I am a long time reader of this forum but first time posting. I am interested to see if there are any here who have had surgery on the mitral valve plus the maze procedure for A-fib when in their seventies. I read on the American College of Cardiologists that those over 75 don't do too well with this surgery and approached my cardio with this but he said I am a "young 74" and should do well. My internist's receptionist said her mother had the surgery at my age and lived to be 94. The surgery is scheduled the end of July at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr Petterson (my cardiologist thinks he is the best!!).
age 74 mitral valve surgery
- Thread starter barbwil
- Start date
Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:
Ross
Well-known member
It's hard to go wrong if you go to the CCF. For them, it's an everyday, very well practiced procedure. I'll let the others speculate about the age thing, though I don't think 74 is much of a problem.
hensylee
Well-known member
Hey, Barb - remember me? (Hensylee) long time no see. This is a great group to be in contact with for what you are forced to consider. There will be lots of answers to your questions in a little while, soon as folks get home from work. I didn't have the valve replacement so can't answer your questions. I am sure there's got to be one of us here in VR who was 74 and can tell you his/her experiences. I don't believe it's possible to get a better place than Cleveland Clinic. Welcome to VR.
Hi Ann, I certainly do remember you from Dr. Rich's forum. Thank you for responding. My son is getting married July 23rd so I told my cardiologist I wouldn't consider having this done until then. I have to go to CC for pre-op work and a heart catheterization on the 13th, 14th, and 15th and hope to get a lot of answers from the surgeon. If you remember my hubby is a heart patient and legally blind so my being post-op will make it hard all around. My daughter is coming here (from FL) for her brother's wedding and will be able to stay another two weeks. That will be a real help to my husband.hensylee said:
How is your brother doing these days?
God bless, Barb
ALCapshaw2
Well-known member
Welcome Barb,
You may want to contact our member, Marty.
He had his Mitral Valve replaced at age 72 and is still working half time as a Doctor (Diagnostic Radiologist) at 79, when he is not playing Golf!
The Cleveland Clinic is the #1 rated Heart Hospital and they do this stuff every day. With your cardiologist's recommendation, you should be in very capable hands.
It's good that you will have some help for the first two weeks. That is the most critical time when you will need a lot of assistance. Normal recovery is slow and steady for the next 4 weeks after which you should be reasonably mobile (but will still TIRE EASILY). Do you have a neighbor or friend who could look in on you once in a while during the following weeks?
Do you have a recliner? Most people find they sleep better in a recliner for the first few weeks. Look over the Pre-surgery and Post-surgery Forums for lots of tips on 'the experience'.
Best wishes,
'AL Capshaw'
You may want to contact our member, Marty.
He had his Mitral Valve replaced at age 72 and is still working half time as a Doctor (Diagnostic Radiologist) at 79, when he is not playing Golf!
The Cleveland Clinic is the #1 rated Heart Hospital and they do this stuff every day. With your cardiologist's recommendation, you should be in very capable hands.
It's good that you will have some help for the first two weeks. That is the most critical time when you will need a lot of assistance. Normal recovery is slow and steady for the next 4 weeks after which you should be reasonably mobile (but will still TIRE EASILY). Do you have a neighbor or friend who could look in on you once in a while during the following weeks?
Do you have a recliner? Most people find they sleep better in a recliner for the first few weeks. Look over the Pre-surgery and Post-surgery Forums for lots of tips on 'the experience'.
Best wishes,
'AL Capshaw'
S
Spring
age 74 mitral valve surgery
I just had my 80th birthday. It's 7:30 PM, and I still have an outdoor task to finish before dark, but here is a quick reply for starters. Last year on May 25th I had open-heart surgery for mitral valve. The excellent surgeon in Omaha, NE also did the Maze procedure. I had considered going to Cleveland since I have a daughter in Columbus. Decided it would be to my advantage to recover in Omaha among old friends. The surgery per se was not a big problem. The Maze in seniors with a long history of arrthymias does not always solve the problem of a-fib. Since cardio wanted to control the rate, a pacer was added on May 30.
