Has anyone gone to Cleveland Clinic alone?

[Catie]

At this stage in my life, I have no family and/or friends who could accompany me for surgery. Has anyone done this completely on their own or maybe know someone who did? I live in Texas, and the Heart Hospital in Plano is an option. I've scheduled a consultation with William Ryan there. But I have more confidence in Cleveland. I think they do about twice as many surgeries. Needing aneurysm repair and a valve.

 

[almost_hectic]

I know Texas is a big state, but how far away is Texas Heart Institute at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center?

 

[honeybunny]

St. Luke's is where I had my surgery Catie. If you went there I would be available to support you. I live near Houston.

 

[dick0236]

Why travel half a country away to have this surgery when you have the Texas Heart Institute close by. OHS is a big deal......but not THAT big of a deal. 750000 OHS are done annually in the USA with great success and the majority are done at metropolitan hospitals close to home. BTW, my surgeon, who was in his last year of residency at the Uof K went on to become a chief of staff at Baylor in Texas and mine has worked out OK.

 

[Trixie]

I had ohs in Texas--it didn't work out for me! Wish I would have gone to Cleveland Clinic --easy mitral valve repair turned into a big deal with more complications than I care to think about! Needless to say I'm heading to where the specialist are for my next surgery. YES I have to have a next as a result of my superior surgeons handiwork! Am I bitter yes -- I'm in worse shape now than I was before surgery! Good Luck to you.

 

[Catie]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate you all.

Trixie, I'm sooo sorry you had a bad experience and are still suffering. That's a very tough thing in every way, including emotionally. Wondering whether you have your procedure scheduled yet.

Dick, I have an anxiety disorder. Going someplace where I'll be very confident will be a key to less mental anguish for me.

Honeybunny, what a generous offer! That's so kind of you.

The Heart Hospital in Plano has been having very good outcomes and I'm closer to them. A friend of my dad's could drive up to see me some, if I had the surgery done there. I'm still researching and weighing a number of things.

 

[Zoltania]

I keep thinking about what it would be like to go through this alone. The hospital part would technically be manageable, though lonely. But the trip home as well as the first few days at home would be really difficult if not impossible. You can't drive or lift anything, and you have very little energy for a while. I hate the thought of anyone even having to consider this.

 

[Superbob]

I was wondering about a point that Zoltania raised: How would you get home from Cleveland after the surgery? Hope in your research you find a very good heart hospital that is within a reasonable distance of your home and will give you a chance to have some support. Driving is a no-no because of need to protect sternum, and I found an hour's ride home with my daughter driving me after 5 days in the hospital was about all I could handle.

 

[kloned]

I just left Cleveland Clinic on Monday. I had a ascending aorta repaired and a valve replaced.
You won't find a better hospital in the entire world.
If anyone would love to talk on phone I am here for you.

248-866-8189
Jeff

 

[Juli]

I just left Cleveland Clinic on Monday. I had a ascending aorta repaired and a valve replaced.
You won't find a better hospital in the entire world.
If anyone would love to talk on phone I am here for you.

248-866-8189
Jeff

Jeff - thanks for your offer, I sent you a message.

 

[Catie]

Thanks, everyone.

Jeff, that would be awesome. Thank you! So glad to hear you have such positive feelings about Cleveland Clinic, and had the same procedures.

Zoltania and SuperBob, I know people have managed it. I need to get more information from the travel concierge at CC. They require you to remain in Cleveland four or five days in a nearby or adjoining hotel and be seen outpatient before flying home. My surgery is expected to be minimally invasive.

I don't think I'd be better off immediately afterward on my own in my 2nd story apt. or at my elderly frail father's house.

The timing is unfortunate, since I currently have so few connections after a series of events, including divorce and a cross-country move. So, it's unfortunate, but not impossible. : )

 

[Zoltania]

Catie, I think you would need someone to accompany you as far as boarding the airplane, and someone to meet you at the other end of the flight and take you home, since you won't be able to lift your bags even with minimally invasive surgery. My surgeon didn't want me lifting more than 5 pounds for 3-4 months, though I cheated and lifted up to 10 pounds since my laptop weighs almost that much.

