Woody ONeal - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

203 days ago

2 years post surgery for aortic valve, now I have had a pretty good episode of angina a week ago and intermittent pressure about where the aorta is. Stress ...Read more

2 years post surgery for aortic valve, now I have had a pretty good episode of angina a week ago and intermittent pressure about where the aorta is. Stress test performed and awaiting results, but the nurse practiitoner listened to my valve, and thought it sounded a bit "different", which is the word he use. I was having regurgitation post surgery and now a new echo scheduled in less than 30 days, and I am anxious.

Grace Mason Oh, that does sound stressful. As heart patients we never get to stop thinking about our hearts, but ... Read more

Grace Mason Oh, that does sound stressful. As heart patients we never get to stop thinking about our hearts, but having chest pain soon after corrective surgery sounds scary.
I hope you get some test results soon that ease your mind.

Marie Myers Praying for some good news with your upcoming tests!

Ana Brusso Oh dear Woody, sorry to hear that after two years you are having some issues. Hopefully you will find ... Read more

Ana Brusso Oh dear Woody, sorry to hear that after two years you are having some issues. Hopefully you will find out soon what’s going on. Will pray for you 🙏❤️

Deena Z I get the anxiousness. The waiting part can drive one nuts. You would think/hope that given your OH ... Read more

Deena Z I get the anxiousness. The waiting part can drive one nuts. You would think/hope that given your OHS, the ECHO could be done sooner than in one month. Might ask if it can be moved up, given your circumstances. Cant hurt to ask! Or be placed on their waiting list for such.

Rose Madura Woody, I can surely understand why you are worried. Hopefully the echo and stress test will show tha ... Read more

Rose Madura Woody, I can surely understand why you are worried. Hopefully the echo and stress test will show that everything is ok. Please keep us posted. 💪❤️‍🩹🙏

Kimberly Eisenhut When I get my 6 month echos, the techs always look a little off, but I try to ease their minds by sa... Read more

Kimberly Eisenhut When I get my 6 month echos, the techs always look a little off, but I try to ease their minds by saying, " I know my tricuspid leaks quite a bit, I already know this". They then seam to be a little more talkative and eases the tension in the room. I just say, "well, that's a lot of red".
I have been trying like heck to just take my life one day at a time and really embrace every second i can spend with my kids and my granddaughter. Do the things that make YOU happy and try to keep your focus on the NOW. I know I have days that I break down and it's o.k. we need these days too, but shake it off after and KEEP ON TICKIN'
Prayers and so much love to you, and know we are all here for you whenever you need to talk.

You are a warrior!

Thomas Brusstar Honestly, little remarks like that stick in my head, too! One time an echo tech took measurements su ... Read more

Thomas Brusstar Honestly, little remarks like that stick in my head, too! One time an echo tech took measurements suggesting my left atrium had started going back up in size (it came down a lot after my mitral repair), and I was kind of freaking about what comes next. My cardiologist the next week interpreted the films and recalculated the size and it was normal. So the tech was just a bit generous. I wouldn't worry until you see the doc after the next echo. And all of our valves are "different," not worth worrying about.

Deena Z You’re so right, Thomas.!!! Any such off-the-cuff undereducated, negative comment takes an exponen ... Read more

Deena Z You’re so right, Thomas.!!! Any such off-the-cuff undereducated, negative comment takes an exponentially high amount of time to process to get rid of the negativity out of one’s emotional system.