Hi Bill, my surgery with Dr Smith planned for March 21st. I have read you are having a couple challenges, although positive overall. As I think about surgery, ...Read more
Hi Bill, my surgery with Dr Smith planned for March 21st. I have read you are having a couple challenges, although positive overall. As I think about surgery, I am anticipating hurdles myself, with first one being the hope of surviving it! I know the meds can keep your max heart rate/ BP low, so wondering if they will allow you to reduce soon?
Bill H Hi Don thanks for writing. Wishing you all the best on your surgery on March 21st. Is Dr. Smith book ... Read more
Bill H Hi Don thanks for writing. Wishing you all the best on your surgery on March 21st. Is Dr. Smith booked up until then or did you choose to do it in March in order to give yourself some time to prepare for the surgery and get everything in order at home/work? Just curious.
I’m doing pretty good overall I cannot complain. I think I might go to the gym and shoot some basketball. I haven’t done that since October.
Don L Hi Bill, 3 cardioligists at Baylor and Dr. Smith gave a 3 month window and felt timing was fine. I a ... Read more
Don L Hi Bill, 3 cardioligists at Baylor and Dr. Smith gave a 3 month window and felt timing was fine. I apparently have a chord torn that will need to be replaced as well. I wanted to spend school spring break with my two boys prior. I have been getting tired a little easier after excersize, but no shortness of breath and feel great.
Still feeling great makes election for surgery a bit counter-intuitive, but the research and dr recommendations support surgery as the right investment while heart function is not compromised, which will be a certainty over time without repair.
Bill H Hi Don, sounds good on the timing. Are you getting a ring/band as well, I have one from Medtronic? ... Read more
Bill H Hi Don, sounds good on the timing. Are you getting a ring/band as well, I have one from Medtronic? I assume you are, I think most MVRs include those, but I'm not sure. I also had a ton of chords replaced I think (or added maybe)? I read the operative report once but a lot of it was over my head and/or I really didn't want to know specifics of what they did in there, it was extensive :-). I think I have like 24 of those gortex cords placed in there. Kind of crazy to think about. I have my 3 month post op echo with my regular cardiologist on Feb 26th, I'm hoping everything is exactly the same as right after the surgery...
Bill H Hi Don, sounds good on the timing. Are you getting a ring/band as well, I have one from Medtronic? ... Read more
Bill H Hi Don, sounds good on the timing. Are you getting a ring/band as well, I have one from Medtronic? I assume you are, I think most MVRs include those, but I'm not sure. I also had a ton of chords replaced I think (or added maybe)? I read the operative report once but a lot of it was over my head and/or I really didn't want to know specifics of what they did in there, it was extensive :-). I think I have like 24 of those gortex cords placed in there. Kind of crazy to think about. I have my 3 month post op echo with my regular cardiologist on Feb 26th, I'm hoping everything is exactly the same as right after the surgery...
Thanks Bill. One surgeon said I have Barlow’s as well. Did you have any symptoms before your operation? Glad you are doing well.
Bill H Hi Carmel. No I didn’t really have any symptoms. I did get winded when playing basketball but I t ... Read more
Bill H Hi Carmel. No I didn’t really have any symptoms. I did get winded when playing basketball but I thought everyone does. So I’m not sure if that was a symptom. Looking back on it, I think I noticed / felt my heartbeat a lot more than I do now. Sometimes I would feel a hard heartbeat or palpitation. All in all I was pretty symptomatic. I’m glad I was led to the doctor to get an echo. It had been 6 years since my last one and I wasn’t even thinking about having it done again anytime soon. Good luck with everything and keep us posted.
Carmel Power Will do and thanks for the information. All the best with your recovery.