Guestbook of Jeff Lashins

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Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

2580 days ago

Lise Bowles posted a note for Jeff that says:

Hi Jeff, My name is Lise Bowles. I saw your post on Shannon’s board regarding your experience with pericarditis. It was almost two years ago...... I myself ...Read more

Hi Jeff, My name is Lise Bowles. I saw your post on Shannon’s board regarding your experience with pericarditis. It was almost two years ago...... I myself had surgery on August 16, 2016 and have dealt with pericarditis on and off since. I am a bit older than you, (63) ha ha, but most of the time in good shape and I understand your frustration. It’s really amazing how little they seem to know about this condition. I had robotic surgery at CC in Ohio, and I live in Florida. The standard course of treatment for this is anti inflammatories and colchicine. My poor liver, right? I hate dousing myself with all these meds! Did you ever figure out any solutions to your recurrences? Any feed back would be greatly appreciated! Thank you, Lise

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

2893 days ago

Art Jackson posted a note for Jeff that says:

Hi Jeff, I came across your post about Pericarditis. I have it also since February (OHS for AVR November, 2016) and I am about the the same age (40) as you. ...Read more

Hi Jeff, I came across your post about Pericarditis. I have it also since February (OHS for AVR November, 2016) and I am about the the same age (40) as you. I was wondering how you are doing and hoping I could ask you a few questions? My pain was bad but muted considerably with NSAID and I was put on Cochicine 6 weeks after diagnosis. I am an active guy and whenever I start to do more than sit around (which is not like me) i start to get more symptoms like the shooting pain in the shoulder and neck. All avoided by not doing anything. Did you find any hope in your treatment? Any advice? I am a my wits end to have had a very succeful recovery (maybe I did to much to early?) only to become a cardiac cripple. Like you mentioned doctors don't seem to have a silver bulletin and I have had two two streams of advice don't worry about and don't move. Canadian health care is often the tail wagging the dog. Anyways, I would welcome a conversation if you are able. Sincerely, Adam

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

3008 days ago

Charles Huyser posted a note for Jeff that says:

Hi Jeff I hope that the reason you haven't posted since March means that your pericarditis has now resolved. I had MV repair thru right mini-thoracotomy ...Read more

Hi Jeff I hope that the reason you haven't posted since March means that your pericarditis has now resolved. I had MV repair thru right mini-thoracotomy 8 weeks ago and my post op course seems very much like yours: initial elation at how well things were progressing until 2 weeks, then fever, ER , IV's and a week later self-diagnosis of PCS. I responded to colchicine + high dose Ibuprofen but now having first recurrence, so back on Ibuprofen. I am wondering how you're doing and weather you acquired any new insights into management, esp Imuran & IV Immunoglobulins? Also would like to hear about your experience with excersize triggering flares and how safe to excersize through the pain? Happy and inflammation-free 2017! Charles

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

3304 days ago

Barbara Laurie reacted to this

Shannon posted a note for Jeff that says:

Hi Jeff! I am just passed my two year mark of my surgeries. I'm sorry that you are dealing with pericarditis, it sucks. I have been 7-8 bouts of it- I've ...Read more

Hi Jeff! I am just passed my two year mark of my surgeries. I'm sorry that you are dealing with pericarditis, it sucks. I have been 7-8 bouts of it- I've done Advil, Colchisine and Prednisone. My body did not like The side effects of Prednisone so I stopped taking it. My Docs put me on a drug called Imuran and I took it for a month then discontinued it. I have not had an episode of pericarditis in about 4 months. After talking to my Dr at my last checkup I decided that if the pericarditis was just going to come and go and not cause any permanent damage then I would rather just treat the pain ( with oxycodone) I would get for the few weeks rather than be on a long term medication. This is the longest stretch I've gone without it so hoping it was just part of the Pericardium healing. I hope you get some relief soon. I don't think anyone will ever understand how scary it is to have Pericarditis after OHS, unless you have been thru it. Feel free to contact me anytime.