The negative possibilities I was most concerned about before surgery were of course, survival with no effects on my brain and memory, back injuries (due to osteoporosis),etc. The first thing that came to my mind when I became conscious was Thank the Lord, I know my name. (Smile). No problems with my back or arthritis. I really do believe the skill to perform surgery on older folks is readily available.
Even though I had read so much material about valve disease and the risks and remedies, I was not prepared for what "hit" me. After a ten-day hospital stay, I came home with outside help from a caring agency. I live alone because I am a widow. Much to my despair, I gained over 20 lb. in a very short period of tilme. I'm a skinny gal. Had to return to the hospital for 12 days with a Lasix IV. Eventually, It was necessary to tap my one lung to rid myself of a whole liter of fluid. Also had bowel and bladder problems--all new to me--and a subclavian thrombosis (blood clot)--maybe from central line?
The diagnosis was congestive heart failure, and no one had pointed out to me that would be a possibility.
Maybe I am a wimp, but my caregivers were with me during those last 12 days at the hospital, and I feel they made the problems bearable. There didn't seem to be enough staff available to tend to basic needs. It was a financial sacrifice I didn't plan for, but it was a blessing when you don't have family dedicated to care-giving. I never have felt so vulnerable in my life. None of the problems that developed were a result of hitches in the surgery. It was just my old body reacting to the trauma, as far as I can tell.
I had planned to have some caregivers because I wanted to avoid fighting a depression that might be detrimental to my recovery. I had thought maybe two weeks of help would "see me through". My last remaining helper left August 1. During her stay, She pushed my wheelchair around the super-market and took me to doctors' appts. Fatigue was my biggest problem.
I have never regretted having the surgery. I did not feel I had a choice. I did not have an internist in charge of my needs at the hospital where the surgery and long period of recovery took place. My internist was at a different med center and group. I have corrected that situation now, in case there is another problem ahead. Might have been better coordination because I feel I expected too much from the cardio. The specialists were efficient once they were consulted. Sometimes I don't know how the doctors cope now with all the situations and unexpected problems.
Sorry this post is so long. Here we are one year later. I still consider myself young-old most days. I still live in my little house with the too-big yard, and do my own housework. Have a little help with outside and could use more, but it's frightening to see the expenses. I take 240 mg of Inderal per day--for atrial fib and essential tremor (family trait). Try to keep my INR around 2.4 with Coumadin and pro-times. Take a 5 mg. Lasix every couple of days and one Lanoxin daily--also Prilosec or Protonix--not too much there. Really watch my salt intake but no more CHF at this point. Cardio doesn't see that as a concern. Electrolytes all okay. Would like to have more pep. New internist wanted me to try Zoloft--quit after one week--nausea, appetite problems, loose bowels, etc. Not worth it! Will keep trying to count my blessings. Most of my 80 year old friends have some health problems. Oh yes, the lymphedema in right arm (result of breast cancer lumpectomy 21 years ago) filled up arm and hand again probably from subclavian thrombosis plus long period of inactivity. Found a nice occ.therapist that would come to my home daily this winter. Had to go through the daily wrapping and therapy again. It's much improved now, and I wear a therapeutic sleeve day and night.
I just had my 80th birthday. It's 7:30 PM, and I still have an outdoor task to finish before dark, but here is a quick reply for starters. Last year on May 25th I had open-heart surgery for mitral valve. The excellent surgeon in Omaha, NE also did the Maze procedure. I had considered going to Cleveland since I have a daughter in Columbus. Decided it would be to my advantage to recover in Omaha among old friends. The surgery per se was not a big problem. The Maze in seniors with a long history of arrthymias does not always solve the problem of a-fib. Since cardio wanted to control the rate, a pacer was added on May 30.
The negative possibilities I was most concerned about before surgery were of course, survival with no effects on my brain and memory, back injuries (due to osteoporosis),etc. The first thing that came to my mind when I became conscious was Thank the Lord, I know my name. (Smile). No problems with my back or arthritis. I really do believe the skill to perform surgery on older folks is readily available.
