Double Valve Replacement

[faithcmm]

My husband had a double valve replacement in 02-2011. They had complications and he was on the heart lung machine for over 8 hours. A week later he had a blood clot and had to be opened up again. Since that time he has never recovered from the surgery. In fact he is much worse than before. He has trouble breathing just walking from the house to the car. His stomach is distended and is hard as a rock. He has also been told that his liver is enlarged. The problem we are having is that the surgeon has told him that he is just responsible for the surgery he should be seeing his cardiologist now. The cardiologist told him he should just be glad to be alive. But his distended stomach and inability to breath are greatly effecting his quality of life. He can no longer work. He has trouble just showing. We are at a lost as to where to go next. Has anyone else had these problems or any advise on what our next step should be? Thanks, Laura

 

[escargome]

Laura,
If possible I would find a new cardiologist,(yes he is lucky to be alive, but both of you deserve some answers) also, see if you can get your husband in to see an internal medicine specialist for his liver and a pulmonologist for his lungs. These things that you describe I don't believe are part of a valve replacement. My heart goes out to you and I shall keep you in my prayers that you are able to get answers to the situation. By the way how old is your husband?

 

[faithcmm]

Thank you for your reply. My husband is 59. He did not have any of these conditions before his surgery. He was very fit. He has seen a pulmononlogist who told him he has asthma. It would have had to develope right after his surgery as he has never had asthma before. We are trying to get him in to see another cardiologist. With our insurance we have to go to a certain network and all the Drs work together. So we are paying for the out of network price to get him in to see someone else. The only reason we think his problems have to be related to the surgery is because he had none of them prior to the surgery. When we asked about his enlarged liver we have never been given a answer expect, if you are a drinking man I would stop. He does not drink at all. Hope this new dr. can give us some answers. Thanks, Laura

 

[escargome]

Drinking is not the only thing that can damage a liver. If he was used to taking a large amount of Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) that can have an affect on the liver, as well as some other medications (cholesterol meds). So if he has ashma was he given an inhaler? I have the beginnings of COPD and it is not related to smoking, I have had chronic bronchitis since I contracted pnuemonia in 1974. My lungs never really came back into shape so every time I get a cold it seems to attack my lungs. I too sincerely hope you can get some answers, my prime suggestion would be for you to be a pest. Ask questions until you get answers (the you are lucky to be alive) is not an answer. 59 is not that old, he has lots of years ahead of him. I shall keep you in my prayers.

 

[ottagal]

Sorry to hear of your circumstances. You have been given some good advice here. I agree with others that another opinion would be worth while. I am glad you are going for another one. I don't think doctors know what to say when they don't have an answer, but 'be thankful your alive' is not of consolation.
Wishing you and your husband all the best with this.
Keep us posted.