I am looking for the obituaries 'department'...

[LA_Cruiser]

...has it been removed 'temporarily' due to the tremendous success rates we're experiencing?

I was reading where this lady claims that her husband was 'doing perfect' on his first week out of the hospital (open-heart) and that all of a sudden 'he just dropped dead.'

I was informed that my type of operation had an 80% success rate (I'm wondering if this guy's was 90% and I'm still here with a worse rate).

The question IS:

Does the 'success rate' MEAN 10 seconds after you're 'closed up' or 10 minutes, one day, one week, one month, one year.........?

I'd like to see statistics up to 10 years. Does anyone know where these statistics might be found?

Where all do you guys place such ?negative but reality? announcements when they do become a reality?

THX & God Bless

 

[martha]

You have posted a sensative area of discussion. While it is true that not all make it from this surgery. The greater majority of us do. I don't know the stats... sorry. Valve surgery is a major surgery. Any surgery has it's possibilities of not making it. As far as where to post such..... I would use small talk. Only my opinion though. Maybe others can offer some other suggestions. martha

 

[Mb]

Hi!

I understand what you are looking for, but fortunately you won't find many "obit" type postings here. I've been a member for about a year and a half, when we first found out my husband needed double valve replacements. Billy, from Ireland, did loose his wife, awhile ago, and I do recall a young woman writing in about her very young son who had died. Other than that I do not recall anyone "not making it". Perhaps signing onto this site is a good luck charm?

Marybeth

 

[Nancy]

Hi Marco-

Keeping a positive attitude when faced with medical problems can help with the recovery and healing process. We all know that some day we're all going to die. As they say, no one gets out of this life alive.

In my own humble opinion, until you draw your last breath, everything else is fair game. Never, never give up. As long as you're alive there is a great deal of hope. That's why we're always harping on people to get help when things don't seem right. You have to take good care of your body so you can get the necessary treatment before it's too late. It's amazing what the human body can heal from, but if you let it go too far, and don't do what's necessary for your own personal health and an irreversible thing happens, then the game is over.

Of course there are still things that happen which have no solution. These are tragic and unpredictable.

But from my own experiences with Joe's problems, he has come very close to death several times, maybe 5 or 6. We got help as quickly as we could, we never gave up and even when some doctors told us that it was dicey and didn't look good, we still forged ahead and didn't give up.

So take care of yourself, go to the hospital when you need to and don't EVER give up. You'll be OK.

Let us all know how things went for you, we'll be waiting to hear.

Take care, Marco

 

[Rain]

But Phil....

But Phil....

That?s not broken down by age... Don?t you think most people who have heart surgery are a lot older than us?

I think you need a lot more facts.. like age, other health complications, bitchy spouse, barking dogs, you know?

 

[epstns]

Statistics?

Statistics?

Phil - Which study are you referring to? I think there may be a specific one which has those stats as outcomes, but I would bet that the age distribution of the patients included would be skewed toward the elderly. All the statistics I have found (and I've been looking at lots of them this past month -- I'm new here) show a much better survival rate. In fact, I think if the survival rate was so dismal, that surgeons would be advising many more patients to delay rather than risking death due to valve complications.

I am basing my feelings and mindset on a broad base of studies I've seen, and I am not afraid of what's after replacement. I am more afraid of what's before it.

SteveE

 

[RobThatsMe]

Hi,

I agree with Rain. IF you are looking at statistic results, you need to know the informational criteria that made up the study.

For example, If a large number of the valve replacement patients were 65 years old, or older, the remaining life expectency would fall within the percentages mentioned. Complications with the valve can also have many meanings, Perhaps a certain number of them forgot or refused to continue medication.

The link below will show certain statistics relating to valve replacement. However, this info also does not relay what the studies were made up of. But, please look at Point #12. Risk factors relating to the survival rates.

http://www.ctsnet.org/residents/ctsn/archives/not42.html

My own personal take on it is, that life is precious, and to enjoy every new day that has been given to me. Hopefully, I'll beat the statistics!

Rob

 

[LA_Cruiser]

Phil, my doctor has constantly warned me...

Phil, my doctor has constantly warned me...

..that if I needed any dental work to let the dentist know that due to my open-heart surgeries I should take antibiotics before any work.

I believe you will win your case. Dentists should know about procedures (without them being reminded) with heart patients and do not have any excuses in their defense.

I'm sorry to hear you had such problems and hope other potential 'idiots' act their profession or get out of the medical field.

Please let me know how things turn out and 'make the best of what you have NOW', don't give up, give it your all!

God Bless you and God Bless all

 

[LUVMyBirman]

if I am reading Rob's link correctly..... survival rate decreases as time goes on. Not sure I agree with that.

