Update on my Mom - Could use some help.

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RobThatsMe

RobThatsMe

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 11, 2001
Messages
1,454
Location
USA - TN
Hi Everyone,

It seems things have changed from her original evaluation, and now she is facing what appears to be a very difficult surgery, at least to me it does.

She has to have 2 valves replaced, a 3rd either repaired or replaced, and a possible Bi-pass. My brother, sister, and dad meet with her and her surgeon last week to review the situation. As I mentioned in an early post, originally they were talking only a minimum invasive procedure to replace 2 valves. Now, they say that is not possible, that she needs all I described above, and will have to have full open heart surgery, which will last between 9 to 10 hours! The sureuon said that since he was going to be in there, he should fix everything at once.

Mom is almost 80, and I am so concerned that her stength and age will be highly stressed being under for a 9 to 10 hour surgery. Originally she knew that she had to have 2 valves replaced so that she sould have some other surery on her back. But after some further thesting, the doctor recommends havingin th 3 valves addressed and also a possible bi-pass.

She is scheduled for surgery on May 30th at Boston Medical Center by Dr. Hunter.

Has anyone gone through 3 valves replaced / repaired at once?
I am trying to compose some questions for the doctor, as I plan to contact him this week. If you have any suggestions that I should ask, please let me know.

This is such a scary time for me and the family.

Thanks,
Rob
 
RobThatsMe said:
Hi Everyone,

It seems things have changfed from her original evaluation, and now she is facing what to me appears to be a very difficult surgery.

She has to have 2 valves replaced, a 3rd either repaired or replaced, and a possible Bi-pass. My brother, sister, and dad meet with her and her surgeon last week to review the situation. As I mentioned in an early post, originally they were talking only a minimum invasive procedure to replace 2 valves. Now, they say that is not possible, that she needs all I described above, and will have to have full open heart surgery, which will last between 9 to 10 hours! The sureuon said that since he was going to be in there, he should fix everything at once.

Mom is almost 80, and I am so concerned that her stength and age will be highly stressed being under for a 9 to 10 hour surgery. Originally she knew that she had to have 2 valves replaced so that she sould have some other surery on her back. But after some further thesting, the doctor recommends havingin th 3 valves addressed and also a possible bi-pass.

She is scheduled for surgery on May 30th at Boston Medical Center by Dr. Hunter.

Has anyone gone through 3 valves replaced / repaired at once?
I am trying to compose some questions for the doctor, as I plan to contact him this week. If you have any suggestions that I should ask, please let me know.

This is such a scary time for me and the family.

Thanks,
Rob
Click to expand...

Rob,
Have they indicated how the length of surgery, pump time, anesthesia will affect her recovery? As you well know, a simple, uncomplicated valve replacement can take some time to recover from. Does the surgeon think the long term benefits outweigh the short term risks?
 
Dear Rob:

Although my husband has had three valves repaired/replaced, it was done in two surgical steps. First he had the aortic and mitral valves replaced 5 years ago, and then the tricuspid valve repaired (annuloplasty ring) this past February. He did not recover well from the first surgery, I think because the tricuspid remained with a severe leak that was not detected at the time of surgery. Your mom's age though, certainly causes a complication that he did NOT have, as he was 55 at the first surgery, and 60 at the second. I must say that it took only 6 weeks or so before he was doing better than just prior to the tricuspid valve being replaced. The difference is amazing.

I am so sorry you, your mom, and the rest of the family are facing this. It must be very difficult. It does sound as though she is in great hands. I do know that Dr. Vlahakes told us that his average age of his patients has increased considerably in the past 5 years, and that there were many folks on the cardiac floor well past 70-75 years old.

I wish your mother well and will include your family in our prayers.

Marybeth
 
Bob, Dick had an aunt that had one valve replaced and double by-pass in her 80's and she did well for a number of years. I think Mary's suggestion to weigh the risks versus the odds is a good one. Prayers going out to all of you.
 
Hey Rob,
Two years ago (I am 42) I had OHS at Mass General Hosp in Boston. My tricuspid valve is now bovine and my mitral and aortic valves are St. Jude mechanical, I also had a little hole patched. I have never felt better. My surgery was 9 hrs long. I was in the ICU for four days and five in a regular room. I have no restrictions now and only take coumadin. Your Mom is older than I was, but my surgeon told me that at any age, after all this work is done, this surgery will dramatically change the quality of life and it did. I have no complaints. I will keep your Mom in my thoughts and prayers.
 
Rob I have no info on valve replacement for the elderly. It is a tough question. We went through a rough spot with our mother and she was in her 80s with sure death ahead of her without major surgery. We had an excellent surgeon. Her recovery was long and difficult and my brother and sister and I had to take turns to be with her 24/7 for quite a long haul. you might ask about her future expectations so that you can be prepared to act when needed. Mother finally did ok, was never very strong again but lived to be 91.

I wish your family all t he best. It is so hard when it's your parent. Blessins.......
 
Rob:

Sorry that your mom is facing surgery.

