Steve Offenbecher - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3365 days ago

I am 11 weeks post AVR and had a full sternotomy. Anyone have any experience with sutures breaking through the scar?

Pat Bluemel Yep! if you email your nurse in the surgeon's office at UW they can advise you what to do, or if you ... Read more

Pat Bluemel Yep! if you email your nurse in the surgeon's office at UW they can advise you what to do, or if you supply me your email address I can forward on their email when this happened to me:-). Basically they instruct you to not pull them, just sanitize some clippers and clip them level to the skin as they grow out.

Steve Offenbecherposted a journal

3440 days ago

Ericka Carlson, Gerald Schaffer and 1 other reacted to this

Just to encourage all of you, yesterday I only walked 1.5 mi. Today I will log 4.5 miles. You can all do it! I cannot believe how much stamina I now have with ...Read more

Just to encourage all of you, yesterday I only walked 1.5 mi. Today I will log 4.5 miles. You can all do it! I cannot believe how much stamina I now have with my new AV. I can keep my bp below 101 just by deep Yoga breaths now. Thank you Dr. Aldea and your great team at UW Medical Center, Seattle.

Tammy Pilcher Steve, you sound just like I did after my AVR. I couldn't believe how I was able to do things withou ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Steve, you sound just like I did after my AVR. I couldn't believe how I was able to do things without getting out of breath or having chest pains. I had lived like that for so long and didn't realize I didn't have to. So happy for you! God is great!

That's wonderful & encouraging, Steve!
May you continue to heal and move forward.
God Bless You...

Steve Offenbecherposted a journal

3441 days ago

Nancy D, Ericka Carlson, Gerald Schaffer and 2 others reacted to this

Days 4 & 5 were slow recovery & healing for me, but today I did a modified work out & stretch & walked 1.5 mi. It sure feels good not to be out of breath. Lots ...Read more

Days 4 & 5 were slow recovery & healing for me, but today I did a modified work out & stretch & walked 1.5 mi. It sure feels good not to be out of breath. Lots of 2 hr naps, healthy food and being surrounded by my daughter and grandkids is making all the difference. War movies with my grandson tomorrow, if I can stay awake! Every day is better.

Tammy Pilcher Sounds like a great recovery is taking place, Steve! God bless!

John Jones Yippee Steve. Happy for you. I know the feeling.

Nancy D Celebrate each little improvement as those happen way more often than the big ones!! YAY for napping- ... Read more

Nancy D Celebrate each little improvement as those happen way more often than the big ones!! YAY for napping- let your body guide you when to rest and when to walk! Keep up the great progress!!

Brian Walsh Doing great! Keep it up.

Rodd Kippen Steve - you are a real inspiration - seeing how you have handled your procedure gives me great hope f ... Read more

Rodd Kippen Steve - you are a real inspiration - seeing how you have handled your procedure gives me great hope for my surgery next Friday.

Mary K Sounds like you are doing fantastically well. Good for you!

Steve Offenbecherposted an update

3447 days ago

Kimberly Biddick, Susan Wozniak, Ericka Carlson and 4 others reacted to this

Hi everyone. I am Valerie, Steve's wife. Steve has received such encouragement from all of you at HVS.com and I promised I would communicate his progress, ...Read more

Hi everyone. I am Valerie, Steve's wife. Steve has received such encouragement from all of you at HVS.com and I promised I would communicate his progress, on his behalf. He is in surgery now, for about the next 2 hours. He was in good spirits going in, and I have every confidence he will be victorious through the AVR. We are both appreciative of each and every one of you.

Terrie Syvertsen Hello Valerie-I am sure with energy from your Love for Steve that he went into surgery in GREAT SPIRI ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen Hello Valerie-I am sure with energy from your Love for Steve that he went into surgery in GREAT SPIRITS! I share your confidence in the outcome of his surgery and as one of his many Heart Sisters in this community thank you for your kind comments of appreciation. The waiting is the hardest part for the spouses and family so I hope you have company with you as you wait. We are with you in spirit as we all for all our community whether it be surgery or the recovery process. If there is anything we can do, let us know as in our hearts we are waiting right there with you and sending out good wishes and prayers! You take care now as it won't be long!
Then the healing begins! Thanks for the update!

