Robin Shanahan - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

816 days ago

10 weeks post op, so thankful to be feeling normal. Had an echo and cardiologist appointment at 8 weeks post op and do not have to return for an echo ...Read more

10 weeks post op, so thankful to be feeling normal. Had an echo and cardiologist appointment at 8 weeks post op and do not have to return for an echo for a year. This site sure helped me get through the pre surgery anxiety, such a great help.

Did Goats Peak hike and Naches Peak loop hike last week God is good.

Ginny Turner Robin, you're amazing! Congratulations on your smooth recovery and your return to hiking so soon. Gor ... Read more

Ginny Turner Robin, you're amazing! Congratulations on your smooth recovery and your return to hiking so soon. Gorgeous picture!

Denise Duncan Congratulations… good for you getting back out there so soon. Beautiful picture!

Adam Baumgartner Nice. I haven't been on those trails yet. I'll have to try them.

Marie Myers I am so jealous of that view!

Your recovery is amazing Robin. Continued good health and God bless you

Rose Madura It's amazing to me that you did this after 10 weeks. Congratulations on your success!

Robin Shanahan Love and God bless you all on this site❤️❤️

Miriam St.Clair How nice! You must have felt so elated to be be active and back in nature in such a beautiful settin... Read more

Miriam St.Clair How nice! You must have felt so elated to be be active and back in nature in such a beautiful setting. Congratulations on such a strong recovery and wishes for it to continue!

Robin Shanahanposted a journal

891 days ago

So I received a call on Monday morning at 11:30 that my surgery was back on. That was a rollercoaster of a ride after being told Friday it was canceled. ...Read more

So I received a call on Monday morning at 11:30 that my surgery was back on. That was a rollercoaster of a ride after being told Friday it was canceled. Today is post op day 4, i had a mini AVR, every nurse has said it’s the smallest incision they have seen. I had to spend an extra day in ICU for some low blood pressure issues but am doing better now. Possibly going home today. My doctor is fantastic, I had alot of back and forth on if I should go to Seattle or Spokane, 3 hour drive either choice, I am so glad I stayed in town. Anyone living in Central Wa I recommend Dr Kraev and Confluence health central Wa hospital. Recovery finally! Thank you Adam Pick and all on this site❤️🙏🏼

Deena Z Congrats, Robin! You did it!!! What a great feeling, huh?! exhale. life is good.

Robin Shanahan Thank you, the feeling is indeed great, It was quite emotional leading up to the surgery, so thankful ... Read more

Robin Shanahan Thank you, the feeling is indeed great, It was quite emotional leading up to the surgery, so thankful I am past that. To everyone waiting surgery, you can do this!

Rose Madura Glad all is well. Our minds can definitely get away from us prior to surgery! May your recovery be... Read more

Rose Madura Glad all is well. Our minds can definitely get away from us prior to surgery! May your recovery be uneventful!

Robin Shanahanposted a journal

898 days ago

I received a call yesterday that my surgery was canceled, I won’t find out my new date until Monday.

Marie Myers That is disappointing, but all in good time! Glad you don’t have symptoms, as I believe current thi ... Read more

Marie Myers That is disappointing, but all in good time! Glad you don’t have symptoms, as I believe current thinking favors fixing the heart before permanent changes to the heart occur.

Rose Madura Robin, my surgery was canceled once and it was distressing to me. I cried for most of the day. I fi... Read more

Rose Madura Robin, my surgery was canceled once and it was distressing to me. I cried for most of the day. I finally watched a documentary to get my mind on something else. Be thankful that you were not the emergency. Hopefully you'll have a new date on Monday.

Susan Lynn Robin - That's terribly frustrating when you're ready to get your procedure behind you, but as Rose... Read more

Susan Lynn Robin - That's terribly frustrating when you're ready to get your procedure behind you, but as Rose said, be glad your condition isn't as urgent as the patient taking your spot. Your day will come.

Robin Shanahan Thank you for your words, I love this community support. It was disappointing but understandable and ... Read more

Robin Shanahan Thank you for your words, I love this community support. It was disappointing but understandable and I will have a new date soon, I am ready to get on to the recovery road.

