Ben Siegel - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Ben Siegelposted a journal

3346 days ago

1 person reacted to this

Hi all, recovery for Kim is going well after a few hiccups that proved to be non-issues. Certain moments, she looks like her old self and you wouldn't know ...Read more

Hi all, recovery for Kim is going well after a few hiccups that proved to be non-issues. Certain moments, she looks like her old self and you wouldn't know she had open heart surgery. Other times, she is super fatigued and in pain. The toughest part for me has been the mind-trip of the process. Going from healthy to life threatening to recovering is a whirlwind. I am exhausted and have feelings of guilt, happiness and anger. Even sometimes I get frustrated at her and feel really bad about it. I don't know, the whole thing is just difficult. I wish I could hold on to the "life is precious and don't sweat the small stuff" mantra that I felt in the hospital. Somehow, it changes so fast when you get in your own routine again.

barrett burris So glad Kim's recovery is going well. Good for you for being honest w your emotions. This impacts f ... Read more

barrett burris So glad Kim's recovery is going well. Good for you for being honest w your emotions. This impacts families and friends, not just patients so it's healthy to express them and realize they are normal. Hopefully, you can find time to do something to refuel your tank.

Lynee Casper It's great that you are there for Kim, thank you updating us on her recovery. As the person who suppo ... Read more

Lynee Casper It's great that you are there for Kim, thank you updating us on her recovery. As the person who supports the person going through heart surgery, I assume it is really a challenge. I'm pretty sure you have many who agree with you as you go through this. Best to you, Ben, Kim and your family.

Kate Watson I can imagine what that's like for a spouse and I've been thinking a lot about how my husband is goin ... Read more

Kate Watson I can imagine what that's like for a spouse and I've been thinking a lot about how my husband is going to handle this when I have surgery. It is true what you say - it's hard to hold onto the "life is precious" feeling. I had my first surgery over 10 years ago and remember afterwards saying I would never get depressed again and never take life for granted! But then time goes on and you get back into your routines, and yes, it's hard to hold onto that perspective. Just be kind to yourself and patient, you've both been through a lot.

Thanks for your honesty. I am sure my husband can relate to your feelings as well. Total whirlwind of ... Read more

Thanks for your honesty. I am sure my husband can relate to your feelings as well. Total whirlwind of emotions for all.

Ben Siegelposted a journal

3367 days ago

Eddie Patton, Joh n De La Torre-Ugarte, Michele Tracey and 1 other reacted to this

It's 4:30am and I am waiting for Kim to wake up in the hospital. I woke up at 3:30 and knew that was it so I just drove to the hospital instead of waiting in ...Read more

It's 4:30am and I am waiting for Kim to wake up in the hospital. I woke up at 3:30 and knew that was it so I just drove to the hospital instead of waiting in bed till 5am. Surgery is at 7am and we feel good about everything. Kim has had excellent care the duration of her hospital stay and Dr. Goncalves and his team make us feel very comfortable. This all happened so fast and the only good thing is that we didn't have to countdown the surgery for weeks. I feel for those who do. I'll see you all on the other side! Best to all, Ben

Bob Anick You'll be fine Ben! Stay strong!

Judy Freeman Ben remember to breathe. Sending prayers for a great surgery and recovery for Kim.

Whitney Nelson Good luck to you and your wife Ben!!

Cathy Slipski Sending thoughts and prayers your way to you both! Please let us know how she does!

Patricia Garcia Best wishes to Kim for a successful surgery and smooth recovery. May God see her through this.

Kelly Weisgarber Sending pryers to you and your wife. Sounds like she has a great support system in you. I'll be waiti ... Read more

Kelly Weisgarber Sending pryers to you and your wife. Sounds like she has a great support system in you. I'll be waiting for updates from the recovery side. Good luck

Best wishes for a smooth surgery and a restful recovery.

Sophia Ridley Best wishes. Thinking of you both.

Ben Siegel Thanks everyone, the surgery went well and she is in ICU recovery. I hope to see her alert tomorrow!

Great to hear! Congrats!!

Liz Burroughs I'm glad to hear that her surgery went well! Best wishes for a complete recovery!

Michele Tracey God bless her and may the Lord be with her to watch over her during surgery and recovery.

Ben Siegel Thank you!!

Michele Tracey How's she doing Ben?

Wanda Mroz Great! Let us know how she's doing.

Whitney Nelson Glad everything went well Ben!!

Ben Siegelposted a journal

3370 days ago

1 person reacted to this

Kim looks good today and is in good spirits. We had great visits with our children and her friends. She will be getting a TEE and angiogram tomorrow to better ...Read more

Kim looks good today and is in good spirits. We had great visits with our children and her friends. She will be getting a TEE and angiogram tomorrow to better see the vegetation on her mitral valve. Surgery is penciled in for Friday so we are just hoping there is any chance they can repair the valve instead of replacing it. If not, then we just pray her condition and infection continues to improv until then and the surgery goes great. Thanks!!

Wanda Mroz Will pray for a good outcome. Best of luck.

Whitney Nelson Good luck Ben! I will be praying for your wife and family!

Sophia Ridley Best wishes for the surgery and a smooth recovery.

