Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog – Page 57

Some may call David’s story ironic. I call it fantastic. That said, I thought you might find this unique story of interest. Here is what David wrote to me:

Hi Adam,

I just had my calcified aortic bicuspid valve replaced with an Edwards Lifesciences pericardial (bovine) valve on October 28, 2009. I also had a single mammary bypass for a calcified lesion in my LAD coronary artery. I am 69 years old. I think I have a little different perspective on all this as I worked for and retired from Edwards Lifesciences, the world’s largest heart valve replacement manufacturer, after 33 years employment.

David Swendson With Dr. Bethencourt – Discharge Day!

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Kelly just sent me this very interesting story which touches on several critical factors specific to heart valve surgery from the patient perspective. That said, I thought you might want to learn about Kelly and her surgeon, Dr. Kevin Miller. Here is what she wrote to me:

Kelly Gaul – Heart Valve Replacement Patient

Hi Adam,

It’s been about 7 or 8 months since I first found your web site, ordered your book and touched base with you.  I am a 56-year old woman who leads a very active lifestyle – hiking, backpacking, and cross-country skiing.  I knew I had a heart murmur since I was 25 years old, but didn’t realize it was a bicuspid valve accompanied by aortic stenosis until about 7 years ago (mild-moderate at the time).

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I just received a great question from Heidi about heart valve disease, surgery and seniors.

She writes, “Adam – My mom, Betty, has recently been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. Although her murmur was detected years ago, I never thought she would need open heart surgery. She’s 68 but acts like she’s 38. No symptoms at all. I’m curious… How common is valve disease and surgery among seniors? Thanks, Heidi”

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Here is some great patient advice from David about (i) treating heart valve disorders in a timely fashion and (ii) being your own, best patient advocate. David wrote to me:

Hi Adam,

I’m a 55-year old man living in Maine. I just underwent aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement surgery on November 10, 2009.

David Belisle – Heart Valve Replacement Patient

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I don’t know about you, but I am a very visual person. For some reason, diagrams, pictures, illustrations always help me better understand concepts. As a result, I could really relate to Wendy’s question about heart valve replacement diagrams.

Wendy writes, “Hi Adam – I’m 59 and preparing for mitral valve replacement. Everybody keeps talking to me about what is going to happen but I still don’t understand it completely. Do you have a picture that could help me understand where the valve will go in my heart? Thank you, Wendy”

No problem Wendy! To support you and others, I just came across this great diagram which illustrates where the heart valve replacement device will be positioned in your heart.

As you can see above, this diagram shows two valvular disorders – aortic valve regurgitation and mitral valve regurgitation. The picture also shows the two types of valve replacement devices that can be used within your heart (mechanical valves and biological valves).

I hope this helps!

Keep on tickin!
Adam

It has been a very tough morning for me. Without a doubt, these are the hardest blogs to write.

I recently learned that Valerie Fisher Raley Moriarty passed away over the weekend due to complications following her heart valve surgery.

Valerie Fisher Raley Moriarty (1980-2009)

According to her husband, Valerie experienced multiple organ failure and a heart attack following double heart valve replacement surgery. Having traded emails with Valerie leading up to her surgery, I am deeply saddened by her passing.

Memorial services will be at Bridges Funeral Home on Rutledge Pike, Wednesday, November 18 at 6pm in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her burial will be Thursday, November 19 at 11am at Caledonia Cemetery on Ruggles Ferry Parkway.

My thoughts and prayers are with Valerie, her husband Bill, her family and friends.
Adam

Alice just sent me a great question about incision and scar care after heart valve surgery.

She writes, “Adam, I am 55 and had open heart surgery to replace my valve about three weeks ago. Most of my scar looks OK, flat and thin.  My concern is the top of the scar — around and above the top of the incision is a big protruding lump.  It is soft, not hard, and is not sore. Did this happen to you? Thanks, Alice”

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It is perhaps one of the most common and appropriate questions I receive from patients and their caregivers. That question is, “What is my life expectancy after heart valve surgery?”

As we all know, every patient case is unique. But, the research suggests that life expectancy after heart valve surgery continues to improve thanks to incredible advancements in medical technology and surgical know-how.

To this point, I was just reading a very interesting story in the Sentinel-Tribune about Bobby Baker.

In case you didn’t know, Bobby Baker just received a Guinness Book World Record for being the longest, living survivor of heart valve replacement surgery.

