Search results

Valve Replacement Forums

Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
  1. B

    Pardon my emotions... five years snuck up on me

    Five years ago right about now, I was in that communications blackout zone on my way past the dark side of the moon. I couldn't wait to complete my orbit and talk to you folks again, and compare notes. Honestly, I had forgotten about the anniversary until a few minutes ago. That's how good it's...
  2. B

    Durability of Mitral Valve Repair

    Hi Rush, I had mitral valve repair a year ago when I was 55. Minimally invasive right thoracotomy. No robotics. I pushed the surgeon to give me an idea how long the repair would last. He said 90% were still going after 20 years. That was as long as they had tracked it. Everyone I talked to...
  3. B

    A year ago today I was waking up on the vent right about now!

    Logged in as Blair. Don't know why I'm identified as "Guest".
  4. B

    Merry Christmas and a Happy New year for 2015

    I second what Pellicle said! Kick up and run amok! Merry Christmas everybody! And a personal Thank You to everyone on the forum. Can't say that enough. I was a total mess before finding this group.
  5. B

    What is the one thing you couldn't live without during post-surgery recovery?

    Hands down, it was the recliner. Happily slept in that thing for months. I also enjoyed wandering around in our local, small-town grocery store in the days right after surgery. Got to see people I knew and exercised at the same time, while avoiding the heat and humidity!
  6. B

    Right thoracotomy

    I had a right thoracotomy for mitral valve repair 4 1/2 months ago. I would get an occasional shooting pain near the numb area. I assume it's the nerves trying to regrow. It's not bad and happens less often as the weeks go by. Discomfort in the muscle itself is another story. There is a firmness...
  7. B

    Right thoracotomy and echocardiogram fun!

    Went in for my post-op echocardiogram today. When I removed my shirt and the technician saw the incision on the right side of my chest, her face brightened and she excitedly asked if I had dextrocardia. I should have said "yes" just to see how long she would try to get a sonogram of my heart...
  8. B

    Floridan hospitals for heart surgery.

    I traveled 5 hours to Emory. The return trip at 7 days post-op was not bad. I had expected it to be difficult, so I was pleasantly surprised. Shands was mentioned as a possibility for my surgery and I would have been very confident to have it done there. Waiting is really the hardest part. I...
  9. B

    Hello, new here. MVR, scheduled for August surgery at Cleveland Clinic.

    I had mitral valve repair 9 weeks ago. At that time I was about where you are now. Seriously, you sound like me! Severe regurg, with left atrium showing slight enlargement. No physical symptoms, 55 year old. Been watching this progress over the last 6 years with annual echos. This time the...
  10. B

    8 weeks post-op

    Today had a few more milestones for me. Hit the eight week mark today, got started in a cardiac rehab program this morning, and finally got to see the cardiologist this afternoon. Was supposed to see him weeks ago, but just could not get an appointment any sooner. Everything looks good. Wants me...
  11. B

    Pre-surgery again after 15 years!

    Best wishes from me too! They keep getting better and better at this stuff, so after 15 years you should see a lot of improvements.
  12. B

    Surgery on Monday

    Monday will be a great day for you! Hope you can stay relaxed. I will be eight weeks post op on that day (yee haw!). Time has passed so quickly. It won't be long before you will be looking back at this date, and offering your wisdom and support to someone who needs it! Here's to your rapid...
  13. B

    Thudding heartbeat?

    Hi river-wear, I'm now at seven weeks since mitral repair and was very aware of my heartbeat for several weeks after surgery. I think the word you used, thudding, would be a good description. It was uncomfortable, especially after meals. What bothered me even more was an irregular heartbeat. I...
  14. B

    DH had OHS today

    The best thing about OHS is coming home! Waking up in familiar surroundings is pure joy! All the old experiences are new again. Superman, I'm having problems with sensitive teeth now also. It never occurred to me that it might be connected to the surgery - just thought it was a coincidence...
  15. B

    Medication side effect? Peeling skin.....

    Sounds similar to two people I know, both were not valve patients. Theirs was a reaction to long periods of constant stress (like maybe waiting for our surgery date, dealing with insurance, etc is to us). They get rather severe peeling of the skin, but only on their palms and/or the bottom of...
  16. B

    6 days after surgery

    No need to rush anything. It will all get easier. Before you know it a month will have gone by and your discomfort will be a fading memory.
  17. B

    AVR Complete...back home and on the mend

    Isn't it great to have that behind you! Here's to a smooth, bump free recovery!
  18. B

    Post op appt with surgeon

    Hey, I'm not sure what hypertrophy really means exactly, but did he talk about remodeling and indicate how long that would take? Having my post op appt with the surgeon this afternoon. Hit the six week milepost today!!! Time sure flies during recovery. "S'all good" is the absolute truth. I...
  19. B

    So I just had my surgery...

    Hey Aaron, I have the same flashes of light. At nearly six weeks post op now, and I see them a lot less. I only have one scar, but have heard others here have two, exactly like yours. Your scars look great, by the way. This is a great community here. Whatever questions you have, I'm sure...
  20. B

    anxious and just plain scared

    I didn't have any nausea. Nada. Expected it, but it never showed up. Found out later that I was on something to prevent that. Can't remember the name of it. It's best to stay away from what you don't want to see, hear, or read. Everyone is different. I wanted to know what I would look like in...
Back
Top