Patsy Stewart Sorry about your surgery cancellation. Hope, you won’t have to wait very long for your next date. I ... Read more

Patsy Stewart Sorry about your surgery cancellation. Hope, you won’t have to wait very long for your next date. I know the waiting is hard. I think the surgeon might have thought I was nuts. I had 3 wedding cakes scheduled and didn’t want to bale on them. I told him what date I would be finished and he set the date. He gave me a week to rest up. Those cakes kept my mind occupied and everything worked out. My son became very good at baking and decorating cakes during that time and I was basically giving directions from my chair on how to do it all. He and I are quite the pair!

Robin Shanahanposted a journal

924 days ago

Scheduled SAVR with a cow valve, surgery date of June 7

Rose Madura Hi Robin. Welcome to the site. We will be happy to answer your questions. So glad you decided to ... Read more

Rose Madura Hi Robin. Welcome to the site. We will be happy to answer your questions. So glad you decided to schedule the surgery and not wait for symptoms. You've chosen your valve so that's good as well. Please keep us updated on your heart valve journey.

Robin Shanahan Hi Rose, thank you for your comment, I am confident with my choice of proceedure and surgeon, working ... Read more

Robin Shanahan Hi Rose, thank you for your comment, I am confident with my choice of proceedure and surgeon, working through nervousness with prayer and faith in God

Rose Madura Faith in God - #1. Faith in surgeon and cardiologist- #2. It's easy to feel nervous and waiting is ... Read more

Rose Madura Faith in God - #1. Faith in surgeon and cardiologist- #2. It's easy to feel nervous and waiting is almost as bad as the surgery. Godspeed.

Hi Robin, welcome. I agree with Rose, one of my angels on this site since the before and after of my ... Read more

Hi Robin, welcome. I agree with Rose, one of my angels on this site since the before and after of my surgery. God bless you in your surgery journey.

Robin Shanahan Thank you both!

Robin Shanahanposted an update

972 days ago

My newest Echo on 3-14 shows my bicuspid arortic stenosis is now severe, I have no symptoms at all, my cardiologists thinks surgical replacement makes sense ...Read more

My newest Echo on 3-14 shows my bicuspid arortic stenosis is now severe, I have no symptoms at all, my cardiologists thinks surgical replacement makes sense now, because of my activity level, ( lots of hiking and snowshoeing) but official recomendations are to wait until symptoms show up, I am taking a few days to decide, I welcome any thoughts, ideas, experience🤷🏼‍♀️

Sandy Harvey Hi Robin - Please make sure you get a second opinion. Not everyone has symptoms- don't let it presen ... Read more

Sandy Harvey Hi Robin - Please make sure you get a second opinion. Not everyone has symptoms- don't let it present when you are not prepared.

Tom Everson Like Sandy said Second opinions are great You are in charge of your own health, not the Doctors. I be ... Read more

Tom Everson Like Sandy said Second opinions are great You are in charge of your own health, not the Doctors. I believe you have to be convinced that you u need the surgery and must trust the heart team YOU choose. Watch the numbers of your tests Ot is better to have your operation on your terms and timing.

Rose Madura I've been told that it's "old school " thinking to wait for symptoms. I echo the 2nd opinion. I da ... Read more

Rose Madura I've been told that it's "old school " thinking to wait for symptoms. I echo the 2nd opinion. I dare say, it may have saved my life. Symptoms can also be very subtle. Please keep us posted. Godspeed.

Robin Shanahan Thank you!!

Martin Smith About being "asymptomatic" and waiting:Symptoms insinuate themselves with stealth, and they create a ... Read more

Martin Smith About being "asymptomatic" and waiting:Symptoms insinuate themselves with stealth, and they create a "new normal" which makes them hard to perceive. Measurements and empirical data through testing are more solid indicators than anecdotal observations about how we're feeling.
Now 18 mos. post-op, I believe I wasn't as asymptomatic back then as I believed myself to be. Seeking information is good pracice. Best wishes.

Susan Lynn Well said, Martin! I totally agree!

Rose Madura Martin, you just nailed it!

Ginny Turner I agree with Martin, too. Only after surgery do I realize how much I was affected by the symptoms I t ... Read more

Ginny Turner I agree with Martin, too. Only after surgery do I realize how much I was affected by the symptoms I thought were normal before surgery.

Robin Shanahan Thank you everyone. I have had a week to let the thought of surgery sink in, I ordered Adam’s book ... Read more

Robin Shanahan Thank you everyone. I have had a week to let the thought of surgery sink in, I ordered Adam’s book and just finished it, what a great read I hope to get my husband and kids to read it as well. I have my first surgeon meeting on May 9. Spending the next month seeking second and or third opinions. Love reading everything on this community.