Cleveland Clinic visit--Tuesday Update

[perkicar]

Well, my marathon day at the Cleveland Clinic started at 730 this morning and finished up at 830 this evening. I was supposed to see the surgeon at 5 pm and it was after 8 when we finally got in to see him. All in all, it was a tiring but informative day. Amazing how many people they move through this place.
My v isit with the surgeon (Dr Lytle) went pretty much as expected. My valve area is smaller than what we saw on my TEE in November, and is at the area where I need to SERIOUSLY consider surgery. Good news, is that Dr Lytle would like to do the minimally invasive procedure because of wound healing concerns in my sternum. That improves my recovery time. Because I'm essentially asymptomatic, it's better to do it sooner rather than later. Actual timing depends on what we see tomorrow in my heart catheterization. Dr Griffin, my cardiologist here, is an expert in taking care of radiation induced heart disease (which is what I have, since it's caused by the radiation therapy I got for the Hodgkin's disease back in the late 70's. )
I'll send out another update tomorrow after we get back to Columbus. Think good thoughts, it's worked well to this point.

 

[geebee]

Carolyn,
Sounds like a tiring but really good day. I will keep my fingers crossed that you get the answers you are seeking after your cath. Good luck with that and I look forward to your update.

 

[Bryan B]

Carolyn,

Sounds like you had a busy day. I hope your cath goes well today and look forward to hearing the results.

 

[Harpoon]

I met Dr. Lytle a few times during my marathon stint in Cleveland. He seemed decent enough though he was mostly there for the experience, not direct treatment.

I've always been keen on their team treatment approach at CCF. Even if you don't always see a bunch of doctors, chances are they're all bouncing stuff off eachother on various patients and it's a cool thing. They all seem to work well together and I think a lot of that comes from Dr. Mee though I know other guys like Cosgrove and Young seem to promote it too...

 

[dawnwit15]

Big day

Big day

Carolyn-after the long day you had, you should have no problem getting to sleep. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there.
Dawn

 

[heart04]

Hodgkins & mitral valve

Hodgkins & mitral valve

Hi Carolyn
I had hodgkin's in 1987/87 I too have mitral valve problems which they have been watching for the last 3 years. within the last2 1/2 wks I have become short of breathe,on stairs, so they did another echo and said the mitral valve is leaking more causing SOB, so I have been dealing with university of Maryland Dr. Gammie, I am leaving on sunday to have another cath & TEE next week, if cath is clear no CAD then I will also have the minimally invasive procedure for repair, as I do not want valve replacement if at all posssible. He said more they repair 80- 90% of the mitral valves. He repaired 110 of them last year with the minmally invasive procedure, with no mortality. I love those figures, so I'm hoping all goes well next week in Maryland If so I will be operated on the 24th.
GOOD LUCK< keep me posted
Donna