Sonny Abbasi - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3522 days ago

3 week to the day update. Biggest issue seems to be a return of night time low grade fever from build up in lungs. Have been told by all doctors to do breathing ...Read more

3 week to the day update. Biggest issue seems to be a return of night time low grade fever from build up in lungs. Have been told by all doctors to do breathing exercises. Don't know why this has returned 3 weeks post.

Tammy Pilcher Sonny, I'm sorry you're having this problem. I remember using the spirometer for the first few weeks ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Sonny, I'm sorry you're having this problem. I remember using the spirometer for the first few weeks after surgery. I hope the breathing exercises help. Prayers and best wishes!

Rhonda Rawles I'm with Tammy, you have to do the spirometer frequently and any other exercises they give you as it ... Read more

Rhonda Rawles I'm with Tammy, you have to do the spirometer frequently and any other exercises they give you as it will make all the difference in the world, good luck to you!

Bill Cherry I think the breathing exercises are a big PLUS. I started mine again in the hospital and continued fo ... Read more

Bill Cherry I think the breathing exercises are a big PLUS. I started mine again in the hospital and continued for about 3 weeks if I remember right. It's hard but it's worth it.

Steven A Husted not to say the spirometer is a big help for some for me i did not care for it and used it very little ... Read more

Steven A Husted not to say the spirometer is a big help for some for me i did not care for it and used it very little i breathed deep and hard on my own and i made out alright but it probably will not work for every body but try to do what the doctor says they know what best most of the time

Meredith Bray I hated the spirometer! I relied heavily on my cPAP machine to help me out with the breathing exerci ... Read more

Meredith Bray I hated the spirometer! I relied heavily on my cPAP machine to help me out with the breathing exercises.

Sonny Abbasi I have a cpap Meredith. How does that help with breathing exercises?

Janice Powell Yes this happen to me too I've taking a lil cough medicine the one with chest congestion and I'm doin ... Read more

Janice Powell Yes this happen to me too I've taking a lil cough medicine the one with chest congestion and I'm doing a lot better in that area and the doctor told me to do it and I'm not suggesting the same for you because we all different I'm just saying ok just see what your doctor approve of first take care I hope you feel better and continue to heal and bless you also

Meredith Bray It was so much easier for me to breathe deeply when I was wearing the machine. Even now, 18 months l ... Read more

Meredith Bray It was so much easier for me to breathe deeply when I was wearing the machine. Even now, 18 months later, I breathe much deeper right after I put my machine on at night.

Sonny Abbasiposted an update

3528 days ago

Not having a good day today (yesterday was two week anniversary). Last dose of diuretics was Wednesday and put on like 5-6 pounds. Got a little cough today ...Read more

Not having a good day today (yesterday was two week anniversary). Last dose of diuretics was Wednesday and put on like 5-6 pounds. Got a little cough today as well. And the scar feels funny. Not pain just like something is poking there. Called Cleveland Clinic and they gave me more diuretics and have been urinating a lot today again. Leg pain woke me up at night last night--it was fine for several nights and then suddenly came back like a bad ex spouse. Went to primary care physician on Wednesday and was feeling great but not so much anymore. Ups and downs of cardiac surgery.

Kenny Knox I'm with you Sonny. I was doing great first couple weeks and then had some hiccups. I had the water ... Read more

Kenny Knox I'm with you Sonny. I was doing great first couple weeks and then had some hiccups. I had the water issue too. Docs told me it just takes time. Hang in there!

John Schutte Hang in there Sonny. I have followed your updates with great interest, as I too will be in Dr. Svenn ... Read more

John Schutte Hang in there Sonny. I have followed your updates with great interest, as I too will be in Dr. Svennson's capable hands in short order. Hoping tomorrow provides you some relief!

Gerald Schaffer Sonny, wishing you more ups than downs. Try to keep up with your breathing and walking exercises. Eve ... Read more

Gerald Schaffer Sonny, wishing you more ups than downs. Try to keep up with your breathing and walking exercises. Everyone has said they have good and bad days for awhile and as time moves on the bad days become fewer.

Jeanette Davidson Hang tight! Recovery to me is like riding in a kayak . Some days the waters are really smooth and yo ... Read more

Jeanette Davidson Hang tight! Recovery to me is like riding in a kayak . Some days the waters are really smooth and you're floating along and on the days , you are just turned upside down and have to catch your breath ....focus on the really good days ! Try to minimize the challenges and look at the big picture...your heart is fixed and you are alive! ❤️

Rita Savelis Hi Sonny. Alas, it's still really early for you and there will be lots of ups and downs. It's hard t ... Read more

Rita Savelis Hi Sonny. Alas, it's still really early for you and there will be lots of ups and downs. It's hard to describe how the scar feels because it's not "pain" - it's discomfort, like you describe. The need to feel "okay" and "back to normal" is so strong that we get upset with our bodies that won't cooperate.

Tammy Pilcher Prayers for things to improve, Sonny! God bless you!

Bob M Take it easy heart brother. One day at a time

Mary K You can do it, Sonny. In the beginning, I felt like I had been charged with HUGE lesson in patience. ... Read more

Mary K You can do it, Sonny. In the beginning, I felt like I had been charged with HUGE lesson in patience. And I am a patient person! It gets better day by day. Have you found something to fill your time with? Audible books and Netflix were some of my best friends at first. I also found that I had to give myself permission to use pain pills when I needed them. There is no reason to be in pain if you don't have to be. Praying for perfect healing for you.

Sonny Abbasiposted an update

3531 days ago

How long after surgery can I have a glass of red wine? I am hearing four weeks. Seems like a lot. Friday will be two.

