Sharon Turner - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3041 days ago

Hello to everyone. I will be having a Mitral Valve Repair on July 29, 2016 Dr David Adams is my surgeon. I have some complications since I have a good amount ...Read more

Hello to everyone. I will be having a Mitral Valve Repair on July 29, 2016 Dr David Adams is my surgeon. I have some complications since I have a good amount of calcium around my valve and I have a Barlows type valve. I live in Northern California and will be in New York for about 18 days. Can anyone recommend a place to stay in New York? The hospital gave me the Marmara Hotel, however I am told there is a lot of subway construction around and so I am looking for feedback on that hotel or other places to stay if any of you have any thoughts would love to have your input. Ladies I read somewhere here about a bra recommendation but I cannot seem to find that info. The hospital said no front closing bra so if you have any thoughts on that please send them on. Since it is so hot in New York I don't know what to wear after I get out of the hospital maybe just elastic light weight pants and blouse? I am starting to get a bit nervous now that the surgery is getting close. I have appreciated all of your stories they have been so comforting and a wealth of information. Speedy recovery to all of you and please keep me in your prayers. Thank you all, Sharon

Clare Auten Welcome to the website. My surgery was in the middle of winter (1/9/14) but I will try to help with c ... Read more

Clare Auten Welcome to the website. My surgery was in the middle of winter (1/9/14) but I will try to help with clothing. First of all, comfort is the key word. You may pick up some water weight immediately after surgery so elastic would be great! I had some difficulty with shirts. Some would hit the scar at the top in just the wrong place so I would bring several choices. But again I would go for comfort. Soft fabrics, etc. My surgeon had me in a bra-like contraption when I woke up from surgery. They had me wear that 24/7 at the hospital. When I came home I just wore my regular bras. I did have to have my husband or my 13 year old daughter hook them for me.
Good luck to you.

Darlene Smith Hello Sharon. I am having my surgery with Dr. Adams on July 19. I am only traveling about 45 miles ... Read more

Darlene Smith Hello Sharon. I am having my surgery with Dr. Adams on July 19. I am only traveling about 45 miles from NJ, so I'm essentially local. I am staying at the Courtyard Marriot on East 92nd street but only for one night. If the construction near the Marmara is limited to the subway, maybe you would not hear it in the hotel, but I'd visit trip advisor and see what recent travelers are saying about the noise. I am bringing loose capris with an elastic waist and drawstring just in case of water weight. For a shirt, I'm thinking good ole cotton because of the heat. The heat index was 100 when I went for my pre op last week, and the humidity was a bear. So I definitely recommend loose fitting clothes that breath. Good luck with your surgery!

Sharon Turner Thank You Clare and Darlene for the good tips. I will check out the Courtyard.
Clare how is your r ... Read more

Sharon Turner Thank You Clare and Darlene for the good tips. I will check out the Courtyard.
Clare how is your recovery going? Hopefully you are doing well.
Darlene good luck to you on your surgery I will follow you on this site and keep you in my Prayers.

Thank you again for your help.

Diane Capece Hi Sharon. I also am being operated on by Dr. Adams on August 2nd. we are staying at the Marmara Hote ... Read more

Diane Capece Hi Sharon. I also am being operated on by Dr. Adams on August 2nd. we are staying at the Marmara Hotel and the fellow who made our reservations said a lot of the construction should be done the end of July. Either way we did book it there. Reviews seem to be very good. Maybe we will see each other in the hospital. Dr Adams certainly seems to be an excellent surgeon and I am sure we all do well, but I must say I am really nervous about it!!!

Sharon Turner Diane thank you so much for this information. I am happy to hear the construction at the Marmara is ... Read more

Sharon Turner Diane thank you so much for this information. I am happy to hear the construction at the Marmara is nearing an end.
As I get near the surgery date I am getting more nervous. I do know I have an excellent surgeon I just need to try and relax and let God take over. I am doing my best to keep my spirits up.

Good luck to you on your surgery and yes maybe we will run into one another.
Keep me posted on your recovery.

