Richard's Guestbook

Richard! I read with a great interest about your drain tube. Mine didn’t hurt at all, and taking it out was like 1/10 pain scale. I’m curious what’s the reason for that. I had a bleeding as well, but it happened only on the 6th day, so, I was unlucky and they re-opened me up on the 7th day to drain 600ml, and I was in ICU all over again. You are a lucky guy to get out alive and with a repair only! However, I’d suggest you do Echo every 6 months to monitor the repaired valve. The sad thing is, that sometime, after a couple of years the repairs tend to deteriorate ....I hope it won’t be a case with you, but it’s better to be extr vigilant in our new lives! God bless you!

Hi Richard. I have my aortic valve replaced at the Cleveland Clinic a month ago. It was a great experience. Dr. Gillinov advised on my case and was terrific. I had a trans catheter procedure so Dr. Krishnaswamy did it. Good luck, and keep us posted! Alex

Hi Richard, I live in Niagara, Ontario. My experience has been totally different. I have had excellent care for Aortic Stenosis with my Cardiologist Dr. Mao based out of Oakville, Ontario. He answers every question I have no matter how trivial and his office responds very quickly to any phone call. He and I have had lengthy discussions regarding my valve replacement and he has recommended Dr. Bhatnagrath in Mississauga as a top notch cardiac surgeon. I am still asymptomatic but severe so being closely monitored. It sounds like you have hd some questionable doctors, so take the time to get some other opinions before heading to the U.S. Take care and good luck.

Hi Richard, I just read your story and I am one of Dr David Adams patients. I had my surgery 7 weeks ago. When I went to see him, he said that my Mitral Valve was 100% repairable. I loved his confidence and his assurance. His whole team was very professional and I didn't even seek a second opinion. I just completely trusted him. You can read my journal for my week by week progress. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them. I am totally against socialized medicine. My brother in law lived in Canada and died of prostate cancer years ago. He hated it that he had to wait for everything for months. I feel your pain. Good luck!

Hi Richard, Before you go to the States. I suggest you call this Doctor. Dr. Michael Chu. He works out of London Health Sciences centre at Western University. He has been doing them for about 10 years now. The Peter Munk Clinic is where I was suppose to go to but they didn't have anyone as experienced as this guy. He's smart and great bedside manner. His secretary is Anna 1-519-663-3593, fax 1-519-663-3595. We stayed at a small hotel across from the hospital called the Windermere Hotel 1-519-858-1414. It is an old manor renovated with nice grounds as well. They give you a hospital room rate as my sister had to stay there. The only other place is the Ivy Spencer Leadership Centre at 1-519-679-4546. This place is very large with lots of rooms and events but lovely rooms and property and also has hospital rates. They do have a wait list but he is very, very good at doing mini invasive surgery through the rib cage. I had my bicuspid aorta valve replaced Aug 15, 2015 and had a nerve block to help with the pain since I already had a pain syndrome problem of fibromyalgia. Great hospital staff as well. Hope this helps. I don't know if they have a way for you to privately contact with me so we could chat more about this. If you can find a way I'll give you my phone number. Good luck and let know how it goes. Lynne

Great news, Richard! You have met with the best surgeons. I had minimally-invasive mitral valve repair with Dr. Scott Goldman four months ago. Great physician, medical team, and facility. Make the decision that's right for you - good luck.