Carolyn's Journal

August 12 this year was my first year anniversary post open heart surgery renovation. I call it a renovation because my surgery included closing a hole between the atria, closing the left ventricle appendage and replacing the mitral valve due to severe regurgitation.

I have used every resource Adam Pick posts on his HeartValveSurgery website. As a result I had minimal anxiety when it was time for surgery. What complicated the scheduling was the pandemic.

My husband and I live in Tucson AZ. Each year we spend several summer months in Bend OR. I researched St. Charles Hospital, Bend Heart and Lung Center. I learned they were a national leader in heart care. As a result I decided to have my open heart surgery there when I needed it. I found an outstanding cardiologist, Daniel Sedehi MD. In 2021 he confirmed that it was time for surgery.

My surgery was scheduled for August 12, 2021. August 5 my surgery was canceled. The 250 beds in St. Charles Hospital were filled with COVID patients. I was told to have all the scheduled pre surgery tests on August 9. Five ICU beds were going to be designated for essential surgeries. My case would be reviewed. If approved, surgery would be as initially scheduled on August 12. Fortunately, my surgery was approved.

Thanks to Dr. Matthew Slater, my awesome cardiothoracic surgeon and his equally awesome team at Bend Heart and Lung, everything went well. I was in the ICU for 2 ½ days which was 1 ½ days longer than planned because no bed was available on the Medical ICU floor. The staff on the Medical ICU floor are the best. I was discharged 8 days after surgery.

From my personal experience I highly recommend Bend Heart and Lung and everyone there.