Surgery in 87 year old this Monday- Help Please!

[terry_scott]

Hi:

I joined the forum about a year ago to get more info for our daughter who has a bicuspid aortic valve-- she is doing fine (mild to moderate leakage) with no immediate indication for surgery. But- we just found out that my mother-in-law will be having OHS to replace her aortic valve on Monday. (She started experiencing difficulty breathing last weekend and after many tests it was determined the cause is stenosis of the aortic valve.) We are very worried-- she is 87 years old but in good health for her age-- still lives alone, does her own shopping and cooking, still drives, etc. The docs seem to feel that she's strong enough to make it through the surgery. I'm just looking for some feedback from any on this forum who have dealt with valve replacement in an elderly patient-- any advice or input would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Terry

 

[Granbonny]

Terry

Terry

My age 85 year old Aunt had OHS.around the same time I had my surgery..hers was not valve related..but still OHS...and she did great..However she did have a son that lived with her full-time.....so ..I am sure she will do great with the surgery..but probably need full-time help for at least a year...Many post doctor appointments, help with her meds,food , ect..She will be too weak to cook, ect..You sound like a nice D/I/l..so I am sure she will do fine. Bonnie

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hello Terry,

Probably the biggest risk for elderly patients is 'other medical complications / risk factors'. Since she is in otherwise good health, that is a Big Help to a Successful Surgery.

It would be good if someone could stay with her for the first 2 weeks at home. It would also be good if someone could 'keep an eye on things' at the hospital to make sure she is given the Right Medications in the Right Dose at the Right Time, etc. (Keep a Log).

One of our most successful Elderly Surgery Survivors is Marty who had his surgery in his 70's and still works half-time as a Radiologist (M.D.) when not on the Golf Course. Hopefully he will respond to your request for information.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Lynlw]

Hi Terry, I can't help, since my mom was younger when she had her surgery and so far they are just watching my dad and hopefully the meds will keep him OR free, but wanted to say Hi and nice seeing you, even tho it isn't for the best reasons, Lyn

 

[Adrienne]

I had an aunt who had aortic valve replacement at about the same age (late 80's) and she did very well. She died at 95 from something else.

 

[Karlynn]

A dear friend of mine at church had her aortic valve replaced about 8 months ago. She is 85. She is doing well now. Her recovery was a bit slow, but she's doing fine. (Her husband of 1 year , had his knee replaced at the same time and they shared a hospital room.)

 

[Bina]

Two of my male room mates in hospital were in their 70's....they did great and went home to lovely wives willing to pamper them

 

[WayneGM]

When I had my OHS at 51, I was the "youngster" in the step-up ward. Other than one really elderly person who had severe medical problems beyond the heart, we all enjoyed recovery together walking in the atrium. It sounds likes your MIL is in good shape so I bet she'll do fine. My best wishes are heading out to her, and to your family.

 

[dot4toto]

My Grandma needed AVR she was 89yrs old...She lived outside NY city and my Mom's a nurse. The reason I mention my Mother is because she did all the talking with the doctors about what could be done for my Granny. She went to Columbia Hospital in the city, these doctors were good. The doctors said the surgery was too much for her.She was to weak and BTW she'd had 18 children in her life time. Yes I said 18. She was tired and her heart even more so.
I don't think your mother-in-laws doctors would do it if they didn't think there was a very good chance things would be ok. She must be a strong lady.

Wishing the very best for her... she's blessed to have family that cares and loves her.

 

[marshameesha]

I don't have any personal experience to give you but I was concerned that if my husband had a tissue AVR at age 64, he might end up at at 85(given current longevity estimates) and need another AVR. Our surgeon said he has done successful valve replacements in 90 year old patients. Normally I would be skeptical, but this surgeon has a track record of being very direct about risk/benefit, outcome, etc.. My husband had a stroke prior to his AVR, and even though the stroke was caused by the AV stenosis, the surgeon felt that waiting 6 months for the AVR was still worth the risk. So if you trust the surgeon, then I would consider than he has weighed risk/benefit issues and has given thoughtful advice. A factor would be that if you know she will need one eventually, and you wait until her condition is worse she will be even older. I would suggest someone try and be available to "oversee" how things go in the hospital during recovery and for encouragement. Especially if she is a "private" and independent person. I found that my husband was much more content and comfortable if I helped him with things like the urinal, personal care, initial walking with assistance, etc. than if he had to rely on nursing staff for some of these things. This does depend on the person, and the type of care needed, however. Let us know how things go. I will be looking for news since I may be facing this same thing with my husband.

 

[Mary Jo]

Iam 79, live alone and under went OHS to repair the mitral valve and LAD bypass on July 24th. Do have your MIL take advantage of the services Medicare offers.
From the hospital I went directly to a nursing/rehab center for 19 days where I recieved both OT and PT. Medicare covered the cost except for the $15 per day for private room which I requested.
After I went home a home health nurse visited 3 times a week to check vital signs and draw blood.
Currently I am enrolled in a 12 week cardic rehab program where we exercise three time a week, all at the expence of Medicare.

The biggest surprize of OHS was how completely pain free it has been. No pain killers have been needed since leaving the hospital.

I wish the same for your MIL.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Mary Jo,

THANK YOU for writing such an encouraging and inspiring account of your surgery at age 79. This should give HOPE and Confidence to any elder patient facing Valve Replacement Surgery!

Let us hear from you more often.
I'm sure you have a lot to tell and you tell it well!

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Marguerite53]

My father was in his late 70's when he had a triple-by-pass. I was crazy busy with 3 little ones and working on a Master's degree, so when they released him from the hospital we did have him go into a nursing type facility for 10 days before I brought him to my house for a week. After that, his brother flew in for a week and then he was fine on his own. Physically, now, he is in GREAT shape at 87. Unfortunately, he has dementia and that has affected his quality of life. Even so, I'm very glad that he's still with us!!

One thing; for the first day or two he was wildly confused by all the medicines they used during the surgery. It was comical. Do not be alarmed by it.....it goes away as the effect of the meds wear off. I think it affects the elderly more significantly.

I'm sure you have set up something to assist her her during her potentially long recovery (several weeks at the least).

Good luck.

Marguerite

 

[terry_scott]

Thanks for the replies

Thanks for the replies

Hi:

Just wanted to say thanks to all for the replies and encouragement. The surgery will be at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, CA (near San Diego). My MIL is definitely a spunky lady-- her granddaughter is taking her today to get her hair done because she didn't want to miss her regular appt ! She will have lots of support-- one of her great-granddaughters is in training as a nurse in the same hospital where she'll have the surgery. Someone will be available to stay with my MIL in the hospital and her granddaughter is planning to stay at home with her however long it is needed (we live in L.A. but the granddaughter lives in the same town as my MIL). And, fortunately or unfortunately, this is not our family's first experience with heart surgery. The granddaugher who will be most involved in caring for my MIL herself has a 3 year old granddaughter who was born with complex CHD's and earlier this year had her third OHS (Fontan) and subsequently had a pacemaker put in. My husband and I also have a 16 year old daughter who was born with CHD's and had heart surgery as a baby (she has a BAV and may be facing AVR herself at some point in her life)... and my Dad, who is 82 now, had heart bypass surgery at 65 and then a long hospitalization and surgery at age 75 to remove his entire pericardium due to problems with excess scar tissue.... so she'll be in good hands. I'll update next week when I can. We appreciate all the good thoughts and prayers.

BTW-- Hi Lyn!!!!

Terry