Jeff Lashins So you're using Imuran. Have you been working with a rheumatologist or still a cardiologist? Has anyo ... Read more

Jeff Lashins So you're using Imuran. Have you been working with a rheumatologist or still a cardiologist? Has anyone suggested IV immunoglobulin therapy?
I get a fever when I get pericarditis, so I don't know if I can just treat the pain. My cardiologist puts me on Prednisone to quickly reduce the inflammation to eliminate the fever.

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

3451 days ago

Billy G posted a note for Jeff that says:

Hi Jeff, I just came across your story, and although I have a tri-leaflet aortic valve with one leaflet prolapsing (rather than BAV like you), there are no ...Read more

Hi Jeff, I just came across your story, and although I have a tri-leaflet aortic valve with one leaflet prolapsing (rather than BAV like you), there are no other signs of problems with the valve, meaning there may be a good chance of a successful repair (if I choose the right surgeon). I am in Las Vegas and have been mostly talking to surgeons in Los Angeles and at the Cleveland Clinic. I would love to have a call with you and pick your brain on some things if you are up for it. I'm particularly interested in how you researched surgeons (or did you just go with Cleveland Clinic automatically?), and what kind of other information I can extract out of you that relates to a successful repair, as there are not as many people that have had a successful aortic valve repair. I'm also interested to hear your perspective on flying across the country after surgery. I'm not scared of doing it, but I'm sure you learned some tips that will make a possible flight like that a little easier. Please send me an email at wgaines@gmail.com if you're up for a call!

Linda Whitney Hi Mindy. Like you I too feared the ventilator, and thinking back, I don't even remember waking up w ... Read more

Linda Whitney Hi Mindy. Like you I too feared the ventilator, and thinking back, I don't even remember waking up with it on!. I recall ICU, but I was so relieved to be on the healing side I honest to God don't even remember it. And honey, I fretted about it incessantly. So rest assured, you will be OK!

denise caracciolo Never was aware of the ventilator. It was out before I was aware.

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

3586 days ago

W. Carter posted a note for Jeff that says:

Nice hearing from you Jeff. After my surgery I had uncontrollable nose bleeds caused by the warfarin and very low hemoglobin count (2 er visits). I have been ...Read more

Nice hearing from you Jeff. After my surgery I had uncontrollable nose bleeds caused by the warfarin and very low hemoglobin count (2 er visits). I have been on iron for 4 mo. and my blood count is good now and no nosebleeds. I was a construction worker prior to my operation and now i'm retired. :) I can walk about 3 miles now and recovery is coming along fine. I still have left sided heart failure but I don't have to worry about my aortic busting anymore. :) I still have headaches and blurry vision sometimes caused by the warfarin. It's all good, we're alive and breathing! Good luck. W. Carter

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

3613 days ago

Mary K reacted to this

Linda Whitney posted a note for Jeff that says:

Hi Jeff! I'm anxious to hear an update and how you liked Cleveland Clinic. Your handsome picture appears at least 30 years younger than me, so you are probably ...Read more

Hi Jeff! I'm anxious to hear an update and how you liked Cleveland Clinic. Your handsome picture appears at least 30 years younger than me, so you are probably already discharged playing racquetball! Take care.

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

3618 days ago

Linda Whitney posted a note for Jeff that says:

Checking in on you Jeff and trust you are on the healing end of this now. Let us know how you are doing!

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

3619 days ago

Terrie Syvertsen posted a note for Jeff that says:

Hello Jeff- The big day is almost here and it won't be long before you are on the other side of this waiting and into your healing recovery "place". It is great ...Read more

Hello Jeff- The big day is almost here and it won't be long before you are on the other side of this waiting and into your healing recovery "place". It is great waking up and knowing you have accomplished this chance to move forward with your life and work towards a healthier mended YOU! As I am sure you know you will have the thoughts and prayers of many people on this site and I hope you enter your surgery with confidence and faith in your "Team" as you are going to be in one of the best places in the world to have this done! Try to get a good nights sleep and I am looking forward to seeing your updates and comments In the weeks to come. Take care.