As I said, you will also have very little energy for a while. Even if your incision is minimally invasive, surgery is a big deal to your body, considering the general anesthetic, the time on a heart-lung bypass machine, the remodeling of your heart... that is all a lot to deal with, and it takes time to build back up from. The emotional aspect is a big drain too.

There was a good thread some time ago about recovery for people who live alone and might not be able to get live-in help:

http://www.valvereplacement.org/for...12-home-alone-how-much-help-did-you-have-need

 

[Catie]

Zoltania, I appreciate your sharing the link. That was informative.

I hope I'm not underestimating things. I have dreaded having this time arrive for 40+ years and expect it to be difficult and painful.

Again, they would have me remain in a close-by hotel for 4-5 days and be seen outpatient, before releasing me to fly home. I haven't yet spoken to CC's travel concierge, but there is assistance with transport to the airport, and I have someone I can call on to pick me up after my return flight. My downstairs neighbors have offered minor assistance. If I'm truly debilitated, home health care is a consideration. I could request Meals on Wheels for a few days once home. I could hire someone to walk the dog a few days once we get her out of boarding. I guess this is what I'm thinking thus far, when I haven't seen any surgeons yet.

 

[almost_hectic]

I had family members to help. But because I do live alone my health insurance allowed for both a home healthcare nurse to come twice a week and also a physical therapist to come three days a week to walk with me. This was for like 4 weeks if I remember right. It was nice

 

[AZ Don]

Hi,
Recovery is different for everyone, but I understand it generally goes much quicker for those with minimally invasive surgery. I had OHS and had help at home but still there were only a few things I couldn't have done on my own: drive, grocery shopping, lift a suitcase. You have someone meeting you so perhaps they can pick your suitcase up off the carousel. I think such a trip is definitely doable, if that's what you want.

 

[almost_hectic]

For the return flight I would just have a very small carry on bag with some essentials and some pain meds. Other than that anything you have I would ask them to just box up and UPS to you at home.

 

[DachsieMom]

I did not have minimally invasive surgery, but I think it would be difficult. I couldn't even put my purse on my shoulder for a while so could not imagine a bag. If you do it, use a wheelchair at the airport. Once home, I could not turn the knobs on doors or open them (did not expect that! Fun when people came to the door and I had to motion for them to open it!). Actually, I also couldn't open the refrigerator, microwave or dishwasher, although I have the kind that are difficult in general to open. Don't mean to scare you - hopefully you will not experience those issues with minimally invasive surgery - but I think it's important to be realistic. I was in the hospital for 6 days.

 

[almost_hectic]

I did not have minimally invasive surgery, but I think it would be difficult. I couldn't even put my purse on my shoulder for a while so could not imagine a bag. If you do it, use a wheelchair at the airport. Once home, I could not turn the knobs on doors or open them (did not expect that! Fun when people came to the door and I had to motion for them to open it!). Actually, I also couldn't open the refrigerator, microwave or dishwasher, although I have the kind that are difficult in general to open. Don't mean to scare you - hopefully you will not experience those issues with minimally invasive surgery - but I think it's important to be realistic. I was in the hospital for 6 days.

My surgery was minimally invasive and I couldn't open the refrigerator for a couple of weeks after I got home.

 

[Catie]

Thank you for the additional insights, DachsieMom and Almost_Hectic.

Welllll now. Not being able to open the fridge is not a minor disability! Guess I'll be drinking warm liquids, if that happens. My apartment has a smaller-than-average fridge and maybe that's a blessing in this instance.

A few years ago, my dad had to fly out for cancer treatments several times, and he did the wheelchair through the airport thing.

I'm sure that more will be revealed, as time goes by. For now, one step at a time....

Thanks again!

 

[DachsieMom]

I would just make sure you have a few weeks of clean clothes ready (so no need to open washer and dryer, which I was unable to do), lots of paper cups and plates and plastic spoons (no need to do dishes), etc. Stock up on anything you might need the first month to avoid the need for a trip to the store for random items ie paper towels, toothpaste, toilet paper etc. You will not be able to drive but will likely need to go for a follow up appt or the drug store, so perhaps use Uber or line up a helper. Preparation is key.