Thomas's Journal

Mary Myers  Tom, hang in there and try not to panic. I am sure there is a simple solution. Hope you can start rehab soon. Have a great night.hugs from your heart sister Mary (mia)

Michael Meyer  Thomas,
No experience although my repaired valve is not 100% leak free. It is common for a repaired valve to have some leakage. If it makes you feel better, you should be able to review the surgeon notes, they were very specific with regard to the quality assurance checks. You may have already reviewed this information.

Eleanor R  Hi, Thomas. Like you, I am several weeks post surgery, now in week 7. My follow up meeting with the surgeon was kind of a non-event, it was a checking me over to make sure the valve was working as expected (vitals, EKG, etc.) by the PA and a release of me to the cardiologist. I had not secured a follow up appointment with the cardiologist until just before surgery, so I needed the surgeon to renew prescriptions until I could get in to see the cardiologist. Mainly the meeting(s) with the surgeon post surgery was for him to tell me what he found, what exact type of valve he implanted, and I asked him for his own advice on how to best take care of the new valve. It was a bit odd, since this person (The Surgeon) becomes such a huge part of your life, but it is for a very short timeframe, then you are back to your life, and he is on to the next patient. It was good that I had realized that even pre-surgery, that this wonderful person, holding literally my life in his hands and is caring for me, will have a job to do, then we will both move on. Sorry, sounds rather sentimental, but basically the surgeon's task is done, so s/he will clear you and send you for follow up either with a cardiologist or your primary care physician, once he knows the valve is settled well, heart is in rhythm and incision site is healing well. Have your questions focus on how you are doing, what you should be aware of to take good care of yourself and your valve, and any recommendations he has for you. Good luck to you. Eleanor

Michael Culpepper  Thomas -

In my case, I view my cardiologist as primary in my recovery. H knows the history and has the years of experience to advise what I should do when. Tje surgeon is really an excellent technician, but knows little history. My GP is filling in while the cardiologist is on vacation.

If I did have a chance to meet with the surgeon, I wouldask things like when is my heart considered fully healed, what post-op signs should I look out for, etc.

As I said, in my case my cardiologist is the one who is accessible -- he has been like a Dr. Welby for me. Goodluck Iin all you do.

Michael (Mike) Culpepper

Michael Meyer  Thomas:
I suggest getting folks to own responsibility. I used my primary care physician to manage meds and INR until I had an appointment with my cardiologist. The cardiologist should own the post surgical care, recovery and take over the medication for any other residual heart health issues. There does not seem to be rules for this, you just have to work with all the care givers because the paperwork drops through the cracks. I am also currently waiting on rehab and the doctor orders was issued almost a week ago. What are they doing? Don't know. I find the medical community excellent in many ways and truly lacking in others. By the way, my wife is a nurse and this surgery has been enlightening for her.

Thomas Campbell  Thanks everybody the meeting with the surgeon was quick and not very informative but he is very friendly and told me to call him if I had any question. Now on to the cardiologist.

Eleanor R  Isn't it weird how having surgery can affect our moods? I wasn't grumpy so much as just flat, nothing seemed to move me either way. It is only recently that I catch myself laughing or smiling. Before I felt like a robot in many ways, with stiff arms and tight movements, and lack of emotion. I am glad to have a broader range of emotions now and feel less blah. I hope you are making progress as well. Remember, what we aspire to is not perfection, but progress. Heal well. Eleanor