Recent content by Debbrn

You can definitely have an adverse reaction to versed. As a nurse I have seen various levels of reactions to versed. There are other medications they can use. Talk with the anesthesiologists they have different options. One option I can think of is valium. Debbie

Good luck to you. I have a different defect than yours, but I have had 4 heart surgeries. All of mine have gone great. Debbie

It does sound like a very supportive husband. My husband let me know before we got married that the one thing he would never do for me was purchase feminine products. Hoe your are doing well and get home soon. Debbie

I actually see an adult congenital heart specialist. It is an adult cardiologist trained in congenital cardiology. I have a moderately complex congenital heart defect called tetralogy of fallot. It is not a defect that regular cardiologists are familiar with. Aortic valve stenosis is seen...

I was not required to get a letter from my dentist. But I go every 6 months for a dental cleaning. They also did not want be to get a dental cleaning for several weeks after my surgery. I can not remember any more how long. Debbie

Hello. I was born with tetralogy fallot that includes pulmonary valve stenosis. I have had 2 PVRs. My last one was 4 years ago. It went very well. For the most part they tend to put in a tissue valve for the pulmonary valve. My first valve lasted 19 years. The docs think that there is a...

Welcome. This must be a very overwhelming time for you. I was born with a moderately complex heart defect. Over the long-term it has caused my tricuspid valve to become very leaky. I have had it repaired twice while having my pulmonary valve replaced. It is true that for the pulmonary and...

Hope things start getting better fast. It does get better. As everyone has said keep using the incentive spirometer and walk. Don't over do it though. I had my last surgery away from home also and spent a month in the town that I had surgery. I can't imagine how home sick you are away from...

I have moderately complex congenital heart defect called tetralogy of fallot. I travelled across country for my last pulmonary valve replacement. It was my fourth OHS. I flew up on sunday to start all the pre-op testing. I wanted the tests spread out so that I was not already tired before...

I did not have trouble with that but it is not uncommon for surgery to get your hormones out of whack. As a pediatric nurse I would see it all the time with my teenage patients that had major surgery. It was so common that we started warning the parents it may happen.

I never thought about celebrating anniversaries until I started being involved with online groups. I have had 4 heart surgeries so I would not know which one to remember. I did look up when I had my initial "repair" when it was going to be close to my 40th anniversary of that surgery. I have...

I traveled from Alabama to Boston. I have a complex congenital heart defect and this OHS was my 4th. I definitely wanted to be somewhere that had done multiple redos. At the time UAB did not have a surgeon that fit the bill. I went a few days early to complete all the pre-op testing. My...

I got my happy meds just a few minutes before I went into the OR while I was in the pre-op area. I don't remember being moved to the stretcher. My sister said that I was somewhat awake, but I do not remember a thing.

The first OHS was done in Baltimore and the father was the heart/lung machine for the child. It was called cross-circulation.

Good luck with your surgery. I also had a tissue valve because it was the pulmonary valve. I also hope that the next time it can be done in the cath lab. I don't want to take my chances with surgery number 5 being later in life.