Pat Bluemel Thanks for the update Valerie, I am thinking of you both. You are both in such good hands with Dr. A ... Read more

Pat Bluemel Thanks for the update Valerie, I am thinking of you both. You are both in such good hands with Dr. A and his staff, I hope you feel that already. You are going to be meeting some very kind and awesome people over the next few days. Today and tomorrow will be the most challenging and then step down is a breeze. Please keep us updated.

Rodd Kippen Praying for you all - I am exactly 2 weeks behind Steve so I am following his progress with great int ... Read more

Rodd Kippen Praying for you all - I am exactly 2 weeks behind Steve so I am following his progress with great interest.

Ray Lockhart Hi Valerie. Our thoughts are with you and Steve. Being in good spirits at this point is very import ... Read more

Ray Lockhart Hi Valerie. Our thoughts are with you and Steve. Being in good spirits at this point is very important. I will follow Steve next week and hope my spirits are as high as his:)

Patrick Dowd With you looking forward. 10 days out

John Jones God bless

Mary Myers Thank you for updates, will keep.you both in my prayers!Healing :-).

Cheryl Batzing Glad to hear he was in good spirits, Valerie. Keep us updated on his results & recovery! Prayers head ... Read more

Cheryl Batzing Glad to hear he was in good spirits, Valerie. Keep us updated on his results & recovery! Prayers heading both of your way!

Tammy Pilcher Prayers for Steve! Thanks for the update, Valerie! God bless!

Steve Offenbecherposted a journal

3450 days ago

Rodd Kippen and 1 other reacted to this

Two days to my AVR at UW Med and I checked off boating with the family. Tomorrow I play golf with my buddy, dinner with my honey & I will be ready.

Bob M That's the way to go heart brother!

John Jones Praying for you and family on your upcoming event. You can do it! Praise to God

Jennifer Pyles Stay positive and focused on the GOOD things about this! Life gets better - and better than golf and ... Read more

Jennifer Pyles Stay positive and focused on the GOOD things about this! Life gets better - and better than golf and boating??? Sounds awesome to me! Thoughts and prayers!

Tammy Pilcher Great plan, Steve! Prayers and best wishes for your surgery and recovery! God bless!

Rodd Kippen Two weeks behind you - except going to Swedish - I will follow you closely.... Look forward to hearin ... Read more

Rodd Kippen Two weeks behind you - except going to Swedish - I will follow you closely.... Look forward to hearing from post surgery

Pat Bluemel I'll be thinking of you Friday. By Sunday or Monday Nicola or Sinclair (hopefully you will get one o ... Read more

Pat Bluemel I'll be thinking of you Friday. By Sunday or Monday Nicola or Sinclair (hopefully you will get one of them, they are great) will be pulling your drainage tubes and by Wednesday you'll be rolling down I5 back home. I hope you get to meet Mi Sook - she was my favorite room attendant. Get up out of that bed and do those laps ASAP, she'll make sure you do it:-). Oh and treat yourself to a milkshake morning and night off the menu. I'll be watching for updates.

John Jones Go get em your already on a good path. We will pray for y'all.

Gerald Schaffer Good luck.

Steve Offenbecherposted an update

3458 days ago

2 people reacted to this

I have a 7/10 surgery date. What do you all think to take to the hospital? And what not to take?

Linda McHugh I have the same question...only from a female point of view. :-)

John Jones I took toothbrush, razor, 2 changes of short pant , t shirt, slip on shoes. I actually took some book ... Read more

John Jones I took toothbrush, razor, 2 changes of short pant , t shirt, slip on shoes. I actually took some books and such but I never picked one up. I was in 7 days . I have 12 stents and now a double by pass. 5 weeks out now.

Clare Auten I didn't pack much. Phone and charger were a must. Toothbrush is nice but they will give you a dispos ... Read more

Clare Auten I didn't pack much. Phone and charger were a must. Toothbrush is nice but they will give you a disposable one if you forget. Shorts for under gown. I did like having easy on shoes for walking in the hall. Chapstick and lotion are also nice but not essential. Notebook to write down questions you have. Sometimes my husband would write a question in case he wasn't there for rounds. Also was nice to jot notes of what Dr said since I was on pain meds.

