support of the upper body

Rose Madura Pam, I was given a surgical bra at the hospital. After surgery I would go bra-less with a large shirt ... Read more

Rose Madura Pam, I was given a surgical bra at the hospital. After surgery I would go bra-less with a large shirt. But if I went out or someone was coming to visit, I'd wear the surgical bra I think I did this for about 3 months. You may want hair ties or clips to keep your hair out of your eyes. And dry shampoo may be of help as well. God bless you on this journey. Let us know if you have any other questions. 👍

Pam Gabriel Thank you for the tips! I read somewhere that they want you in a bra so it doesn't pull on the incisi ... Read more

Pam Gabriel Thank you for the tips! I read somewhere that they want you in a bra so it doesn't pull on the incision, I just didn't know what kind.So they give you one in the hospital? Good to know.

So funny I just bought dry shampoo from Trader Joes's. Perfect timing.

Rose Madura Well, I'll put it this way.. I didn't have to worry about pulling on the incision. 😄 My hospital g ... Read more

Rose Madura Well, I'll put it this way.. I didn't have to worry about pulling on the incision. 😄 My hospital gave me one but not sure if all hospitals do.

Pam Gabriel 😂😂thanks Rose

Rita Savelis Women's realisties are rarely talked about when heart surgery is talked about. Heavy sigh. The hospit ... Read more

Rita Savelis Women's realisties are rarely talked about when heart surgery is talked about. Heavy sigh. The hospital will most probably give you a surgical bra. You'll wake up with it on. You can also order one online and show up with it. It's to avoid drag on your incision if you have large breasts. If your breasts are small, like mine, you won't have to wear a bra. I didn't for a long time and it certainly feels better not to. If you are still menstruating know that the intensity and hormone craziness of having heart surgery often means you wake up with a period (even if it's not time for one). I'm jealous of men because they often take immediate selfie photos of their scars with bare chests but that is not usually an option for women. P.S. I did not take a shower or wash my hair for at least 2 weeks after surgery and no one cared. A hair tie was the most useful thing I brought to hospital.

Deena Z I may be an outlier in this regard, but I really liked the comfort and security of the surgical bra.... Read more

Deena Z I may be an outlier in this regard, but I really liked the comfort and security of the surgical bra. I didn't want to have any tugging on my chest. As Rita said above, you wake-up post surgery wearing one. Then after almost 7 days in the hospital with no bra change, I welcomed a fresh, clean one after my first shower on discharge day. I would ask your hospital, if they provide such upon discharge. If not, then having one to change into might be a good idea. Mine closed in the front using velcro and was super easy to use. Also, the nurse aide helped wash my hair in the shower on the day of discharge with some wickedly drying shampoo, no hair conditioner nor hair styling agents. Next time I bring my own! Who the heck wants to look like a rag doll, when arriving home.

Laura Bickford Hi Pam- I had robotic mitral valve repair 2 1/2 years ago at the Cleveland Clinic. I spent 4 days ... Read more

Laura Bickford Hi Pam- I had robotic mitral valve repair 2 1/2 years ago at the Cleveland Clinic. I spent 4 days before surgery getting testing done and meeting with cardiologist and surgeon, then 4 days in the hospital and then stayed in Cleveland for another week. (I live in Maine) to be able to go to f/u appointment, so a total of 2 weeks.
I suggest. bringing with you, slippers, a robe, a comfortable (no underwire) bra. Then comfortable loose clothing. I didn't need help showering but did need help putting a bra on when I wore one (not much for 4-6 weeks after surgery). I stayed in a hotel on the CC campus with just my significant other. I wish you all the best!

Pam Gabriel Ladies, Thank you so much for the helpful hints! I have been going over in my mind all the things I ... Read more

Pam Gabriel Ladies, Thank you so much for the helpful hints! I have been going over in my mind all the things I ned to pack, pre-surgery travel, hospital stay, post surgery Salt Lake, and travel home. I really need too start writing things down.

Trisha Gross I completed my Ross procedure on Aug. 22nd! You will need a robe while in step down. Also recovery at ... Read more

Trisha Gross I completed my Ross procedure on Aug. 22nd! You will need a robe while in step down. Also recovery at home, if you have a tank top with the bra liner was perfect for me. I got mine on Amazon but order a larger size than normal.

