David's Journal

Hi everbody 

I'm back, after seven years! This time it is for a replacement of my mitral valve that was repaired back then, part of a 3-valve surgery. The MV has been slowly failing and causing hemolysis. We investigated alternatives, such as another repair, or trans-catheter, or even involving clinical trials, but ended up with the gold standard median sternotomy with a tissue valve.
    Anyway I'm ready to go, and planning on feeling like a 30 year old in a few weeks (I'm 75). Tomorrow's the day!

Had the pre-op, which involved a chest x-ray, blood tests, ekg, and a c-t scan (non-contrast dye due to my allergy). Most of it was an extensive medical history taken by the nurse practitioner, and an overview of what to expect on the day of surgery, especially what happens in the ICU. Some of this fell in the category of "too-much-information". The reality of this sunk in. (Is there any way I can run away from all of this?) ;-) We had some business to do in Boston too, so after all this, and coping with crazy traffic, we were totally exhausted when we got home. It made me even more concerned about what my wife will experience during my surgery. She will be staying at a hotel most of the time, but will need to take trips home, and pick up family at the airport, and coordinate things we always do together. I worry much about her. In some ways it is easier for me--I am in the hands of the hospital and staff, no decisions, actions, or thinking for me to do. She assures me she will take care of herself, but I know it will be very stressful for her. She has close friends for support but they have their own problems. I worry a lot about her. I'd almost rather her stay at home most of the time. I remember my mother stressing out over my father's heart problems. Anyway, I am ready for this to be done and over with. I am having more and more bad days, where I feel very weak. Several people have told me they felt 10 years younger after valve surgery. Hope so!