My 4 yr Open Heart Surgery Anniversary for Aortic Aneurysm was June 9,2019. I have been relatively stable. The only thing I have struggled with, is bending ...Read more
My 4 yr Open Heart Surgery Anniversary for Aortic Aneurysm was June 9,2019. I have been relatively stable. The only thing I have struggled with, is bending over to do house work. On July 4,2019 I was on a boat for 2 hrs. I then became severely dehydrated on a 90 degree day. After stopping to eat, I took a bad fall on my way back to the boat. Before I fell, I had felt nauseated from the motion of the boat and the extreme heat. July and part of Aug was spent at home recovering from the broken elbow. But then the end of Aug I went to Geneva on the lake just for a few hrs. That was my summer!!
Susan Lynn Happy Fourth Anniversary! So sorry about your elbow - that must have been painful. Glad you were ... Read more
Susan Lynn Happy Fourth Anniversary! So sorry about your elbow - that must have been painful. Glad you were able to go to Geneva! Take care - all good things are ahead! ❤
Marie Myers Hope your arm is getting back to normal. And congratulations on your 4 year heart anniversary!!
Hello just an update. I am one month away from my 3 yr anniversary of my Open Heart Surgery for the Ascending Aortic Aneurysm. It certainly has been a real ...Read more
Hello just an update. I am one month away from my 3 yr anniversary of my Open Heart Surgery for the Ascending Aortic Aneurysm. It certainly has been a real struggle from time to time. I didn't get sick to much in the winter. But the day before Easter on March 31,2018 I got what I thought was the flu. I felt truly ill. I couldn't quit coughing. But then April 22,2018 I went to the ER with severe vomiting and diarrhea. I was admitted. Next day I found out I had CDIFF. I never felt so ill in my entire life. The CDiff dehydrated me terribly. But then after all the bags of fluid I have received, it then put me in heart failure and with asthma. I can say this CDiff has really knocked me down physically. I am so weak. Hoping in another week I start to feel more like myself.
Marie Myers Wow! Sounds like a tough spring for you. I hope you are on the road to recovery. And congratulations ... Read more
Marie Myers Wow! Sounds like a tough spring for you. I hope you are on the road to recovery. And congratulations on your 3 year anniversary! Time goes by so fast...
Bonnie Stone-Hope So sorry to hear about your illness. Fingers crossed that you feel better soon.
Kelly Stoll I'm sorry Tina. It is a nasty infection to get, even without being on OHS patient. Hang in there, wor ... Read more
Kelly Stoll I'm sorry Tina. It is a nasty infection to get, even without being on OHS patient. Hang in there, work with the doctors, and fight with all you've got. I battled it several years ago (rare case that involved relapses, very uncommon now). Thankfully science has made great leaps in the treatment of C. Diff. I hope you feel better soon. One day at a time, one step at a time.
Maria Gapinski Dear Tina, I am so sorry to hear that you contracted C.Diff. My dad got it after two rounds of antib ... Read more
Maria Gapinski Dear Tina, I am so sorry to hear that you contracted C.Diff. My dad got it after two rounds of antibiotics without supplementing with probiotics (like in yogurt). With Doctor approval, he started supplementing antibiotic doses (in-between antibiotic doses) with the probiotic, Florastor. He now daily takes one capsule of "RAW Probiotics - Men" from the Vitamin Shoppe. When he needs new antibiotics, we supplement with Culturelle probiotic in between antibiotic doses.
Just a brief update. The start of the winter has been a little hard on me. I have not had the flu yet, but had a lot of congestion and feeling extremely tired. ...Read more
Just a brief update. The start of the winter has been a little hard on me. I have not had the flu yet, but had a lot of congestion and feeling extremely tired. It has been two and a half years since my Open Heart Surgery for my Aortic Aneurysm. I am requiring more lasix than I had in the past. And I seem to feel weaker faster than I did before. But overall I have been able to have friends over to my apartment and able to enjoy the Christmas Season so far.
