Looking for SE Michigan surgeon for Mom

[EsmereldaPea]

Hi - Have been doing a bit of research for valve replacement for my mother, who is 78. Rheumatic heart, (MVP, CHF, moderate COPD) and now they are recommending surgery. She has an appopintment with Dr. Steven Bolling at U-M, and we go to see my mother's clinical cardiologist tomorrow. Would like to have other options in hand when we talk to him tomorrow so he can make recommendations. Providence Hospital and Beaumont are supposed to be very good as well, but have been unable to find out much on Beaumont's site re: special skills and interests of individual surgeons.

Can anyone share their experiences with Bolling or anyone else in MI. I did a search of "Bolling" and read sheylathomas' brief recommendation, as well as Christian's experience with him, and Polcat's experience (would like to hear more from you, BTW).

Anyone who can post today or tomorrow morning would be much appreciated, so I can do a bit of research before her cardiologist's appt tomorrow at 11.

Esme

P.S. One of the reasons I am leaning towards Dr. Bolling is b/c of his affiliation with U-M and the fact that I myself had a very complicated surgery (not heart-related) there last summer and the care was outstanding! Of course, the decision is ultimately my mother's.

 

[Rich]

Hi Esme,
I had my AVR at Beaumont in Royal Oak.
It is the best heart hospital in Michigan.
They have done more heart surgeries than anyone including U of M and the Cleveland Clinic.
Since we are originally from Cleveland it would have been no problem to go there, since we have relatives who we could have stayed with.
But after doing some research and getting good recommendations from friends who had been there and done that, I decided Beaumont was the place for me.
And it was believe me.
The surgical team I was sent to by my cardiologist is known as the Basset team, the very best heart surgeons around here.
They are located in Troy, Mi.
I don't know where you live but if you want you can e-mail me or send me a PM.
I would be glad to help.
Location is a factor for the family who must travel to the hospital daily.
Rich

 

[twoboysdad]

If you are interested in the Toledo Ohio Area, which is near SE michigan. I can give you the name of a GREAT surgeon. PM me for more details.

Good luck

Jeff

 

[Mary]

Adonis,
I have to ask; how do you possess so much knowledge about surgeons when you work as a high school guidance counselor? You post as though you have personal experience. Do you?
Reading literature that your cardiologist gives you is one thing, but your expertise now seems to all encompassing.
What gives?
Mary

 

[Mary]

Actually,
It just raises more

 

[EsmereldaPea]

Thanks, everyone - I'll check out the Bassett team at Beaumont as well, although Troy is a bit far for all of the family. Royal Oak might be OK, if they work out of there as well.

Wish us luck!!!

Esme

 

[Rich]

Esme,
I didn't mean to confuse you.
The Basset team only works out of Beaumont Royal Oak.
Their office is in Troy on Big Beaver(16 mile rd) just west of Crooks on the south side of the street.
If you want more info on this group I will try to help.
Rich

 

[EsmereldaPea]

Just to update - my mom's cardiologist stated that Dr. Bolling was THE best for mitral valve repair, but that the doc he works with (I thought he said he was part of the Bassett team/group) - Dr. Robinson (can't think of his first name right now) and Dr. Bolling are on the same par for replacement. Plus, my mother will get the added benefit of having her regular docs keep an eye on her. Can't argue with that, I guess, and that's what she's comfortable with. Interestingly enough, Dr. Robinson and team work out of Providence.

The doc wanted her to get her cath in 2-3 weeks, but she's frightened and put it off until the end of February (6 weeks). I hope that's not a mistake.

Esme <<---just a little worry-wart

 

[Rich]

There is a Phillip Robinson on the Basset team
Incidently they are well known as the Basset team, but the actual name is Southeast Michigan Cardiac Surgeons.

 

[EsmereldaPea]

Thanks. Rich - that's probably who it is. Should I be concerned that she put off her heart cath for 6 weeks when the doc recommended 2-3?

Esme

 

[Rich]

I would be a little concerned, particulary if she is having problems.
A lot of doctors still feel a cath is the way to really see what is going on.
Why did she put it off so long?
It'sa fairly simple procedure these days, especially when using the collagen plug afterwards. It now takes a whole lot less time before you can go home.
When I had mine done in '96 I was in the hospital flat on my back for almost twelve hours. Nowadays that time is cut in half at the least.
If you need any more info just let me know.
Rich

 

[EsmereldaPea]

She says she is more scared of the cath than of the Open Heart Surgery - I guess some people she knows have had problems. Or maybe it's because after the cath, they will make a definite decision about surgery.

Her reasoning is that she has a lot of congestion (sinus) in Jan and Feb (they're her "worst months"). Both her PCP and cardiologist have said they want to do something before she has a heart attack. She still has congestion in her lungs from the last bout with CHF which hospitalized her (beg of December).

She also needs some dental work done before surgery (has some infection, probably). Maybe I'm just worrying too much. Pushing her will upset her.

Esme

 

[Rich]

Esme,
Usaully caths are fairly simple and painless but things can go wrong.
My wife had one done a few years ago.
When the doctor went to push in the collagen plug after the cath was done,
he had a little trouble getting it in and pushed too hard.
Twenty minutes later her leg was turning blue, he had totally blocked the artery. They took her to surgery right away to repair the damaged artery.
Fortunately all went well but instead of going home she had to spend the night and part of the next day in the hospital.
So things can go wrong but not very often.
I get a lot of that congestion this time of year also, I guess that wouldn't be a good thing facing surgery. You don't want your lungs to get fluid in them at that time.
It sounds like only the doctors can determine just how soon she needs to go thru all this.
Does she get pre-medicated for dentist visits?
If she has any dental infections now would be the time to try and clear that up.
Hang in there, it's no picnic but she is lucky to have you in her corner.
Rich

 

[EsmereldaPea]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I REALLY appreciate them! As for pre-medication for dentist's visits, I am aware that she needs to have a prophylactic antibiotic b/c of her medical conditions. She has not been to the dentist in too many years, hence the need for aggressive care. I have been trying to get her to get her teeth taken care of for years - dentist phobia, maybe? I am aware that infection and plaque can actually worsen a heart condition or even create one where there was none before. But, she is a pretty stubborn ole gal and still thinks that cigarettes do NOT cause cancer. <sigh> She's actually quite intelligent in most ways, just in denial about certain things, I think.

Thanks again, and I'll let you know how things progress. I just pray that she is a surgical candidate, as her deterioration over the last year and a half has been pretty significant.

Esme

 

[Rich]

Hi Esme,
You are welcome, that is what this forum is for.
With all the great people here who have a wealth of experience, it's the right place to go for help.
I thought I might mention her dental problems, it would be nice to clear some of that up now if possible. That is just in case she ends up using Coumadin.
It would be a little easier now then later if that happens.
As far as smoking goes who knows.
Our youngest daughter's nieghbor is in her 80's and is a heavy smoker.
Last year she had quintuple by-pass surgery and breezed thru it and she still smokes to this day!!
You wouldn't even suspect she ever had any problems.
Personally I feel it is just something my generation and those before me did, because everyone you looked up to smoked.
Parents, grandparents, movie stars, politicians,war heros, you name it.
Just be sure she quits at least 30 days or more before any surgery, I don't think any surgeon will operate unless that happens.

Rich

 

[EsmereldaPea]

She's been on Coumadin for years, and she knows that she needs to stop it 4 days before her cath. They might ask her to stop it before any dental surgery as well, I would imagine. As for smoking, well, she says she has stopped, but she's said that before and I've found ashtrays in the house while cleaning. I've given up on that struggle.

Esme