Gordon's Journal

susan kotansky  Thank you for your inspiring words!!! I am two weeks out of surgery and blew a whopping 500 on the spiromoter (lol)! I went for my second outdoor walk today and do a lot walking around the house. I am a dancer and feel a little down that I am so vulnerable. It's great to know that it gets MUCH better with work.Thanks so much.

Jackie Owens  I'm 5 weeks post op and walking 3.5 miles. Question, walking at a faster pace hurts my sternum/rib cage ..are you having this issue jogging? I would like to return to running at some point but concerned about my sternum pain. I'm frustrated a bit but also I have to remember it's only 5 weeks and I just returned home where I live at 7,000 feet.

Steven A Husted  yes i think we should be kind to our body and not rush the healing time you just might over do it then have a set back which is harder on your body and your heart be kind to yourself

Terrie Syvertsen  Gordon-First off I am glad that you are coming along so well. Secondly, I want to comment on your opinion that a patient who is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery who is referred to a surgeon who is performing sternotomy being given a disservice isn't one I agree with for the sake of confusing or misleading patients to feel that one, they were or about to be wrongly chosen for the minimal invasive. This is where your chosen surgeon has the important judgment call and his or her own reasons for making changes along the way. My reason is that I was one of the people who's surgeon decided to attempt the minimal invasive and changed his mind as he began to cut into the sternum area to begin my surgery. This is the beauty of the experienced surgeon.
While right on the money in a decision to do minimal there are times and mine is one of them where the surgeon gets going and something he sees or feels has him (or her) make a change right then and there. When entering into the surgery it is their experiences that guide them to know what is safe for each of their patients and what will work once they begin to work. My surgeon elected to give
me the full sternotomy and was glad due to the fact it would have been more difficult for him to execute the valve replacement so he chose the latter. You will find this the case with many of the surgeries started out for minimal. Some make a change due to the best outcome for surgeon and the patient. My point is that the surgeon may not find that his initial thoughts are going to work for the patient so they make the change. Whatever is best for the patient to bring the best outcome....In my case I felt my surgeon giving me the full sternotomy was the right choice due to the fact I also presented to my surgery with a hiatal hernia, gallstones to which I feel we made it easier to deal with a fairly smooth recovery period and the sternum was not as big an issue for having had it. Just saying, for me I am thankful for my surgeon's skill, had every confidence in his choices and thank God for the outcome each and every day I wake up feeling this good. So, whatever
choice is made on this issue, I pray for all hearts to be watched over and that the surgeon's and his team's hands do their best work! Best wishes to your continued progress Gordon and all entering into or having had their surgeries!

Jean Raber  Gordon, heartening (no pun intended) to hear about your recovery. As a probable MV repair also, am following your journals, though you are considerably younger and in better shape than I am. I do agree with Terrie that sometimes mini or full sternotomy might be necessary/preferable for some patients depending on the placement of all the "innards."

Terry Shermeister   Hi Gordon: I agree with Terrie! I had a sternotomy for my MVR and there was minimal pain, fast recovery, and an excellent outcome. My procedure included an Edwards ring to reinforce my valve opening, repair of chordae that were damaged or ruptured, and a posterior section of the leaflet. This was an involved procedure. At 4 weeks I was walking three miles, doing stationary biking for 30 minutes, and yoga. I think each and every patient is unique as is each and every procedure. I'm glad your procedure was good for you.

Mary K  You are WAY ahead of most people. Surely you noticed that there were not that many patients walking the hospital hall the way you were. OHS is giving me a big lesson in patience. Prayers for perfect healing.

Mary K  Hi Gordon, from what I have seen on this site, athletic people like you generally do extremely well recuperating. Best wishes on your surgery.

Jean Raber  Yes, you're going to be like those women who work out when they're pregnant and look like they never had a baby two days later. Being a man, that may not mean much to you, but it will to women on here. Be well. We're all pullin' for ya!

John Lyons  I had MVR 22 days ago, the old fashion way, I feel pretty darn good for what they did and can only imagine how good I would feel if they didn't split my breast bone. You'll be just fine.

Jennifer Jermak  I am also having a minimally invasive mitral repair on Tuesday. I am in the exact same boat as you, I am pretty asymptomatic, I am very physically active ,(very strenuous workouts 5x per week). I am very nervous about the surgery and recovery time. Since our situations are so similar...it will be interesting to share our experiences through our recovery.

Autumn Griffin  Oh my gosh! I know I am really out of shape but I get out of breath walking up and down my 10 steps at my house! You are indeed incredible. I hope you do well with your surgery and thank god for the less invasive surgery! I have read that some people don't notice symptoms but feel better after surgery and don't realize how much their body was compensating for the problem with the heart. The body really is incredible.

Kenneth Cole  God be with you and your surgery team. I had the same thing, mitral valve repair. Feeling GREAT after 17 weeks post-op

Ben Hyman  Hello Gordon:

I'm in the same place you are. I do serious Kettlebell workouts 3 times per week with no real issues. My latest echo shows "severe" MR and it's not if but when I'll need surgery. I meet with a surgeon at Abbott in Minneapolis tomorrow to review my last echo on the 10th. I'll know more then. Good luck on your procedure. I'm sure you'll do great. When you have recovered, I would enjoy connecting with you to learn about your experience in the hospital

John Jones  Hello Gordon, For me, from the time I was diagnosed in late May, till now, has flown by. I go Monday. Fortunately, My health has been fine otherwise so I have been able to get a lot done around the house. I've just been careful not to push myself too hard. The shortness of breath comes on more frequently. Stay patient and don't overdo it. You will be in my prayers.

