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Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Aortic Aneurysm

Member Since: June 13, 2018

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Tandy Mazak posted an update

7 years ago (September 16, 2018)

Well, I know it's been too long to update my story but really I am just starting to feel I could. I was 6 days in the hospital so not home until 9/10. During my stay I can report the following 1. In ICU I was over seen by a great group of nurses. 2. I was awake enough to feel the breathing tube come out. This was something the doctor said I probably would not even remember. Well I do. 3. I was so emotional I pretty much cried everytime someone spoke to me 4. I was up and walking by day 2 and sitting in the chair after that. 5. While the nurses didn't really hinder my sleep, I found myself only being able to sleep in 10-15 minute intervals. On Saturday 9/8 I was moved to the step down unit. While I started to feel better, I was still an emotional wreck although I couldn't figure out why. My husband and mother just tried to reassure me it would pass and it has. In the step down unit: 1. I could finally wash myself up. Not a shower but at least wash myself. My hair on the other hand would not get washed until I came home. 2. During a walk my heart went into Afib but that was the only time. 3. I experienced pain in the oddest places. Like my wrist, shoulder and back. The incision has felt tight but have not had the pain there like I thought I would. The pain meds I'm taking are more for pain in other areas of my body. 4. I was weighed....and about fell over when the nurse asked if that seemed right and it was about 20 pounds over my weight. I now know that was fluid but was not prepared for the number. Home on 9/10 1. I am fortunate to have a home nurse come by 2x a week so that has helped. 2. My blood pressure, which started creeping up in the hospital, was still not stable. I am now taking 4 tablets of Metoprolol daily which has now brought it down to pre-surgery levels. 3. Im walking outside and going further each day. 11 houses today. It's unseasonably warm here in Michigan for September so I try to do the outside walks early in the morning. 4. Water/fluid weight is gone. 5. Appetite coming back slowly. I can't thank everyone on this site for the support you provided enough. If you and all this info wasn't available i would not have been prepared. Greater thanks to my Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ for watching over me and the surgical team. To him be praised.

👍 Someone, Shannon Gray and reacted to this

Dan Vechiola

Great to hear your update Tandy! One day at a time! and Our recoveries are like marathons not sprints. Continue grinding each day and the further we pilt our surgeries in the rear view mirror the better we will feel.

Meredith Bray

Yay! Great news! I bet you have some back pain too. That was one of my biggest issues when I came home. Practice standing and walking with exceptional posture - as tall as you can stand. A little bit each day will help restrengthen your core muscles and take some... Read more.

Rob Sparling

Tandy, thanks for the post! So glad you are improving quickly!

Rita Savelis

That sounds just about right. Lots of water weight, no pain in the sternum but muscle pain elsewhere. Lots of emotions. Hair unwashed. Insomnia. Loss of appetite. You've been through a lot. Thanks for posting a detailed honest post. Take care.

Susan Lynn

Tandy - you're doing great! Thanks for the recap. Don't worry about the emotions - that's probably from the anesthesia and/or the circumstances just catching up with you. You sound like you're making tremendous progress and that's what it's all about. Keep going - you're on a roll!

Marie Myers

I went through the emotional swings also. It is a big surgery, and affects one both physically and emotionally. Congrats on arriving on the recovery side!

Tandy Mazak posted an update

7 years ago (September 4, 2018)

Thank you all for the well wishes and prayers. I'm nervous and anxious but I am ready and the Lord is with me. I will post afterwards as soon as I can.

Unknown

Prayers your way and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Dan Vechiola

Best wishes Tandy! My thoughts will be with you tomorrow. I am following your lead and getting mentally ready for Thursday. Try to get some rest tonight and visualize a successful surgery and successful hospital stay along with a successful recovery and you will have this!

Marjorie Murphy

Kathy Prayers for a smooth surgery and revovery. Think positive and calming thought.

Rob Sparling

Praying for you and the UMich team, Tandy!

Linda Roberts

sending prayers for a successful surgery.

Bill Gillam

The Lord is with you! That's all you need.

Tandy Mazak posted an update

7 years ago (August 23, 2018)

Well it's been a long day of tests. At the hospital at 9:00am for first test and last one finished at 5:45pm. I'm tired. However, surgery was moved up to 9/5. I am ready.

👍 Phyllis Petersen reacted to this

Dan Vechiola

Hi Tandy! Similar story here. Diagnosed with a heart murmur in 1979 and now due to some health events this past year and after all the testing I am having my bicuspid aortic valve replaced on September 6th. This community is a great place and all the information and similar... Read more.

Marie Myers

Greetings from a graduate of the AVR, ascending aneurysm resection, and aortic root replacement school. I had my surgery March 28 2017, and did well. Luckily for me, I found this site before my surgery, and I got a lot of comfort here. It was so good seeing how many... Read more.

Rosemary Bobicz Creutz

Hi Tandy. I am wishing all the best for your surgery Sept. 5th and recovery. I live in the area and have the same bicuspid valve and ascending aneurysm but it is not time yet. I will be out of town during your surgery but if you would like to... Read more.