pam williams - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2391 days ago

Hi to my heart friends ,I had my avr 17 months ago I thought everything regarding my heart was going really well I was unable to complete my cardio rehab as ...Read more

Hi to my heart friends ,I had my avr 17 months ago I thought everything regarding my heart was going really well I was unable to complete my cardio rehab as my left knee gave up on me so I had a new knee 11 weeks ago all going reasonably well, last week I went for my 12 month heart check after my scan I was told by the nurse I had a tiny leak on my valve, I wasn't prepared for this news obviously and i became quite upset, I asked to speak to the cardiologist ,he said it's just a trace it's not even on the scale it's miniscual do not be worried by it we will keep a check on you every 12 months, but I still feel upset that this is happening so soon after my surgery

Marie Myers Try not to be discouraged. I think a trace leak may be common. Hopefully others who know more will re ... Read more

Marie Myers Try not to be discouraged. I think a trace leak may be common. Hopefully others who know more will respond and let us know.

Civita Fahey Pam I'm sorry to hear about that..I know how we all fear our checkups. But,if your cardiologist said ... Read more

Civita Fahey Pam I'm sorry to hear about that..I know how we all fear our checkups. But,if your cardiologist said not to worry, try not to. I know its hard.. I worry about everything.. keepy your spirits up .. we are here to listen

Helen Daw Hi Pam, I am 3 months post op and I know I will never stop worrying, but I have to have faith and tru ... Read more

Helen Daw Hi Pam, I am 3 months post op and I know I will never stop worrying, but I have to have faith and trust in my doctors that they did everything right. And if something went wrong, I still will have faith that they will fix it. Trust your doctors and have faith. Worrying will not help. ALl the best

pam williams Thank you Marie, Civita, and Helen, for your encouraging and kind words just what I needed, it's good ... Read more

pam williams Thank you Marie, Civita, and Helen, for your encouraging and kind words just what I needed, it's good to know you are just a chat away I appreciate your replys so much

Steve Farthing My cardiologist said leaks are so common that for example the tricuspid valve leaks on over 70% of th ... Read more

Steve Farthing My cardiologist said leaks are so common that for example the tricuspid valve leaks on over 70% of the population and does not mean there is a problem if there is a slight leak.

Dorothea Sautter Hi Pam, I had AVR 6 months ago and was told a few weeks later during my ultrasound check-up that I ha ... Read more

Dorothea Sautter Hi Pam, I had AVR 6 months ago and was told a few weeks later during my ultrasound check-up that I had a slight leak. I was so disappointed at first, because I had thought that after I got a new valve, everything would be perfect. The cardiologist told me that a slight leak like mine was not at all unusual and that I shouldn’t worry. He listened to my heartbeat and said that it sounded beautifully normal! Not something I would have heard before my operation...Try to stay positive and trust your doctors; if there was cause to worry, they wouldn‘t wait 12 months until your next check-up.

Rose Madura Hi Pam. I know it can be hard NOT to worry, but try not to worry. I had a leaky heart most of my li ... Read more

Rose Madura Hi Pam. I know it can be hard NOT to worry, but try not to worry. I had a leaky heart most of my life and didn't need surgery until age 59 so a "miniscual" leak should be no cause for concern.

pam williams Thank you Dorothea, Rose, and Steve for your reassuring comments it's good to hear from and you have ... Read more

pam williams Thank you Dorothea, Rose, and Steve for your reassuring comments it's good to hear from and you have put my mind at rest I didn't realise this could possibly happen we are so lucky to have this site to reach out to when we need to hear from people who understand our fears 💖

Jeannette McLaughlin Hello! Pam - Hope you're all healed from the knee operation and can run with your grandkids! I hope a ... Read more

Jeannette McLaughlin Hello! Pam - Hope you're all healed from the knee operation and can run with your grandkids! I hope also that you have been reassured regarding the leaky valve. During a video conference call with my heart surgeon, five and a half months post-surgery, the nurse read the report from the ultrasound I had three months post-surgery, I said to her, "This doesn't sound too good" and she replied…"It's all normal"! So, like a doctor once told me, "No one has a perfect heart" and we're bound to hear more about our heart's imperfections as we grow older, taking into consideration the wear and tear and all what it's been through! Take care.

pam williamsposted a journal

2550 days ago

Laura Shepherd, Fatema Yaqubi, Shannon Gray and 4 others reacted to this

It's amazing to think this time a year ago today I received my new tissue valve, I am so grateful to my wonderful surgeon, today I had lunch with a lovely lady ...Read more

It's amazing to think this time a year ago today I received my new tissue valve, I am so grateful to my wonderful surgeon, today I had lunch with a lovely lady I befriended whilst in hospital she also had valve replacement same day as me ,we raised a glass over lunch we are both 73yrs old life is good , so grateful for this wonderful site ,to all you people pre op and post op I send my very best wishes, I gained so much comfort and reassurance from reading so many of your posts especially in the early days. Adam from the UK I thank you sincerely x

Bonnie Stone-Hope Happy Anniversary! Sounds like you are doing great!

Laura Shepherd Happy Anniversary!

Meredith Bray Happy Birthday! Eat Cake!

Lilly Black Happy anniversary and congratulations! Cheers, Pam! 🥂✌️

pam williams Thank you ladies for your good wishes, Meredith I remember you were the 1st person who welcomed me to ... Read more

pam williams Thank you ladies for your good wishes, Meredith I remember you were the 1st person who welcomed me to this site as a newby thank you. Pam

Rose Madura Happy Anniversary!

Kim Carpenter Congratulations ! That is great to hear!
Happy heartaversary ❤️

pam williamsposted a journal

2816 days ago

Muriel Cotterill, Shannon Gray, Melissa Alfred and 4 others reacted to this

Hi to all you brave people, I had my avr 3 months ago I now have a bovine valve a perimount magna i was initially offered a tavi a big decision but i asked ...Read more

Hi to all you brave people, I had my avr 3 months ago I now have a bovine valve a perimount magna i was initially offered a tavi a big decision but i asked my surgeon if he were me which would he go for and without hesitation he said the bovine as i am 72 and otherwise healthy i should do well, my surgeon described my surgery as uneventful for which I am truly grateful to him and all the wonderful staff at LHCH Liverpool uk. I came home 5 days after surgery I I now take bisopolol 5mg aspirin and clopidogrel 3 weeks post op I suddenly went into AF which landed me back in hospital overnight 180bpm which was so scary as I had no warning and to see and feel my heart was ready to fly out of my chest really affected my confidence for a while especially as there is no guarantee it won't happen again but hopefully not, I am so glad to have hooked up to this wonderful site and read all about your heart journeys every one different but every one unique,best wishes to those facing surgery in the near future and to all who are recovering,I am feeling so good ready to grab this 2nd chance with both hands