Sharon lovich - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3 days ago

Susan Lynn reacted to this

Hi I am scheduled for mitral valve replacement with biological valve Dec 16 or 17. It is my second open heart as had mitral valve repaired in 2020. Making a ...Read more

Hi I am scheduled for mitral valve replacement with biological valve Dec 16 or 17. It is my second open heart as had mitral valve repaired in 2020. Making a list of what I need to gather. Am I missing anything major from my list?
Power lift recliner for sleeping, surgical bras that open in the front, support socks. Button down shirts as I couldn’t put on a pull over. A Few people lined up to help me.

Anything else people would suggest?

thanks

Susan Lynn I was happy I brought a robe and pajama pants. Also, a long cell phone cord can be helpful. Best ... Read more

Susan Lynn I was happy I brought a robe and pajama pants. Also, a long cell phone cord can be helpful. Best of luck to you!

Kimberly Eisenhut Ear plugs if noisy hospital makes it hard to get any sleep.

Yumiko Ishida Yes to pajama pants and long cell phone charger cord! Ear plugs don’t work with my tinnitus so I us ... Read more

Yumiko Ishida Yes to pajama pants and long cell phone charger cord! Ear plugs don’t work with my tinnitus so I used earphones / earbuds and made sure I had a good selection of music and audiobooks downloaded. Eye mask helps, too. Stretchy pants and slip on shoes for going home. Wishing you a successful surgery and smooth recovery!

Rose Madura A travel pillow came in handy for me for napping in chairs or recliners.

Sharon lovich Thank you all, great suggestions. Helping to remind me of things I did bring last time but hadn't th... Read more

Sharon lovich Thank you all, great suggestions. Helping to remind me of things I did bring last time but hadn't thought of again.

James Roberts iPad / Book and brick phone charger for hospital.

Trygve Harris Hi Sharon I just last month had my second mitral replacement and this time they did a lot more than t ... Read more

Trygve Harris Hi Sharon I just last month had my second mitral replacement and this time they did a lot more than the first time (in 2023). If you have access to a pilates studio I highly recommend doing some private lessons if you are new to it. It builds strength really fast and will make a world of difference post op as you legs will be stronger. And I agree long phone charger if possible and crossword puzzles etc. Will help your brain.

Deena Z I found headphones to be helpful that last two days in the hospital. The stepdown unit's nighttime ... Read more

Deena Z I found headphones to be helpful that last two days in the hospital. The stepdown unit's nighttime noise (all the patients' bells) kept me up, so I put my headphones on and played meditative music or a podcast. Helped.

Sharon lovichposted a journal

3 days ago

Leslie Bakos reacted to this

Hi I am scheduled for mitral valve replacement with biological valve Dec 16 or 17. It is my second open heart as had mitral valve repaired in 2020. Making a ...Read more

Leslie Bakos Smart you are going with a bio valve....I am having so many problems on warfarin. I would suggest, n ... Read more

Leslie Bakos Smart you are going with a bio valve....I am having so many problems on warfarin. I would suggest, nail clipper, Long extension cord for your mobile device. Dental floss. This is mostly for in hospital. Have your house cleaned before surgery. Meal portioning and planning. Lots of comfy pajamas. All types of pillows especially if you are side sleeper. You will do well.

Sharon lovichposted an update

22 days ago

Hi there, I had Mitral valve repair 4 years ago and will be going for right cath test and TEE soon as echo seemed to show the leaking might be severe again. ...Read more

Hi there, I had Mitral valve repair 4 years ago and will be going for right cath test and TEE soon as echo seemed to show the leaking might be severe again. I’m 64 and not wanting to live on blood thinners, and I’m concerned about the clicking sound from mechanical valve, if I need a replacement this time. Any one else had a tissue valve mitral valve replacement? If so would love to hear from you. Thanks Sharon

Robert Miller At around 50 years old, it's hard to decide between mechanical and tissue valve. At 64, I think it's ... Read more

Robert Miller At around 50 years old, it's hard to decide between mechanical and tissue valve. At 64, I think it's much easier to decide. If I were in your shoes, I would for sure go with the tissue valve. You might need open heart surgery this time. When the tissue valve goes bad in 15+ years, they most likely can put another one in without open heart surgery. That gives you another 15+ years. And who knows what technology they have in 30 years from now. I understand your concerns but for me, the decision would be clear (tissue valve, if they can't repair it). My 2 cents. It's a big decision.

