Appointment with surgeon tomorrow

[Praline]

I went for that second opinion today. This second cardiologist said the same thing as my cardiologist.He said the mitral valve regurgitation is at +3.There is a slight enlargement of the ventricle. Since this was only discovered recently, there is no way of knowing how fast it is progressing. But he was also very concern about the blockage that was found when I had the arteriogram. He said it is in the "front wall( ???) and pretty blocked". He said they could fix it with a stent and that MAYBE it would slow down the regurgitation but not significantly and I would be left with a mitral valve that still needed to be fixed. And stents do not last foever.

He thinks the best way to deal with the problem is to have the mitral valve surgery and bypass. He also mentioned the maze procedure for the AFib. I have an appointment to talk to Dr. Patrick Parrino from Ochsner,in New Orleans, tomorrow. He also said that last year about 200 mitral valve surgeries were done there and that Dr. Parrino did "most of them".That is not counting other heart surgeries. They do a lot more bypasses.I have to stay here because of insurance but Ochsner has a very good reputation. They have a well established heart center where they do all kinds of heart surgeries ,including heart transplants.

He said there is a chance that the valve could be fixed and if it could , Dr. Parrino would be be the one to be able to do it. I do not know what kind of valve to pick if I need a replacement. I have been too busy being scared to even consider which valve I should pick. I have read about the different valves. It seems that like there are many pros or cons for each one.I will talk to the surgeon tomorrow.

Now all I have to do is get brave enough to schedule this surgery. I am still scared half to death. I called my PCP today to get antibiotics to go the dentist.I told her nurse to give my PCP a message to tell her what was going on. When I told her to also tell Dr. Winkeler that I was still scared.She said, "I am sure you are. We would really worry about you if you were not scared." So off I go to a consultation with the surgeon tomorrow.

 

[Christina L]

It is all a very, very scary thing for sure -

It is all a very, very scary thing for sure -

just know that we here on Vr.com are here to walk you through your surgery. I remember with my surgery, the support I got from the wonderful people here on Vr.com I will NEVER forget. I truly don't know how I would have gotten through it without them cheering me on and giving me advice. And truly, the surgery is NOT that bad - it is no picnic, but it is "doable" to get through. Besides, you will get waited on hand and foot for several weeks and have a really good excuse to watch the Food Network 24/7 or read a lot of good books and look at all the magazines that have piled up.

So, please talk with your doctor a lot about your options and post all of your questions here. We have all been there/done that and can help you the best we know how.

I truly feel for you as I remember how I felt - I cried when the cardio told me it was time for my surgery. Then I kind of went into autopilot if I remember correctly - I just knew the surgery HAD to be done and there was no way around it so I put one foot in front of the other and walked on. I prayed a lot also.

We're here - talk to us.

Christina L

 

[Praline]

Thank you Christina..and more

Thank you Christina..and more

Thank you for your post.I don' t think I am really that scared of the surgery being so awful, like pain and that stuff. I am scared of waking up in the middle of surgery. I am scared of not waking up at all. I am scared of having a stroke. I am scared of hemorrhaging. I am scared of not being mentally okay after surgery. I am scared of it affecting my eyesight.You see., I am just plain scared of everything.
I know....when I was talking to the cardiologist today, he said, " This is not the first time we do this surgery, you know. We know what we are doing. We know we have your life is in our hands."

 

[Guest]

It's OK to be scared...but, do know that the surgeons HAVE done this before...and they know how to handle emergencies and basic things before, during and after surgeries.

Good luck in talking with the surgeon tomorrow. Be sure to ask lots of questions, tell him/her your concerns and, most of all, listen to what the surgeon tells you.

And, keep in mind:
Nothing is ever guaranteed. Even those without heart issues have problems....

And...you are in our thoughts/prayers.


Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker
MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/quilt.html
"We got mountains to climb" ... Rod Stewart ... 'Broken Arrow'

 

[Christina L]

Oh my gosh Praline, you

Oh my gosh Praline, you

sound just TOO much like me (afraid of everything). That's scary!

It is normal to worry about all of the things that you say you are afraid of. Very, very normal. Just try not to dwell on things and busy yourself with getting your home ready for your recovery, etc. - get those DVDs stacked up ready to watch, your favorite foods put in the pantry, etc.

I remember my surgeon, Dr. Cosgrove, just before they put me under told me and I totally believed him "We are going to take good care of you." Surgeons have our life in their hands - they do everything possible to make us well and keep us alive. You are going to be okay - put your trust in the cardio, the surgeon, the surgical team and most of all God.

AND don't forget to post your fears and questions here on VR.com.

Christina L

 

[susieq14]

Praline,

I hope that your apointment with the surgeon went well today and that he answered all your questions and gave you the confidence you need to move forward with your surgery. I know that is easy for me to say as I sit here in the "waiting room" - however someday I will be as nervous and scared as you are.

From what I've seen my short time here I think we made a good choice joining this website and I'm sure you will get lots of advice and encouragement from those way more experienced than I - but I just wanted to give you a big hug to help as you deal with the many questions and decisions you have in front of you.

Take Care!