L
LindaVA
HI Everyone,
Just want to say I'm home from my Friday mitralvalve repair at UPenn Presbyterian. They were able to repair using minimally invasive/heart port procedure. A few of the highlights/lowlights
-At heart cath the day before surgery, I was starving and the techs joked that if my arteries were clean they would treat me to lunch-- I woke up with pepperoni pizza on my gurney- guess they were clear!
-Went into surgery at 7 and woke up at 7 at night - unfortunately I do have memories of the trach tube, and wretching into it, and for all of those who posted about the ice chips, I agree, I have never ever experienced such a thirst in my life. And they would'nt give me any b/c I was vomiting. I also found it very scary b/c pretty much around the time I gained consciousness and they pulled the tube, visiting hrs were over so I saw my family only fleetingly over the next 12 hours after I woke up and I felt like the only one keeping me clinging to life was my ICU nurse Betty Lou to whom I am eternally grateful;
-Other than that pretty much all routine. I've experienced little peculiarities they say are common in petite athletic women -- I'm still having very low blood pressure (like 70/40) and am very anemic. Those things should improve over the following days and luckily nothing so bad as to keep still hospitalized.
For all of your support and concern, I thank you from the bottom of my fixed heart. If any of you know anyone in the tristate area needing repair, I would highly recommend Dr. W. Clark Hargrove and crew from Penn Presby in Philadelphia. First class care all the way.
Thanks again!
Linda
---------------
3/9/07 mv repair, U Penn Presby
Just want to say I'm home from my Friday mitralvalve repair at UPenn Presbyterian. They were able to repair using minimally invasive/heart port procedure. A few of the highlights/lowlights
-At heart cath the day before surgery, I was starving and the techs joked that if my arteries were clean they would treat me to lunch-- I woke up with pepperoni pizza on my gurney- guess they were clear!
-Went into surgery at 7 and woke up at 7 at night - unfortunately I do have memories of the trach tube, and wretching into it, and for all of those who posted about the ice chips, I agree, I have never ever experienced such a thirst in my life. And they would'nt give me any b/c I was vomiting. I also found it very scary b/c pretty much around the time I gained consciousness and they pulled the tube, visiting hrs were over so I saw my family only fleetingly over the next 12 hours after I woke up and I felt like the only one keeping me clinging to life was my ICU nurse Betty Lou to whom I am eternally grateful;
-Other than that pretty much all routine. I've experienced little peculiarities they say are common in petite athletic women -- I'm still having very low blood pressure (like 70/40) and am very anemic. Those things should improve over the following days and luckily nothing so bad as to keep still hospitalized.
For all of your support and concern, I thank you from the bottom of my fixed heart. If any of you know anyone in the tristate area needing repair, I would highly recommend Dr. W. Clark Hargrove and crew from Penn Presby in Philadelphia. First class care all the way.
Thanks again!
Linda
---------------
3/9/07 mv repair, U Penn Presby
Great to hear that your repair went well and you are home. Congratulations, Linda.