Even though I had read so much material about valve disease and the risks and remedies, I was not prepared for what "hit" me. After a ten-day hospital stay, I came home with outside help from a caring agency. I live alone because I am a widow. Much to my despair, I gained over 20 lb. in a very short period of tilme. I'm a skinny gal. Had to return to the hospital for 12 days with a Lasix IV. Eventually, It was necessary to tap my one lung to rid myself of a whole liter of fluid. Also had bowel and bladder problems--all new to me--and a subclavian thrombosis (blood clot)--maybe from central line?
The diagnosis was congestive heart failure, and no one had pointed out to me that would be a possibility.
Maybe I am a wimp, but my caregivers were with me during those last 12 days at the hospital, and I feel they made the problems bearable. There didn't seem to be enough staff available to tend to basic needs. It was a financial sacrifice I didn't plan for, but it was a blessing when you don't have family dedicated to care-giving. I never have felt so vulnerable in my life. None of the problems that developed were a result of hitches in the surgery. It was just my old body reacting to the trauma, as far as I can tell.
I had planned to have some caregivers because I wanted to avoid fighting a depression that might be detrimental to my recovery. I had thought maybe two weeks of help would "see me through". My last remaining helper left August 1. During her stay, She pushed my wheelchair around the super-market and took me to doctors' appts. Fatigue was my biggest problem.
I have never regretted having the surgery. I did not feel I had a choice. I did not have an internist in charge of my needs at the hospital where the surgery and long period of recovery took place. My internist was at a different med center and group. I have corrected that situation now, in case there is another problem ahead. Might have been better coordination because I feel I expected too much from the cardio. The specialists were efficient once they were consulted. Sometimes I don't know how the doctors cope now with all the situations and unexpected problems.
Sorry this post is so long. Here we are one year later. I still consider myself young-old most days. I still live in my little house with the too-big yard, and do my own housework. Have a little help with outside and could use more, but it's frightening to see the expenses. I take 240 mg of Inderal per day--for atrial fib and essential tremor (family trait). Try to keep my INR around 2.4 with Coumadin and pro-times. Take a 5 mg. Lasix every couple of days and one Lanoxin daily--also Prilosec or Protonix--not too much there. Really watch my salt intake but no more CHF at this point. Cardio doesn't see that as a concern. Electrolytes all okay. Would like to have more pep. New internist wanted me to try Zoloft--quit after one week--nausea, appetite problems, loose bowels, etc. Not worth it! Will keep trying to count my blessings. Most of my 80 year old friends have some health problems. Oh yes, the lymphedema in right arm (result of breast cancer lumpectomy 21 years ago) filled up arm and hand again probably from subclavian thrombosis plus long period of inactivity. Found a nice occ.therapist that would come to my home daily this winter. Had to go through the daily wrapping and therapy again. It's much improved now, and I wear a therapeutic sleeve day and night.
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hensylee
Well-known member
Barb, if you have the date of your surgery, let us know so we can put it in the calendar.
It's good that you will have help for a couple of weeks. Is there a way you can have home health care when you get out of the hospital and when your daughter goes home? We have a Council on Aging here where I live that will bring meals on wheels, does limited housekeeping, etc. Might even do a bit of your yard work. If you can get them, you can just keep the housekeeping and some of their other services after you are well. Start looking into this right now so they are in place early. You won't be able to do a lot after surgery for a time, but you are not bedridden for long - in fact, you will be out of bed the day after surgery and progressing from there. By the time you go home, you should be walking about and exercising some, with increases every day. No lifting, pushing, pulling at first. We have lots of information available here in VR and if you have been reading it, you probably already know a lot. Also, do searches and you will find more. You've probably already done that, tho.
As to your age, well, if we can conquer computers at our age, then we are 'young-ish', aren't we?
Brother Richard is doing fairly well. He's been in assisted living more than 3 years. Sister Jackie and I were sharing his care. Last September, she was brutally murdered. Richard and I were devastated, but are managing together somehow. Richard actually is better than I thought he would be after all these years. You recall when I talked so much about him when all of it began - His official dx is non-classical Parkinson's, a-fib that we can't get fixed, some memory loss and lots of confusion at times. But he can still use his computer, write his own checks at my direction, socialize, etc. I am proud of him because he tries SOOO hard. Don't know what I would do if he lost it altogether.
