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Diagnosis: Aortic Regurgitation, Aortic Stenosis, Mitral Stenosis, Tricuspid Regurgitation

Member Since: March 19, 2014

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Nikki Escue posted an update

7 years ago (February 25, 2019)

Hi Everyone! I don't get on here very often, I don't know why? Y'all seem to be the only ones that know what I'm really going through, or at least have a better idea. Which is why I'm on here now .... I need your help, in the form of feedback, ideas, etc. At the end of November, I went back into the hospital to have a hole in my heart repaired. I had to go in two days before the procedure, they had to wien me of the Coumadin and do a Heparin bridge, and they said I would be there a couple days after just until my INR was back were it should be. But what was supposed to be a 5 day stay turned out to be 14 days!! The procedure was done like an angiogram and they went in through my leg. It was all supposed to be "routine". When I woke up, my chest was so sore and I couldn't understand why. Then the Doctor came and talked to me and told me it was from the chest compressions that he had to do because I CODED TWICE!!! Thank God, they were able to fix the hole. The next day, my chest was bruised and I could barely move. Mind you, I'm not fully recovered from the three open heart surgeries from earlier in the year. And I felt like I had been hit by a bus. But the newest echo shows my heart finally working well. YAY!! But here's the problem. I'm struggling, personally, emotionally. I don't know exactly how to explain it but I don't feel like myself. My tastes have changed, my mood and way of thinking has changed. I can't seem to get enough sleep, I practically slept the whole time I was in the hospital during the day because the night shift wouldn't leave me alone. After I came home, I dealt with insomnia at night and slept during the day but that's kinda passed. My Doctor prescribed me a pill to keep me up during the day and give me energy but even that doesn't work half the time. I miss the me that I used to be. I feel like 2018 aged me 10 years. I was expecting to feel so much better after my heart was fixed so I could get back to living my life. But I'm having a really hard time stepping back into it.

👍 Someone reacted to this

Mabel Juric

Hello, Nikki: First and foremost, you have been through so much in a short amount of time. Your body has endured surgery, trauma, stress, so many factors that will make you question your physical and mental strength. I felt so sad and drained for about two months after my mitral... Read more.

Bruce Adams

Everything you described seems about right after surgery. I pretty much had the same postop sysmtoms. It will get better I assure you.

Jennifer Mcinerney

Nikki, after surgery I lost my confidence and was full of anxiety. I think what your feeling is perfectly normal and understandable. Cardiac rehab will help a lot and find someone you can trust to share your fears and anxieties. Good luck, hope all goes well

Rita Savelis

Oh, Nikki. I feel for you. You have been through so much. Of course 2018 and too many surgeries have "aged" you. Now you are going through the emotional and physical aftereffects as you and your body process all that you have been through. I so remember wanting to get... Read more.

Shannon Gray

Nikki... you are a a warrior! You have been through so much, of course this is a difficult time. I wish so much more focus was on the emotional aftermath of heart surgery... we are changed, life is not like it used to be, life forever more is different. Thank... Read more.

Susan Lynn

Nikki - there may be a support group for cardiac patients in your area. My local hospital offers one as part of an expanded cardiac rehab program. The American Heart Association may also have resources. Stay positive - better days are ahead. â¤

Fay Kozas

Hi Nikki, I am so sorry that you have been through so much. OHS is no small matter. It is a shock to the heart, the body, and the brain. It will take time but you will get stronger both physically and emotionally as each day goes by. Just BELIEVE!

Fay Kozas

Nikki, I hear you loud and clear. Yes, sometimes our Faith wavers but in the end it is He who guides us and knows best. Trust Him and keep praying. One day soon, all this will be behind you. Be strong!

Nikki Escue posted an update

7 years ago (October 30, 2018)

It's been a while since I've been on here. I wanted to wait until I had something good to report. Sorry to say, this isn't the case. Well, I take that back, my INR is finally stable.... Yay Me!! But since I was on here last, I've had pneumonia twice,... Read more.

Rita Savelis

Oh, Nicki, so sorry to hear of all that you've been through. One of these days you will be past this, as you say. But right now is still hard. I hear you. My recovery was also long with various aftereffects. Wishing you some relief in the near future. Take... Read more.

Shannon Gray

Healing prayers.

Jennifer Mcinerney

So sorry to hear this. You are a strong heart warrior. I will be praying for you

Susan Lynn

Nikki - I'm sorry to hear your news, but you can do this. Hopefully, you'll be on a quick road to recovery after this repair. We'll keep you in our prayers and look forward to your good news! â¤

Nancy Luth

Prayers for you, your family and your surgical team.

Lisa Guinan

Wow. I just read your story. Sorry you had such a bad experience. My annual ECHOs always showed my regurgitation was mild moderate. My atrium was always enlarged and this year my ventricle started enlarging. My dr. ordered a TEE and it showed severe regurgitation. I'm so thankful he ordered... Read more.

Dan Baltazor

SO many medical mountains. You are in our prayers.

Lisa Guinan

Also, thank you for posting about your INR number. That was something I wasn't familiar with. I'm an easy bleeder and bruiser and have been worried about that. I was able to see on blood tests that my rating is in the normal range. That makes me feel better.

Nikki Escue posted an update

7 years ago (June 18, 2018)

Well, I haven't posted in a while, I started feeling like I was always complaining. Metaphorically speaking, I feel like I've been at an amusement park. I've either been on a roller coaster, going up and down (INR) or I've been on a merry-go-round, (vertigo). I'm on the phone with... Read more.

👍 Judy Shaw reacted to this

Judy Shaw

Good to hear from you Nikki and that some things are better for you. Best of luck at your appt tomorrow. Keep us updated.

Kelly Stoll

Nikki, congratulations on the things you have made progress on. Those small steps, be it forward or back, mean you are still walking. Keep going. Your determination will pay off. Hang in there and know you always have friends here. Sending you my best wishes for whatever will help you... Read more.

Nancy Surprenant Takahashi

Nikki, I feel your pain, I too have run into some speed bumps after surgery. Really frustrating , I felt great before surgery now 9 weeks out I can't walk 1/4 of a mile without stopping. Trying to stay positive is difficult. Best of luck tomorrow.

Catie B

I'm thankful to read that your INR levels are improving. Hope you can get answers and relief in these other areas very soon!

Rita Savelis

You never complain Nikki. You are a realist and tell it like it is. Post surgery is hard. Take care.

Janet Skinner

Hi Nikki. Baby steps forward. I too, had a difficult recovery, so I focused on one day at a time. It was MY journey and I stop saying "I thought I'd be along much further by now." Instead, I said "I've come a long way since the first month -... Read more.