I would like to introduce myself

[LoriZee]

Hello,
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Lorraine, or Lori either will be fine.
I came across this board, and found it just my cup of tea..

I am a CHF patient, and had Rheumatic Fevers as a child.
I had three open heart surgeries. The last one in 1993 was to replace the Aortic, Mitral, and a ring around the Tricuspid.

I have been in and out of hospitals, for CHF...when it happens as you all know, I cannot breathe very well..

Now, I received news last week, my doctor says my Mitral Valve is leaking...Enough is enough I thought. He wants to observe me very closely, mentioning to me that they can now do surgery by an incision on the side...Less invasive, but a longer time for surgery...I need to know this...noooo..

I will see him this week, and see what his thoughts are. I mentioned I cannot go through a fourth one...Not for the pain, I guess I can endure it with medication...It's the emotional wreck my family goes through...as I am sure you all have been through the emotional part.


__________________
LoriZee



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[Ross]

Hello and thanks for the introduction Lorraine. We are starting to collect quite a few Lorraines in here.

You've been through the wringer, so I can understand where your coming from. They can do the surgery through the side, though I'm not too sure that I'd want it that way. Might just be my old school thinking I guess. I'll let the others that have had it done reply to this one.

Welcome aboard!

 

[LoriZee]

Hello Ross and Board

Hello Ross and Board

Russ,
Believe me I am having a hard time accepting a fourth operation.

I've been told that they cannot open your chest a fourth time, so that is the reason to go that way.

It's a fairly new procedure (I think) lol
The hospital is a teaching hospital and I have a lot of trust in the surgeons and doctors.

I live in NJ, but refuse to go to these hospitals. So...I had the last one done in Presbyterian Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
Presbyterian is under the umbrella of University of Pennsylvania, where they do heart transplants....

Thanks for the welcome again...

Lorraine

 

[SJJ]

Hi Lori. I'm new to this group as well. You certainly are a strong gal to have come this far already. Please let us carry you a little as you face this fourth surgery and let your family know that we're here for them as well. Just wanted you to know you have one more person holding her hand out to you. Let us know what the doc says.
Sue

 

[LoriZee]

Thanks SJJ

Thanks SJJ

Thanks for the welcome....and welcome to you.

Everyone is so nice on these boards. I am happy I found it.

As far as the fourth surgery, I'm contemplating for awhile. The doc said he will keep a close watch on me...

In fact I was just informed that he was just in a car accident...
His car was totaled. I am assuming he is ok...he will probably feel it tomorrow. His critical care nurse will let me know tomorrow, because I have an appointment Wednesday.

I pray for him...he is an excellent doctor.

Lorraine

 

[Nancy]

Hi Lori-

Joe had his mitral repair through the side with the HeartPort method. This was used because he had had two sternum surgeries already. Joe found the recovery from this method to be much easier and less painful.

We have a friend of the family who had a tumor inside her heart removed the same way by the same surgeon. She did beautifully and was very pleased with her incision which is under her breast.

There are a couple of incisions involved with HeartPort, under the breast, some access areas through the side for instruments, and an incision in the groin.

The best part is that there is no bone healing. The ribs are spread apart for access.

Our member Mamsram also had his recent surgery using this method and his recovery was lightning fast.

 

[LoriZee]

Hi Nancy

Hi Nancy

Yes, I heard the surgery was less invasive. I also heard the surgery takes longer ......

How soon after did your husban recuperate. My valve surgery, I was weak for about a month.....Then I started to feel much better.

Thanks for all this info. It is coming in handy. )))

Lorraine

 

[Nancy]

Well, it does take a longer time to set this kind of surgery up. They have to thread a catheter slowly from the groin to the heart, and they have to position the instruments through the various access sites. None of this could be done swiftly. I think it takes a little time to get things back out and everything sutured up. Joe's surgeon thought he had a good view of the heart.

They still are operating on your heart, so you will still be fatigued for a while. But not having the bone pain has got to be a real plus.