June 29th I’m 7 months out and feeling so wonderful! Today my sister Linda is in surgery to replace her aortic valve - I would love prayers for her, her surgeon, ...Read more
June 29th I’m 7 months out and feeling so wonderful! Today my sister Linda is in surgery to replace her aortic valve - I would love prayers for her, her surgeon, and medical team ❤️ Thank you!
Susan Lynn Prayers coming your way for you and your sister! Please keep us posted. ❤
Joy Vera Best wishes to Linda for her surgery & recovery afterward.
Marie Myers Wishing Sis a smooth surgery and recovery!
OHS for aortic valve replacement with an Edwards Inspiris Resilia. It lasted about 4 hours I needed one unit of blood. They found nothing else that needed ...Read more
OHS for aortic valve replacement with an Edwards Inspiris Resilia. It lasted about 4 hours I needed one unit of blood. They found nothing else that needed repair thank goodness ❤️ So the surgery was pretty straightforward. I am still in ICU on day7 but I’m moving to step down tomorrow. I had some problems with low blood pressure and and really huge amount of edema that needed to be monitored. I had the chest wires and 2 drains taken out 2 days ago and a neck tube yesterday, so down to one chest drain that might come out tomorrow. My real turning point has been day #6. I had an amazing surgeon At OHSU, Dr Song. He’s bothered compassionate and highly skilled and experienced. The other doctors and nurses are the same compassionate and well—trained medical professionals that make my stay here comfortable. The view is amazing, I’ll post a pic iof Mt Hood from my room. A big thank you to Adam Pick and all of the heart warriors that make this such a great site for information, encouragement and support ❤️ Glad to be on the mending side!
Rob Sparling Rebecca, thanks for the update! Glad to hear you are headed in the direction of goodness!
Catie B I know you're ready to move into step-down. So glad you are on the mend, Rebecca!
Dan Baltazor Glad to hear you're improving. Keep going so you can get home!
Dan Vechiola Keep it moving forward Rebecca. Pretty soon this will all be in your rear view mirror.
Rebecca DeMarino Thank you do much, Rob, Cartie, Dan B and Dan V! It took me awhile, but I made it home❤️ 6days in ... Read more
Rebecca DeMarino Thank you do much, Rob, Cartie, Dan B and Dan V! It took me awhile, but I made it home❤️ 6days in ICU and 5 days in step down, for a total of 11 days post op. Nothing beats being home for healing❤️ Thank you for your support!
Catie B Woo hoo to you, Rebecca! Home probably never looked so good! Best to you and keep on healing...
So thankful for Adam Pick, the book he wrote and the commu he created, the many heart warriors who share knowledge and encouragement, my wonderful surgeon, ...Read more
So thankful for Adam Pick, the book he wrote and the commu he created, the many heart warriors who share knowledge and encouragement, my wonderful surgeon, Dr Song,, my hubby and daughters who support me so much, and for Jesus my Savior and Great Physician ❤️ Feeling overwhelming love , peace, and gratitude
God bless you Rebecca!
Yes, Jesus will be there in that operating room with you. In fact, He's alread ... Read more
God bless you Rebecca!
Yes, Jesus will be there in that operating room with you. In fact, He's already gone before you and He's there awaiting your arrival to the OR. He will be there to hold your hand and oversee the ENTIRE procedure to its completion.
You're gonna be just fine.
Peace and blessings to you and your family!
Look forward to hearing from you on the recovery side. ❤️
Dan Baltazor You got this Rebecca!!!! Sending prayers. Get on to recovery.
Dan Vechiola Take care of business Rebecca! Place your fate in the hands of your surgeon and visualize a success ... Read more
Dan Vechiola Take care of business Rebecca! Place your fate in the hands of your surgeon and visualize a successful surgery and hospital stay, Before long you will be on the other side with a new valve and new lease on life with peace of mind.
Rob Sparling I echo all the comments above from DV, DB and JE. Waiting to hear the good news! Praying for it, to ... Read more
Rob Sparling I echo all the comments above from DV, DB and JE. Waiting to hear the good news! Praying for it, too!
