Fr's Journal

Steve Farthing  He may have spread the ribs there in order to see better, especially if he did not also use an endoscope. Have you asked him about it?

Fr Dowling  I'm going to see him Tuesday. He did go through the ribs and I've had a little discomfort but nothing out of the ordinary. It's just this hematoma or what ever it is on the side of my breast that's a real drag. I hope it's just the trauma of poking around in there but it's put a hamper on my otherwise good recovery. Thanks for the input.

Rita Savelis  Several women on this site have mentioned painful breast tissue after a mini surgery - they do go through your breast and for women,d women with larger breasts this can mean pain.
Wishing you some relief.

Fr Dowling  Thanks, Rita. I am "large". This was the last thing I thought I'd have a problem with. Wish I knew he was going to go in that way...I'm sure he had his reasons but it still stinks.
Knowing I'm not alone helps.

Clayton Mcarthur  That is a standard dose for that medication for many patients but a lot of people have side effects to it and that is definitely one of them they usually don't like to keep you on that stuff too long

Cathy Zuber  Hi Fran, yes, you can be very tired from that dose of Amiodarone. I couldn't tolerate that much and drive and work, etc. so I'm taking half dose..200mg once a day. Something to talk to your Docs about as you continue to recover. Hang in there!! Keep warm

Fr Dowling  P.S.
I understand now why some doctors don't want to wait for symptoms with mitral valve regurgitation. I went into A-Fib with a heart rate of 170 a few times....and with the CHF, I feel like a puddle.

Marie Myers  Best wishes for smooth sailing through surgery and recovery! It is all quite a shock, but you will get through it all...

Rose Madura  Best wishes for your surgery and recovery. Yes I think being proactive is a better approach than waiting for CHF. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Keep us posted.

Phyllis Petersen  You've had a tough time, so I'm glad that you'll at least be able to have an easier recovery. Enjoy Christmas to the fullest. It's hard to push yourself at this point, but try to do some of the fun holiday things. Then, have your surgery, so you can start planning all the fun things you'll be doing in the coming year.

  I just had the less invasive mitral valve robotic repair at Cleveland Clinic. I didn't know until after surgery if They could do robotic or through the sternum, they had to check my femoral artery. Although it's less invasive they have to go through muscle to reach the heart. I feel it's a little harder for women because of the breast tissue, but I am three weeks out and doing good. My incisions are smaller and healing great. I have my appointment tomorrow with my cardiologist and will ask about cardiac rehab. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, although it's hard to not think about it just remember worrying does nothing to help. I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery. My surgeon Dr. Gillinov gave me the best advise to recover, he said "Just Walk". LOL , best wishes to you! Kathy