mvr surgery

[Ed B.]

This is my first time posting. I am meeting with the surgeon at Brigham & Woman's on the 6th. to discuss replacing my mitral valve. They did a repair in 98 but I'm back up to a 4-5 regurge so things are due to happen soon. They tell me that in my case the odds are not in my favor so my kids are having a difficult time dealing with this surgery. It's not easy wearing a stiff upper lip for everyone. I am at an impass .

 

[Nancy]

Hi Ed-

Welcome to this terrific site. Could you elaborate on why your doctor said the odds are not in your favor--did he mean that if you didn't have this surgery the odds were not in your favor, or if you had this surgery the odds were not in your favor? I'm confused.

My husband Joe has had 3 valve surgeries, 2 lung surgeries, has a pacemaker, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, chronic afib, congestive heart failure, sluggish kidney function and is in the advanced stages of a lot of things, has almost passed away several times, takes 14 or more pills a day, sometimes more than once, but he's still here and chugging along at his own speed, but still doing and going.

I'm a firm believer that you should never give in and NEVER give up. Wait until you have your discussion with the surgeon about things being in your favor, etc.

Valve surgery is so highly perfected. The surgeons operate on all kinds of folks with very severe heart problems, they know how to handle these kinds of things. You are going to an excellent hospital, my guess is that your surgeon will tell you that all can be handled and that he knows how to do it so you will be safe.

This site has many, many people who can tell you just about the same things some with worse problems than Joe, some with fewer. You'll get lots of answers I'm sure.

So Ed, you're among friends who've been there and done that. You're going to be OK.

Stay with us, we'll help you get through the stressful time until you have your surgery.

Best wishes, and God bless.

 

[Chevy man]

Hi Ed! Welcome to VR.com.

I am also new to this site and waiting to have a pulmonary valve replacement on November 13th. You will soon find that the people on this site are the most caring and supportive people you will find anywhere. Reading the posts of others and the replies I have received has helped me deal with the many different feelings and concerns as I await surgery.

I am sure that everything will turn out just fine for you in the end. Keep us informed as things progress and please do lean on us as much as needed. Believe me it helps!

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Ed

Hi Ed

Just read your user profile..you are 12 years younger than me.. I had my VR 18 months ago and my grandson cannot keep up with me. One of our members just had his VR at B/W in Boston. Read his update on post-surgery or e-mail him..He is one of the nicest people on VR.com..and I believe about my age.......Stay with us..ask many questions.. Oh, the member is Mamsram.....from N.H......Bonnie

 

[Granbonny]

Ed

Ed

If you want to e-mail any member..go to top of forum..click on members..then their name..like mine would be under the G's..and Mamsram under the M's..click on their name and their e-mail will be on their user profile. Bonnie

 

[medtronic of borg]

long life

long life

my parents were told I would prob. die with a couple days of being born, then at age 5, then i recieved my last rights at age 11, then was told i prob. would not see 18, then they began scraching there heads. now they say say i have no longer then ten years. Do i believe that not realy. I think that is the one thing drs realy not vwery good at. you just set yourself a goal way beyound that of which they have chosen. I for a long time wanted to see my 100 birthday. Now that I am alittle more realistic (age does that) I hope to see 60.

Medtronic

ps my second open heart in 1969...had no stats to go by. Years later there was ...they calculated surviving that surgery at 1:18,000.

 

[Ross]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Without knowing very much about you or your case, it's hard to elaborate about what was said to you. I can tell you about myself. I've been through 2 surgeries now with latest being an aortic valve replacement. On this latest round, I was given only 45% chance of recovery. I have a long history of Pulmonary disease along with the heart problems. I've learned one thing---Never listen to percentages!

The last surgery was very difficult for me and I did have some major problems, but it wasn't from the valve replacement, it was from the lung disease, some additional surgery that was done at the same time, and I acquired a Staph infection from an I.V. line in the hospital. All of those combined is what nearly took me. Guess what? I'M STILL HERE!!!!!

There is hope, so don't let those naysaying numbers play with your mind!

 

[bvdr]

Hi Ed,

Welcome to the forum. Sometimes it may be better to forget about keeping a stiff upper lip and let your family and others around you have the chance to show you how much they care for you.

I see by your profile that you have had a couple of heart attacks and bypass surgery in the past. Was the damage to your mitral valve a result of the heart attacks? I'm sorry you are having yet another challenge with your heart but as you've already read in other posts, people survive sometimes against incredible odds. The human spirit is remarkably strong, and I am a firm believer in the power of prayer as well.

Again welcome to this site and I hope you make yourself right at home here.

 

[KathyH]

Hi Ed,

Welcome to VR site! Sorry to hear about your valve problem. Are you going to see the same surgeon that you had before? It's great that you are going to one of the top heart centers in the country, I'm sure that they can fix you up. Keep up your spirits and check out all the postings on this site. Good Luck at your appt and keep us posted.
Kathy H.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome Ed,
As you're starting to see, there are a lot of stories here of people who were not given a lot of encouraging news on their potential outcomes and are still around to say "SEE!".

I had my mitral valve replaced 12 years ago and was told to not expect too much improvement from how I felt before the surgery. They were wrong. My life has significantly improved.

Keep posting, let us help you stay positive and be sure and make us of all the knowledge that is found on this site.

Best wishes,
Karlynn