Cris Dykeman I based it on the meds. You don't want to mix with the heavy pain killers. I dint think one glass w ... Read more

Cris Dykeman I based it on the meds. You don't want to mix with the heavy pain killers. I dint think one glass will hurt, I survived. But do what the doc recommends ;)

Rita Savelis Go ahead and have a glass, Sonny. You deserve it.

W. Carter A couple glasses of wine a day is even endorsed by heart doctors so I say indulge yourself and enjoy. ... Read more

W. Carter A couple glasses of wine a day is even endorsed by heart doctors so I say indulge yourself and enjoy. :-)

Gerald Schaffer Do what your heart doctors tell you. They've done a good job with you so far, trust what they are say ... Read more

Gerald Schaffer Do what your heart doctors tell you. They've done a good job with you so far, trust what they are saying. If it means two more weeks without a glass of wine I'm sure you can handle that if it means a healthier rest of your life and your new valve.

Sonny Abbasi Had a few sips of champagne (4-5) of my wife's drink tonight at dinner. We usually used to go to din ... Read more

Sonny Abbasi Had a few sips of champagne (4-5) of my wife's drink tonight at dinner. We usually used to go to dinner on Friday Nights at one of two or three restaurants and as REM sang--I feel fine. I think I need to work up to a full glass (sort of like cardiac rehab). I am going to slowly get up to a glass but not until two more weeks (four week anniversary) and when I have slowly come off of pain meds. My mother said that the oxy and alcohol are a bad mix...I told her that is the standard diet in Hollywood.

Sonny Abbasiposted an update

3541 days ago

Kenny Knox reacted to this

Out of icu in 24 hours. Heart rate running high and temperature comes and goes. Are these normal?

Rita Savelis Yes, of course. Can't believe you're posting in ICU!

Kenny Knox Wow, out in 24 hours! Congrats Sonny!

Tammy Pilcher Congratulations Sonny! They must know you're doing well to let you out of ICU, so try not to worry t ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Congratulations Sonny! They must know you're doing well to let you out of ICU, so try not to worry too much. God bless you!

Lewis Garlisi I understand that those are pretty common symptoms for a few days or even weeks post surgery, but let ... Read more

Lewis Garlisi I understand that those are pretty common symptoms for a few days or even weeks post surgery, but let your nurses know.

Nancy D Congrats to graduating out of ICU!! My heart rate didn't return to my more normal rate until a few m ... Read more

Nancy D Congrats to graduating out of ICU!! My heart rate didn't return to my more normal rate until a few months post op- after the A-fib came and went, and I started cardiac rehab. So hang in there, you are doing great by all the things you are reporting!!!!

Bruce Burnett WOW At Kaiser in Fontana Calif you are in cardiac intensive care till they send you home. I loved the ... Read more

Bruce Burnett WOW At Kaiser in Fontana Calif you are in cardiac intensive care till they send you home. I loved the care and the staff at Kaiser. No big deal with the temperature think of all the inflamed tissue you have.

Sonny Abbasiposted a journal

3545 days ago

Mary K, Kenny Knox and 1 other reacted to this

Recovery from Cardiac Catheterization. Waited there like 5 hours. Cleveland Clinic is everything they have advertised thus far. Meeting surgeon tomorrow and ...Read more

Recovery from Cardiac Catheterization. Waited there like 5 hours. Cleveland Clinic is everything they have advertised thus far. Meeting surgeon tomorrow and aortic valve replacement Friday.

Tammy Pilcher Prayers and best wishes for Friday, Sonny! Glad your cath was successful! God bless!

Jeanette Davidson All the best Sonny! ❤️

Gerald Schaffer Good luck with your surgery.

Sonny Abbasiposted a journal

3548 days ago

Kenny Knox reacted to this

Pre-Op starts Tuesday Morning. Wednesday is the Cardiac Catherization with Surgery on Friday.

Jeanette Davidson Best of luck with everything!❤️

Tammy Pilcher Sonny, prayers and best wishes for you this week! God bless you!

Gerald Schaffer Best of luck, you picked a great hospital.

Kenny Knox Good luck Sonny! You are in great hands and the facilities are top quality!

Linda Whitney Cleveland Clinic is awesome! Relax and before you know it, you will be on your way home. God Bless! ... Read more

Linda Whitney Cleveland Clinic is awesome! Relax and before you know it, you will be on your way home. God Bless!

Sonny Abbasi Thanks everybody.

Cheryl Batzing Sonny, you are in my prayers for a successful surgery & quick recovery! Blessings.

Sonny Abbasiposted a journal

3567 days ago

Sonny Abbasi, Mary K and 2 others reacted to this

I want to take time to thank Adam for speaking with me the other day and helping me make my decision as to where to do my surgery. Very nice man and very knowledgeable. ...Read more

I want to take time to thank Adam for speaking with me the other day and helping me make my decision as to where to do my surgery. Very nice man and very knowledgeable.

Upcoming Surgeries

Jon Oletzke
Tricuspid Regurgitation
March 31, 2025

Matthew Banta
Aortic Regurgitation
April 1, 2025

Tammy Gonzalez
Aortic Regurgitation
April 2, 2025

HOME

ABOUT US

COMMUNITY

LEARNING CENTER

DOCTOR FINDER

HEART HOSPITALS

VIDEOS

ADAM'S BLOG

NEWSLETTER

STORE

CONTACT

JOIN US

SIGN IN

Sonny's Journal

Sonny's Journal

Upcoming Surgeries

Heart Valve Hospitals

Surgeon Spotlight