Suelynn's Journal

Discharged this aft from aortic valve redo replacement surgery (full sternectomy) and some extra days of a-fib! I powered-through! Can’t wait to be home! All honor and praise to Him. Thank you for your ♥️ support too!!

Hi Heart Friends! I am scheduled for my aortic valve "redo" replacement surgery of my Edwards-Carpentier bioprosthetic valve (bovine) to a Medtronic Freestyle Full Root bioprosthetic valve (porcine) which involves an aortic root replacement on April 8th at Northwestern Medicine Hospital (Chicago) with Douglas Johnston, MD. I do not qualify for a TAVR procedure. Question for those who have undergone a 2nd or more aortic valve replacement: What can I expect the second-time around post-surgery and during recovery? (Please be honest.) Thank you!

Met with Leonardo Rodriguez, MD, interventional cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic late last month. He originally had speculated from my echo (and past echos) that I may be due for a replacement in 3-4 years. BUT, now, he has changed his mind and it may be earlier - in 2 years - due to my allergist & immunologist and gastroenterologist discovering nickel allergy as the reason for my rapidly increasing allergies and progressively worsening gastro issues. While I always knew that I was sensitive to nickel jewelry, I did not know that nickel is also in all foods, and of course, I learned that nickel is in the wiring and mesh that holds my bovine valve. In the meantime, I use a Nickel Navigator app to keep track of the amount of nickel I am eating (trying to stay below a certain threshold). It's been a journey. I have always said this - my heart surgery is simple next to my allergies but what I didn't know is that my aortic valve replacement back in 2011, in essence, greatly contributed to my allergy overload and has caused other health issues. When I look back at health records, I started having problems with allergies and g.i. issues approximately 1 year after my valve surgery. Curious - Do you or anyone you know have a metal sensitivity issue to a surgical implantable device?

Hi My Heart Valve Community! A couple of weeks ago, after my early May echo, I was informed that my Edwards pericardial tissue heart valve needs replacement (severe stenosis) . . . so after 7 years, I am, once again, looking at cardio-thoracic surgeons especially now, that (my very bright Cleveland Clinic surgeon is now the CEO of Cleveland Clinic! By the way, Adam, your book and website is amazing, and I cannot thank you enough. You are helping me once again! I am scheduled to see a surgeon at Cleveland Clinic early July and another one locally (live in the Chicago area). My question to those in the community who have undergone tissue valve replacement or repair twice - how did it go the second time around? Can they just repair it?