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

3619 days ago

Patrick Kennedy posted a note for Jeff that says:

I'll be thinking about you tomorrow! Stay strong and positive!

Debbie Poole Praying for your surgery tomorrow.

Yvonne Gottlieb Keep a positive mindset and give yourself a beautiful visual as you drift off to sleep. Happy though ... Read more

Yvonne Gottlieb Keep a positive mindset and give yourself a beautiful visual as you drift off to sleep. Happy thoughts and sweet dreams!!!

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

3620 days ago

Anne Shannon posted a note for Jeff that says:

Hi Jeff, I had AVR at CC in July of 2010. They are the very best and going there was the smartest decision I ever made. I had a small incision and was out ...Read more

Hi Jeff, I had AVR at CC in July of 2010. They are the very best and going there was the smartest decision I ever made. I had a small incision and was out of the hospital in 2 1/2 days. Surgery on Friday afternoon, out of CC on Monday morning and flew back to Denver on Tuesday. I didn't feel the need to ever stay in bed, cancelled the lift chair and just avoided the lifting. Can't speak to the issue of small children but personally I had an easy time recovering. I was 69 when I had the surgery so not exactly a spring chicken. Hope you have as successful an experience as I did! By the way, I still feel great! Best of luck!

Jeff Lashins Wow! The speed of your recovery is a real inspiration. I hope my experience is similar to yours. ... Read more

Jeff Lashins Wow! The speed of your recovery is a real inspiration. I hope my experience is similar to yours. Thanks for reaching out.

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

3620 days ago

Bonnie Huber posted a note for Jeff that says:

Jeff, take advantage of Home Health. The were a big help to me after surgery. It's just everything is hard to do at first and your vert tired. After three ...Read more

Jeff, take advantage of Home Health. The were a big help to me after surgery. It's just everything is hard to do at first and your vert tired. After three weeks you will feel better. It's 10 months for me and I'm gardening, but at end of day my incision cries for salve. You have my prayers for tomorrow, and God will take care of you.......

Jeff Lashins Thanks for the thought and advice.

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

3620 days ago

Linda Whitney posted a note for Jeff that says:

Good luck tomorrow Jeff; I'll be thinking about you. I had mitral valve surgery at Cleveland Clinic April 9th. They are awesome there.

Jeff Lashins Thanks so much, Linda! So far I've been really happy with the Cleveland Clinic and very glad I made ... Read more

Jeff Lashins Thanks so much, Linda! So far I've been really happy with the Cleveland Clinic and very glad I made the trip out here.
I hope your recovery is going well.

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

3621 days ago

Praying for your surgery to go smoothly, and for a steady recovery. God Bless You!

Jeff Lashins Thanks! Best of luck to you. It looks like you're on deck after me.

:-) Thank you....Yes,I am.

Lenore Mitchell Best to both of you, Jeff and Pamla.

Thank you, Lenore!

Jeff Lashins Thanks, Lenore!

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

3622 days ago

Ericka Carlson reacted to this

Jennifer Anderson posted a note for Jeff that says:

Good luck on your upcoming surgery! I had mine done by Dr. Svensson at the Cleveland Clinic in early February and it couldn't have been a better experience. ...Read more

Good luck on your upcoming surgery! I had mine done by Dr. Svensson at the Cleveland Clinic in early February and it couldn't have been a better experience. You'll be home recovering and feeling good in no time. :)

Jeff Lashins Thanks, Jennifer! I'm feeling quite confident with my choice of surgeon. Glad to hear your experien ... Read more

Jeff Lashins Thanks, Jennifer! I'm feeling quite confident with my choice of surgeon. Glad to hear your experience went well.

Dan D. Jeff, good luck on upcoming surgery. You look young and strong so you will have an excellent outcome. ... Read more

Dan D. Jeff, good luck on upcoming surgery. You look young and strong so you will have an excellent outcome. Hope your recovery is fast!

Jeff Lashins Thanks, Dan!

