Tia's Posts

It has been almost two years since I have made a journal entry, but I have often read the updates of others. Thank you for sharing. I had open heart surgery on February 28, 2011 to repair my leaking bicuspid aortic valve and to repair the resulting aneurysm. I did not find out that I had the bicuspid valve until age 50 in 2006. I am very thankful that it was discovered and that the surgery could be done, saving my life. My mother lost her life due to a burst aorta in 1995, but no one knew she had any problem with her heart or aorta before it burst. I so wish we had known so that she could have been saved. That makes me even more grateful that my valve defect was found in time to help me. I am getting along well as far as my heart is concerned. All is operating as it should be. I did retire early from special education teaching at the end of the first semester in December 2011, mostly due to fatigue resulting from other health issues. I also was not fully recovered from my heart surgery and bleeding ulcer right after the surgery in addition to these other health issues, so retirement was my only option in order to regain my health. My health has been improving since that time, for which I am very thankful. One thing I would say to those of you who are preparing for open heart surgery is that I found that the surgery and hospitalization were not nearly as bad as I thought they would be going in. I expected far more pain and for it to take me longer to heal than was actually the case. The hospital staff were wonderful, as were my family and friends. I know that finding this Heart Valve Journal and Adam Pick's book were great blessings, as were all of the wonderful people who shared their stories and knowledge and gave me encouragement when I needed it. Thank you. Another thing that helped me was Peggy Huddleston's book and CD on preparing for surgery. It helped me prepare both mentally and emotionally. The CD helped calm me in the weeks before my surgery. The book educated me on some things I needed to do to prepare and things I needed to ask my surgeon. I was even allowed to listen to my MP3 player with Peggy's audio and other favorite calming and Christian music during the surgery. I was calm going in and came through surgery with no complications. I would highly recommend both her book and CD. I just looked them up on Amazon and found Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster with Relaxation and Quick Start CD: A Guide of Mind-Body Techniques by Peggy Huddleston, which is the book and CD together. They were separate when I got them. I continue to be very thankful that my leaking valve was found and could be repaired and that I am still alive and my heart is healthy. I wish all of you anticipating open heart surgery all the best. I pray that you will find it to be easier than you thought it would be, as I did, and that all goes well for you. I look forward to reading about your progress as you recover and mark your months and years after surgery. Be thankful, as I am, that these lifesaving surgeries and wonderful surgeons and staff are there for us. God bless!

As of July 28th, it has been 5 months since my surgery and 4 1/2 months since my second hospitalization for the bleeding ulcer complication. I am doing pretty well. I don't have nearly enough energy, but one of my doctors told me recently that it will take my body a total of 18 months from the surgery date (Feb. 28th) for my body to totally recover. That is 12 months for the surgey and an additional 6 months for the bleed. I guess that explains my lack of energy at this time. I think I am regaining a little energy, but it is happening so slowly, it is hard to notice. She also had me go through a 7 day detox program to help my body get rid of the anesthesia that was still there. I could tell I got rid of some toxins, which is great. My scar still bothers me some (mainly itching), but I think that is because it has keloided. The Xeragel I am using on it is helping some. I do not feel any pain from the incision. Overall, I am doing better, and most of all, I am thankful to be alive. School and my teaching year will begin at the end of this week, so I will be headed back to work. I wish everyone the best as they go into and recover from their surgeries. I thank you all for the support you have given to me over these months.

My latest milestone in my recovery was that I was finally cleared to be treated by my chiropractor, as of the beginning of May. I have had two adjustments so far, in conjunction with ultrasound treatments, and I can already feel some improvement in my back, neck, and headache pain. I have quite a way to go, but at least I am finally getting some pain relief. I am continuing with physical therapy for my back and neck. I have four more cardiac rehab sessions. This has been quite challenging. They push you very hard physically. It has gotten me back to exercising, which is a very good thing, and now I must keep it up on my own.