Ducky's Journey Through Heart Valve Surgery

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Keeping in touch with family and friends as I undergo this process and sharing my experiences in an attempt to keep it positive, informative and healthy for my own peace of mind.

01/14/2023

Lisa Marie Presley's passing has got me to thinking. Granted, there were likely other factors at play with her and her family, but ultimately they all passed at a young age from cardiac arrest. Elvis' Mom, Gladys, died at 46, Elvis himself at 42, Lisa Marie at 54. Lifestyle likely played a major role but it would appear there's some heredity factored in, as well. If I hadn't gone to Urgent Care back in December 2019 with a brutal virus (I still suspect it was Covid19) where I couldn't breathe and had to sleep on the couch because I couldn't get up the stairs, and if that physician hadn't forwarded me on to an Internist, I wouldn't be sitting here today. If I hadn't had the surgery, I would have only lasted 1-2 years, max. Heart issues aren't easily detected and symptoms are so easy to brush off. I thought my issue was anxiety or bad air at work or being out of shape. It spooks me to think what would have happened if I hadn't gone to Urgent Care that day and just continued to brush things off. I would urge anyone - if there is anything out of the ordinary that has you feeling uncomfortable - see your doctor and request an echocardiogram - ESPECIALLY if heart issues run in your family. I think a lot of folks who die of heart ailments probably would still be here with early detection. And I certainly don't want to lose any of the people I love! Take good care of yourselves, folks!

05/20/2022

So....just got off the phone with my surgeon regarding my one-year follow-up. I had an echo a couple weeks ago and have been anxiously awaiting the results. ALL IS GOOD!!! Normal heart function, valve working smoothly, everything else is good. Also, as I have an On-x valve, trials are underway to possibly go completely off warfarin in a couple years!!! That is exciting news! So happy I got the Cadillac of modern valves! I am sooooo relieved right now, I have to admit I cried!!! Now my main challenge...to become more physically active!!!

All I can say is if you feel anything even slightly out of the ordinary when it comes to your breathing or your heart, g...
02/23/2022

All I can say is if you feel anything even slightly out of the ordinary when it comes to your breathing or your heart, get it checked out! I had symptoms for months which I excused as anxiety and the air in my workplace...turned out I was wrong. Many don't even have symptoms and stumble across this condition by accident when dealing with an entirely different issue. Lifestyle isn't always the cause, in my case I had a genetic bicuspid aortic valve and there are many people in my support group who are super healthy and fit and still ended up with this with zero symptoms. Always listen to your body!

Exactly one year ago around this time (1 pm) I was wheeled into the OR, my heart stopped and my sparkling new aortic val...
02/19/2022

Exactly one year ago around this time (1 pm) I was wheeled into the OR, my heart stopped and my sparkling new aortic valve installed. Where did that year go? It hasn't entirely been a walk in the park but overall it hasn't been all that bad, either. I couldn't have gotten through this year without my dear hubby who is my rock and my protector or the support and help from my treasured family and friends! My favourite part of this has been being able to breathe again (really, normally for the first time ever) and the clarity in my head. My least favourite has been the swelling and stiffness in my limbs. It's funny that I had surgery on my heart but it's my legs giving me all the trouble. I get a bit depressed sometimes not being able to do the things I want to do but I have to remind myself that I am alive! This year's goal is to become more mobile (once the snow melts) but will have to start from the very beginning which frustrates me to no end. But I am good at starting over! After all, I got the greatest fresh start you can get one year ago today! Most important lesson - tell everyone you care about what they mean to you and express your "I love you's" as often as you can!!! Life is truly precious and I am eternally grateful.

02/06/2022

So...for some reason just this past week my hearing has become hugely acute all of a sudden! Earlier today when I made a video I could hear my valve ticking. Thought I would conduct a little experiment! Too cool! Listen closely...