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It feels great to receive and share patient success stories from all over the world. That said, I thought you might enjoy reading about Cindy, her horse (Mosquito) and her recovery from heart valve repair surgery. She writes…

Hey Adam,

I wrote you a little while back. As you may recall, I was curious to know how and when you knew you were fully recovered after heart valve surgery. Well… I have good news to share. Today was my first time back on my horse, Mosquito!!!

Cindy Rides Mosquito For The First Time After
Heart Valve Repair For Mitral Valve Prolapse

It was my nine-month anniversary of mitral valve prolapse repair and it was a picture perfect day here in California. My husband snapped this photo of us. (To learn more about mitral valve prolapse, click here.)

My horse, Mosquito, had not had anyone on his back since last December. So, we are getting our bearings here at home before heading to Montana de Oro State Park for a “real” horseride.

Another milestone in the recovery process! YES!!

Thanks again for your heart valve surgery book, your blog and your help through this journey.  I know you were a great benefit to my recovery.

Cindy Tarver

Here’s a great recovery tip from Keith about using both hands after open heart surgery. Keith writes…

Hi Adam,

We have traded emails several times before. I have mainly asked you for contacts of other patients (like myself) who needed heart valve replacement following radiotherapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

I had my diseased aortic valve replaced exactly one week ago now (with a bovine valve) at the Mercy Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. I came home after five nights and I’m surviving on just 4 paracetamol a day!

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I just received a great question from Taylor about heart valve replacement and heart valve repair options. Specifically, Taylor is curious to learn more about the Port Access System for the surgical treatment of aortic stenosis.

Taylor writes, “Hi Adam – I’m 62 years old and my cardiologist thinks I need heart valve replacement surgery due to stenosis in the aortic valve. The valve is narrow (.8 cm) and I’m starting to feel the symptoms – especially shortness of breath and fatigue. The docs have referenced the Port Access technique to replace the aortic valve. What do you know about the Port Access system? Thanks Taylor”

Diagram Of The Port Access Technique

Taylor raises an insightful question which focuses on the different options by which surgeons perform heart valve replacement and heart valve repair surgery.

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Considering the recent Swine Flu outbreak, I’ve received several emails about flu shots and heart valve surgery.

I just opened a note from Jackie that reads, “Hi Adam – I recently had mitral valve replacement with a pig valve due to severe regurgitation. I’m curious to know if there is any reason I >should not get a flu shot or an H1N1 vaccine? Thanks! Jackie”

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I just received a great patient story from Connie Batich. Considering that Connie’s note touches on so many elements of heart valve surgery – diagnosis, symptoms, second opinions, angiograms, vent tubes, a-fib, recovery – I thought you might appreciate reading about her experience. Here is what Connie wrote to me:

Adam,

We both had heart valve surgery. Only difference.. You were 33 and I am 85!

I’ve had a heart murmur all my life. But, in 1996, I felt palpitations and went to a cardiologist who diagnosed stenosis of the aortic valve. Since then, I’ve seen a cardiologist yearly for an echocardiogram and stress test. Then, about two years ago, my cardiologist called me all excited that my stenosis was severe and I should have the valve replaced right then-and-there!

Connie Batich, Heart Valve Surgery Patient

Well, my family wanted a second opinion… So, I went to another cardiologist who said, “Well, let’s wait until you get symptoms.”

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I just received a set of emails from Robin about a metallic taste in her mouth after heart valve surgery. So you know, Robin is not the only patient to send me questions about this strange, surgical after taste.

In his first email, Robin writes, “Ever since my aortic valve replacement surgery I have had a nasty metallic taste in my mouth.  It gets especially bad if I eat anything sweet. The cardiologist theorizes that it is a by product of the heart-lung machine. Anybody else experience it? Anybody have any ideas of how to get rid of it? Thanks, Robin”

Then, I received a follow-up note from Robin with a short-term remedy to this issue.

Here is what Robin writes, “Since I last wrote to you I found a website that suggested gargling with water and a 1/4 tsp of baking soda.  It worked!!!  It brought relief at least for a few hours.  Ultimately, the bad taste did go away on its own, but the baking soda gets a great assist. Robin”

Thanks Robin for sharing your remedy!