My mitral valve was calcified (surgeon surprised ... Read more

Sophia Ridley Best wishes for the surgery and a smooth recovery.

My mitral valve was calcified (surgeon surprised for my age) and they managed to clean it up and do a repair. I hope they can do the same for Kim.

Ben Siegel Thanks guys!

Best wishes! No matter what they end up doing, I hope it is the best option given the circumstances a ... Read more

Best wishes! No matter what they end up doing, I hope it is the best option given the circumstances and has the best outcome! She is lucky to have you has a support/advocate!

Judy Freeman Sending positive vibes.

Elaine Cutri Big hug to the both of you. Praying for a great outcome and smooth recovery for your wife.

Ben Siegelposted a journal

3371 days ago

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to reach out and ask if you would share any advice. My wife of 5 years was diagnosed with Endocarditis and we have been told that ...Read more

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to reach out and ask if you would share any advice. My wife of 5 years was diagnosed with Endocarditis and we have been told that she will need her Mitral valve replaced due to complications from a bacterial vegetation. We have two children and are really scared and I just thought it couldn't hurt if I contacted you. Any thoughts, ideas or encouragement would be deeply appreciated. Kindly Yours, Ben Siegel

Whitney Nelson Hi Ben! Welcome to the site! I have to have my aortic valve replaced not mitral but I imagine any kin ... Read more

Whitney Nelson Hi Ben! Welcome to the site! I have to have my aortic valve replaced not mitral but I imagine any kind of open heart surgery is scary. I would suggest reading as many journals as you can, it has helped me a lot. It helps to read the before and after surgery stories and to see how people have made it through surgery and are better for it. I know it has helped me, being a single mom to a young son I was scared to death I literally thought I was going to die but the support from this site is what has helped me the most and I know now it's more realistic to know I will be fine and so will your wife! Good luck to you both!

Cathy Slipski Hi Ben I am going for a mitral valve replacement jan 25th. I have 3 little ones myself and completly ... Read more

Cathy Slipski Hi Ben I am going for a mitral valve replacement jan 25th. I have 3 little ones myself and completly understand how scared you and especially your wife may be. If she would like to speak to me maybe we could help eachother through this. I can offer advice as to what I have been through now and the valvery I have choose

W. Carter Find a good Cardiothoracic Surgeon, listen to his advise, and have faith that his skill that God give ... Read more

W. Carter Find a good Cardiothoracic Surgeon, listen to his advise, and have faith that his skill that God gives him will heal you wife's diseased heart. Good Luck & Speedy Recovery!

Clare Auten Welcome to the website. My 9 year old just told me last night that he remembers my surgery like it w ... Read more

Clare Auten Welcome to the website. My 9 year old just told me last night that he remembers my surgery like it was yesterday. Today is my two year anniversary. :) I know how scary it is. I have three kids altogether but the success rate is good. Have her ask any questions she has.

pino correale Hi Ben, i have had my aortic valve replaced and minor fixing on my mitral valve just 7 weeks ago. Unf ... Read more

pino correale Hi Ben, i have had my aortic valve replaced and minor fixing on my mitral valve just 7 weeks ago. Unfortunately in the last 7 yrs. i have had endocarditis twice, had the proper treatment on both occasions, but i am certain it did create a little damage along the way. Tell your wife not to worry, if you talk to a reputable cardiologist they will know what tests to order and they will find out if there was any vegetation on the valve from the endocarditis.
Hope this helps.

Michael Meyer Ben:

Be sure to get multiple cardiology and surgical opinions before pursuing a mitral valve replace ... Read more

Michael Meyer Ben:

Be sure to get multiple cardiology and surgical opinions before pursuing a mitral valve replacement. The data would indicate repair is a better option if possible, but this may not apply for your's wife's condition. I had a mitral valve repair at Cleveland Clinic. This site has a lot of good information, what you will find is that repair may prevent a future surgery whereas a valve replacement will require another valve replacement since your wife is so young.

Michael Meyer Here is link to CC that may be helpful.
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/services/valve-t ... Read more

Michael Meyer Here is link to CC that may be helpful.
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/services/valve-treatment/infective-endocarditis-surgery

Surgery for Infective Endocarditis

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/services/valve-treatment/infective-endocarditis-surgery

Heart surgery - Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute - nations #1 heart program by U.S. News and World Report for 12 years in a row.

Wanda Mroz I understand your fears... It is scary. Looks like you have some referrals here. If it's recommende ... Read more

Wanda Mroz I understand your fears... It is scary. Looks like you have some referrals here. If it's recommended don't wait too long. The sooner it's fixed or replaced the better it will be for your wife. I would seek another opinion also due to her young age. Best of luck and please ask any questions.

This site is incredibly informative and therapeutic. As everyone has said, research treatment option ... Read more

This site is incredibly informative and therapeutic. As everyone has said, research treatment option and be ready with questions when meeting with cardiologists and surgeons. Weigh out pros and cons and make an informed decision that she is comfortable with. I have found that the best advocates are you and your loved ones.

Ben Siegel Oh wow! This is so helpful. It has been a really tough week and day but it is great to have this comm ... Read more

Ben Siegel Oh wow! This is so helpful. It has been a really tough week and day but it is great to have this community and all of your input. Thank you for the time you all took to write.