Was told passing the five year mark was a good indicator. Though, if your not taking care of yourself, i.e. watching your INR if Coumadin is used, taking antibiotics for invasive procedures and dental visits. It would be an obvious that odds will be lower.

Like the others, I don't dwell on it and live each an every day to the fullest. This coming from an individual that did her fare share of 'dwelling'.

I cut off pessimistic comments from people whom have not been there themselves and place a positive spin on my condition. It works wonders for the self-esteem.

It will be 4 years in March since my MVR!

 

[epstns]

Whatever happened to. . . ?

Whatever happened to. . . ?

Whatever happened to the comments (I'm not sure which study concluded this) that after AVR the patient's life expectancy was to live a normal life span? (I've paraphrased it, as I don't remember the source.)

In other words, some of the studies and docs say that if one has a bad valve replaced, they should live as long as they would have if the valve had not needed replacement.

Am I missing something here? (Don't scare me -- I scare easily. . .)

SteveE

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Steve,

When we meet on Saturday.....you will see first hand there is life after surgery. We all do plenty of it too. I am not going to sugar coat it. The road to recovery or the "climb to the top of that mountain' will be one of the most difficult tasks you will endure. Rest assured, there is plenty of living to do at the top. I have no restrictions whatsoever. My cardiologist condones a rigorous exercise program, which I swore would begin next week.. Restrictions may vary from person to person. So be sure to inquire.

Hang in there. There are a lot of knowledgeable individuals here on VR.com to help you along the way. Better yet, you will always have local folks for in person support. We will have you up walking the halls in no time flat.

See you this weekend
PS. Are you looking at a single or double valve replacement? Your profile indicated two valves. Perry and Lorraine from Chicago are both dual clickers! I was always told two valves. Turned out being the Mitral valve with trace Tircuspid. One valve replaced. Hey, maybe it's something in the water!

 

[Bunny_Rabbit]

Phil, I really hope 9 years isn't correct at all. I really do think that there have to be a lot of factors that come into play like age, weight, and activity level. If you're basing your own success on that study you read, thats probably not a very good idea. Everyone is different, and you can determine to a certain extent how long you're going to be successful with your new valve.

It's amazing what your mind can achieve.

Take Care.

 

[epstns]

Gina - Thanks for keeping me pointed the right direction. I'm not doubting the existance of a good life after replacement, I'm doubting the study (or studies) that seem to speak so negatively about it.

At the present time I'm not sure what's down my road. My initial echo report spoke of moderate to severe aortic stenosis with mild mitral regurgitation. My cardio simply said "the murmur is probably from the aortic valve." No surprise there! I have read in a couple of articles that sometimes minor mitral regurgitation is exacerbated by the extra internal pressure created by the LV pushing extra hard to overcome the resistance of the restricted aortic valve, and that once the restriction is removed, the regurg goes back to trace or minor. I'm sure we won't know until they actually get in there. I'm mentally preparing for anything, as once the decision is made to move ahead, one or two won't seem much different, I'll bet. Anyhow, I'm hugely thankful that at the present time I'm asymptomatic (other than that damn tired feeling that seems to come and go. . . ).

See Ya Saturday!

SteveE

 

[richie rich]

LA

VALVE REPLACEMENT IS PERFORMED OVER 80,000 TIMES A YEAR. THE MAJORITY OF THESE PEOPLE ARE IN THE 65-70 RANGE. SOME ARE OLDER ( THERE WAS A 87 YEAR OLD PATIENT IN THE WAITING ROOM THE DAY I MET MY SURGEON, SHE WAS 1 MONTH POST OP AND SEEMED FINE). SOME ARE YOUNGER ( LIKE ME 33 YEARS OLD ) AND SOME ARE REALLY YOUNG ( INFANTS AND TODDLERS ). IT IS IRONIC THAT THE INFANTS AND TODDLERS USUALLY OPT FOR THE ROSS PROCEDURE ( THE RISKIEST VR SURGERY ).

PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SURGERY LATER IN LIFE TEND TO HAVE OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS BESIDE THE CORRUPT VALVE. THIS AGE GROUP WILL ALSO HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SURGERY BEFORE ( 2ND AND 3RD VR SURGERIES). COMPLICATIONS SOMETIMES HAPPEN IN THIS AGE GROUP DUE TO RE-OP'S AND OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS. THIS IS WERE YOU HAVE THE PATIENTS WHO WIND UP DYING DOWN THE ROAD. WHY BECAUSE THEY ARE OLDER AND CLOSER TO THE LIFE EXPECTANCY RANGE.

