Hi Heart Warriors, I am celebrating my 1 year Mitral Valve Repair via
OHS Sternotomy performed by Dr. Marc Gillinov at Cleveland Clinic
11/17/2022.
I am feeling very grateful, to have been fortunate to
have had this modern day medical advancement to fix my heart by a
gifted, knowledgeable, and skilled surgeon and his team, and hospital. I
traveled from Utah to Cleveland to have the best fix my heart, and I
feel I won the lottery.
After 1 year I can't tell I have had this major surgery,
other than no shortness of breath, more energy, feeling better than I
have felt for years, and I can't even see the scar, after monitoring a
heart murmur for over 10 years that suddenly changed to severe
regurgitation July of 2022, with surgery to repair 11/17/2022 at the age
of 69, now 70.
For all of you stressed out anticipating your surgery
and those who are post op, experiencing pain, discomfort, and maybe
some complications, wanting to feel normal, consider the alternative of
not being able to have this miraculous experience of having this modern
day medical advancement of surgery to fix your heart condition.
It
is nothing short of a miracle, count your blessings, have gratitude,
overcome doubt and fear with hope, faith, and a positive attitude it
makes a difference.
Wishing you all the best, and a Happy Thanksgiving!
Ana Brusso Happy first anniversary Rob. Continued good health and recovery. God bless you
Rob Nielsen Thank you Ana , all the best to you as well!
Pamela Gregory Very nice post. Happy Anniversary!!! You have an awesome view of this experience
Rob Nielsen Thank you Pamela, the experience was better than I imagined. Hope all is good with you!
Susan Lynn Happy Anniversary, Rob! Thank you for the reassurance and inspirational post. I'm sure you made a... Read more
Susan Lynn Happy Anniversary, Rob! Thank you for the reassurance and inspirational post. I'm sure you made a whole pile of heart warriors in the waiting room breathe a huge sigh of relief! Life is good after OHS. We are truly fortunate! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Rob Nielsen Thank you Susan for your kind words, it is great to be amongst you, all the best and Happy Thanksgiv... Read more
Rob Nielsen Thank you Susan for your kind words, it is great to be amongst you, all the best and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours too!
J Alexander Lassally This comes at a wonderful moment. I just flew across the country to Cleveland for mine. It is coming ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally This comes at a wonderful moment. I just flew across the country to Cleveland for mine. It is coming up !!
Rob Nielsen Hi J Alexander, good to hear you are going to Cleveland Clinic I presume, if you are you will be in t ... Read more
Rob Nielsen Hi J Alexander, good to hear you are going to Cleveland Clinic I presume, if you are you will be in the best of hands, wishing you a successful surgery and speedy recovery , it will soon be behind you. All the best
J Alexander Lassally Thanks Rob. Your post was so well times for me. I needed that.
Did you have robot or open?
Rob Nielsen I was planning on robot, but the CT scan showed some scar tissue near my lung that would of compromis ... Read more
Rob Nielsen I was planning on robot, but the CT scan showed some scar tissue near my lung that would of compromised my lungs so at the last minute I went OHS Sternotomy mini incision was 5” , but I don’t know if it is another benefit of going to Cleveland Clinic, but at 12 months you can’t see my scar, another miracle.
If you get to do robot fine, but I am completely fine with OHS the recovery isn’t much different, and they both have their positives and negatives, either way trust the surgeon what’s best and you’ll be fine either way. Good Luck!
Deena Z Rob, congrats on your one year anniversary! It is amazing isn't it?! Just think how much harder the ... Read more
Deena Z Rob, congrats on your one year anniversary! It is amazing isn't it?! Just think how much harder the surgery and the recovery was ten years ago. Thank God we were able to wait-it-out. Have a relaxing Thanksgiving too!
Rob Nielsen Thank you Deena, yes grateful for the medical advancements, the entire process was surreal. Enjoy yo... Read more
Rob Nielsen Thank you Deena, yes grateful for the medical advancements, the entire process was surreal. Enjoy your Thanksgiving too!
George Gardopee Happy Anniversary Rob. Very nice, very encouraging post. I’m sure it will be helpful for everyone i ... Read more
George Gardopee Happy Anniversary Rob. Very nice, very encouraging post. I’m sure it will be helpful for everyone in the waiting room here.
Rob Nielsen Thanks George, like you I am sure both of us being the recipients of the touch of the Masters Hands D ... Read more
Rob Nielsen Thanks George, like you I am sure both of us being the recipients of the touch of the Masters Hands Dr. Gillinov, always wanting to share the experience with others.
Hope you are doing well!
