Hello everyone,
Well, I am finally home and have turned a corner today so thought I would post about my surgery and experience at Cleveland Clinic.
On Nov. 29, 2007, I received an aortic aneurysm repair and bicuspid valve replacement with a bovine tissue valve by Dr. Svensson. so, I am truly on the other side. I just updated my medic alert card, and that felt great.
First of all, I have to thank Ross and everyone on the site for encouraging me to go forward and face the music after my first post here. I had what I thought was a 5.3 cm. aneurysm and my docs here were saying I could wait for surgery. I had been waiting and watching, sending records to Cleveland Clinic for three years.
My surgery was a success and Dr. Svensson noted that the aneurysm was very fragile, longer than he thought and that my bav was more calcified than they thought. The reading on the CC cat scan for the aneurysm was 5.5cm. The longer aneurysm meant my incision is longer than the 3.5 inch incision he is sometimes able to use.
Regarding the valve replacement, I originally had thought I would go with mechanical to avoid future OHS and actually did not even deeply consider tissue at all, mainly because I am 48. Then 2 weeks before the surgery, I started to think about tissue, and talking personally with a few of the members here was very helpful. Closer to the surgery, I began to panic and be unable to decide and finally decided not to decide. Then about 5 days before leaving for Cleveland, on a walk by myself, it just came to me very strongly, simply and clearly. I didn't tell anyone and never questioned it again, and just told Dr. Svensson that was my preference. I had also decided that I trusted my surgeon so much, that I would go with what he advised as well. So, it really is an individual decision that will just feel right and you will know it. I am also glad that I explored the mechanical valve and Coumadin and had accepted that and felt good about it in case that ever is a future possiblity.
My experience at Cleveland Clinic was very positive. I always felt I was in expert hands and any little bumps along the way, I felt they had it covered. So many of the excellent carers stand out in my mind. Traveling far from home was hard, having two children at home, but I am totally glad I did.
My recovery has been good. One day at the local hospital with an incision with redness and discharge. I am now on antibiotics and the incision is looking great. I have occular migraines when I am tired a bit and my throat and lungs are still a bit taxed, but getting better every day. I am now only on ibuprofen 3 times a day and actually sleeping (even on my side!) I have been to my family doc and everything looks good.
Mostly, I am just so happy that I faced the music and have this behind me. Hugging my daughters at home was the most amazing feeling. And I really have to thank everyone here from the bottom of my NEW heart for all the support, excellent advice and opinions, prayers and thoughts, it made a huge difference.
Happy Holidays, Betsy
Well, I am finally home and have turned a corner today so thought I would post about my surgery and experience at Cleveland Clinic.
On Nov. 29, 2007, I received an aortic aneurysm repair and bicuspid valve replacement with a bovine tissue valve by Dr. Svensson. so, I am truly on the other side. I just updated my medic alert card, and that felt great.
First of all, I have to thank Ross and everyone on the site for encouraging me to go forward and face the music after my first post here. I had what I thought was a 5.3 cm. aneurysm and my docs here were saying I could wait for surgery. I had been waiting and watching, sending records to Cleveland Clinic for three years.
My surgery was a success and Dr. Svensson noted that the aneurysm was very fragile, longer than he thought and that my bav was more calcified than they thought. The reading on the CC cat scan for the aneurysm was 5.5cm. The longer aneurysm meant my incision is longer than the 3.5 inch incision he is sometimes able to use.
Regarding the valve replacement, I originally had thought I would go with mechanical to avoid future OHS and actually did not even deeply consider tissue at all, mainly because I am 48. Then 2 weeks before the surgery, I started to think about tissue, and talking personally with a few of the members here was very helpful. Closer to the surgery, I began to panic and be unable to decide and finally decided not to decide. Then about 5 days before leaving for Cleveland, on a walk by myself, it just came to me very strongly, simply and clearly. I didn't tell anyone and never questioned it again, and just told Dr. Svensson that was my preference. I had also decided that I trusted my surgeon so much, that I would go with what he advised as well. So, it really is an individual decision that will just feel right and you will know it. I am also glad that I explored the mechanical valve and Coumadin and had accepted that and felt good about it in case that ever is a future possiblity.
My experience at Cleveland Clinic was very positive. I always felt I was in expert hands and any little bumps along the way, I felt they had it covered. So many of the excellent carers stand out in my mind. Traveling far from home was hard, having two children at home, but I am totally glad I did.
My recovery has been good. One day at the local hospital with an incision with redness and discharge. I am now on antibiotics and the incision is looking great. I have occular migraines when I am tired a bit and my throat and lungs are still a bit taxed, but getting better every day. I am now only on ibuprofen 3 times a day and actually sleeping (even on my side!) I have been to my family doc and everything looks good.
Mostly, I am just so happy that I faced the music and have this behind me. Hugging my daughters at home was the most amazing feeling. And I really have to thank everyone here from the bottom of my NEW heart for all the support, excellent advice and opinions, prayers and thoughts, it made a huge difference.
Happy Holidays, Betsy
