Recent content by WandaW

11 years ago at age 52 I discovered I had an AAA and a bicuspid Aortic valve. I had a possible episode of light A flutter and my blood pressure increased which was never a problem for me. My surgeon was recommended by the Cardiologist who diagnosed me in the ER and I am forever grateful. He...

I have had a mechanical valve since 2011, my surgeon recommended it because I was only 52 and would have to do the surgery again with a tissue valve. I am on Coumadin and work full time as an Occupational Therapist, I shovel snow, dig in the garden and walk about 3 miles a day. I am grateful...

Smoking changed to E cigarettes with MD's OK Smoking changed to E cigarettes with MD's OK Hey all, I had had several big changes and losses the year before my unexpected heart surgery. I was born with a biscuspid Aortic valve and now also had an aneurysm above it. My cardiologist and...

Insomnia Insomnia I remember the insomnia, it started around the time I went back to work, 12 to 16 weeks, I did use some benadryl some nights, got up and read, eliminated caffeine late in the day,(I used to drink pop up till bedtime). I would fall asleep in my recliner in front of the TV...

Hey all, I haven't been posting much the past few months, very busy this year. However I know I could not have cruised through this year without the wise advice and positive attitude of all of you here. My anniversary was March 11, I have a mechanical AV and had an anurysm repaired. Last...

As I was working in my garden today, I am about 5 months post AVR replacement, I could smell my phlox and the wet dirt and felt blessed to be here. It is amazing how they have perfected OHS. I did put myself in the hospitals hands that morning and was so grateful to get on with it. Everyone on...

I am so sorry you have to climb the mountain again, that is always a fear for me. Though this time you know what to expect and to ask for what you need to get through this. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers too.

Thank You soooo much, I spent 6 hours at work today off of the clock setting up a system that hopefully will be easier for my mind to grasp. Just hearing from you has made me feel like this is" do-able". I need to keep my job and I hate the powerless feeling I had on Friday with my boss. That...

Hey all, I am having some problems with my short term memory and finding the words I need during the middle of a conversation. I have been doing some reading about Memory changes after OHS and was wondering if any of you have also experienced this. It is causing me alot of stress at work with...

M6bqc6 M6bqc6 Gaining weight after all of this is sooooo disappointing. I know drinking real Coke Cola instead of diet plays a big part of it, My Cardio said NO diet pop. I also have switched to an electronic cigarette instead of real Cigarettes and that probably is part of it, but I hate...

I remember the body aches and worrying that I was getting sick, I was frustrated because all I had was Arthritis strength Tylenol, New on coumadin I could not use my prescription Ibuprophen. The good news is that it does pass. I think mine ended around 8 weeks. Must just be a quirk of our...

Thanks for the input, working in my yard has always saved my mental health, next summer I will be out there taking care of business! Your input is a good reminder that this year for sure is different, I will have to think cool thoughts at work tomorrow.

Hey all, I live in Mpls MN and we are in a record heat wave with humidity of 70%. When I go out it hits me like a wall so I am staying in unless I have to go to work or run a very short errand. I had my AVR in March of this year so I am still in the "remodeling phase" I am told. How dangerous...

Hi, I had this situation , my aneurysm was a 4.7 and I was told that they operate between 4.5 and 5 ideally. I am 52 and well past the child bearing years so I have a mechanical AV and am on Coumadin. It is going well with the Coumadin and I feel great. I too felt very good walking in for...

Yes thr scar was a worry, the sternal incision was a worry as was everything. I met a younger on-call co-worker about a year before I recieved the news about my heart issue and need for a new AV. She wore V-necked shirts and said her scar was her badge of courage and it didn't bother her if...