Grace Mason Congratulations Rob!🍾 You look great💖. Wishing you many more heart anniversary's. Your post ... Read more
Grace Mason Congratulations Rob!🍾 You look great💖. Wishing you many more heart anniversary's. Your post is inspiring for those of us recently recovering.
Rob Nielsen Thank you Grace, hope your recovery is going well and you are feeling good.
Rob Nielsen Thank you Kathy, hope all is good with you!
Karen Hommel Congrats, looking good! I am 7 weeks this week and starting to feel great.
Rob Nielsen Thanks Karen, I remember a big change at about 8 weeks, at 7 weeks the worst is behind you and the b... Read more
Rob Nielsen Thanks Karen, I remember a big change at about 8 weeks, at 7 weeks the worst is behind you and the best is yet to come for you. Enjoy your new heart in the days, weeks, months, and years to come!
Rob Nielsen What kind of horses do you have Karen, I love horses?
Melinda Donahue Happy Anniversary Rob! You look truly amazing. Thanks for posting - am monitored as well with sever ... Read more
Melinda Donahue Happy Anniversary Rob! You look truly amazing. Thanks for posting - am monitored as well with severe regurgitation of mitral valve. Find out Thursday if surgery.
Hi Heart Warriors, I am celebrating my 1 year Mitral Valve Repair via OHS Sternotomy performed by Dr. Marc Gillinov at Cleveland Clinic 11/17/2022.
I am feeling very grateful, to have been fortunate to have had this modern day medical advancement to fix my heart by a gifted, knowledgeable, and skilled surgeon and his team, and hospital. I traveled from Utah to Cleveland to have the best fix my heart, and I feel I won the lottery.
After 1 year I can't tell I have had this major surgery, other than no shortness of breath, more energy, feeling better than I have felt for years, and I can't even see the scar, after monitoring a heart murmur for over 10 years that suddenly changed to severe regurgitation July of 2022, with surgery to repair 11/17/2022 at the age of 69, now 70.
For all of you stressed out anticipating your surgery and those who are post op, experiencing pain, discomfort, and maybe some complications, wanting to feel normal, consider the alternative of not being able to have this miraculous experience of having this modern day medical advancement of surgery to fix your heart condition.
It is nothing short of a miracle, count your blessings, have gratitude, overcome doubt and fear with hope, faith, and a positive attitude it makes a difference.
Wishing you all the best, and a Happy Thanksgiving!
Rob Nielsen Ready for discharge from Cleveland Clinic, Mitral Valve Repair, by Dr. Gillinov, November 2022
Adam Pick Hey Rob, Great to hear that Dr. Gillinov and the CC team took care of you!
Robert Miller My brother-in-saw, who is a surgeon (not heart), recommended Dr. Gillinov because he has a lot of exp ... Read more
Robert Miller My brother-in-saw, who is a surgeon (not heart), recommended Dr. Gillinov because he has a lot of experience with robotic surgery which reduces recovery time. I am not sure I would have been a candidate for robotic surgery, though. In addition, I was in bad shape so my wife didn't want me to fly that far. Then for the second surgery I was told robotic surgery isn't an option plus it was hard to get an appointment with Dr. Gillinov. But my mom did a lot of research, found Adam's website and on there read about the very good surgeon, Dr. Castro, right in our area. Anyways, Dr. Gillinov has a great reputation. Good choice! I wish you all the best for your recovery.
I ...Read more
I am feeling very grateful, to have been fortunate to have had this modern day medical advancement to fix my heart by a gifted, knowledgeable, and skilled surgeon and his team, and hospital. I traveled from Utah to Cleveland to have the best fix my heart, and I feel I won the lottery.
After 1 year I can't tell I have had this major surgery, other than no shortness of breath, more energy, feeling better than I have felt for years, and I can't even see the scar, after monitoring a heart murmur for over 10 years that suddenly changed to severe regurgitation July of 2022, with surgery to repair 11/17/2022 at the age of 69, now 70.
For all of you stressed out anticipating your surgery and those who are post op, experiencing pain, discomfort, and maybe some complications, wanting to feel normal, consider the alternative of not being able to have this miraculous experience of having this modern day medical advancement of surgery to fix your heart condition.
It is nothing short of a miracle, count your blessings, have gratitude, overcome doubt and fear with hope, faith, and a positive attitude it makes a difference.
Wishing you all the best, and a Happy Thanksgiving!
Did you have robot or open?
If you get to do robot fine, but I am completely fine with OHS the recovery isn’t much different, and they both have their positives and negatives, either way trust the surgeon what’s best and you’ll be fine either way. Good Luck!
Hope you are doing well!
Your post ... Read more
Your post is inspiring for those of us recently recovering.