Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  How to help family and friends

    Posted 07-30-2019 00:52
    I had my aortic valve replaced in 2014 because of long term effects from radiation. treatment.  Now I've been diagnosed with heart failure and mitral stenosis.  I'm still coming to terms with what that means for me.  And I'm having trouble with how it effects my relationships.  It's on my mind a lot, so I know it affects my energy.  I think my friends/family feel it too.  I want to be able to talk honestly about how I feel with them, but I also  want to be present, live life well and not waste time stuck feeling down.  I know there are forums like this to vent and gain understanding.  How do you balance being real about how your health affects you and not bringing your relationships down?

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    Amy Erickson
    manager
    Pratt and Larson
    Portland OR
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  • 2.  RE: How to help family and friends

    Posted 07-30-2019 08:16
    I had ohs on July 1 to replace a my mitral valve that has severe regurgitation. Honestly, idk of there is a way to be honest about how you are feeling without bringing them down. I obviously have people I can talk to, but until they go thru the same surgery, they have no clue what I am feeling physically and or emotionally. It's a very hard balance of talking to them, but not sounding like all I'm doing is bitching and whining. I finally realized tho, that maybe I need to expand my village a little bit and talking to people through mended hearts helps a ton, but I am also going to see a counselor. Sometimes problems and feelings are too heavy for just one person to carry. Took me a long time to realize that.

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    Jenny Brogan
    Hastings NE
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