Jeff Lashinsgot a new guestbook post

3628 days ago

Jennifer Miller posted a note for Jeff that says:

Hello Jeff~I see that you're soon going to Cleveland for your aortic valve surgery. Since you live in the Bay Area, with so many choices available, I'm just ...Read more

Hello Jeff~I see that you're soon going to Cleveland for your aortic valve surgery. Since you live in the Bay Area, with so many choices available, I'm just curious if you had consults with any local surgeons? I had mitral valve repair 4 months ago in Redwood City @ Sequoia Hospital by Dr. Luis Castro. He's phenomenal! He's profiled on this site, along with Sequoia Hospital. I traveled 5.5 hours to Dr. Castro, but that's nothing compared to traveling all the way to Cleveland! I hope you don't mind my noseyness. Have a great day, Jenni

Jeff Lashins Hi Jennifer -
I'm happy to share my process with you. :)
At the recommendation of my cardiologist, ... Read more

Jeff Lashins Hi Jennifer -
I'm happy to share my process with you. :)
At the recommendation of my cardiologist, I consulted with Dr. Craig Miller at Stanford. For whatever reason (maybe because I'm getting a repair vs a replacement?), my cardiologist said that Dr. Miller is really the only surgeon in the Bay Area he can recommend.
I sort of always knew that I was going to Cleveland anyway. I like the fact that Cleveland has been ranked the #1 cardiac center for for the last 20 years. I also like that Cleveland has such a huge volume of aortic valve surgeries. I wanted to be with a surgeon that does hundreds of aortic valve surgeries a year. Out of the entire cardiothoracic surgery department at Cleveland, I chose Dr. Svensson because he is one of 2 in the group that specialize in aortic valve repairs and replacements.
I do hear that Sequoia is quite good. I didn't care for Dr. Miller.
-Jeff

Wiliam Height Jeff, you have your priorities in order and you have done your research. All heart surgeons and thei ... Read more

Wiliam Height Jeff, you have your priorities in order and you have done your research. All heart surgeons and their specializations are not created equal. i read many people who chose the best local regional hospital or heart center thinking it's good enough. This is the most important decision of your life. Great decision on your part! Welcome to the site by the way.

Jeff Lashins Thanks William.

Jennifer Miller Thanks for sharing how you chose the Cleveland Clinic, Jeff. I found Sequoia from the June 2014 artic ... Read more

Jennifer Miller Thanks for sharing how you chose the Cleveland Clinic, Jeff. I found Sequoia from the June 2014 article in Consumer Reports listing the top 15 heart hospitals in the U.S., which also included CC. I started my research from there. UCSF, Stanford & Alta Bates were also on my list of possibilities, but for various reasons, Dr. Castro & Sequoia made the decision very easy for me. We ideally needed to stay as close to home as possible for my husbands job, while still feeling confident I was in the best hands for my valve repair. That's what it all comes down to for each of us, right? Being absolutely confident we've made the best choice for ourselves. I hope your valve can be repaired vs. replaced-- are the odds good? Do you know what kind of incision you're having? I had my surgery on a Friday, just as you are. It's weird how I think of Fridays differently now; it was a life changing, life saving day.

I'll be thinking of you May 1st & following your progress here. I wish you & your family the very best of times together before you leave. I see your kids are quite young--how I miss those years! You're very blessed, Jeff!
Take care,
Jenni

Jeff Lashins @JenniferMiller- The surgeon is pretty confident the repair will work, but can't say with 100% certa ... Read more

Jeff Lashins @JenniferMiller- The surgeon is pretty confident the repair will work, but can't say with 100% certainty that it will. He needs to do the repair and test how well the valve can make a seal. To answer your question about the incision size - 3-4" sternotomy. Thanks for your thoughts.

Jennifer Miller I'll be praying & sending good, positive thoughts your way Friday for a successful repair. My sternot ... Read more

Jennifer Miller I'll be praying & sending good, positive thoughts your way Friday for a successful repair. My sternotomy is a mini also-- just 3.5". Good luck & safe travels!