Keep on tickin!
Adam

Hey everybody,

When I launched this website years ago, I had two fundamental goals:

• My first goal was to educate patients and caregivers about the realities of heart valve surgery.
• My second goal was to empower you to make the right choices given your diagnosis and prognosis.

Over time, these goals have turned into one of my life passions. That passion has churned out a lot of blogs over the years. Today, this website has over 2,200 pages of free content to help you through heart valve surgery. As a result, my friends have started calling me the Dear Abby of heart valve surgery.

Me & Ethan (my 6-month old son)

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Given the recent post about endocarditis, swine flu and heart valves, I’ve received several emails about these topics. Laura just sent me an interesting question asking for your help about dental cleanings, gum bleeding and atrial fibrilation.

Laura writes, “Hi Adam, I had double valve replacement surgery a little over a year ago and have been feeling very good. Then, I went to the dentist for my routine cleaning. I took my usual prophylactic antibiotics. My gums bled almost all day because of the Coumadin. Then, I started getting irregular beats that feel like borderline atrial fibrillation (a-fib). This happened to me six months ago as well. It took about 10 days for it to go away. Has anybody else had this experience? What can I do about it? Thanks, Laura”

Unlike Laura, I did not experience the complications referenced above. That said, I was hoping you might be able to help her. If you experienced issues with gum bleeding and a-fib after heart valve replacement or heart valve repair surgery, could you help her by leaving a comment below?

In advance, thanks for sharing your thoughts with Laura.

Keep on tickin!
Adam

I just received a very appropriate email from Phil about age groups and heart valve surgery.

Phil writes, “Hi Adam – On Friday, I was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis due to a bicuspid aortic valve. I’m 48 years old with three great kids and a loving wife. This was a complete shock to me and I’ve spent the weekend digesting the uncomfortable news that open heart surgery awaits me. It’s odd. Although I knew about the murmur, I was told this wouldn’t impact my heart for 10 or 20 years. Now, the doc says the valve is calcified and surgery is a must. Is heart valve surgery common for my age group? Thanks, Phil”

Phil raises some excellent points in his question. In fact, Phil’s story brings back several memories specific to my own diagnosis and surgery. Like Phil, my valve disease rapidly progressed from moderate to severe aortic stenosis. Like Phil, I had a bicuspid aortic valve. Like Phil, I was told surgery would not occur until I was in my 50’s. (FYI, at the time of my surgery… I was thirty-three.)

Picture Of Calcified Heart Valve Leaflets

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Hi everybody,

Thanks for all of your emails about Ethan, our six-month old son.

So you know, Ethan is doing ab-soooooooo-luuuuutely wonderful. He’s been very, very, very busy adjusting to his new life and his new parents, Robyn (my wife) and me. Here’s the latest Ethan update:

• Ethan watched his first Michigan Wolverines football game. As I went to Michigan for college, I was very happy to see him cheering for the right team.

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I just received a great patient story from Annette about asthma and heart valve disease.  Here is what she writes:

Don, my husband, had his aortic valve replaced with a cow valve and his mitral valve repaired on July 21, 2009.  Prior to the surgery, Don suffered from severe asthma. His situation was so bad, eleven years ago, we moved from Illinois to Florida in hopes of helping his bad asthma. Unfortunately, the move did not help.

Don Houdek – Double Heart Valve Replacement Patient

Well… Don and I are happy to report that – since his heart valve surgery – he has not taken any asthma medicine. At check-ups, Don’s lungs are showing up “clear” when the doctor listens to him.  I have to admit, this was one of the best perks of having his heart valves repaired and replaced.

Thanks so much for your heart surgery book which relieved our anxiety!

Regards,
Annette Houdek

I just received a fantastic, patient update from Anita. As you can read below, Anita is hiking and camping just six months after mitral valve repair surgery. Here is what Anita wrote to me:

Hi Adam,

As you may remember, I had mitral valve repair at The Cleveland Clinic on March 30, 2009. Doctor A. Marc Gillinov was my surgeon.

I am doing great. In fact, last weekend, Mike and I visited the Adirondack Mountains near Lake Placid, New York. The journey (hiking, camping, climbing) was magical.

Anita, Heart Valve Surgery Patient, With Mike

I climbed two of the “High Peaks” which required us to hike uphill for two miles as we reached a 3,800 foot elevation.  Each of the peaks had spectacular views at the top. I felt so happy and so grateful to see the all of the beauty that was present.

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