Reddog
Well-known member
Just a short note, since this isn't the most ergonomic laptop situation for someone with recent heart surgery (will fix that soon).
On Thursday June 11th at 5:15am, I entered Stanford Medical Center for a valve sparing aortic replacement. After various preps (shaving, IV, etc...) the surgery began around 7am. Dr. Craig Miller was my fantastic surgeon, and he replaced my ascending aorta and aortic arch, spared my otherwise functioning well bicuspid aortic valve (which was my first choice), and sewed up a few holes that they found between my atria (by a TEE that was done while I was under for surgery... surprise!).
Dr. Miller did a brilliant job and was finished by 7pm. (I don't know how surgeons can work for 12 hours. I know that were other things going on, like multiple anesthesiologists and other cardiac surgeon support in the room - but still it is quite amazing. Can't say enough positive things about the surgeons, other doctors, and nurses at Stanford Medical Center. I'm now staying at a local hotel until Dr. Miller gives me permission to leave the state in about a week.
A few random details:
My aneurism measured 5.4cm in the rising aorta prior to surgery. Dr. Miller told me that I was wise to have the surgery done, as the quality of the aortic tissue indicated that it wasn't going to hold much longer. (Another of the many examples that suggest people be proactive with this condition!).
Generally I'm doing very well, was up and about walking around the ward much faster than usual, though there was about 1.5 days of surprising grogginess in the ICU.
I'm very happy with the procedure, but simultaneously can understand why people don't want to go through this multiple times!
Red
On Thursday June 11th at 5:15am, I entered Stanford Medical Center for a valve sparing aortic replacement. After various preps (shaving, IV, etc...) the surgery began around 7am. Dr. Craig Miller was my fantastic surgeon, and he replaced my ascending aorta and aortic arch, spared my otherwise functioning well bicuspid aortic valve (which was my first choice), and sewed up a few holes that they found between my atria (by a TEE that was done while I was under for surgery... surprise!).
Dr. Miller did a brilliant job and was finished by 7pm. (I don't know how surgeons can work for 12 hours. I know that were other things going on, like multiple anesthesiologists and other cardiac surgeon support in the room - but still it is quite amazing. Can't say enough positive things about the surgeons, other doctors, and nurses at Stanford Medical Center. I'm now staying at a local hotel until Dr. Miller gives me permission to leave the state in about a week.
A few random details:
My aneurism measured 5.4cm in the rising aorta prior to surgery. Dr. Miller told me that I was wise to have the surgery done, as the quality of the aortic tissue indicated that it wasn't going to hold much longer. (Another of the many examples that suggest people be proactive with this condition!).
Generally I'm doing very well, was up and about walking around the ward much faster than usual, though there was about 1.5 days of surprising grogginess in the ICU.
I'm very happy with the procedure, but simultaneously can understand why people don't want to go through this multiple times!
Red
I told you,you were in good hands there. So glad to hear your on your road to a smooth recovery. 