SURGEONS DON' T REPLACE VALVES ON PEOPLE WHO DON'T NEED THEM. THE SURGERY IS PERFORMED TO SAVE PEOPLES LIVES. SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE TOO SICK AND THE SURGERY IS DONE TOO LATE. THE VALVE IS REPALCED SO A PATIENT DOESN'T GET CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE. THAT'S WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO DO THE SURGERY EARLIER RATHER THAN LATER. THE LONGER YOU WAIT THE MORE RISK YOU TAKE.

MARCO HANG IN THERE. I KNOW THAT YOU ARE HAVING SOME PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW BUT YOU HAVE TO REMAIN STRONG. LISTEN TO WHAT NANCY TELLS YOU. SHE AND HER HUSBAND ARE WARRIORS. DON'T WORRY ABOUT DYING JUST LIVE TODAY. YOU COULD GET INTO A CAR CRASH TOMORROW AND DIE. YOU COULD GET ON AN AIRPLANE AND IT EXPLODES. YOU CAN GO TO A RAIDER GAME AND GET SUCKED INTO THE BLACK HOLE OR YOU CAN DO WHAT ALL OF US ARE TYRING TO DO. LIVE OUR LIVES TO THE FULLEST. GOOD LUCK.

EPSTNS,
THE GOAL OF THE SURGERY IS SO THAT PEOPLE'S LIVES RETURN TO NORMAL. REPLACE THE VALVE BEFORE YOU GO INTO CHF IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. IF ANYTHING YOU SHOULD LIVE LONGER BECAUSE YOUR CORRUPT VALVE, IF NOT FIXED, WOULD EVENTUALLY LEAD YOU TO AN EARLIER DEATH.

 

[epstns]

Richie - Thanks for confirming the conclusion I came to (very) late last night. I am beginning to find peace in the fact that if I wasn't supposed to live a long life, He wouldn't have told me about my AS. He would have just let it run its course and taken me away sooner.

Again, thank you.

SteveE

 

[Nancy]

Ooh Richie-

I DO like what you said. It's all very true. I have strong feelings about positive feelings and willingness to take care of one's self. Instead of looking for obits on patients who have had valve surgery, we should all be looking at obits of people who DIDN't have the surgery when needed.

Many of Joe's classmates (he's 71 years old) who were healthy as horses most of their lives came down with heart problems later in life. Some of those people needed surgery and we found out later on that they knew they were not feeling well, and needed surgery, but either put it off or just never had it diagnosed. They were frightened about heart surgery. Sadly these wonderful folks are no longer with us. Some of them were jogging right up until the end, pushing themselves too hard with an impaired heart. One dear man just keeled over at a football game. He knew he needed surgery, but thought if he ignored it, it would go away. In the paper two days ago, there was an obit about a beautiful 57 year old woman who passed away from an aortic dissection which burst.

And here's my husband who's been battling with his heart since he was a young teenager. He's been through terrible things and when faced with surgery and other difficult treatments, he never flinches. He's scarred, and bloody sometimes, but not beaten. So far, he's still standing. I think he's a hero, and so are all of you.

So don't look for the bad things, look at the improvement this surgery has made in so many lives.

 

[wlaldridge]

Hooray for Nancy and Joe,

this guy here reflects their wonderful spirit:

 

[Nancy]

Love the cartoon. We have a frog pond in our front yard. Sometimes, birds do swoop down to take a look. I'm rooting for the frogs!

 

[joy]

I feel like I want to live life as it comes. I feel great and it is wonderful to be alive. I believe that I had this surgery to SAE my life so I could watch my kids grow up. I remember when I first found out about my heart disease, I met with the doctor, and asked what my life expectancy was. They didn't lie to me, they said that these days, technology is wonderful. She daid that if I got a mechanical valve, my valve would last until long after my kids got married and had kids of their own. That made me feel better. I didn't get the mechanical valve, but I am hoping that by they time I need another surgery, there will be other alternatives. In the meantime, Marco, just take your meds(it takes one minute out of your day) and live your life the way YOU want to live your life! Enjoy it!

 

[Scottie]

Hi LA Cruiser

Hi LA Cruiser

i just wanted to endorse the positive attitude that the others have talked about ...when I was a kid ..my parents were told that there was nothing anyone could do for my heart condition...they were told I might see three but I would never see five. My mother refused to give up and searched the country to find someone who would operate ....today I'm a 42 yr old mother of three healthy kids who give me much joy( and I was told I would never manage have children). I've never been one to listen to the gloom and doom merchants and although as others will testify here I can get as down as anyone ..my thoughts on life are to live life to the full.
My mother has had Alzheimers for 17 yrs ...she got it young...she has not recognised me for about 10yrs now...she is breathing ...but is hardly "living". We are sooo much luckier ..live your life young man , embrace it ,enjoy it and be thankful for it ...
Take care
Scottie