brd
Well-known member
As many of you know I was in the "waiting room" for 8 years before my AVR which finally occurred on Aug 6. During those years I watched the post-op forum like a hawk, rejoicing every time I saw those emails announcing one of us had made it! I envied them and prayed and hoped I would one day write the same.
And here it is!!!!! I am home! Writing those words has caused my eyes to fill with tears. I know that you understand. I am grateful beyond words.
The experience has been smooth thus far but I certainly know there may still be bumps. Especially for my post-radiation friends for whom certain details are crucial......the pre-op cath revealed no corornary artery disease (how fortunate am I?) , the pericardium looked good and the placement of the Carpentier Edwards bovine valve 21mm was the valve of choice. The MV did not look "bad." We know there was a small amount of calcification there but no significant compromise present.
I left the hospital yesterday with about 7 extra pounds so am on the usual Lasix and K for a few days, lopressor until I see the cardio in two weeks, ASA, iron and that's about it.
I found the care I received at Brigham and Womens in Boston to be excellent. They do so many procedures there that they have the process down pat without any sense at all of being on an assembly line. I would highly recommend my surgeon, Prem Shekar and my cardio Patrick O'Gara. The Brigham has just opened a new cardiac bldg and it is state of the art. All rooms.......ICU and Stepdown are private, easily accessbile for those portable chest xrays and of course with all of the requisite. The same NPs and PAs follow you regardless of where you are and their communication system overall was impressive. The coordination between surgery and cardiology was probably the most outstanding between two sub-specialties that I have seen (35 years as an RN and NP myself). It was outstanding. I know my cardio much better of course than I know my surgeon. I trust him implicitly and to see him every step of the way interacting with the surgeon was beyond reassuring.
Finally, thank you all......those of you who have climbed the mountain or held the climbers hand yourselves and have stayed to offer help and counsel to those of us still sick and suffering. For that, there is no price too high. And for those who come looking for help, thank you. You comfort in the shared fear and vulnerability and willingness to ask for help. We know we are not alone. (I'm out of space here, so you are spared.) God Speed to all. Love, Barbara
And here it is!!!!! I am home! Writing those words has caused my eyes to fill with tears. I know that you understand. I am grateful beyond words.
The experience has been smooth thus far but I certainly know there may still be bumps. Especially for my post-radiation friends for whom certain details are crucial......the pre-op cath revealed no corornary artery disease (how fortunate am I?) , the pericardium looked good and the placement of the Carpentier Edwards bovine valve 21mm was the valve of choice. The MV did not look "bad." We know there was a small amount of calcification there but no significant compromise present.
I left the hospital yesterday with about 7 extra pounds so am on the usual Lasix and K for a few days, lopressor until I see the cardio in two weeks, ASA, iron and that's about it.
I found the care I received at Brigham and Womens in Boston to be excellent. They do so many procedures there that they have the process down pat without any sense at all of being on an assembly line. I would highly recommend my surgeon, Prem Shekar and my cardio Patrick O'Gara. The Brigham has just opened a new cardiac bldg and it is state of the art. All rooms.......ICU and Stepdown are private, easily accessbile for those portable chest xrays and of course with all of the requisite. The same NPs and PAs follow you regardless of where you are and their communication system overall was impressive. The coordination between surgery and cardiology was probably the most outstanding between two sub-specialties that I have seen (35 years as an RN and NP myself). It was outstanding. I know my cardio much better of course than I know my surgeon. I trust him implicitly and to see him every step of the way interacting with the surgeon was beyond reassuring.
Finally, thank you all......those of you who have climbed the mountain or held the climbers hand yourselves and have stayed to offer help and counsel to those of us still sick and suffering. For that, there is no price too high. And for those who come looking for help, thank you. You comfort in the shared fear and vulnerability and willingness to ask for help. We know we are not alone. (I'm out of space here, so you are spared.) God Speed to all. Love, Barbara