Rita Savelis Happy December Tina! Nice to get an update.
Today June 9,2017 is my two yr Anniversary post Open Heart Surgery for Aortic Aneurysm. I feel lucky to be alive. I suffer CHF but it could be worse. I could ...Read more
Today June 9,2017 is my two yr Anniversary post Open Heart Surgery for Aortic Aneurysm. I feel lucky to be alive. I suffer CHF but it could be worse. I could be on oxygen and not able to get around. Just thankful that I made it through one of the most difficult times in my life!!
Just a brief update. I finally went through the Cardiopulmonary Test on Jan 12,2017. I hope I never have to do another one. Not sure what all will be recommended. ...Read more
Just a brief update. I finally went through the Cardiopulmonary Test on Jan 12,2017. I hope I never have to do another one. Not sure what all will be recommended. I am 17 months out from my OHS. Feeling better than before the surgery but still find it so hard to do anything that requires a lot of physical exertion. I am sure I will be sent back to Cardiac Rehab too. Who knows what else.
Emily Rowley Wow 17 months. How did your test go, was it bike? Do you feel out of breath or tired? I still feel bo ... Read more
Emily Rowley Wow 17 months. How did your test go, was it bike? Do you feel out of breath or tired? I still feel both of these (not as bad a pre-op) 12 months out and wondering if this is normal..
Rita Savelis I still get out of breath (22 months after OHS). I felt tired for at least a year after surgery. Som ... Read more
Rita Savelis I still get out of breath (22 months after OHS). I felt tired for at least a year after surgery. Sometimes that tiredness comes up suddenly still.
Tina Maroon Emily my test was done on the bike. It was a very rough test. I do feel tired a lot. And yes out of b ... Read more
Tina Maroon Emily my test was done on the bike. It was a very rough test. I do feel tired a lot. And yes out of breath some too. I felt it at 12 mo. Post too. I also was wondering if it was normal to be so tired 1 to 2 yrs post op!!
Rita Savelis Sometimes that tiredness stems from something other than the heart.... The trauma surgery was on one' ... Read more
Rita Savelis Sometimes that tiredness stems from something other than the heart.... The trauma surgery was on one's lungs, or just general differences one feels as years go by.
I'm always asking doctors while I'm still tired, but the response I get is that my heart is fine.
Maybe I'll never be an energetic pre-surgery 54 yr old, and instead an older more tired 56 yr old.
Take Care Tina.
Here I am 16 months post op. Still having trouble with Cardiac Rehab phase 3. I have started and stopped phase 3 several times. So on Dec 1,2016 I am going ...Read more
Here I am 16 months post op. Still having trouble with Cardiac Rehab phase 3. I have started and stopped phase 3 several times. So on Dec 1,2016 I am going for a Cardiopulmonary Stress Test at the Cleveland Clinic to see if they can determine how much is lung issues and how much is heart issues. If I make it through the winter with no major flu illnesses I will be happy.
Emily Rowley Oh no I'm sorry to hear this Tina. Hoping you don't catch the flu hun. Will you need a Lung Function ... Read more
Emily Rowley Oh no I'm sorry to hear this Tina. Hoping you don't catch the flu hun. Will you need a Lung Function Test too? Was the Cardiac Rehab stopped due to heart related symptoms? Sending my best wishes, hopefully they can find some answers to help you. 💕
Corey Sines Sorry you haven't improved to where you feel you should be. Sending prayers your way Tina!
Catie B Tina, I'm sorry to hear of your struggles. I hope things start really improving for you soon.
Amy Steele Sorry to hear that you're having problems. Hopefully the doctors will be able to figure out what the ... Read more
Amy Steele Sorry to hear that you're having problems. Hopefully the doctors will be able to figure out what the problem is. Hang in there and keep us updated.
