Six months after - my strongest feeling is gratitude.
For the medical professionals, for the support of friends and family, and very much for all the information ...Read more
Six months after - my strongest feeling is gratitude.
For the medical professionals, for the support of friends and family, and very much for all the information and support that continues to be shared on this site.
Thanks and best wishes to all.
Wayne Sykes Thank you for your note Sandy. It's very informative and encouraging. And congrats on your recovery ... Read more
Wayne Sykes Thank you for your note Sandy. It's very informative and encouraging. And congrats on your recovery.
Rochelle Rottenstein I’m still navigating the site but it was so thoughful for you to respond to my post op weight and p ... Read more
Rochelle Rottenstein I’m still navigating the site but it was so thoughful for you to respond to my post op weight and puppy questions especially I realize that your surgery was a while back and thankfully well past the setbacks you experienced a few weeks out. It really means so much , even these seem like frivolous concerns it’s reassuring and I’m grateful to experience just sheer and altruistic kindness. Thank again, hope this gets to you.?
My surgery was four weeks ago today - and my follow up visit was one week ago yesterday.
I did well in the hospital - was out of ICU early Thursday morning ...Read more
My surgery was four weeks ago today - and my follow up visit was one week ago yesterday.
I did well in the hospital - was out of ICU early Thursday morning following the surgery - and walking later that day. I was put on oxygen after a couple days - and apparently had an a-fib episode, and was put on the amiodarone (sp?) which I will finish next week. Was released Monday morning. Stayed in Durham overnight (as we had the airbnb for a week) - and my companions gave me pain pills on the four-hour trip home (we also stopped to walk). Then I lost the next three days - have VERY limited memory of anything that happened after Wednesday morning until Saturday morning. I had not heard people talking of that - but I definitely lost those three days. My sister says I didn't remember anything of the hospitalization during that time, and I kept asking her the same things over and over (fortunately, she had come to stay with me). I was dizzy and nauseous most of that two weeks - but got my staples out on Halloween and decided I must have had staple poisoning - because I almost immediately felt better. Have felt better, started walking more after staples out, and am beginning to work from home a little bit.
Am truly thankful, greatful and blessed - and mostly posted this because I had not seen anyone else talk about losing three days - but apparently it's a not uncommon effect of the anesthesia...
They also told us in the follow-up that I was anemic (as most people are) when discharged from the hospital - which we had not heard before - and may have explained some other symptoms.
I have seen others talk about drinking lots of water - they said I could go to the local hospital for IV fluids if I wanted when I was dizzy - but I just decided to try drinking more water - and over time it worked.
Thanks to all for all the information shared, and again, especially to Marie for recommending Duke.
Marie Myers I am so glad you had a good experience! Welcome to the recovery side!! I was also very anemic when d ... Read more
Marie Myers I am so glad you had a good experience! Welcome to the recovery side!! I was also very anemic when discharged. I was 8.5 rather than my usual 14 Hgb. It adds to the weak and tired feeling. But within a few weeks, with some supplemental iron, my blood cells started increasing back to normal. As far as losing a few days post op, I would say that is probably a result of both anesthesia and post op pain Meds. Not a bad time to forget, I would say. Maybe just a part of the body's mechanism to get you through a very stressful time in your life.
Had a brain MRI for the study today - they asked if i'd like music - I said sure...
First song - "Another one bites the dust"!
They told me I had to quit ...Read more
Had a brain MRI for the study today - they asked if i'd like music - I said sure...
First song - "Another one bites the dust"!
They told me I had to quit laughing because my head was moving...
Hope I still think it's funny tomorrow - but it's great to go in laughing...
Rita Savelis I wasn't asked what music I wanted, but thought it was funny that Hotel California ("....and you can ... Read more
Rita Savelis I wasn't asked what music I wanted, but thought it was funny that Hotel California ("....and you can never leave...") was playing. Do they do this intentionally?!
John Dodson I have a female friend who was in for a colonoscopy. They asked if she would like some music. Sure. ... Read more
John Dodson I have a female friend who was in for a colonoscopy. They asked if she would like some music. Sure. The Doors “Back Door Man” started playing. She asked them do they always play that song for patients? They were clueless.
Laura Shepherd Oh so humorous. Laughter is a good switch from the everyday worries I've been experiencing.
Many thanks again to everyone. I've double
Checked the list I made from being on this site and think I'm ready. Thanks again to Marie for recommending I contact ...Read more
Many thanks again to everyone. I've double
Checked the list I made from being on this site and think I'm ready. Thanks again to Marie for recommending I contact Duke - I'm going to be a study participant for the 'best' temperature to cool to. Truly grateful for this site and all who have shared.
