Doran's Guestbook

Doran Herritt  Wide open! Plan A was a repair and my surgeon thought best chance to repair back to 100% was to be able to get in there. I ended up replacing when he was unhappy with the repair. Anyway because of my plan....try to repair, then replace if needed, it forced me kind of, one way. Plus I really liked my surgeon. Dr. Bavaria from u of penn. Thx, drn

Doran Herritt  Hey I just went back and read your story again. This time next week you will be on your way healing. Another side note, your surgery date is my b-day. So I will drink a beer in your honor that day. Anyway I know you are anxious, so I will pray for your peace heading into surgery. I know you will do great! Get on with your week and enjoy each moment. Take care. Drn

Adrianne Colatosti  Hello Doran, thank you! Happy Early birthday! I am anxious and ready to be home healing. They plan to try to repair mine too... but I am ready for a full replacement as I am almost sure they will need to. They are still going to attempt to keep it minimally invasive even if it is a full replacement. We shall see.... only time will tell! How long were you in the hospital?

Doran Herritt  I was in seven days. Went in on a wed. Left on a wed. Was released on day 5 but went into a-fib before I left the room. They adjusted my oral beta blockers and held me two more days. Hoping your journey is more uneventful. Take care. Drn

Doran Herritt  Ps. Thx for the bday wishes. And don't forget to keep a positive attitude. It's going to go swimmingly! Take care. Drn

Doran Herritt  Thx Lynee and happy thx giving to you. Hoping you have a great holiday season with the family, especially those grand children. Take care, Drn

Elaine Cutri  But be careful if it's less than 2 months post op. My surgeon did'nt want me to use any lotions for at least 6 weeks.

Doran Herritt  Roger that. I am thinking after it is free of scabs and completely closed but before 6 months. I'm going to check out those strips your doctor mentioned. Not real worried about it but if I can diminish it then why not. Thx for the help. Drn

Doran Herritt  Good so far. Wrestling with a couple of bouts of a fib. (See above post). Sounds like your recovery is going well too except for the fluid. Take care. When are you hoping to be cleared for skiing? I can't wait to get back on my bike. But know the single track (given I crash a lot) is probably not until spring. I don't like biking in the cold anyway.

Jean Knappik  Doran, I know when I get palpitations if I cough it relieves me of them...not sure if it would do the same for a-fib. Best wishes on a smooth recovery!

Enrique K  Hey Doran, not sure but I can't wait to get in the slopes. Good luck with your Fib as well. Hopefully this liquid will go away with my medications as Its very minimal.

Charles Haas  Actually I found the food fine -- be sure to get the menu of what is offered everytime and select off that if you are allowed to. James, who was the night nurse in ICU was wonderful.

Get up and walk as soon as they tell you to!

Doran Herritt  I was hoping I would make someone smile. I really appreciate the note. Best wishes, thoughts and prayers to you as well as you continue to recover.
Doran

Terrie Syvertsen  Thank you Doran. My role here is to type until people put their heads through the sheet rock. Beats worrying about an upcoming surgery!! Just kidding! (I took your post light heartedly! Definitely a big SMILE! You take care Heart Brother!

Doran Herritt  Tapan,
My e consult with Cleveland Clinic (Svenson) said he thought I had a 70% chance of repairing, but never said how long it would last.

For Dr. Bavaria, there is a post on this site by him talking about repair. Search his name and you should find it. It is old and general, but it basically states that repair has become more and more viable, but you have to find a surgeon who does a lot of them. I don't remember if he states how long repairs will last in the video. At my appointment he said he will not repair unless he can make it perfect and he will not patch with external tissue. He believes at that point you are better off with a replacement. So no guarantees here but from that conversation and from what I have read around the internet, a repair IF done well and IF repaired to near perfect, can last longer than valve replacement, possibly your lifetime.

Lot's of IFs and you know by now that everyone's condition is different.

If it were me I would ask if the surgeon you are scheduled with has done a lot of repairs, if so talk to him about how long he thinks it will last. If he has done a lot why not trust him. If he says the repair will last longer than a replacement, have that as plan A. Use the replacement as plan B. For me the doctor is making the choice once he opens me up. He's done 1000s. I trust he knows better than I, even if I stayed at Holiday Inn the night before ;).

Let me know if that answers it or if you need something else.

Best wishes,
Doran