Christmas Greetings all you wonderful people! Hope you all have a fun time with your loved ones this holiday season! For...
12/24/2021

Christmas Greetings all you wonderful people! Hope you all have a fun time with your loved ones this holiday season! For me this year the only word that comes to mind is "grateful". I didn't really voice it aloud to anyone but last year I truly had my fears that it would be my final Christmas. It was made even worse by the fact everything was canceled due to Covid and I was so worried that I had lost my last chance to be with everyone ever again. But here I am, alive and well, when I wasn't so sure it would happen! I am grateful for the skilled surgeon who saved my life, the kind nurses who took care of me in the hospital, my dear friends and family for all their support and help, and for the greatest, most loving husband in the world! When you wake to see another day, have your health and people who love you, you truly have everything and anything else is incidental. So, embrace your family, love your friends and treasure every moment for those are the important things in life! I go to sleep every night breathing deeply (which I could never do before) and listening to the tick-tick-tick of my sparkling new heart valve and I am so so soooooo grateful!!! I will never take any of this for granted.

10/16/2021

So, I have experienced a setback...of sorts. I think all the tired and lack of a hearty (pardon the pun) sleep have caught up with me. I had a most wonderful and fun outing with my friend the other day but afterwards I was struck by a huge wall of tired and pain in my legs. They swelled up and I could hardly move for a couple days. Also, my INR results were high this time around which means my blood is thinner than therapeutic range. Proof was yesterday when the cat nailed me - in my problem leg - and I bled like a stuck pig! Ever since I have had fluid running out of the area and, bless my hubby's heart, he has bandaged it all up for me. Soooo hugely frustrated and depressed about all this which then results in me being angry with myself for being weak. Feeling less pained today and trying to focus on the positive things. But I do think I need to make some lifestyle adjustments and take better care of myself. I do find keeping this blog very therapeutic mentally.

10/12/2021

Last year, I posted this little story on my FB page and on this, the 8th anniversary of my Mom's passing, it has come to mind again. Her face was the last thing I envisioned before going under for my surgery in February. I thought, if I didn't make it, the worst that could happen is I end up in that happy yellow room with her and I was not afraid...

October 12, 2020
On this, the 7th anniversary of my Mom's passing I would like to share a little story. I like to believe that when you lose a loved one they come and visit you in your dreams. One night, about a week after my Mom left us I had a dream that she and I were inside an empty yellow room. We were jumping and flying and laughing and crying all at the same time. And all I remember is this soaring sense of pure elation, a happiness beyond anything I have ever felt before - I can't even describe it in words. I don't know if we were in Heaven (I'm not a believer but I do believe there is something that connects us all spiritually) or where we were but I think it was my Mom's way of reassuring me that she was going to be just fine and in a happy place with no more pain or sorrow, only restfulness and joy. I think of this dream often and it calms me, gives me strength, and makes me less fearful of the other side when my turn comes. I hope maybe someday I will revisit that yellow room and everyone I love will eventually join me there and we can all share in that joyful feeling! Remembering you and loving you, Mom, always... ❤ ❤ ❤

The pillow on the left is what they gave me at the hospital, the pillow on the right a dear friend sent away to the US f...
09/16/2021

The pillow on the left is what they gave me at the hospital, the pillow on the right a dear friend sent away to the US for. Now, which do you suppose provided better chest support during my recovery? Lol!!!

This gave me a giggle when I came across it in my FB support group! Lol!
09/12/2021

This gave me a giggle when I came across it in my FB support group! Lol!

My first 6 months of blood draws! Because I have a more modern valve my INR (coagulation range) requirements are now low...
09/12/2021

My first 6 months of blood draws! Because I have a more modern valve my INR (coagulation range) requirements are now lower and I am within perfect range. Won't need to go as often moving forward - next appointment isn't until Oct 6th!

Trying out the Cubii my aunt and uncle loaned me! Feels sooooo good on my legs!!!
08/12/2021

Trying out the Cubii my aunt and uncle loaned me! Feels sooooo good on my legs!!!

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My Story

So, as a special gift to honour my 50th birthday this year I learned that I will be requiring open heart surgery to replace a faulty aortic valve. On an up note, my health and my heart are both perfectly fine, it would appear that I was likely born with this valve and this situation has just gradually progressed throughout the years. The only symptoms I have experienced are mild shortness of breath when taking stairs or overly exerting myself (ie lifting something heavy), some mild fatigue (which I have been attributing to aging but I guess I was wrong) and some mild swelling in my lower limbs (it hurts to stand in one spot for too long). I decided to create this page as a means to share developments throughout this experience with my family and friends and a method of keeping myself mentally and psychologically calm. All in an attempt to maintain a healthy and positive attitude and if it helps someone else who might be facing a serious surgery someday, all the better!