Praying for you and your heart team.
Marie Myers Thoughts and prayers heading your way!
I received a call from Cleveland Clinic this morning - the surgeon assigned would be Dr. Bakaeen. I haven't seen his name in any threads on here (though, of ...Read more
I received a call from Cleveland Clinic this morning - the surgeon assigned would be Dr. Bakaeen. I haven't seen his name in any threads on here (though, of course, I haven't read everything). Does anyone have any info to share? I did search his name on (as well as off) here - and see good reviews. Happy to know they will do the surgery (as I wait anxiously for news on Evan).
Thanks for any feedback.
Alethea Scally Hi Sandy, I don't know anything about this surgeon but I looked at his page on Cleveland Clinic reall ... Read more
Alethea Scally Hi Sandy, I don't know anything about this surgeon but I looked at his page on Cleveland Clinic really quick and one of the comments is "Did not talk to surgeon any time after surgery". My dad's surgeon specifically asked that we delay my Dad's surgery so that he could be available to come see my father post-surgery every day he is in the hospital. He came by three times the day of surgery when my dad was in the ICU and then two times yesterday. Just food for thought. Picking the right surgeon for my father took months, good luck!
Tina Maroon Sandy I had my OHS at Cleveland Clinic in 2015. I think my only complaint is that my heart surgeon ne ... Read more
Tina Maroon Sandy I had my OHS at Cleveland Clinic in 2015. I think my only complaint is that my heart surgeon never came to see me after heart surgery either. I think that is very frustrating. He did a great job though. I had Dr. Soltesz.
Rita Savelis Alas, some of the technically best surgeons might not have the best bedside manner.
It can be very s ... Read more
Rita Savelis Alas, some of the technically best surgeons might not have the best bedside manner.
It can be very supportive to have a surgeon who is emotionally present. Some are better than others at that.
But a surgeon who is technically very competent in your specific problem and makes good decisions before and during OHS is also a good choice.
Walter Lewandowski Never saw Dr Bruce Lytle after my surgery in 1998, at the Cleveland Clinic. Wish I had met him he man ... Read more
Walter Lewandowski Never saw Dr Bruce Lytle after my surgery in 1998, at the Cleveland Clinic. Wish I had met him he man. Wrote him a letter once before he retired thanking for giving me an opportunity to enjoy all of these years.
Sandy Laine Thanks for the feedback - always welcome and appreciated!
Catie B Sandy, I had my surgery for aortic valve, aortic root and aortic aneurysm at CC last fall. With a fe ... Read more
Catie B Sandy, I had my surgery for aortic valve, aortic root and aortic aneurysm at CC last fall. With a few exceptions, my understanding is that their surgeons spend little to no time with patients after surgery, but shift care to their cardiology teams. My surgeon did stop in for just a moment toward the end of my hospital stay. As a patient from out of state, I also met him only the day before my surgery and that appointment was abbreviated. But it was shortened because he had spent many hours operating on a man whose case was extremely complex and difficult--he'd already had four open heart surgeries. I wanted to be in the most experienced hands possible, and I believe I was.
Best to you in your journey!
Phyllis Petersen I had mitral valve repair at CC and saw my surgeon only once before surgery, although I know he had b ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen I had mitral valve repair at CC and saw my surgeon only once before surgery, although I know he had been in close contact with my cardiologist here in Tucson. I know their surgeons often seen upcoming and recovering patients between surgery cases on the same day. My surgeon did not rush when I met with him and made sure I understood why I was having surgery, what they would be doing, etc. He came by my room in stepdown to see how I was doing with a member of my recovery team. If he came into ICU, I probably wouldn't know (I was pretty wonky), although my sister said he spoke to her several times, but not sure if that was just during and immediately after surgery. My team at CC was excellent.
Sandy Laine Thanks all for feedback - but doesn't sound like anyone knows of Dr. Bakaeen...
Sandy Laine Thanks all for feedback - but doesn't sound like anyone knows of Dr. Bakaeen...
Appreciate the sharing!
Barbara Helen Dance Hello Sandy, thank you for sharing your love and best wishes, I have managed to upload a photo....( m ... Read more
Barbara Helen Dance Hello Sandy, thank you for sharing your love and best wishes, I have managed to upload a photo....( more by luck than judgement haha!!), but its still doesn't appear on the small profile pic .???,and hopefully I have my surgery date right Independence Day...!!. But its nice to know I am loved..... thank you so much for your best wishes, and I wish you well too.xx
Judy Stokes Sandy, I am going to CC also , surgery on July 18. . Haven't heard of your dr but there are so many ... Read more
Judy Stokes Sandy, I am going to CC also , surgery on July 18. . Haven't heard of your dr but there are so many, don't lose trust, I m sure he's super or he wouldn't be around. Prayers for you.