My father-in-law at age 74 had 2 valves replaced, 1 repaired, the aorta repaired and 4 bypasses in December 1989. It was a long surgery -- began about 7-7:30 a.m., finished up about 5 p.m.
He was in CICU for 1 week. After probably another 2 weeks, he was discharged to a nursing home so they could monitor his Coumadin and get him back on his feet. He lived about 65 miles from Fort Worth, with only a small hospital, and was a widower.
The incisions in his legs for the CABG bothered him more than his valve work. It was his 2nd MVR, first AVR. I believe the valve that was repaired was the tricuspid.
He was in pretty bad shape before his surgery -- had to spend 1 week in the hospital on lasix before they could operate.

I've seen info at some cardiac surgeons' websites that indicate they specialize/have a special interest in surgery for the elderly.
 
Rob

Rob

My Aunt was age 84 when she had bypass..same time I had my surgery.....Daddy said, she did great..but had a live in son......Just passed last year....at age 90 ..due to natural causes....Point being made..she did good after her surgery at her age...but your mom will probably have more of a long time recovery........Your Dad will need family to help..Live-in...if possible....will be thinking of her/family..Bonnie
 
This is a very tough call. To my view, Mary has really said the sense of it. Best guess at recovery prognosis vs. lesser surgeries or none.

Plainly your mom has the final input into this. Sounds like you may need more data from the surgeon to make your best judgement.

This is such a difficult recommendation for you to make. You're in my thoughts. I don't know how I'd do that for my own mother.

Very best wishes,
 
Rob,

I don't have any answers for you ... sorry.

BUT ... please know that thoughts/prayers are coming your Mom's way....



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Waiting to be mended like a potter would mend a broken vase" ... Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers ... 'Broken Lady'
 
Thanks for all your advise, thoughts and prayers.

Thanks for all your advise, thoughts and prayers.

Hi,

Just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your replies.

I spoke with the surgeon today, and feel a little more at ease. Although, it will still be an uphill battle for my mom, and hopefully she has the will and desire to be motivated to get well.

The surgeon said that she needs to have her aortic valve replaced due to narrowing and leakage, and that the tricuspid also leaks and needs either repair or replacement. The mitral leaks as well, but not too significant at the moment, and may not need to be addressed. They will have to also do some tests prior to surgery to see if she has any existing blockages. This may be tricky, as she is severely allergic to the contrast dye. She almost died from this in the past.

The surgeon tells me there are no alternative dyes, and that they will bring her in a day earlier to pre-med her for the test. This is to counter the allergic reaction, and also have all the necessary equipment there in the event that she still has the reaction. To me, this is scary. I told him that I don't want to have something real bad happen from this test, suggesting to not even do it. He said that he needs to because he would not want her to have the valves replaced, and then see her go into a heart attack while on the table due to a blockage.

Total operation time is now estimated between 5 to 7 hours depending on the work required. Time on the heart-lung machine will be between 45 min to 3 hours. All and all, after studying the echo-cardiogram further, he feels that the surgical requirements are not as severe as originally noted. So, if she can get though the contrast dye test, perhaps things will go well. Needless to say, the whole family at this time is very worried. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. The surgery is now scheduled for May 30, or maybe the 31st, if there are some issues with the contrast dye testing.

Rob
 
Hi Rob, I'm glad your talk with the surgeon put you more at ease. I will put your Mom on the calendar for May 30th and we will all be sending prayers for as successful outcome. Best wishes to you all.
 
you all will be going through some anxious times the next couple of weeks. You know that this board will be on pins and needles with you and sending our prayers heavenward.

Seems there are quite a few allergic to that dye and that they would have come up with a better arrangement by now. I remember they asked my dear Joe if he was allergic back in 1995 and they asked me in 2000 and maybe many of us on this board. They did tell us the reaction to it could be a danger. At least they are forewarned this time.

Blessins........
 
Rob,

No wise answers or advice for you just my sincere best wishes and prayers for your Mom and family during this very difficult time. It is not easy caring for our elderly and frail parents.

Godspeed,
Susie
 
Rob
Your family is facing very difficult times and decisions. I feel the success of the surgery is in your mothers will to fight and has complete trust that she can and will climb this mountain and persevere. She already appears to have skilled surgeons and a very supportive family but gauge how she is mentally and emotionally handling this.
I have an issue with the dye and have flat lined on the table and needed 6 stents to repair the damage the dye did. I will pray that she comes out of the cath with little or no concerns but it does need to be done. Gauge her handling of the cath as a precourser to the surgery. I will keep watching for good news for her.
Kathleen
 
Thanks again.. You all are wonderful!

Thanks again.. You all are wonderful!

Hi,

So good to read your comments. I am flying up to Boston to be with the family this Friday, the 25th, and hopefully will return to Nashville on
June 2nd.

I am planning to bring my PC with me, so I will be sure to keep you informed on how my mother makes out next week, as long as I can get an internet connection that is!

Wishing you all good health,
Rob
 
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