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Thanks for the answers. This makes me feel a lot better. I'm going to have to set up some kind of mailing list or update page to keep connected to folks back home but also, some of them don't have internet/email so I'm glad to hear phones are ok too (obviously I'd go to a lounge or something to...

Hi all, We still haven't gotten a schedule yet, but mom will be going to Cleveland Clinic for her MV replacement. I will be the only one going with her since it's about 8 hours from our home. I'm going to try to stay as connected at work and to friends/family via the internet as possible. Can...

Good to know, and your's was a replacement too so a similar situation. I can't even imagine having this kind of surgery, even with minimally invasive methods, and being sent home in 2 to 3 days. Wow! So I'm assuming your's was a mini thoracotomy vs the mini sternotomy? You still get all the...

This is something I've been wondering. My mom's local cardio did mention that sometimes a mini thoracotomy (sp?) is possible for MV replacement. I've been reading about those along with mini sternotomy (sp?) where for the MV, apparently they can just do the bottom 3-4" of the sternum. My mom...

Can I play? How 'bout Saskatchewan?

Given the stenosis and regurg and the fact that the balloon valvuloplasty was already done, the local cardio and GP both said repaid at this point isn't possible, but clearly, we'll defer to the experts in Cleveland. On the a-fib, I asked the GP and local cardio about that or ablation and both...

More waiting... More waiting... Ok so I guess we're not heading to Cleveland Monday for Tuesday appointments/testing. Dr. Lytle is taking a first look at things (still TBD who will do the surgery) but wants the echo test (not just the report) to review first. So we're in hold pattern again...

Well it's a darn good thing I asked. I called the dentist, they said no problem, just get the form or we can do a letter. IF we end up having to go out on Monday for Tuesday testing and such, the dentist can fit her in Monday before we go. Called the local cardio's office to ask about a form...

Ok. I mean they were saying come out this Tuesday for pre testing before the local cardio's secretary realized we wanted to do this all in one trip since we're driving from about 8 hours away so now I'm not sure but I better plan for it and it the dental check has to be redone, so be it. thanks...

Ok I think I better start making some phone calls today. Do you know how far in advance is the most they'll accept it from? i.e. if we got something today/Monday, would that be ok for a week or so? I'm assuming it's just some form the dentist already has or some letter he types up or something...

Ok thanks. I think once we get a confirmed date to head out, I will call ahead to see what they need in anticipation of going out once only for tests and surgeries. One concern is that if they do by chance stick with Tuesday to meet with Dr. Hobbs, I don't think our dentist works tomorrow and...

Something I just thought of.... is clearance from your dentist always required before OHS? Grant it when they called today thinking it'd be 2 separate trips to Cleveland Clinc, no one said anything about my mom getting clearance from her dentist but I'm just wondering if that'll be required...

Thanks for the info Al. Is there some where I can go to read up on average run times for tissue valves? That's our most critical concern... once and done (or in theory anyway). Her family has a tendency to live into their 90s and she has no other health issues but a wonky valve so..... My list...

definitely. we already discussed that even if she gets out there and meets a surgeon and isn't 100% comfortable, she doesn't have to have him do it. this is a "need to do" but not "right this minute" type of thing.

A young 72 :) the other question we're grappling with is the choice of valves. We don't want to ever have to do this again (barring any issues) so we were thinking mechanical and so were her local GP and cardio (thinking she'll always be in a-fib and would have to stay on coumadin anyway) but...

I went through this almost 3 years ago when my dad passed away. I'm an only child and am very close to my parents. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on a Friday in September and passed away exactly 7 weeks later. I live right down the road from my parents (next house down but we live on a...

Hi all, As some of you know, my mom is going to have to have her MV replaced. We'll be going to Cleveland Clinic but we live about 8 hours away so her local cardio wanted to try to set it up so that she'll meet with the cardiologist there (Dr. Hobbs) then have the cath and whatever other pre...

Glad to hear you had a positive outcome! Her cardio did mention CHF when we were there but said other than slight shortness of breathe when walking up an incline and stuff, she is at a point where he thinks things are about as bad as they'd get withOUT being in CHF. (i.e. no leg swelling -...

well that's good to hear. maybe the lotensin and atenolol did something to "preserve" all these years.

Her echo report (don't have it in front of ne but I think I'm remembering right) says the ejection fraction is at least 60. And hope, her bp isn't low. Generally in the 120-130 / 75-80 range. (she's on a med to help keep it down)