I am taking travel sizes - mouthwash, small Kleenex packs (hospital ones are rough), lip balm for dry ... Read more

I am taking travel sizes - mouthwash, small Kleenex packs (hospital ones are rough), lip balm for dry lips, cool cleansing wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand lotion, roll on deodorant, nail file, and floss. Robe, pajama capris, bedroom shoes, notepad, pen, clothes to go home. Husband will bring iPad and charger plus phone.

Wiliam Height Honestly, you don't need much. Earplugs because the hospital may not provide those.

Larry Fuller the only thing I used was lip balm and several pairs of foam earplugs. Just was not interested in I p ... Read more

Larry Fuller the only thing I used was lip balm and several pairs of foam earplugs. Just was not interested in I pad or much tv due to brain fog. By the time I went home things changed but I simply wasn't interested in much while in. Toothbrush and electric shaver too
All the best
Larry

Bob M Sweatpants, shirts with buttons all the way down the front, and a baseball cap

Pat Bluemel I took basketball shorts, eye mask (must have) earplugs, toothbrush, Ipad and charger and what I wor ... Read more

Pat Bluemel I took basketball shorts, eye mask (must have) earplugs, toothbrush, Ipad and charger and what I wore in (sweats and a tshirt). UW gives you a little care package of blistex and other stuff. The one thing I did forget was deodorant. When you start sweating out the meds you'll thank me for reminding you to pack it:-). I wanted to arrive light and leave light without having to haul a bunch a stuff around so it was just a back pack.

Ericka Carlson Phone and charger, bring a short extension cord for your charger, pajama pants or shorts, flip flops, ... Read more

Ericka Carlson Phone and charger, bring a short extension cord for your charger, pajama pants or shorts, flip flops, tootbrush/paste, shampoo/conditioner, hair ties, lip balm, deoderant, razor, and your "go home" outfit. Target has great camis with built in cups, here's the link, I wore these exclusively for weeks because bras and shirts touching the incision were out of the question.

Obviously Steve there are several things on here that don't apply to you, but I thought others reading might find it helpful :)

http://www.target.com/p/women-s-knit-sleep-cami-w-built-in-bra-gilligan-o-malley/-/A-16502391#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=gilligan+%26+o%27malley+built-in+bra

Women's Knit Sleep Cami w/ Built-In Bra - Gilligan & O'Malley®

http://www.target.com/p/women-s-knit-sleep-cami-w-built-in-bra-gilligan-o-malley/-/A-16502391

Relax in comfort and style with a Gilligan & O'Malley Sleep Cami. This sleep shirt keeps you chic and cozy all night long. It's made of super-soft jersey with a supple feela must for lounging before bed or catching some Z's. It has a relaxed fit to give you plenty of room to snuggle up. Plus, you can adjust the straps to get the perfect fit. Add some comfy jersey pajama pants or sleep shorts to put together the women's pajamas of your dreams.

Steve Offenbecher Thanks everyone for the opinions, they are great. I think I will follow Pat's advice go in light & le ... Read more

Steve Offenbecher Thanks everyone for the opinions, they are great. I think I will follow Pat's advice go in light & leave light. I am going to pass on the sleep cami and man-pris (capris), but thanks for the advice.

Linda McHugh Yes, thanks to all, especially hue woman's side of it. :-)

Steve Offenbecherposted a journal

3459 days ago

1 person reacted to this

We had an Estate Sale at my house on Friday & Saturday that exhausted me. I wear a step/hr meter and I did 10,000 steps both days. Just 12 days to surgery ...Read more

We had an Estate Sale at my house on Friday & Saturday that exhausted me. I wear a step/hr meter and I did 10,000 steps both days. Just 12 days to surgery and I need to conserve energy, so I have reduced my morning workout time but continue core & leg exercises. I look forward to getting on the other side!