Steven A Husted sorry to hear of your problems i hope they figure it out i am really enjoying cardio rehab phase 3 my ... Read more
Steven A Husted sorry to hear of your problems i hope they figure it out i am really enjoying cardio rehab phase 3 my prayers are with you
Steven A Husted DEAR LORD BE WITH TINA AND HELP HER THRU THIS JOURNEY AMEN
Phyllis Petersen Such a long and rocky road you've been on. Hopefully, they will find a way to improve your breathing ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen Such a long and rocky road you've been on. Hopefully, they will find a way to improve your breathing and you can finish recovering to the place you want to be.
Nancy Lewis You have me a little nervous now, I am to start Cardiac Rehab this week, and I didn't know that it ca ... Read more
Nancy Lewis You have me a little nervous now, I am to start Cardiac Rehab this week, and I didn't know that it came in 3 sections. I was hoping for 6 months and done. Not so realistic right?
Tina Maroon Thanks everyone for your concern. I had completed phase 2 of Cardiac Rehab from Aug 2015 to Nov 2015 ... Read more
Tina Maroon Thanks everyone for your concern. I had completed phase 2 of Cardiac Rehab from Aug 2015 to Nov 2015 after the heart surgery in June 2015. It is 36 sessions so it takes 3 months. But in Jan 2016 I started phase 3 of Cardiac Rehab and got sick with something like the flu. I then retried in Feb 2016 and got sick again in March 2016 and then ended up in the hospital with CHF in April 2016. So all this year I have struggled to complete phase 3 of Cardiac Rehab. It was finally stopped till I find an answer to my problems. Cardiopulmonary Stress Test scheduled for Nov 15,2016 at Cleveland Clinic.
Tina Maroon Now my Cardiopulmonary Stress Test is rescheduled till Jan 12th. I am sick again with Bronchitis. In ... Read more
Tina Maroon Now my Cardiopulmonary Stress Test is rescheduled till Jan 12th. I am sick again with Bronchitis. In early Nov I was sick with some respiratory issues as well. This test has been rescheduled twice. From Nov 15th to Dec 1st to now Jan 12th.
Had the Cardiac Echo on Aug 23,2016. Just got the results two days ago. Everything came back really good. My labs are good too. That is a real relief. I will ...Read more
Had the Cardiac Echo on Aug 23,2016. Just got the results two days ago. Everything came back really good. My labs are good too. That is a real relief. I will be starting back to Cardiac Rehab on Monday Aug 29,2016. I also have really significant Asthma and I am sure that plays a big part of the exercise intolerance too. But I have always had great fatigue with exercise. So for now I will keep pushing forward. Hoping this coming winter's viruses do not hit me as hard as the one did this past winter.
Barbara Laurie Tina, I get you! I avoid public places once winter sets in because of my virus induced asthma. Here's ... Read more
Barbara Laurie Tina, I get you! I avoid public places once winter sets in because of my virus induced asthma. Here's a hint. Don't just use the wipe spray they give you at the rehab. Bring disposable Clorox wipes, with beach..find at Walmart, wipe down anything you're going to touch. Also stay away from folks..well, at least three feet away! Hope that helps. I think your results so far are awesome! Yay!❤️❤️
Just an update. 14 months post Open Heart Surgery. I have not had a lot of energy. Having lots of trouble completing more than 15 minutes on the treadmill. ...Read more
Just an update. 14 months post Open Heart Surgery. I have not had a lot of energy. Having lots of trouble completing more than 15 minutes on the treadmill. Echo scheduled for Aug 23rd. Hoping they find out the reason why I am feeling this way.
Emily Rowley It's good to hear an update from you Tina ☺ Hopefully they can find a reason for your breathlessnes ... Read more
Emily Rowley It's good to hear an update from you Tina ☺ Hopefully they can find a reason for your breathlessness hun. What did you have done when you had OHS? Wishing you all the best & looking forward to hearing from you.