Pam Gabrielposted an update

896 days ago

Adam Pick, Pam Gabriel, Paul Doria reacted to this

Looking for opinions on where to go for a Ross Procedure. I am 54 yo female, very active with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. I also have an aortic aneurism ...Read more

Looking for opinions on where to go for a Ross Procedure. I am 54 yo female, very active with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. I also have an aortic aneurism that measures at 4.3. Since I am a small female, 125 lbs my doctor feels that my measurement for repair will be around 4.5. My valve is at .68 cm2. I am from Idaho and we do not have anyone who does the Ross here. As I said above I am pretty active, I do Crossfit, mountain bike and when my knees allow run. I feel the Ross will allow me to return to my normal activities better than any other valve repair. I just want to make sure I am going to the best heart center possible. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Adam Pick Pam, As a Ross Procedure patient who is going on my 17th year without a re-operation, I really apprec ... Read more

Adam Pick Pam, As a Ross Procedure patient who is going on my 17th year without a re-operation, I really appreciated this post. When I was evaluating the Ross Procedure, every said the same thing to me... FIND A ROSS GURU. That's exactly what I did. To help you learn more about select Ross Procedure experts that I have come across over the years, I posted this page. If you scroll down, you will see several surgeons who are dedicated to the Ross Procedure. I will also post some videos about the Ross that might also help you! If you need anything, please let me know. https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning/ross-procedure/

Ross Procedure: 10+ Important Facts for Patients

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning/ross-procedure/

Learn 10 important facts about the Ross Procedure for patients needing aortic valve surgery.

Adam Pick Here's a great webinar with Drs. Stelzer and El-Hamamsy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz_QmKMhPDs ... Read more

Adam Pick Here's a great webinar with Drs. Stelzer and El-Hamamsy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz_QmKMhPDs

Ross Procedure Advantages for Aortic Valve Replacement with Dr. Paul Stelzer & Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz_QmKMhPDs

https://www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - For patients with aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation and bicuspid aortic valves, the Ross Procedure provides many p...

Adam Pick Another good video with Dr. El-Hamamsy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzWwl2iobnw

Research Alert: Ross Procedure Leads to Improved Survival Benefit for Aortic Valve Patients

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzWwl2iobnw

https://www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - The Ross Procedure is an advanced form of aortic valve replacement for patients with aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitat...

Adam Pick https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Vaughn-Starnes-Los+Angeles-California.php

Dr. Vaughn Starnes - Heart Surgeon in Los Angeles, California

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Vaughn-Starnes-Los+Angeles-California.php

See patient reviews, physician biography, videos and contact information for Dr. Vaughn Starnes, heart surgeon, in Los Angeles, California.

Adam Pick Dr. Starnes reference above was my surgeon.

Andrew Dial Hi Pam, being close to where I had mine done. Look up Christopher Burke, at the University of Washing ... Read more

Andrew Dial Hi Pam, being close to where I had mine done. Look up Christopher Burke, at the University of Washington. I had my Ross procedure done 4 months ago, and he does an absolutely amazing job. He is a perfectionist and a master of his craft. I have nothing but good things to say about him and his team! The biggest reason I chose the Ross over a mechanical valve- I did not want to be on warfarin. And I don’t have to worry about what I eat hardly as much. If you have ANY questions, feel free to reach out. A number of us on here have had the Ross procedure done, either recently, or years ago like Adam.

Pam Gabriel Thank you for all the information! I don’t want to wait until I am symptomatic before I start talki ... Read more

Pam Gabriel Thank you for all the information! I don’t want to wait until I am symptomatic before I start talking to surgeons out of state. I am worried that if I am not already a patient it might be difficult to get in to see them and I will have to make other arrangements.

Adam Pick Smart! If you need any help getting in touch with these Ross Procedure specialists, please let me kn ... Read more

Adam Pick Smart! If you need any help getting in touch with these Ross Procedure specialists, please let me know. I have been very fortunate to meet each of them. They are really kind people who are beyond passionate about the Ross Procedure. Fyi, here's a video with Dr. Burke, the surgeon that Andy mentioned. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbob9RIOgLY

Ross Procedure: What Should Heart Valve Patients Know?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbob9RIOgLY

https://www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - The Ross Procedure is an advanced form of heart valve replacement surgery that can provide patients several advantages ...

Pam Gabriel Adam~ Thank you for the information and videos. I have been watching and reading post on this site si ... Read more

Pam Gabriel Adam~ Thank you for the information and videos. I have been watching and reading post on this site since my diagnosis and am so thankful for all the shared information and support everyone has for each other.