Terry Shermeister Hi Steve: I went for a 20 mile bike ride the day before my surgery. Previously I swam a mile each d ... Read more

Terry Shermeister Hi Steve: I went for a 20 mile bike ride the day before my surgery. Previously I swam a mile each day, which was my normal routine, and I also did 1000 sit ups and yoga each day. My surgeon said that it aided my recovery. I'm approaching 7 weeks on the other side, and feeling great. Good luck to you and you will do well!

Eleanor R I remember being tired before the surgery, so 10,000 steps are amazing. Be prepared to feel tired a ... Read more

Eleanor R I remember being tired before the surgery, so 10,000 steps are amazing. Be prepared to feel tired after the surgery for a few weeks, too, but then you will realize how much better you feel, than ever. It is almost a year now for me, and I have more energy than ever before. Best wishes to you. Eleanor

Jeanette Davidson So happy for you that you've been able to be so active. Just remember to listen to your body and res ... Read more

Jeanette Davidson So happy for you that you've been able to be so active. Just remember to listen to your body and rest when you need to.
Stay well❤️

Tammy Pilcher Prayers and best wishes, Steve! God bless you!

Steve Offenbecher Thank you all for the good wishes & Terry that is awesome. I wish I could just walk again much less a ... Read more

Steve Offenbecher Thank you all for the good wishes & Terry that is awesome. I wish I could just walk again much less a 20 mile bike ride. I am working on core & legs just to keep my hr down right now. I see the doc for pre-surgery tomorrow.

Steve Offenbecherposted a journal

3463 days ago

1 person reacted to this

6/24 Finally set a date of 7/10 after one delay. I am not anxious just anticipating the other side. Working daily on lower body and core strengthening in anticipation ...Read more

6/24 Finally set a date of 7/10 after one delay. I am not anxious just anticipating the other side. Working daily on lower body and core strengthening in anticipation of post surgery. I felt heart skipped beats on Monday called Doc & he sent me to local cardiologist that changed my high blood pressure meds. It seemed to calm me down, but I still run out of gas about 1 pm and need a nap.

Kyle Väth Good luck Steve! You'll feel so much better afterwards! Waiting is the hardest part.

Steve Offenbecher Kyle thanks for the encouragement. Tell me what you did physically to get ready for surgery and post ... Read more

Steve Offenbecher Kyle thanks for the encouragement. Tell me what you did physically to get ready for surgery and post hab.

Steve Offenbecherposted a journal

3469 days ago

Jeanette Davidson and 1 other reacted to this

A little disappointed, they bumped my surgery date to 7/10/15. I guess I get one more week to play golf.

Steve Offenbecherposted a journal

3472 days ago

Does anyone have experience with Aztec or heart hugger harnesses post surgery?

Fran Walsh I've seen the heart hugger harness also and was wondering about it. Has anyone used it.

Ray Lockhart I am hoping someone will weigh in on these products also. I wonder if they have been recommended or ... Read more

Ray Lockhart I am hoping someone will weigh in on these products also. I wonder if they have been recommended or even approved by some of the surgeons.

John Jones I just finished a fairly thorough look at the heart hugger website. I am very new to all of this but ... Read more

John Jones I just finished a fairly thorough look at the heart hugger website. I am very new to all of this but it looks promising. I also searched google for cons to using it. I know it is not conclusive but I did not find any adverse comments. I know that I will definitely ask my doc about it. One of the studies done on it was done at Wake Forest. That is encouraging as that is where I will be. It looks like it is recommended more for out of the ordinary patients. Thanks for posting it. Every little bit helps.

Ericka Carlson I can tell you that there is no way that those would have worked for me with that strap running acros ... Read more

Ericka Carlson I can tell you that there is no way that those would have worked for me with that strap running across the chest. I am 4 weeks out and still wear v-neck shirts because anything touching the incision is very aggravating. Up until a week ago it was just downright painful.

John Jones Thanks for the info Ericka. Everything I here helps me to ask the right questions. I hope you continu ... Read more

John Jones Thanks for the info Ericka. Everything I here helps me to ask the right questions. I hope you continue to improve.

Ray Lockhart I did a search for heart hugger over at ValveReplacement.org and got a bunch of hits. Quite a few pe ... Read more

Ray Lockhart I did a search for heart hugger over at ValveReplacement.org and got a bunch of hits. Quite a few people say they are a big help and I didn't see any negative posts. I didn't get any hits when I searched for the Aztec.

