After Mitral Valve Repair, Denise Starts To Feel Like Her Old Self!

GOD BLESS YOU DENISE,

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2

Best regards,

Joseph in NYC

Congratulations!! I am 72 and am in need of one. I get ECHO every 6 mos. I am in Phoenix, AZ,. What an inspiration!!

Congratulations, Denise. Today is my 9 month anniversary following a successful mitral valve repair. My pain experience was similar to yours. I feel 10 years younger. My surgeon was Dr. William Ryan in Dallas, TX. He is excellent. Did you do cardiac rehab? I am convinced this made a strong impact on my positive recovery. May God continue to bless you.

Maria Williams, Ft. Worth, TX

Thank-you for the positive comments, I actully feel better and less anxiety now after reading your account.
I too am in need of Mitral valve repair and in my town Daytona Beach there does not seem to be the level of expertise and experince as in Orlando. In fact I have started a search for the best surgeon and I too came up with Dr Accola.

You did not mention if you had Minimally invasive surgery. I am going to begin contact with Dr Accola office sooner then later.

Thanks so much

Dr. Accola did my mitral valve repair surgery in October of 2007 at Florida Hospital and I have never looked back. They have an amazing team at Florida Hospital!

Thank you Joseph. The Lord certainly is my rock and I love that verse! He has led me through many difficult decisions along this journey. The verse I focused on daily is Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of our right hand and says to you, Do not fear;I will help you.”
Denise

Hello Barbara, I wish you the best of luck! Make sure to do plenty of research and find a great surgeon. It’s also important, like Adam has stated in his book, to have a strong support system.
God Bless. 🙂
Denise

Congrats Maria! Yes I did participate in cardiac rehab and graduated just a few weeks ago with mixed emootions. It’s nice not to make the 45 minute drive each way three times a week, but I really got attached to many of my fellow patients and I miss them. I feel that rehab had a tremendous positive impact on my recovery. That stinky old depression was trying to creep in on me right before and for the first few weeks of the regiment. I think it even got a little worse at first because I was the youngest patient by far and felt that I didn’t belong. Before long I made friends with several other patients and really came to enjoy and look forward to my workouts. It was time well spent!
God Bless You! Denise

Hello Guy, I requested a sternotomy only because other docs had mentioned a leak in my aortic valve and stated that repair through a “minimaly invasive” approach would be prohibitive. As it turned out (as Dr. Accola had told me before surgery), the aortic valve did not need attention at the time. I am still happy with my decision and I feel my scar is barely noticable. I don’t know how they do it by they somehow fold the skin at the incision so that through the six weeks or so of healing it slowly flattens out. All I’m left with is a very thin incision scar that I could probably put cream on to fade it even more. Give Dr. Accola and his staff my love! 🙂 Good Luck to you! You’re on the right path. Denise

Joe N, You are an awsome person! Thank you for going out of your way to be there every day at the hospital to support me and my family through my surgery! Thank you for answering every phone call and every text before and since. God Bless You and Yours each and every day!!
Denise

I am 21 days post mitral valve repair via port access. Am doing very well. Looking forward to starting rehab in a few weeks. I had my op at James Cook university hospital in Middlesbrough, England. I couldn’t have asked for better care, after care etc. Experienced hardly any pain. Biggest problem was bruised arms!!!!!
Julie. England

Hi Denise,
I am at day 21 post mitral valve surgery and I wish I had found this website sooner. It would have been most helpful. As it was I did a fair bit of searching on the internet for anything that might help me prior to surgery. Not being satisfied with what I found I decided to start my own blog to chronicle my surgical “odyssey”. My surgery was done here in British Columbia, Canada at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster. My experience here was also excellent.
Have a very blessed Christmas.

I have a mitrial valve prolapse and have had symtoms through out my life. I am 63 now and worry more about it. My doctor won’t refer me to a cardiologist. I would just like to have one base line cardiac visit to feel reassured . I have had symtoms of dizziness pain in chest arm and back and rapid heart beat. My insurance requires a referral from my primary doctor.

Hello Ava, if I were in your shoes I think I’d find another PCP. I know it can be a big hassle and will take some research & energy on your part but sometimes you have to be your own advocate. You know your own body and it’s telling you something. If you can find someone who will give your that referral you need then you’ll be able to have your workup and if nothing else you will at least have that piece of mind you need. Best wishes. I’d like it if you would keep me posted on your results. 🙂
Denise

Hi, Denise! Your story is very inspiring to me. I’m 39 and I am having mitral valve repair surgery with Dr. Accola on Tuesday. Can you tell me how many days you were in the hospital? How many weeks until you felt you were back to your old self? I’m most concerned about recovery because I have 3 small children – ages 6, 3 and 1.

Thank you and God Bless!
Kate

Hi, Denise.

I read your message to Adam and noticed that it was dated April, 2011. I had mitral valve repair surgery on November 30, 2010 in Dallas, TX and completed cardiac rehab in April, 2011. Although there were some complications following the surgery the repair was a 100 % success. I also agree that pain was not a problem….minimal and well managed. I was wondering if your surgery was done through the sternum. My incision was on the right side of the breast. I think they call this minimally invasive surgery. I suppose it all depends on what type of repair needs to be done to the valve. I am happy to read that you are doing well. I am also happy to say that I feel great.

Sincerely, Maria Williams

Hi to all, . My husband is having Mitral valve repair surgery on May 27, in Oregon. Any words of wisdom? Thank you so much.

God bless!
Sharda

It has been 7 since my mitral valve repair and the symptoms are non-existent. He needs to realize that there is light at the end of the tunnel and have faith in the process. It’s important to start walking as soon as the Doctor approves it and to do your breathing excercises. I wish you and your family all the best!

I was born with a mitro valve prolapse. The doctors told my parents that I would probably grow out of it. Here I am at 41 years old and I am scheduled for Valve repair on June 11th. To say that I am nervous or scared is an understatement! I have 3 children 13,10, and 7 and the thought of heart surgery has me pretty upset. If anyone could share their surgery experience or advice it would be greatly appreciated.