  Gordon, I had minimally invasive surgery for severe mitral regurgitation. (Under right arm). They placed a ring around valve and did some plastic surgery on leaflets. I was in the hospital for 4.5 days. My recovery has gone very well. My pain has been manageable. Am on Tylenol now. Have a low blood pressure issue but resolving with reduction in meds. Basically, I have done very well and surgeon and nurses are very pleased. Good luck to you, you will be back to your schedule before you know it.

Adam Pick  Very smart getting a second opinion. Think as much as you like. This is big. You're doing the right things!

Gordon Currie  Thanks for the support... your book and this web site...I find that it's a way to talk and realize that this is a well traveled road that one does not have to travel a lone. People who do not have these problems do not have that certain perspective that only comes will dealing with the issue.

Terry Shermeister   I was in the same place as you were six weeks ago. I'm now 4 weeks post op, and though this is no walk in the park, I speak from my experience, that the surgery is the right thing to do if you want a good result. It's important before symptoms show up as the heart is in good shape without any other damage.

Gordon Currie  Terry, Thanks for you comments...I have committed my self to move forward. Consulted a and doctor today and feel good about him and the procedures he wants to use.

Continued good luck with your recovery...

Ben Hyman  I just met with a surgeon here in Minneapolis that specializes in mimimally invasive techniques for heart valve surgery. I don't lnow your situation or valve issue. I have MR with a posterior leaflet prolapse which isxa prime candidate. I won't need mine done till the fall. His name is Dr Farivar at Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis. I'm sure there are other great providers in CA. If you are willing to travel, this guy comes highly recommended.

Good luck in your search

Lila Robinson  I hope you find everything you need want for your surgery. Like you, I wanted minimally invasive surgery and actually selected my surgeon BECAUSE he specialized in it. But he was (as are most surgeons) quite specific when he said the procedures needs to be what is best for HIM to do the best job for ME. It turned out to be full sternotomy. I am almost 4 weeks post surgery now. Actually, I've found that minimally invasive is often chosen for those higher risk patients and so in some weird way it was a complement to be healthy enough to cope/handle and be considered for the full OHS! Dr. Markowitz said that the research has shown that the difference between mini sternotomry and full sternotomy didn't yield enough difference in his opinion but the full open allowed him the best access to everything. I did not even talk with him about the arthroscopic procedure as I do not think that was even an option for me.

I guess I just want to tell you that even if you don't qualify for minimally invasive, you could rest assured that the surgery and recovery from OHS is less risky than I ever dreamed it would be.

Best of luck to you in your quest.

Jason Lathrop  I had full sternotomy and it honestly just is not that bad. It's just bone and skin. Cutting into your pericardium is when it get dangerous and complicated. If you are having trouble finding a surgeon who will go min invasive in your case that is useful signal that it is not the way to go.

Greg Johnson  I would recommend that you continue to research the pros and cons of the different methods. Understand under what situations each is the better choice.

Duane Beeman  I'm going in for a right anterior thoracotomy on June 9th for AVR. I'll let you know how it feels after that. If you don't hear from me by June 15th, assume that it totally sucks and opt for a different procedure ! ! But I'll give it to you straight, one way or the other. I'm working with the Chief of thoracic surgery at Beaumont's Ernst Center in Michigan, Dr. Marc Sakwa. He is teaching this procedure to other surgeons. He comes HIGHLY recommended and has worked with several people I know. I'm actually extremely confident in my decision. But like I said, hold that thought and I'll get back to you all afterward.

Ben Hyman  I would also like to hear about your experience with this approach. My chosen surgeon specializes in mimnimally invasive valve repair and does a lot of them. He showed me photos of past patients right after surgery and there was little scarrong and minimal pain. Most were discharged in about 4 days and were back to work in about 4 weeks. If you do a Google search on Dr Robert Farivar, you'll find a sumnary write up on one of his patients named Damien Simcox when he was chief of surgery at University of IA hospitals. It is pretty compelling. He would do a partial or full sternotomy if called for. If you're a candidate for this approach, I would go for it

Tammy Pilcher  Hi Gordon, welcome to the site! There are a lot of great people here to help with any questions you have. Let me know if I can help. Prayers and best wishes!

Jason Lathrop  Yes you are in the right place. I just got the same bomb dropped on me and am back from surgery today. Have you started looking for a surgeon?

Jason Lathrop  How bad is your regurg? Is there enlargement of ventricle or atrium? If it makes you feel better I'm 43 and my problem was detected during a routine check up of my knees (they creak a bit now) before I was to head out on a solo backpacking trip in the desert. I spent the scheduled morning of my flight in Cardiac ICU. Robotics for mitral valve (minimally invasive) have gotten good in terms of the big metrics like mortality but I am told they cannot guarantee as many repair option with the robot. I

Cheryl Batzing  Gordon, welcome to this site. I had minimally invasive mitral valve surgery on Dec. 16 and am recovering well. I was an exerciser before surgery and was able to start rehab and get back to treadmill and elliptical pretty well at 4 weeks. I'm just now at 4 months feeling awesome and ready to hit it hard. Prayers your way!

Gordon Currie  Thnaks to all you have responded. a I will know about my condition and after the catherization on Thursday next. I hope to have Pick's book by Wednesday next and get some answers there too.

Luckily my son-in-law is an anesthesiologist, but he can get a bit to professional. Fortunately it's good to have some one looking over my shoulder.

PS: Raced a 5K today 21:42 at 65 that puts me at the 77.6 percentile. That's why I am confused about this whole thing.