You remember what Dr Rich said about amiodarone, don't you? Don't let anybody give it to you without completely knowing all the side effects. I took brother to ER early this year and he was in a-fib - the dr mentioned amiodarone and I had a fit, said not in a million. He said - uh, ok, ok.
Praying for you, Barb. Keep us informed.
It's good that you will have help for a couple of weeks. Is there a way you can have home health care when you get out of the hospital and when your daughter goes home? We have a Council on Aging here where I live that will bring meals on wheels, does limited housekeeping, etc. Might even do a bit of your yard work. If you can get them, you can just keep the housekeeping and some of their other services after you are well. Start looking into this right now so they are in place early. You won't be able to do a lot after surgery for a time, but you are not bedridden for long - in fact, you will be out of bed the day after surgery and progressing from there. By the time you go home, you should be walking about and exercising some, with increases every day. No lifting, pushing, pulling at first. We have lots of information available here in VR and if you have been reading it, you probably already know a lot. Also, do searches and you will find more. You've probably already done that, tho.
As to your age, well, if we can conquer computers at our age, then we are 'young-ish', aren't we?
Brother Richard is doing fairly well. He's been in assisted living more than 3 years. Sister Jackie and I were sharing his care. Last September, she was brutally murdered. Richard and I were devastated, but are managing together somehow. Richard actually is better than I thought he would be after all these years. You recall when I talked so much about him when all of it began - His official dx is non-classical Parkinson's, a-fib that we can't get fixed, some memory loss and lots of confusion at times. But he can still use his computer, write his own checks at my direction, socialize, etc. I am proud of him because he tries SOOO hard. Don't know what I would do if he lost it altogether.
You remember what Dr Rich said about amiodarone, don't you? Don't let anybody give it to you without completely knowing all the side effects. I took brother to ER early this year and he was in a-fib - the dr mentioned amiodarone and I had a fit, said not in a million. He said - uh, ok, ok.
Praying for you, Barb. Keep us informed.
M
Michaelena
barbwil said:
My father-in-law had MVR + bypass surgery at the young age of 76, he just celebrated his 80th birthday, and is out working in his vegetable garden, and yard work. It did take him a year + cardio rehab to get back to doing the things he did prior to the surgery and gain weight, it was sometimes very frustrating for him.
I hope this helps
Michaelena
Al Capshaw,
A recliner, that's something I hadn't thought about, but yes, we have "his and hers" in the living room and I have a recliner, lift chair that we bought for my mother when she lived with us before her death at 93. That chair is in the same room as this computer; I had often thought of selling it because of the room it takes up but in the back of my mind I always thought one of us might someday need it.
Spring,
Congratulations on how well you are doing since your surgery; you certainly went through a lot! I failed to mention that we have another daughter who lives about a mile away who will be a big help after her older sister returns to Florida. We are also active in our church where they are very good about bringing in meals when needed. However I always have lots of easy, "stick it in the microwave" meals from Sam's Club stocked in the freezer that hubby can get ready if needed. We also have great neighbors and friends who are always most gracious about rides to doctors, picking up a few groceries, etc. We are most blessed! Hubby can no longer drive but he can zip around the yard on his riding mower and has a small vegetable garden which he tends inbetween rest periods while he gets his breath back.
Two years ago I had a nephrectomy for renal cell cancer and was put on a ventilator for a while so I know what that experience is like. I came out of the anesthesia as they were moving me from the table to a gurney and tried to gesture to them that there was a third object stuck in my throat but they thought I was trying to pull the tubes out so they tied my hands down. The next morning the nurse untied my hands and I was able to make her understand that I wanted a clipboard and pen so I could tell them what was going on. They found the object, probably a small piece of plastic, and life became a lot better! I intend to have a clipboard and pen available immediately!
My kidney surgeon was amazed at how quickly I healed, wished all his patients did so well; I just hope I do as well this time. Fortunately I had had a pacemaker put in two months prior to this surgery which really was good timing when my heart acted up during the surgery.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Spring. God bless, Barb
Ann,
I am so terribly sorry to learn of your sister's brutal death. If you posted that on the other forum I must have missed it. Such a hard thing for you and Richard to go through!
