Holly's Posts

April 26th was my 2 year anniversary after Mitral Valve Repair and a "new" heart! It has been a good year and I feel great. I breathe and feel so much better. The scars remind me of surgery and what I used to feel like, and to be thankful for each day God has given me. It's easy to take your life for granted... until you put it (literally) into the hands of others. I am thankful for the advances in medicine and for talented surgeons who are willing to give so much of themselves to help others. Thanks to all my Heart Valve Pals who encouraged me and provided information and education along the way. Each of you have a special place in my heart!!! For those of you recovering or facing surgery, stay strong and keep a positive attitude. It will be a tough road for a while, but so worth it!

It's been a year since my mitral valve repair, and like others on this site, it's kind of a tradition to "check in" and give an update. It's been a great year and I feel great. Thinking back to surgery day brings back many memories. The best one is the memory of my husband, children, and sisters all being there for me, supporting me, loving me, praying for me and caring for me. I dreaded that day, and spent many hours on this site researching and reading about others that had gone through the same, or similar surgery before me. I learned so much through reading others journals, and it gave me the strength, courage and information I needed to get ready for surgery. I still check in now and again, but as the months go by, and my scars fade, it's been less and less. I feel good, I can breathe... climb stairs without getting out of breath....take walks and exercise without my heart pounding in my ears! For those of you facing surgery, do your research, be strong and stay positive, it's really not as bad and scary as you think it's going to be. Do your walking and breathing exercises, take your pain pills, accept help from others. The waiting is the hardest part, and the mind and your imagination are your worst enemies!! My scars are fading, I have occasional twinges of pain and slight numbness around them but most of the time I forget they are there. I won't, however, forget the encouraging notes from fellow HVJ on this site throughout my journey. Even though I haven't met any of you, I feel like I know you well. Thanks to Adam for providing this site, and for his on-going research into the valves of the heart! I'm anxious to read updates from those of you that had surgery about this same time a year ago!

Now I know what it feels like to be rejected!! I've been turned down for additional life insurance based on my recent heart surgery. I thought it would be a good idea to increase the amount we take out for life insurance when we had the end of the year sign-up at work, so I sent in the up-dated application, which included a "yes" answer to the question have you had recent treatment or surgery for your heart? I was truly shocked when I received a letter in the mail stating that I had been turned down based on my answer to that question. For a while there I actually forgot that I had heart surgery, but that letter brought it all back very clearly. I was disappointed, but the realization that "this is my life now" hit home. It's okay, I can live with it. I am feeling so much better, and my recovery went exceptionally well. The numbness on my right side is almost gone, the scars are still there, but fading. It has been almost 9 months since my surgery and I don't regret any of it. I'm using the Mederma cream on my scars, although I'm not sure it's helped much. The one scar on the incision that took forever to close, is still pretty purple/red, but the others have faded to pink/white. I had my yearly eye appointment last week and was pleased to know that my eyesight hasn't changed any since last year, I had been worried about it because I still have fairly frequent ocular migraines. The Dr. said not to worry about it, so I won't! I'm trying to stay active, and looking forward to spring and warm weather again. Last year at this time I was just starting this Heart Valve Journey, and I'm so glad that it is behind me. God has been good to me, I'm enjoying my family, my grandsons, and my work. It's true we don't know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future! Thinking of all of you just starting on this journey, and thankful for the ones that have traveled the road with me and for the support you have given. Stay in touch! Stay strong. ....and the beat goes on.