Surgery Date

[roundsgirl]

Well, I got my clerance from the dentist today and by late afternoon the surgeons office called me with the date Jan.3 exactly one week from today.
You know I had posted earlier about calling and asking what kind of valve Dr.G was planning on using, he was in emergency surgery until late, so I didn't actually get to speak with him, but he did request that I come by and talk with him Wed. after all my pre-testing is done, so we can discuss the valve and also my diverticulitis. The receptionist said he wanted to answer any questions that I may have an discuss it some more, but she did tell me that they sometimes use the Medtronic valve, but she would not say for sure that was his plan with me, because as I said he was in surgery and she didn't get to ask him, but when she called back she said, if I had questions he wanted to see me Wed., you know that in itself made me feel pretty good about the man. He knows I'm scared to death and wants to address any concerns that I have, so I'm guessing this would be the time to bring up the valve Al was talking about huh? I also called my GI doctor and he talked with me for a while, he said he felt it would be the safest option for me to go ahead with the surgery and get the mechanical valve. That made me feel a little better, because I do trust my GI doctor, after all he has been places no man has been before, although I always told him he should have paid me instead of the other way around. You gotta love it!!! Laugh to keep from crying. I'm just now posting because when I got that actual surgery date, wow what a headace, so I had to knock myself out for a while, it still hurts, but it is better now. I'm thinking wow, they are moving fast....I'm not use to that so I think that is also making me more nervous than I already am.

You know I told you I had my brother on the job of asking around about the doctor, he went to the ICU heart center as quized the head nurse along with a few others, he said they said the doctor was excellent and that they would let him operate on them without a second thought. But then I think what would they say, working with him and all. So he gets a couple of names of people who also work at the hosptial that was operated on by Dr.G, and all of them said (3) total they would go back to him if they needed more surgery.

I just wanted to let everyone know the date is one week from today, what will I do this week to keep myself sane???????

Thanks again for ALL the input and suggestions that you all gave me. Like I said when I find out which valve it will be I will let you all know.

Sincerely,
Roundsgirl,
Lisa

 

[Praline]

Good luck... I will be looking for a post from this side of the mountain.

 

[georgi]

Wish I lived close by. I would be there to help you through this. You have some new friends here that really truly care.Trust in God and get the support from us and the fam!!
georgi

 

[Phyllis]

Lisa, I put you on the calendar for January 3rd. I am glad that it is so close in time- less time to angst and I know you will be fine. We will be here to help you over the mountain and look forward to your complete and uneventful recovery.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Lisa,

Assuming you are interested in using an On-X Valve, if you bring that up in your Wednesday meeting with the surgeon, I'm concerned that there may not be enough time for On-X to get Valves to him and to educate him on the sizing and implanting techniques which are somewhat different than for the older mechanical valves.

I'd be concerned if his recommendation is for a Medtronics Single Leaflet Valve. That single leaflet (remember, like a toilet seat lid) introduces considerable Turbulence into the output and turbulence has been reported as a major contributor to Clot Formation in Mechanical Valves.

Personally, I would want to resolve the Valve Choice Issue before agreeing to go into surgery.

Bottom Line: ALL of the Second Generation Mechanical Valves (ATS, Carbomedics, Medtronic-Hall, and St. Jude) have a GREATER (up to 2X) propensity for Clot Formation than the third generation On-X Valve. (There is another 3rd generation valve from a different manufacturer but it has had some failures in the O.R.)

'AL Capshaw'