Monday afternoon with Dr Gillinov!

[Michelle D]

So I'm hanging around at the Cleveland clinic. I'm stable but with my Monday surgery I'm stuck here. I talk to Gillinov and as long as my arteries and veins are big enough I probably can be repaired robotically. If not at least minimally invasive and he also found a leak in my tricuspid valve. I told him to take care of it if it seems to need repair when he gets in there. I've decided for backup if I need a replacement I'll go with biological. He said within a few years they'll be replacing valves without surgery. I already was against coumadin and the mechanical valve. Well I'm not as nervous as I feel I should be and I'm glad I only have two more nights to get through.

 

[pat45750]

Hi Michelle

Glad to hear you are hearing your options and being taken care of. Were you in Florida when they flew you to Cleveland Clinic? I just was wondering how they did it. My ex was life flighted by helicopter, but that was only a 45 minute flight. So I wondered how they got you to Clevealnd. I am taking it easy and still hope to drive up. Will be at the Cleveland Clinic for my pre testing on Aug 5 & 6 I am sure you will be fixed up and home by then. Take it easy. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Pat

 

[DebbyA]

It's good you're being looked after so well. After what you've been through, a weekend in the clinic should be a relief.

Best wishes for a successful surgery and smooth recovery!

 

[Michelle D]

They flew me and my husband up on a jet with two medics on board. The only thing I wish they'd let me take a shower and leave and come back Monday. I've been stable and they don't have me scheduled for tests until Monday morning. I've already had quite a few. I just want to get out so that I can sleep. I'm beyond exhausted, they wake me up to draw blood, get my blood pressure, give me my meds, etc etc. And the food is awful. Sorry I'm just cranky and need sleep and real food.

 

[Lynlw]

I'm so relieved you are at CFF and are having your surgery sooner. You will be going into it in much better shape than if you waited a few more weeks while you were having problems breathing and with all the extra fluid that could have also been damaging your other organs.. Not all the time of course, but for the most part the better shape you are in going into surgery, the better your chances are of a good outcome quicker recovery.
I'm not really sure why they aren't letting you shower there, I'm sure you would feel so much better. I would ask again.
I've heard very good things about Dr Gilinov, you are in good hands.

 

[Lily]

They'll likely have you take a very thorough and complete shower and shampoo with an antibacterial soap the night before your surgery. I found it very rough getting a comb through my hair afterward but that soap does its job very well.

I was late in reading your earlier thread but it reminded me of a few nights when my old valve was just sloshing and slogging before valve replacement when I sincerely didn't know if I would wake up in the morning. And I didn't have to struggle with the awful chf you were describing either. You certainly have my empathy.

One more thing I wanted to mention, since you mentioned your other valve leaking, is that before my surgery it looked as if my mitral valve might need work too but after the excellent surgeon replaced my wasted bicuspid valve, he did a TEE while I was still under, and my mitral valve happily didn't need work afterall.

Best wishes to you. You'll hopefully be feeling much better very soon

 

[pat45750]

Yes, they never leave you alone in the hospital. Always something to bug you. When I was in for 4 days a few weeks ago, I think they did something every 2 hours - all night and all day. You never seem to be able to sleep in the hospital. Just nap inbetween the interruptions.

Good Luck. I will watch for your posts. Have your husband get you something from the outside to eat.

Pat

 

[Angel]

Blessings to you Michelle!! Our thoughts and prayers are right there with you. At least you're in good hands! Hands that will not let you get enough rest, true, but you're being watched and monitored very closely. Don't worry, after your surgery, if it's anything like mine, you'll be getting a lot of sleep, even if they do come in to disturb you, with all the meds, etc. in me, I just went right on back to sleep, sometimes even as they were talking to me!! lol. You'll be just fine. Will be glad when Monday's over for you!! Take care and rest as much as you possibly can, anyway!

 

[Ross]

He said within a few years they'll be replacing valves without surgery.

I pray he's right, but I have big doubts about that.

 

[Superbob]

Yep, been there, done that -- blood draws in the hospital at 4 a.m. They mess with you a lot but have to learn the art of taking good cat naps to get your rest. My very best wishes to you, Michelle...