Steve Offenbecher How about the Aztecheart.com?

Ray Lockhart Steve, I have not found anything on the Aztecheart product except what is shown on their web site. I ... Read more

Ray Lockhart Steve, I have not found anything on the Aztecheart product except what is shown on their web site. It looks like the most inviting product of the two but the lack of any reviews or complaints suggests to me that they scrub the net of all of that stuff. I like to see some reviews, even negative ones before I buy something. My doctors nurse at CC says that a vest will be available in the hospital if I want it. I guess I will wait and see what they provide.

Steve Offenbecherposted a journal

3475 days ago

1 person reacted to this

I will have an AVR mid-July and I am working on getting my mind and body ready for the surgery and the re-hab. Tonight I met with several very supportive friends ...Read more

I will have an AVR mid-July and I am working on getting my mind and body ready for the surgery and the re-hab. Tonight I met with several very supportive friends and my new nutritionist, Gaye. I am fully recovered from my cardio-cath on Tuesday and began light workouts to get the endorphins moving. Pre-Hab is a way to keep your mind busy and to prepare for the invasive surgery that happens soon. It is working for me, how about you all?

Pat Bluemel Are you a go with Dr Aldea? He's so awesome. He checked me on rounds all 6 days I was at UW So kind ... Read more

Pat Bluemel Are you a go with Dr Aldea? He's so awesome. He checked me on rounds all 6 days I was at UW So kind and engaged and Just awesome. Let me know if you have any UW questions. You'll do great.

Steve Offenbecher Yes he was recommended to me and my wife and I think he is very good and comes with great credentials ... Read more

Steve Offenbecher Yes he was recommended to me and my wife and I think he is very good and comes with great credentials. I see Dr. A on Tuesday for CT & angio diagnosis, but he is pretty sure it is an AVR soon.

Pat Bluemel Keep in touch with me, I live just up the street from UW and can help answer any of the civilian side ... Read more

Pat Bluemel Keep in touch with me, I live just up the street from UW and can help answer any of the civilian side questions you have. I really can't say enough good things about Dr A. I hope that helps with some of the uneasiness that comes with diagnosis.

Steve Offenbecher Thanks Pat for your support, we will keep in touch with you.

Steve Offenbecherposted a journal

3499 days ago

Lora Lee Peterson and 3 others reacted to this

Since I think I have some time before surgery, I have been researching methods to increase my chances of a positive postoperative outcome. All the research ...Read more

Since I think I have some time before surgery, I have been researching methods to increase my chances of a positive postoperative outcome. All the research I have read indicates that to decrease the post op metabolic, physical and mental stress, I need to eat right, exercise and mentally prepare before the operation. The journey continues tomorrow on the treadmill. Wish me luck!

Jeanette Davidson I hear you! I am working on the same things Steve since I planning AVR surgery in early August! Let' ... Read more

Jeanette Davidson I hear you! I am working on the same things Steve since I planning AVR surgery in early August! Let's help to motivate each other !❤️

Steve Offenbecher Thanks for your encouragement. I met with a personal trainer yesterday and I can just tell she will k ... Read more

Steve Offenbecher Thanks for your encouragement. I met with a personal trainer yesterday and I can just tell she will kick my butt. But iam determined to drop 10 more #s in the next 10 days. I was up at 5 this morning & so hard to hit that treadmill, but I did it and stretched out till it hurt.

Ray Lockhart I believe whether you exercise or not probably depends on the nature of your problem and the degree t ... Read more

Ray Lockhart I believe whether you exercise or not probably depends on the nature of your problem and the degree to which it has progressed. I will be having an AVR in mid July and was told by my CC doctor to stay off the treadmill until after surgery.

Steve Offenbecherposted a journal

3499 days ago

I have been diagnosed with Severe Aortic Stenosis and I now have appointments with UW and Swedish Hospitals next week to interview surgeons. Does anyone have ...Read more

I have been diagnosed with Severe Aortic Stenosis and I now have appointments with UW and Swedish Hospitals next week to interview surgeons. Does anyone have experience with either hospital in WA State?