Steven A Husted i hope you get stronger i no with me some days are better than others i am two years out and i still ... Read more
Steven A Husted i hope you get stronger i no with me some days are better than others i am two years out and i still get weak sometimes but i go to cardio rehab twice a week and it helps me with the exercise and the friendships with other heart surgery patients
Mary K Hope you are feeling better soon. We had our surgeries right around the same time.
Tina Maroon Thanks for all the well wishes. Emily I had an Ascending Aortic Aneurysm, 2 holes in the heart that t ... Read more
Tina Maroon Thanks for all the well wishes. Emily I had an Ascending Aortic Aneurysm, 2 holes in the heart that they called a PFO and 2 valve repairs. I guess I will always feel this way with exercise. But thank goodness nothing else bad is going on.
Hello, hope everyone is enjoying the summertime. I finally am doing better for the time being. I thought would share the two pictures from my 4th of July weekend. ...Read more
Hello, hope everyone is enjoying the summertime. I finally am doing better for the time being. I thought would share the two pictures from my 4th of July weekend. Hopefully my feeling good will last longer than a few months. I would love to hear how everyone is doing who had heart surgery a year ago.
Well here it is again. Severe Bronchitis in less than 2 months. Prior to that I was feeling ok but never got my full energy back at all. Cardiac Rehab has been ...Read more
Well here it is again. Severe Bronchitis in less than 2 months. Prior to that I was feeling ok but never got my full energy back at all. Cardiac Rehab has been harder to this time. I am doing phase 3. Just not feeling so great at all. Hoping that the antibiotics kick in soon. Easter Day was spent in bed. I was under the covers with lights out the entire day. Almost 10 months post op OHS and two severe Resp infections less than two months apart. Ugh!!!
Mike Mo Sorry Tina, hopefully you're feeling a bit better. 😁
Petey Bello Feel better Tina. Sorry you are having such a hard time.
Well Friday Jan 29-Sun Jan 31 I was hospitalized for this same flu type virus that I have had since New Years Day. I can say that i feel a little better from ...Read more
Well Friday Jan 29-Sun Jan 31 I was hospitalized for this same flu type virus that I have had since New Years Day. I can say that i feel a little better from all the breathing treatments and IV fluids. But wow I hope it leaves my body soon!!
Sophia Ridley Gosh! You have a nasty one there, good to hear you're getting treatment and starting to feel better. ... Read more
Sophia Ridley Gosh! You have a nasty one there, good to hear you're getting treatment and starting to feel better.
Hello everyone. Well I have had some kind of flu or virus since New Years Day. But yesterday I ended up in the ER with a major Asthma Attack. It is quite scary. ...Read more
Hello everyone. Well I have had some kind of flu or virus since New Years Day. But yesterday I ended up in the ER with a major Asthma Attack. It is quite scary. I was really hoping the heart surgery would fix that. But I see it does not fix lung issues I guess. I have had Asthma since my teen years. Hoping whatever bug I caught, leaves me real soon!!
Hello everyone. Here is to hoping that the New Year will bring health and much happiness to everyone!! This past year 2015 surely brought a sudden unexpected ...Read more
Hello everyone. Here is to hoping that the New Year will bring health and much happiness to everyone!! This past year 2015 surely brought a sudden unexpected major heart surgery for me in June. But so thankful its behind me and looking forward to the new year.
W. Carter Happy New Year to you and yours Tina, may it be a healthy and happy year!
Hello. Just an update. I got my MRI results yesterday 12-16-15. They were good. I don't have to see the Cardiologist for a year unless any problems. My lung ...Read more
Hello. Just an update. I got my MRI results yesterday 12-16-15. They were good. I don't have to see the Cardiologist for a year unless any problems. My lung function tests were not so great. But its nothing I didn't already know about. So thankful to finally be doing better. It took me the full 6 months to feel better. Hopefully the second 6 months will be even better.
