Susan's Journal

Looks like Dr. Leonard Girardi from Weill Cornell/NY Presbyterian put his particular set of (surgical) skills to good use.
https://people.com/liam-neeson-son-daniel-neeson-surgery-congenital-heart-defect-11918914?hid=d2a0993ec2d6161004c8e2b04684d8af73a4d68d&did=22312405-20260304&utm_source=ppl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ppl-news_newsletter&utm_content=030426&utm_term=AM&lctg=d2a0993ec2d6161004c8e2b04684d8af73a4d68d&lr_input=acb82d435af1e78e7ad62514acb054ff03986f2497f3f261113c3d9a9fa9b4bd&campaign=17138075

December 1 marks my eighth anniversary of a successful mitral valve repair. If you are currently in the waiting room or are in the early, challenging stages of recovery, please know that the commitment you are making to your health is absolutely worth every bit of effort! Keep moving forward, be patient with your healing, and trust in the amazing future awaiting you! Congrats to the entire Class of 2017!! Happy Birthday to alum, Rose Madura!

For anyone who needs to hear this, today:

Ernest Hemingway once wrote: The hardest lesson I have had to learn as an adult is the relentless need to keep going, no matter how broken I feel inside.This truth is raw, unfiltered, and painfully universal. Life doesn’t stop when we are exhausted, when our hearts are shattered, or when our spirits feel threadbare. It keeps moving—unyielding, indifferent—demanding that we keep pace. There is no pause button for grief, no intermission for healing, no moment where the world gently steps aside and allows us to mend. Life expects us to carry our burdens in silence, to push forward despite the weight of all we carry inside.The cruelest part? No one really prepares us for this. As children, we are fed stories of resilience wrapped in neat, hopeful endings—tales where pain has purpose and every storm clears to reveal a bright horizon. But adulthood strips away those comforting illusions. It teaches us that survival is rarely poetic. More often than not, it’s about showing up when you’d rather disappear, smiling through pain no one sees, and carrying on despite feeling like you're unraveling from the inside out.And yet, somehow, we persevere. That’s the quiet miracle of being human. Even when life is relentless, even when hope feels distant, we keep moving. We stumble, we break, we fall to our knees—but we get up. And in doing so, we uncover a strength we never knew we had. We learn to comfort ourselves in the ways we wish others would. We become the voice of reassurance we once searched for. Slowly, we realize that resilience isn’t always about grand acts of bravery; sometimes, it’s just a whisper—“Keep going.”Yes, it’s exhausting. Yes, it’s unfair. And yes, there are days when the weight of it all feels unbearable. But every small step forward is proof that we haven’t given up. That we are still fighting, still holding on, still refusing to let the darkness consume us. That quiet defiance—choosing to exist, to try, to hope—is the bravest thing we can do.

New information on the value of beta blockers after heart attacks - hope research on use after valve surgery is forthcoming. 🤞
https://scitechdaily.com/after-40-years-heart-doctors-say-beta-blockers-may-do-more-harm-than-good/

It's hard to believe, it's been 7 years since my surgery. Where does the time go? Congratulations to the Class of 2017! Celebrate today and everyday! x7

Just watched Open Heart on Netflix. All of you Dr. Eric Roselli heart warriors, you're in the company of another famous alum. Highly recommend watching it. Maybe Henrik will join our HVS community. ❤

New FDA-approved valve offers greater options for younger patients requiring future valve replacements.
 https://www.facebook.com/100064935241938/posts/pfbid02mjru8KgrLVtV1kppyBk1wM697hBp5QvdKwmi2a68U2byiJzHZ19XYSzC9DUUryEjl/?app=fbl

Question- Will an annulplasty ring set off an airport security alarm? I heard the beep and was 'randomly' selected for the body scan in both directions on my flight to/from California?

Every once in awhile, you meet someone who is truly special - today, my twin sister and I had the good fortune to meet two of those people! Our Sweet Ana and her beautiful daughter are simply amazing! We enjoyed every moment we spent in their company!!

Heart warriors - I value your opinions, so don't weigh your words.

