Don's Guestbook

Kathy Blank  You are going to do great Don. THHBP and Dr. Smith will make sure of that. I am SO glad he did my surgery and you will be recovering before you know it!

Kathy Blank  Agree one hundred percent! Besides the exception care and quality medical team the fact that you stay in one beautiful guest room and the ICU comes to you is the best!! I feel so fortunate to live close to such a quality hospital like The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano!

Don L  Hi Carmel, thank you for your response. Yes, sounds like we are very similar. I am in feeling great as well, which makes the decisions even tougher! The flail leaflet with Barlow does put us at higher risk of another leaflet snapping and potential heart failure. Much higher risk than surgery itself over time. Very high likelihood of repair according to surgeon, with a strong recommendation of mechanical as a backup plan given my age at soon to be 51. The high volume of mitral valve repairs with Robot by surgeon I think is an important factor. Now that I have my date it's very strange to wrap my head around but really trust my surgeon.

Carmel Power  Hi Don. When is your operation? I’m still toying with the backup of either tissue or mechanical. I’m very active so don’t want that compromised by a mechanical valve. However, not sure about more surgery.... anyway, I’m going to surgery on 16 Feb; yes feel anxious but know it needs to be done. Also feel I have the best surgeon in Melbourne, Australia. He has lots of mitral valve and robotic experience. All the very best with your operation and recovery.

Don L  Hi Carmel, I am scheduled for March 21. I like our odds of repair (>95%) under the hands of an experienced surgeon, and even more so with more degrees of freedom with Robotic approach. My surgeon was not concerned at all about my returning to play hockey, bike, run, etc in the event valve could not be repaired. Have you seen information that shows activity would be reduced? All the best for your operation/recovery as well, and it is great that we have this forum to share what is understandably a very anxious pre-surgery time. (ALL I have heard from say this is always the worst part of the process!)

Carmel Power  Hi Don. It is my understanding that you bleed more if you are on blood thinners and therefore playing sports would come with added risks. I’ve broken both my shoulders so am a ittle concerned about this drug! Speaking to my surgeon, robotic surgery is easier to get over but comes with different pain to a sternotomy.Hopefully, it’s all short lived. All the best. C