Emily Rowley That's great new Tina :D
Can they do anything to help improve the function of your Lungs? I wish you ... Read more
Emily Rowley That's great new Tina :D
Can they do anything to help improve the function of your Lungs? I wish you all the very best 😊
W. Carter The second six months are going to be fantastic! Get exercise daily and you will feel even better. Ju ... Read more
W. Carter The second six months are going to be fantastic! Get exercise daily and you will feel even better. Just a brisk 30 minute walk will rejuvenate you.
Sophia Ridley Good to hear all is well with MRI. Onwards and upwards!
Think I need to take W advice as feel like ... Read more
Sophia Ridley Good to hear all is well with MRI. Onwards and upwards!
Think I need to take W advice as feel like I've been hibernating this week.
This is almost 6 mo. post op Ascending Aortic Aneurysm surgery and I am now all of a sudden experiencing decreased exercise capacity. I have some chest pain ...Read more
This is almost 6 mo. post op Ascending Aortic Aneurysm surgery and I am now all of a sudden experiencing decreased exercise capacity. I have some chest pain at rest. I have what seems to be worsening Heart Failure symptoms again. Going for Cardiac MRI Dec 14,2015. Hoping things are better than how I physically feel.
Steven A Husted i would have it checked out by your doctor but there will be times of weakness and soreness and pain ... Read more
Steven A Husted i would have it checked out by your doctor but there will be times of weakness and soreness and pain even at 6 months out
Enrique K Tina, I agree with Steven get that checked by the cardiologist ASAP.
Tina Maroon Steven and Enrique I did get it checked out by my doc and the MRI on Dec 14th is what was decided for ... Read more
Tina Maroon Steven and Enrique I did get it checked out by my doc and the MRI on Dec 14th is what was decided for me. I am hoping all comes out ok. Thank you both for your concern. It means a lot. Sometimes I feel alone in my journey of this post op heart surgery!!
Told today by the Cardiac Nurse Practitioner that they would like me to do Phase Three of Cardiac Rehab after I am done with phase two of Cardiac Rehab in November ...Read more
Told today by the Cardiac Nurse Practitioner that they would like me to do Phase Three of Cardiac Rehab after I am done with phase two of Cardiac Rehab in November 2015. I also was told that they prefer me to not do the treadmill outside of a monitored facility. The heart is doing great. I have Lupus but it has been in question for 12-13 yrs whether I did or didn't have it. My labs are all off the wall and indicate that I do have it. I am thinking the stress of the Heart Surgery has made the Lupus flare up. On lots of steroids right now. Sad I am gaining a lot of the weight back that I lost from the heart surgery. Glad to be alive!!!
Steven A Husted amen heart sister glad to be alive is the way i feel and yes if you can i would encourage you to do c ... Read more
Steven A Husted amen heart sister glad to be alive is the way i feel and yes if you can i would encourage you to do cardio rehab phase 3 it is great to make new friends and keep your heart in shape read my post on phase 3 i made a few days ago steven a husted (popeye)
Terry Shermeister Hi Tina: You look so much like a dear friend and your husband looks like her husband. Yes, all this ... Read more
Terry Shermeister Hi Tina: You look so much like a dear friend and your husband looks like her husband. Yes, all this health stuff is quite a challenge isn't it. When you get done with one thing it's another. Again, it's a faith thing, and if you allow God or a higher power to deal with it that is the way to go. However, easier said than done. Take care, healing thoughts and prayers to you.
Tina Maroon Terry the man in the picture with me is my cousin Ryan. I am not married. I have never been married. ... Read more
Tina Maroon Terry the man in the picture with me is my cousin Ryan. I am not married. I have never been married.
4 months post op and I have only one more month of Cardiac Rehab to do. I am walking 30min on the treadmill at 2.4 speed and 1 grade. Starting to feel really ...Read more
4 months post op and I have only one more month of Cardiac Rehab to do. I am walking 30min on the treadmill at 2.4 speed and 1 grade. Starting to feel really good. Finally 4 months later!!