Laura Jacobs I went to Brigham and Women's. I researched my surgeon, Dr. Pelletier, and he answered my questions a ... Read more
Laura Jacobs I went to Brigham and Women's. I researched my surgeon, Dr. Pelletier, and he answered my questions about success rates, risks, and everything else I wanted to know. He spent a lot of time with me and my husband before surgery. He visited me twice in the four days I was at the hospital, and dropped in to see me during my 3 month followup appointment. It was more of a social/personal touchpoint than a medical one, but he also wanted to make sure that I did not have any outstanding questions for him.
Maybe since the arch is a ways from any valves, I haven't seen anything on here from people who have had to have a portion of their arch replaced. Is there ...Read more
Maybe since the arch is a ways from any valves, I haven't seen anything on here from people who have had to have a portion of their arch replaced. Is there anyone on here who has or has had that? I've seen that there are places that do 'regional antegrade cerebral perfusion' which allows your brain to not have the blood flow stopped - has anyone had that? Does anyone have a good way to ask a hospital if they perform that? Thanks in advance.
Carol Huston On October28, 2016, I had my aortic valve and the ascending aorta replaced. This included part of the ... Read more
Carol Huston On October28, 2016, I had my aortic valve and the ascending aorta replaced. This included part of the arch. I don't know exactly what was done other than the heart-lung machine.
I thought it was interesting that the surgeon said I should have had the surgery before the valve got to the point of needing replacement. He said the combination of the valve and aneurysm was why.
Evan Gresh I'm not all that medically savvy, but apparently I, having that portion of my arch replaced. My surge ... Read more
Evan Gresh I'm not all that medically savvy, but apparently I, having that portion of my arch replaced. My surgeon drew a picture of what he was going to do, and it included cutting and clamping off blood to my brain. This is what made me most nervous, as he said that he did this part rather quickly. I saw you don't have a scheduled date, but thought June timeframe. Mine is June 15, so if yours is late June I'll let you know how it went.
Sandy Laine That's what's making me most nervous, too - and that's why I'm investigating other hospitals (that ma ... Read more
Sandy Laine That's what's making me most nervous, too - and that's why I'm investigating other hospitals (that may have ways to NOT cut off the blood flow to the brain for as long). If I was going with the original plan - our surgeries would probably be about the same time, other consults are delaying that - so I look forward to hearing about your experience. I, of course, am more flexible in my time, as I don't have a baby coming three weeks after surgery! :D
Marie Myers I think Catie B had part of her arch replaced. Check her bio.
Laura Jacobs Hi Sandy, I did have my ascending aorta and part of the arch replaced. I was at Brigham and Women's H ... Read more
Laura Jacobs Hi Sandy, I did have my ascending aorta and part of the arch replaced. I was at Brigham and Women's Hospital with Dr. Pelletier. He gave me his complete surgical notes that tell me step by step what they did during my surgery which I found to be fascinating reading. I have two incision sites, the sternal incision, and another 3 inch incision at the top of my chest near the right shoulder. The little incision was made in order to cannulate an artery to keep blood flowing through the carotid artery to the brain. I was in complete circulatory arrest for 1 minute, between the time they clamped the aorta and attached the artery to the one going down my arm. My surgeon said that the brain can handle a short disruption like that. Please feel free to reach out to me @ ljacobs1113@yahoo.com. I am happy to share my experience.
A special thanks to Andria - for asking many of the questions I have, and to all who provided feedback to her (and thus to me and probably many more). ...Read more
A special thanks to Andria - for asking many of the questions I have, and to all who provided feedback to her (and thus to me and probably many more).
Still have lots of questions - so I'm still reading...
Amy Steele Welcome, Sandy. I am one of several people who have had surgery recently similar to what you're faci ... Read more
Amy Steele Welcome, Sandy. I am one of several people who have had surgery recently similar to what you're facing. I found out that I required aortic root replacement and had an aortic aneurysm when I had the pre-surgery CT before bicuspid aortic valve surgery. I have a Medtronic Freestyle stentless tissue all-in-one aortic valve and root, and Dacron tubing to repair the aneurysm. I'm on the site several times a week and would be happy to answer any questions you may have.