Mitral valve re-do

[Barbara Stewart]

I've been waiting to hear from my old friend's surgeon friend to decide what to do about my redo and today I heard. I think it means I'm going to go over to Houston (from San Antonio) for the surgery. It is starting to seem real and scary! My first one was so awful, severe infection, lung problems, CDiff, etc. and on top of all that I still haven't recovered and have to do it again. My first was just in May so the experience is still very fresh.
Has anyone heard of Howard (Bud) Frazier? He is the guy who is going to operate on me.
I'll keep you all up to date on the actual date.
THis all seems real to me now. I'm scared!
Barbara

 

[Cris N]

Barbara,
I'm sure you think you'll always be recovering from OHS, but hopefully this will be the end of it. Don't know anything about your selected surgeon so I can't help you with that. Is he with the THI?

Just think, by the time you're mostly recovered it'll be time for the beautiful wild flowers in the Hill Country and then Fiesta is just around the corner. You should be able to enjoy all that the area offers by then. Keep us posted about the date.

Cris

 

[geebee]

Barbara,

I have been through this 3 times now and I want you to know it doesn't get easier but it doesn't get harder. It IS survivable so try not to be so scared (yeah, easy to say).

I don't know anything about the surgeon but I do know about multiple surgeries and scar infections (had a seperate surgery to clear up a major infection after my last OHS). They had to open the entire scar back up and actually pull muscle up to clear away infected tissue. I still have a couple herniated areas from that surgery.

I bring this all up to let you know that I am now almost 11 years past that last surgery and doing very well. My life is normal and my valve is ticking away aided only by coumadin, inderal and lasix. Other than home testing, I go about my daily routine just like someone who has never had MVR.

Keep your hopes up, trust in God and your surgical team and you will be through this before you know it.

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Thank you

Thank you

Thanks for your post, Gina. You know, I'm more scared about the after the surgery part. I had a hideous infection after the first one and had to take vancomycin to finally clear it up. The whole thing is a nightmare. It's good to have your perspective and to know there is life after all this.
I can't promise I'll have someone post for me, but as soon as I can I will let everyone know about my progress.
Have a great week.
Barbara

 

[bvdr]

I can't promise I'll have someone post for me, but as soon as I can I will let everyone know about my progress.
Have a great week.
Barbara

Please do ask someone to post for you. Even when I don't join in on threads I still read them and have the person in my heart and prayers.

The type of infection you speak of doesn't happen often but it is a horrible complication. After one of our medical/cardiac doctors had bypass surgery he developed the same thing. He daily came into our ER for his IV meds and dressing changes. It went on for several weeks. I've had a few nightmarish experiences in my life but nothing to that degree. I hope all goes well for you this time.

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Posting during surgery

Posting during surgery

I will try to get my son or daughter to post while I'm out. It is so good to know that y'all care and will be praying for me.
Barbara

 

[geebee]

Oh yeah - baby!

Oh yeah - baby!

I will try to get my son or daughter to post while I'm out. It is so good to know that y'all care and will be praying for me.
Barbara

From your first post you became family and we will worry if we don't hear. Even a short, "She's OK, will post more later", is enough.

 

[catwoman]

Barbara:

What hospital will you be at? Houston has quite a few excellent hospitals for OHS.
I'm sorry you're going through a 2nd replacement so soon. When I was having my first INR after leaving Baylor, another Coumadin patient, a retired man, told me he had had a resurgery 45 days after his first VR, due to an infection. When I saw him, he was 5-6 months post-op and looked very good. Dunno what type of valves were involved (tissue or mechanical valve). My chest hurt even more when he mentioned 2 OHS 6 weeks apart.

I'll be praying for an uncomplicated, boring recovery and that you are better than new once you sail through the recuperation period.

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Thanks

Thanks

Catwoman,
I get the feeling you like cats. Well so do I. I have 3, which is really too many, but they're like children. What are you gonna do, throw them out? Cats know who the good people are.
Anyway, thanks for the good wishes. The sore chest was the least of what I went through the last surgery. If I can come out of this without an infection, I will consider it a success.
I've asked my husband to post a message for me after the surgery, but no promises.
I'll let you know personally how I am as soon as I can.
Thanks again.
Barbara

 

[Barbara Stewart]

You guys are terrific

You guys are terrific

I just re-read the most recent posts from y'all. It really touched me! You are all terrific and I wish I'd found this site before my first surgery, but thank God I found you now.
I just needed to tell you how much your posts to me mean.
Love,
Barbara

 

[Debrinha GT]

The latest on Brabara

The latest on Brabara

You all must be wondering why I'm the one writing about her, but well, Barbara and I have also been exchanging messages outside of VR and here's what she wrote to me last night just before going to bed: I'll let you know if I hear anything new!

I'm up late because tomorrow (I guess it's actually today) we are headed to Houston to meet with the doctors at the Texas Heart Institute and then the plan is to have my surgery the following day. I guess I'm quite nervous.
My husband wants to post for me while I'm in the hospital so I guess I'll talk to you after.
Barbara

 

[catwoman]

Debora:

I'll be waiting to hear good news about Barbara's surgery.
Most OHS patients don't develop infections, so let's hope that she falls into that category this time!