Peace & Prayers
Sharon

Sharon Turner I am leaving for California for New York on Sunday. I will be having surgery on Friday 7/29/16 Dr. D ... Read more

Sharon Turner I am leaving for California for New York on Sunday. I will be having surgery on Friday 7/29/16 Dr. David Adams is my surgeon. Getting a little nervous. Welcome all your prayers and good wishes.
Thank you Adam for this wonderful website. I have learned so much from all of your stories and am happy that I am in this group of amazing fighters!!

Sharon Turnerposted an update

3163 days ago

I need a Mitral Valve repair because of regurgitation and also I have quite a bit of calcium around the valve. I have seen one surgeon who does the repair ...Read more

I need a Mitral Valve repair because of regurgitation and also I have quite a bit of calcium around the valve. I have seen one surgeon who does the repair with a band (it does not go all the way around the opening just partially) and one with a ring which does go completely around the valve. My question to the community is has anyone heard of a band and is it a better proceedure then a ring? I live in the San Francisco bay area and am wondering what surgeons in California would any of you recommend for a Mitral Valve repair?d Thanks so much.

Petey Bello Hi Sharon, I am also having Mitral Valve repair surgery. I will be seeing Dr. Joseph Woo at Stanford ... Read more

Petey Bello Hi Sharon, I am also having Mitral Valve repair surgery. I will be seeing Dr. Joseph Woo at Stanford in Palo Alto. He has a very good reputation for doing minimal-invasive surgery & repairs. (My cardiologist at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia recommended Dr. Woo) I am waiting for my consultation phone call to get a date for my surgery, it will probably be in April. I will ask about the band and ring? (I'm making a list of questions). I spoke to his administrator a few times already. He told me Dr. Woo has done approx 4 thousand of these type operations in the past 14 years. He will be doing a mini-thoracotomy (approx 2 or 4" incision - I think?) on the right side just under the breast area. He will use his hands, not the robot for the operation. Hope that helps answer some of your questions.

Petey Bello Sharon, I just came across this U-tube video. Very informational:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= ... Read more

Petey Bello Sharon, I just came across this U-tube video. Very informational:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_I7ooaWYsc

If you can't open it try: U-tube & type in the following:

NCMA Spring 2014 Advances in Cardiovascular Surgery with Dr Joseph Woo

NCMA Spring 2014 Advances in Cardiovascular Surgery with Dr Joseph Woo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_I7ooaWYsc

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATES 2014 Regional Primary Care Spring Symposium

Wanda Mroz I had regular OHS for my repair... It was a bit tricky due to both leaflets needing repair. I have t ... Read more

Wanda Mroz I had regular OHS for my repair... It was a bit tricky due to both leaflets needing repair. I have the rings and have never of bands though. Interested in hearing if anyone had this done. Maybe it's something new. Best of luck and please ask if you have questions.

Jan McClain Hi Sharon, I got a "Duran annuloplasty band, placed with a combination of interrupted running techniq ... Read more

Jan McClain Hi Sharon, I got a "Duran annuloplasty band, placed with a combination of interrupted running technique" according to my op report (mine was size 35, I think they are sized individually). I suspect there are several different options, and you just go with what your surgeon is most comfortable with (has used most). I personally wouldn't use this in my surgeon selection process. Happy to talk with you if you'd like, Jan

Jan McClain Ha, Sharon, forgot to mention I had a letter from Dr Gillinov's office waiting for me when I arrived ... Read more

Jan McClain Ha, Sharon, forgot to mention I had a letter from Dr Gillinov's office waiting for me when I arrived home. He sent me an official "Patient Identification Card" TO CARRY WITH ME with my size and serial number of my Duran Ancore Annuloplasty Band. I wish it had a photo of MY BAND in MY HEART, but no, just a little wallet sized card with my name and all the info. Probably will end up thrown randomly in my purse wih all my other junk, and eventually lost. Hope his office keeps a copy.

Sharon Turner
Thank you Petey, Wanda and Jan for all of your input. Petey the U-tube video was very informative. ... Read more

Sharon Turner
Thank you Petey, Wanda and Jan for all of your input. Petey the U-tube video was very informative. If you do get an answer from Dr Woo regarding the band would love to hear what he has to say about it. Good luck with your surgery,
Wanda good to know your surgery went well.

Jan so it sounds like you also had a band I will look into what band the Doctor is recommending. Great to hear you are doing so well. Thanks for all of your input.

Sharon