Sandra's Journal

Rita Savelis  Don't be reluctant to post Sandra.... and thank you for sharing everything. I'm sorry you had to go through OHS, and especially experience complications. It must be so strange to have a month you can't remember. Stamina and endurance take some time to get back, even without complications... and short term memory as well. Slow and steady is a good motto. Wishing you a healthy 2018.

Marie Myers  Good grief! That sounds like quite a journey. Best wishes for an uneventful recovery from here on out!

Catie B  Oh my! Bless your heart, I'm soooo sorry you went through all of that. I wish you had posted sooner and could have received support during such a tough, stressful time. Rehab is wonderful and I hope you'll experience much kindness as well as great care and help building back your stamina and strength. Please update us again when you're up to it!

Jill Krajnovich  Glad you have made great strides from where you were! Hope the complications you are still facing resolve soon!

Jennifer McInerney  Yikes, that was quite a bump on the road. Actually more like a mountain. However, sounds like you are well on the way to recovery. God is good! Rest and take good care of yourself.

Rose Madura  Oh my! I'm glad you are doing better. As Marie said, I hope your recovery is smooth sailing from here on out. I found I had trouble trying to find the right words for a while but that got better with time. Best wishes to you.

Shannon Gray  I am so thankful you did post! My goodness, what you’ve been through. Prayers for continued recovery and for peace and strength.

Marie Myers  I have read that you have to post a picture to make the list . Best wishes for a smooth surgery and recovery!

Cathy Zuber  Hi Sandra, I have asthma, and had lots of edema before my mitral valve surgery. The vent tube came out the next day..I was on oxygen while in the hospital. Hang in there..the worst part is the worrying before!!

Lynda Ruiz  I have your same 3 symptoms. At home at 5200' altitude I use oxygen. My surgery was in TX at 600'. My tube came out during the night and since I did not bring my own CPAP with nasal pillows they used a bipap. I did not like the tube in my throat while being awake. I had to kinda sign in the air to answer questions the nurse was asking my sister. The bipap was claustrophobic and I had to relax myself to get through it. By morning I was only on oxygen and remained on it for the week I was in hospital.

Nancy James  Hi Sandra...your post sounded a lot like me. on April 28 my Humana in-home wellness PA told me I had a heart murmur which I had no idea I had. June 6 was my yearly wellness check with my doctor - he listened to my chest and back and as he was walking away I said that the PA said I had a heart murmur (he didn't even hear it at first) He came back and listened again and said yes it does sound like it - this was my doctor since 1979 - never a word about a heart murmur. He ordered an echocardiogram which I had about a week or so afterwards, a couple of days later he called with the explanation that I had an aortic heart valve that is regurgitating and he wanted to set up an appointment with a cardiologist. I said okay....and on June 27 I saw him and he confirmed the problem and shocked me when he said I needed a valve replacement pretty soon. I had my second appointment with him last week after all the necessary tests were done and my husband went with me this time thankfully, and that's when he said I needed a new aorta too - he somehow thought I knew that and both my husband and I looked at each other and said no you never said that. The doctor spent an hour with us explaining things to us and I had a list of 26 questions that I had typed out - he took the time to answer every question...so my confidence in him when way up the chart. However, I want another opinion at UVA (I live in Virginia) and am now waiting to hear when I will get to see another doctor. I feel like the bottom dropped out of my heart and life. I can't think, I can't stop being anxious and nervous - i wake up nervous after taking Zoloft to sleep at night. I totally get what you are going through and will keep you in prayer. I guess we'll get through it, but it is the anticipation - the not knowing - the fear that will I come out of this okay or will there be complication - how will my life change - will it be better or will it be less than what I think it will be....it's hard. But I am so excited that Adam Pick made it possible for patients to share our hopes, dreams, fears and successes...God bless.
Nancy James