Recent content by Kimv

Celebrating 1 year today since I got my new aortic (tissue) heart valve. I was diagnosed last May and in surgery 2 months later with what we would come to find out was actually a unicuspid aortic valve. I remember being so nervous for the surgery. Mostly about who would care for my 2 young...

After further shoulder/chest pain and a trip to the cardiologist, I have been diagnosed with pericarditis. First real bump in the road 4 weeks out. And about as much fun as a root canal. Echo tomorrow to confirm and right now just treating w/ Advil. Sad and frustrated because I was going to...

Hi canon4me Just wanted to check in and see if you have any relief from your shoulder pain? Or if you ever got an official diagnosis? I ask because I got the ok to drive from my cardiologist 4 weeks out and I think I may have overdone my activity the last 2 days...picking up the kids from camp...

I was just wondering if anyone else out there was diagnosed with a unicuspid aortic valve. When I originally saw both my cardiologist and surgeon they both diagnosed me with BAV with severe calcification. (Less than 2 months from diagnosis to operating table) But seeing the valve during...

Almost 3 weeks post op and I would say my back, neck and shoulder pain has been much worse than the chest. I have noticed it especially after going out to the grocery store, Target etc. I come home with my back and neck very sore and often a wicked headache. I am thinking this is due to tension...

Hi Anthony - keeping busy will definitely help pass the time leading up to surgery. I am a teacher also and am now a little over 2 weeks post op and feeling good. We don't go back to school here until September - in fact my first day of school is almost exactly at my 6 week post op. I am...

Hi Heather Anne - I am exactly 2 weeks post op today and I can tell you the weeks leading up are the most tense. To answer your question - my surgery was scheduled for 8 am and I was woken up around 4 pm and had the breathing tube removed shortly after that. I was especially nervous for the...

I guess it depends on the age and ease of the child. My son is at an age where you have to catch him to change his diaper and then it is more like hand to hand combat to get him to keep still. Getting kicked in the chest is not part of the recovery plan so I am taking some time off diaper duty...

I am almost 2 weeks post - op and have a 24lb 10 month old. Not being able to pick him up and knowing that I still have another 4 weeks at least until I can, has hands down been the hardest part of this whole process. He is a crawler so I literally can't be alone with him which took a lot of...

Hey everyone - quick question...I am 6 days post-op last night was my second night home from the hospital and I didn't sleep at all. It wasn't because I was in pain or uncomfortable. I just wasn't tired...also whenever I tried to rest all I could feel was my heart beating...not necessarily fast...

That is wonderful to hear. I am only 5 days post op and they sent me home from the hospital last night. Feels amazing to be in my own clothes - got a good night sleep without someone coming in the room every hour - and love to be surrounded by my family. Looking forward to getting stronger each...

2 days post op...feeling good right so I thought I would update from the other side. Turns out I actually had a Unacusp aortic valve but that was pretty much the only surprise from the surgery. Managing the pain pretty well - the stiffness in back and neck is worst than the chest. Went for 3...

I am pretty new to the world of valve replacement. My surgery is Monday and I chose a tissue valve after a long discussion with my surgeon. While I can't speak from any personal experience about OHS or Coumadin...I can tell you that once I made the decision it was a huge relief. Even after doing...

Thanks to all of you for your great advice. I went for my pre-op tests today. Besides having an allergic reaction to the dye they injected at the CT scan (yeah - that sucked) - it went pretty well and I got some good news. They only have to replace the aortic valve - no other work is needed so...

I am 36 also and was training for my first half marathon when I found out that I have a BAV that needs to be replaced. My surgery is next week. I have a 4 year old and a 10 month old. I just told my daughter a couple of days ago that my I had something wrong with my heart and that it was going...