Tammy Pilcher Great news, Tina! Congratulations! God bless you!
Gerald Schaffer Keep up your rehab, you're doing great. Hopefully you'll be 100% recovered soon.
Terry Shermeister Hi Tina, I'm happy you are doing well. We must have had our surgeries at about the same time. I'm g ... Read more
Terry Shermeister Hi Tina, I'm happy you are doing well. We must have had our surgeries at about the same time. I'm glad you are doing well!
Beverley Keddo Happy you are progressing well, motivation for us all bless you
Tina Maroon Thanks you everyone for the support. Its been a very hard thing for me to go through. My surgery was ... Read more
Tina Maroon Thanks you everyone for the support. Its been a very hard thing for me to go through. My surgery was so sudden. I never had time to think about it. the Support means a lot to me.
Well its been 15 weeks post op. I am now in my 6th week of Cardiac Rehab. I am now doing 25min on the treadmill and moving right along. My only real pain is ...Read more
Well its been 15 weeks post op. I am now in my 6th week of Cardiac Rehab. I am now doing 25min on the treadmill and moving right along. My only real pain is the Sternum. I am really hurting there. And my right Chest Tube Sight burns and throbs. But otherwise no problems to really speak of. Looking forward to hopefully feeling better and stronger as the months go on.
Steven A Husted try to keep up with your pain meds but dont over do it you will heal it takes time time is a healer
Mary K Hi Tina, you had your ssurgery ten days before I did. Sounds like you are doing pretty well. Keep up ... Read more
Mary K Hi Tina, you had your ssurgery ten days before I did. Sounds like you are doing pretty well. Keep up the good work, heart sister.
Bob M One day at a time. Take it easy heart sister
W. Carter Cardio rehab is one of the best confidence builders there is after heart surgery. Doing exercises whi ... Read more
W. Carter Cardio rehab is one of the best confidence builders there is after heart surgery. Doing exercises while being monitored and seeing weekly progress helped me more than anything. It sure beats sitting around the house and wondering if your heart valve will fail. As far as the sternum, it might take 6-10 mo. for it to heal completely. Mine took 10 mo. to heal completely.
Tina Maroon W. Carter I do wonder all the time if my heart will fail. I know the feeling.
Next week starts my 4th week of cardiac rehab. It will be 13 weeks post op!!
Steven A Husted wow your 3rd ohs and you look great keep up the cardio rehab
Lynne Ladd How encouraging!! You look great!! I am 7 weeks post op and starting 2nd week Rehab!! Already seei ... Read more
Lynne Ladd How encouraging!! You look great!! I am 7 weeks post op and starting 2nd week Rehab!! Already seeing results!! Love the nurses and techs... They are sooo encouraging!!! My own personal cheerleaders!! HaHa!!
Tina Maroon Thanks Steven for the great compliment
Tina Maroon Lynne glad to hear your doing great 7 weeks post op. Glad to see your seeing results with your cardia ... Read more
Tina Maroon Lynne glad to hear your doing great 7 weeks post op. Glad to see your seeing results with your cardiac rehab.
Feeling Blessed that I survived the third Open Heart Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on June 9,2015. This surgery was for an Ascending Aortic Aneurysm and two ...Read more
Feeling Blessed that I survived the third Open Heart Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on June 9,2015. This surgery was for an Ascending Aortic Aneurysm and two holes in the heart and an Aortic Valve Repair and a Tricuspid Valve repair. The Tricuspid Valve had an Annuloplasty Ring put around it.
Lynne Ladd Your third OHS!!!! Mercy!! My hat is off to you!!! I am 7 weeks post op and cannot imagine going t ... Read more
Lynne Ladd Your third OHS!!!! Mercy!! My hat is off to you!!! I am 7 weeks post op and cannot imagine going thru this again!! Good for you!!!