David Moore Praying for you Rebecca as you are on the other side of the OR and headed to healing. Take it one da ... Read more
David Moore Praying for you Rebecca as you are on the other side of the OR and headed to healing. Take it one day at a time - one achievement at a time. I was not the patient - just the witness - but God went with David every step of the way. Continue to pray your way through to VICTORY! - Cheryl
Rebecca DeMarino Just reading your notes, Cheryl and David, Rob, Dan V and Dan B, and Jeremiah, and they and your pray ... Read more
Rebecca DeMarino Just reading your notes, Cheryl and David, Rob, Dan V and Dan B, and Jeremiah, and they and your prayers mean so much to me! God truly held me in Hus arms throughout the surgery and through recovery! I’ve been in ICU since surgery, but will be moved to the step down tomorrow ❤️
I had an appointment last week with my surgeon at Oregon Health and Science University and we talked about valves for my aortic valve replacement on November ...Read more
I had an appointment last week with my surgeon at Oregon Health and Science University and we talked about valves for my aortic valve replacement on November 29th. I had learned here about the Edwards Inspiris Resilia and asked him about it but he said it was very new and at first recommended the one he uses a lot - the Edwards Magna. He said it lasted a long time, was proven, and could also be a valve in valve when I needed another replacement. He had me talked into it but then he offered to research the Resilia and find out if it’s available in Oregon and to see how it’s doing in patients. He will call me tomorrow to tell me what he’s found out. My question to the heart warriors ❤️ here is, even if he’s able to get the valve, should I stick with the Magna because he’s very experienced with it? He’s done over 3,000 open heart surgeries with about half of those on valves.
Also, wondering about caffeine- I’ve cut down from 2 cups a day to 1. Should I cut it out completely these last few days before surgery in hopes of avoiding AFIB? Or is caffeinated coffee ok after surgery and not considered a trigger?
Thanks for any input or suggestions! I’ve been learning so much here!❤️
Dan Baltazor My surgeon had also never put in the Resilia valve either, I was his first patient. He also always u ... Read more
Dan Baltazor My surgeon had also never put in the Resilia valve either, I was his first patient. He also always uses the Magna valve from Edwards. Since this newer Resilia valve is also an Edwards valve, it made for an easier decision as Edwards has already proven success. An Edwards Rep was present at my surgery since this was my surgeon’s first Resilia valve replacement. Good luck with your decision as you move forward.
Rebecca DeMarino Thank you Dan - that gives me a good perspective. Interesting that the rep was present at the surgery ... Read more
Rebecca DeMarino Thank you Dan - that gives me a good perspective. Interesting that the rep was present at the surgery! I’m eager to hear what my surgeon has to say tomorrow. Thank you!
Marie Myers It is not unusual for a rep to be in an OR room with a new piece of equipment or a new procedure. Tho ... Read more
Marie Myers It is not unusual for a rep to be in an OR room with a new piece of equipment or a new procedure. Those reps are really helpful letting everyone from the scrub tech, to the circulator nurse and the surgeon know the ins-and-outs of new equipment/procedures.
David Moore Hey Rebecca - My husband David also received the Resilia valve. Our surgeon had never used this one ... Read more
David Moore Hey Rebecca - My husband David also received the Resilia valve. Our surgeon had never used this one but he used the Magna valve as well. I saw information on this site about the Resilia valve and we asked about it. He researched it and decided it was a good fit. His partner was also already using it. I found that strange he didn't know about it. Anyway, afterwards he said it was the one that he would use on himself. Plus, as I was reminded by many great warriors on this website - trust your surgical team and just "let it go". Plus, as Dan B and I will also tell you, trust your Lord & Savior Jesus Christ and ask the Holy Spirit to do what He does best in these situations and give you peace. #GODSGOTTHISGIRLFRIEND - Cheryl
Rebecca DeMarino Thank you, Cheryl and Maria! My surgeon called me last night and said he’s still researching it🙂 ... Read more
Rebecca DeMarino Thank you, Cheryl and Maria! My surgeon called me last night and said he’s still researching it🙂 I told him I thought I’m ok with the Magna, but he said since I’d expressed an interest he wanted to find out everything he could and he tell me Thursday morning (surgery day!) so I do trust him completely and my faith and trust is in our Lord and Savior ❤️ and I can be at peace. I’m so thankful too for the heart warriors on this site who give me courage❤️