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I'm ten years post AVR and still experience occasional auras and flashes! I've never had actual headaches with these, and they certainly happen less frequently than the almost constant experiences I had immediately after surgery.

Just realized it was my 8th anniversary today...logged on and saw Cooker's post. Thanks for all the help you gave me in getting through those rough months before my surgery. Glad to hear that you're still raising your cup and enjoying life!

Today is an ordinary day...thanks to the valve I received five years ago today! In that time I've moved to Florida (much warmer weather and grandchildren) and my new aortic valve has seen me safely through three unrelated surgeries (broken leg, ovarian cyst and gall bladder). My main health...

Hi Allison, I had AVR two years ago and I too was an emotional mess several weeks out. My only regret is that I didn't meet with a counselor. Although it was offered to me on several ocassions, I thought I could "tough it out". I did, but I truly believe that it took a lot longer to get past...

Hi Paulo, I can't address your respiratory concerns since I didn't have any of these issues after surgery, but I did have a lot of back and neck pain. My husband brought me a small neck pillow to use in the hospital and the one thing I wish I had done was schedule a massage therapist for a...

I'm not sure where the emotion came from, but I know that I experienced it. Because I didn't have any major symptoms prior to my AVR (found in a routine exam), I was in deep denial that I even needed surgery. As a result of having little to no control over the medical procedures I was...

Today was the 2nd anniversary of my AVR and I can hardly believe how much my life has changed during this time. As of last Fall I am officially "retired" and just last week I was able to witness the birth of my first grandchild! OHS is surely a very large bump in the road, but it most often is...

Hi again Edward, I've been checking to see how you've been doing in preparing for your surgery and following the advice that other members have offered. Because of my own physical disabilities, I do think that my experiences in becoming mobile again may closely mirror what you may expect...

Hi Allison, It's normal to be worried about pain after this surgery, but I can tell you that my experience with AVR in 2009 was a much less painful experience than the several surgeries I had previously. While I never had heart surgery as a child, I did have a spinal fusion at age 12, followed...

I'm Post Polio and while I have use of my legs, using crutches, I cannot stand from a sitting position or sit from a prone position without using my arms. This was impossible after my AVR surgery. When I was in the hospital, the staff used a Hoyer Lift to help me get out of bed and into a...

Betty White may have had it right--Facebook most likely is a huge waste of time! Not so on ValveReplacement.org. Two years ago I was discussing VR issues with another participant on another site and I offered up the VR address as a great source of information. Faster than you can say "busted"...

At 3 months I felt really good, but honestly, it was 12 months before I stopped feeling better than I had the month before! Each month from the third on out, I believed I was completely healed, only to feel better retrospectfully. That's not a bad thing when you think about it. Be patient...

Take it from someone who spent several hours, in the middle of the night, online at vr.org in the weeks leading up to my AVR. Most of us will admit to some major anxiety during those final days, but I agree that the waiting is by far the worst part of the experience. You will be in very...

Wishing you the very best as you wait for your surgery. Those of us who have made it to the other side of the mountain, all dealt with variations of the same kind of anxiety that you are now experiencing. I was relieved to find a comforting word or two from VRmembers--even in the middle of the...

I'm so glad that I don't have work today. It gives me more time to find my way around our new site. Feel like I found the bread already, now I just need the peanut butter!

Heart/Brain Study Heart/Brain Study Best wishes on your upcoming surgery. Thought you'd be interested in the study I am now participating in at Brown University. It's called a Heart/Brain study and our group is divided equally between those with and without heart disease. I had AVR last...

It's so good to see the site back online. Glad I peeked and didn't wait for an email. Vacations are always nice (even if they are the "working" kind), but there's nothing like coming home again! Welcome back everyone. Jane

Lossing a friend is so very difficult, but lossing someone so suddenly can be even harder. I truly hope that you will find comfort in that last visit and the knowledge that he cared so much about you to spend the time with you. Wishing you comfort in your good memories. Jane

My surgeon put me on Lipitor after AVR for the exact same reason. Even though I didn't have elevated cholesterol. At 5 weeks post op I developed a severe muscle pain reaction to the drug. My PCP and cardiologist both agreed that I shouldn't be on the drug and that there was no proof that it...

My thoughts are with you Laura. I'm sure you will do just fine since you are already almost through the worst part of this surgery--the anticipation! I had my AVR four months ago and recently replied that way when asked what the worst part of the whole experience was by several family members...