You probably remember that I was on Amiodarone for 2 years after my kidney surgery for the A-fib and have been off it since last December. I would like to have the words "no Amiodarone:" tatooed on my chest before the MVR but I will make it clear to the surgeon that I am not to have it again!
My heart cath. is on the 14th of July and the mitral surgery is scheduled for July 25th, 2 days after my son's wedding. Please pray that I don't get a cold before that so it won't have to be postponed.
God bless, Barb
A recliner, that's something I hadn't thought about, but yes, we have "his and hers" in the living room and I have a recliner, lift chair that we bought for my mother when she lived with us before her death at 93. That chair is in the same room as this computer; I had often thought of selling it because of the room it takes up but in the back of my mind I always thought one of us might someday need it.
Spring,
Congratulations on how well you are doing since your surgery; you certainly went through a lot! I failed to mention that we have another daughter who lives about a mile away who will be a big help after her older sister returns to Florida. We are also active in our church where they are very good about bringing in meals when needed. However I always have lots of easy, "stick it in the microwave" meals from Sam's Club stocked in the freezer that hubby can get ready if needed. We also have great neighbors and friends who are always most gracious about rides to doctors, picking up a few groceries, etc. We are most blessed! Hubby can no longer drive but he can zip around the yard on his riding mower and has a small vegetable garden which he tends inbetween rest periods while he gets his breath back.
Two years ago I had a nephrectomy for renal cell cancer and was put on a ventilator for a while so I know what that experience is like. I came out of the anesthesia as they were moving me from the table to a gurney and tried to gesture to them that there was a third object stuck in my throat but they thought I was trying to pull the tubes out so they tied my hands down. The next morning the nurse untied my hands and I was able to make her understand that I wanted a clipboard and pen so I could tell them what was going on. They found the object, probably a small piece of plastic, and life became a lot better! I intend to have a clipboard and pen available immediately!
My kidney surgeon was amazed at how quickly I healed, wished all his patients did so well; I just hope I do as well this time. Fortunately I had had a pacemaker put in two months prior to this surgery which really was good timing when my heart acted up during the surgery.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Spring. God bless, Barb
Ann,
I am so terribly sorry to learn of your sister's brutal death. If you posted that on the other forum I must have missed it. Such a hard thing for you and Richard to go through!
You probably remember that I was on Amiodarone for 2 years after my kidney surgery for the A-fib and have been off it since last December. I would like to have the words "no Amiodarone:" tatooed on my chest before the MVR but I will make it clear to the surgeon that I am not to have it again!
My heart cath. is on the 14th of July and the mitral surgery is scheduled for July 25th, 2 days after my son's wedding. Please pray that I don't get a cold before that so it won't have to be postponed.
God bless, Barb
M
Mary
Barb,
I shared my postsurgical recovery with a wonderful 88 year old lady who was in the heart unit to undergo her second aortic valve replacement. She had her first vavle replacement at the age of 80, and I believe did very well with it.
When I was discharged, they were still trying to decide whether to go ahead or not with a second surgery.
And, echoing Al's comments, my recliner has become my best friend during recovery. I have spent every night at home in it, and I'm getting the hang of how to sleep longer and longer periods of time in it.
I shared my postsurgical recovery with a wonderful 88 year old lady who was in the heart unit to undergo her second aortic valve replacement. She had her first vavle replacement at the age of 80, and I believe did very well with it.
When I was discharged, they were still trying to decide whether to go ahead or not with a second surgery.
And, echoing Al's comments, my recliner has become my best friend during recovery. I have spent every night at home in it, and I'm getting the hang of how to sleep longer and longer periods of time in it.
hensylee
Well-known member
barbwil said:
Thank you for your kind words, Barb. I didn't put it in Dr Rich's forum - didn't even put it here for a couple of weeks after.
I had a surgery of a different sort two yrs ago and I wanted him to be sure he got the right side so the nurse DID WRITE on my left abdomen "IT'S RIGHT HERE!", you really can write on yourself before surgery.
You are now in the calendar.