My 95-year old aunt was admitted to the hospital for a low heart rate twice in the last few weeks. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with aortic and mitral stenosis. At that time, a different cardiologist thought she was too frail to recover from TAVR. Now, a new cardiologist has evaluated her, consulted with a surgical team, and wants her to have TAVR next week. The nurse said that her valve is the diameter of a pencil and that she is at risk for a mild or significant cardiac event or a stroke. Other than the fluctuating heart rate, she doesn't have any symptoms. She has some hired help at home to perform daily chores, but othetwise lives independently.

My aunt agreed to all of the pre-surgical tests. I'm going to get copies for another opinion or two.

She is of sound mind and will be making the final decision. But, she wants my opinion.

How old is too old for TAVR? I'm concerned about the urgency her doc has about performing this procedure so quickly. A medical professional may think there's only upside, but I'm not sure about that. Your thoughts, please.

Celebrated my 6th Anniversary (a little early) with a Florida vacation with my sister/OHS cheerleader! Wishing everyone from the Class of 2017 a very Happy Anniversary!
x6

Woo-hoo!  It's 5 years, today, since my mitral valve surgery!   Thank you,  Adam and the whole HVS community, for all of the great advice,  information,  support, and laughs!  

Happy Anniversary to the entire Class of 2017! ❤x5

Thanks to Adam and the heart warriors on this site who get us through the before, during, and after of heart valve surgery. Whoever needs to hear it, today - We see you and we understand.

A few years old, but still funny! Happy Valentine's Day Heart Warriors! ❤ https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Lifestyle/cardiologists-create-hilarious-heart-healthy-memes-celebrate-valentines/story?id=45400003

I heard from a friend who had heart surgery a few years ago. He asked me a question, but I couldn't answer it. He saw his pO2 arterial levels (on the patient portal) that were measured during his surgery. They were in the 300s, 400s, and 500s for nearly three consecutive hours and remained high (>100) for two days afterward. He thinks he may have been subjected to oxygen toxicity. Does anyone know if these numbers are too high for a patient on bypass? He still experiences shortness of breath and thinks it might be related to this prolonged elevation. Any feedback would be helpful.

Fellow Heart Warriors: I was placed on metoprolol succinate (extended release) about a month ago to address PACs. The good news is, my heart beat seems to have improved, but my blood pressure is increasing. Has anyone else had this experience or know why this could be happening? I'm experiencing the highest BP numbers I've ever had - systolic in the 140s and 150s and diastolic in the 90s and low 100s. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

The Cleveland Clinic's latest alum. ❤ https://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/2020/10/arnold-schwarzenegger-tweets-from-cleveland-after-heart-procedure-at-cleveland-clinic.html

Good morning, Heart Warriors! As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I was required to wear a ZIO heart monitor for two weeks following an annual EKG showed PACs. Well, my monitor results showed: PACs - 12%, PVCs - 2.5%, and 8 brief episodes of tachycardia (that I didn't even feel). My cardiologist assured me that these issues can be common among mitral valve patients and, in hopes of preventing afib, he wants me to take Toprol XL (time released metoprolol - beta blocker) or a calcium blocker. A third option is to see an electrophysiologist, but it's still likely a prescription would be indicated. Since 2018, I've managed to remain off all medication. I didn't love metoprolol after surgery - I took it for nine months - but, I think it may be the lesser of all evils. When I did take it, I felt tired, had some intermittent lightheadedness, and just felt a bit "off". I initially blamed many of these symptoms on the surgery itself, but, looking back, I think it was the medication. Does anyone have an opinion or experience with a similar situation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I need to get back to my cardiologist with my decision next week.

Annual Cardiologist Visit Walked in expecting a short appointment and "See you next year!" -- but, my recent cardiologist's visit revealed my bp was 150/90 and my EKG showed PACs (premature atrial contractions). Both results are uncharacteristic for me! I have been under a ton of stress, lately, so I'm hoping that is the temporary cause. My doctor prescribed the Zio XT wireless heart monitor and it will be my latest fashion accessory for two weeks. Does anyone out there have any experience with this monitor? Any advice on using (and removing) it is greatly appreciated! Thank you!