J Alexander Lassally Hi Sharon! That is too bad. Which type of procedure did you have 4 years ago (thoracotmy or sternotom ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally Hi Sharon! That is too bad. Which type of procedure did you have 4 years ago (thoracotmy or sternotomy?)... I can't speak for anyone, but I'd have the biologic valve for quality of life and bet on innovation in another 10-15 yrs... You going to Duke?

Sharon lovich Thank you Robert and J. Alexander for your replies. I had open heart surgery. Valve was in pretty ba ... Read more

Sharon lovich Thank you Robert and J. Alexander for your replies. I had open heart surgery. Valve was in pretty bad shape and I now have an Annuoplasty ring and 13 pieces of gortex to replace Chordi. I will know more soon after my tests how urgent the need is to get a replacement. I’m leaning towards tissue option because I have to travel frequently sometimes for extended periods of time and don’t normally have control over meal choices. I also mainly use Alternative Chinese medicine which I have now read is contraindicated with Coumadin treatment. Had my surgery in Asheville with Dr Mark Groh who was highly recommended to me. Think he did what he could to repair valve rather than initially replace.

J Alexander Lassally Got it ! Makes sense and I'd do the same. Maybe get a second opinion on the case - just for the sake ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally Got it ! Makes sense and I'd do the same. Maybe get a second opinion on the case - just for the sake of it. Once you have the TEE, you can submit records to other surgeon for review. This is always advised... Best of luck.

Sharon lovich Thanks J. Alexander appreciate your input. Last time I sent my test to my cousin who is a cardiac ane ... Read more

Sharon lovich Thanks J. Alexander appreciate your input. Last time I sent my test to my cousin who is a cardiac anesthesiologist. He took one look at it and said I absolutely needed surgery. I also was having symptoms that made it difficult to breathe when I exercised or laid down to sleep.

Jeanette Reardon I agree with Robert Miller's thinking that a tissue valve and then looking toward what will be possib ... Read more

Jeanette Reardon I agree with Robert Miller's thinking that a tissue valve and then looking toward what will be possible in 10-15 years (your own stem cells to regrow your own valve, tiny pill robots that can be directed to clean the valve or other advancements). It is a big decision and one I researched for the past 2 years because the issues with prescription anticoagulants and reported clicking noises of the mechanical valve, among other concerns. Definately get multiple opinions though. My second opinion turned out even worse than the first one because he stipulated I get a hysterectomy before he would do open heart to install a mechanical valve. Sometimes surgeons or doctors get stuck in narrow thinking.

Sharon lovich Hi Jeanette, thanks for your response. So what did you decide upon, a tissue or mechanical valve if t ... Read more

Sharon lovich Hi Jeanette, thanks for your response. So what did you decide upon, a tissue or mechanical valve if they can’t do a repair? Also I live in Asheville North Carolina and we just got slammed severely from Tropical storm Helen. Many people lost their lives in one day due to mudslides, drowning, and downed trees. Making me lean towards tissue valve, taking the 10 year option and seeing what the choices are after that if I have to cross that road.

Robert Miller 1. Repair
2. Tissue if you are 50+
3. Mechanical if you are <50
That's the general consen ... Read more

Robert Miller 1. Repair
2. Tissue if you are 50+
3. Mechanical if you are <50
That's the general consensus from what I know. Your medical history can change this one way or another. Especially, if you think you won't live for another 20-30 years or so, go with tissue. You think you will live longer than that, go with mechanical. My 2 cents.

Jeanette Reardon Sharon, I chose tissue. My body made it pretty clear with a couple days of hemmoraging after 1 month ... Read more

Jeanette Reardon Sharon, I chose tissue. My body made it pretty clear with a couple days of hemmoraging after 1 month struggling on the xarelto that it did not appreciate the anticoagulant. So that's a significant factor why I didn't want to be on warfarin with a mechanical.

Sharon lovichposted an update

1587 days ago

Adam Pick and 1 other reacted to this

Hi wanted to add a review for the surgeon that just repaired my mitral valve. Thought he was excellent. He is on your surgeon list. How can I add a review?