Type of Incision

[lemdonuts]

Andrea thanks for the advice about the bra and then maybe things wouldn't be so bad -- you cooked dinner wow -- I've cooked up a storm and fzore it so that all I had to do was microwave. I'm going to miss my swimming don't like to walk plus without being able to drive will only be able to walk in the garden which will look nice with my beautiful flowers that i have planted.
I know with my appendix I was in the hospital for 2 weeks and them home for a week appr 3 weeks before I felt at least like a person so maybe this might not be so bad

Thanks again i will probably call or email next Wednesday if I don't hear anything but right now I have a party to go to over the weekend and my birthday on tuesday -- steak night -- we only eat steak about 6 times a year now on special occassions soooo

 

[lemdonuts]

Andre

Yes i went down to Westchester Medical and saw Dr. Lafara I liked him a lot. He is the only doctor who actually showed me a valve and showed me a heart and how he does it. Unfortunely I really like my cardiologist who I have been seeing for 2 years at Hershery Medical Center.

I don't like the PoK doc and I've been to a Dr. Zimmerman in Briar Cliff Mannor and didn't like him -- tried to sell me his mag -- told me I would burn out with my swimming.

As with all surgery they have made leaps and bounds with the heart. It really wasn't the incision but the samll cut and the recuperation time if you research it you will understand where i am coming from. Just like they use to do total knee surgery then there was arothoscopic sooo

But unfortunaly they found complications when they did the cath so it was advisable that I have a full cut. My doctor at HMC is a sweetheart just like Dr.LFara
Man I cann't spell wish they had a spell check.



Georgia thanks for your imput too -- I know am dragging this out but won't be long

 

[Ross]

Man I cann't spell wish they had a spell check.

Ask and you shall receive! If your using internet explorer, you can get a free spell checker from http://www.iespell.com/

 

[lemdonuts]

Ross how do i use it if i am writing a note in VR.Com???
i am a truck driver remember!!!??!?!? Thanks

 

[Ross]

ieSpell is a free Internet Explorer browser extension that spell checks text input boxes on a webpage. It should come in particularly handy for users who do a lot of web-based text entry (e.g. web mails, forums, blogs, diaries). Even if your web application already includes spell checking functionality, you might still want to install this utility because it is definitely much faster than a server-side solution. Plus you get to store and use your personal word list across all your applications, instead of maintaining separate ones on each application.

The program installs as a new button in the IE toolbar (as well as a new menu item under "Tools") - after filling in a form, just hit the ieSpell button and it pops up a dialog, similar to the MS Word spell check.

ieSpell is not spyware or adware. Its free for personal and not-for-profit use. Commercial use requires a separate license. Write to us for more info.


It checks the spelling on the web page. Just as I'm typing this, I can check the spelling of all words in this box. It's a handy dandy free tool!

 

[Nancy]

I installed it and love it. Mine comes up when I right click within the text box. Most of the time, I remember to spell check, but not always. Oh well, we're all human.

 

[David by Philly]

Surgeons

Surgeons

Hi Lem,

I am scheduled for AVR 2nd/3rd week of June. (elective surgery.. leaking 30 years, and surgeon and cardiologist both suggest replacement before the heart needs to start to enlarge) After doing lots of reasearch and speaking with a number of surgeons I choose Dr. Bavaria (sp?) at U of P.

My cardiologist recommended him do to concern of leaking in the pulmonary valve, which they are less concerned about after my last TEE (think the leaking may be do to the turbulance caused by the aortic jet)

In any case, Dr. Bavaria is a valve specialist. Unlike most cardiothoraciic surgeons who do 1 or 2 valves a week, he does 1 or 2 a day (we are talking 200-300 valves a year).

Our goal is to go with a stentless porcine valve. He did not recommend the homograft, as I have a somewhat enlarged aortic root, and indicated that with the homograft, since supply is limited, you have to take what they send you. With the porcine valve, you get the pick of the crop so to speak.

The stentless is a technically more demanding surgery, usually requiring an additional 1/2 hour on bypass. But, the hemodymics are near perfect, and the anticipated replacement time is indicated as being up to 5 years or more than the stented valve (stentless first became available only 8 years ago). This requires traditional open chest.

Best of luck and let us know what you decide.

David

 

[fyrfytr]

Hi Lem, I had AVR and part of my aorta replaced on 4/21/03. I had the large cut and have not had any problems so far. My aortic valve is a St. Jude's and it is clicking just fine so far. Good Luck with your surgery and recovery. Dave

 

[medtronic of borg]

My 2 cents

My 2 cents

I wish I had that much time.When they found my hyertrophy 2nd to AI , my AVR surgery needed to be done in the next 30 days. They told me I absolutely would not see christmas. This was on NOv 29 1999. It was a snap compaired to the old days!!!

As for my scar..8" and now you can't see it at all.

One other thought about heart surgery...even if a surgery goes bad doesn't mean your going to die. I had one pacer placement that took three trys, in three days. Sure there was some problems because of it. But in the end it got done. That was 24 years ago.

I wish you the best.

Medtronic of Borg

 

[lemdonuts]

Thanks for your reply. The cardiac surgeron is the one who said i had to have it done immediately -- that was April 10th! He scared the BJesue out of me!! But see i am still here!!!Fortunately I am in great shape so my cardiologist said I had time i.e. you must be mentally and physically ready and I WAS NOT MENTALLY READY!!! Because I am in such great shape it is hard for anyone to realize including myself that I am bad. I HAVE SEVERE ARTOTIC STENOSIS! I do not show any of the symptoms except the breathing which is getting worst -- I don't notice but people close to me do!!

I will have the surgery on June 4th -- I can now tell with my swimmining that I am going down hill though the last time I swam which was Friday I swam 2 and quarter miles even the life guards who keep an eye out for me so that i don't pass out in the water are amazed!!! I don't take a break at all!!! I swim from 2 to 21/5 hours aT A STRECH!!

I just came in from gardening -- my garden will look lovely when I recuperate. Right now I am still so very angry with myself for this condition -- that has been the toughest part!!!

My cardioloist has been great!!! I've been emailing him -- last one was what if.... He has the patience to at least answer me and tell me not to worry about the what ifs!! The surgeon well he is a different story. i did speak to him on Thursday -- he thought I was a smoker -- great confidence in the man -- I also remineded him that this was a vaule replacement and not a sex change --- what thud -- he had no responce what so ever!!!! ?hey i like people to get on a personnal level with me but he is obviously not. He just sees my chest and heart!

The other surgeon that i was thinking of going to in Westchester NY got sick --I think it was a MI but.... no one is saying -- so it liiks like the Dear Lord is directing me to HMC.

 

[lemdonuts]

Hey Ross thanks!! I'm just not myself these days!!1 I'm not scared of dying!!! Just being laid up!!!! Will try and make good use of time but...... still tooo upset about this whole --- i know logically but mentally I cannot get it together --- One minute I'm up next minute am down!

My shrink is going to see me tomorrow. You see I've always been the care giver and there is no one to support me now -- in fact I'm offering the support to my love ones......

 

[Nancy]

Hi lemdonuts-

I put you on the calendar, so you're on the road to feeling better.

Many people just never felt badly before this surgery, but what is going on inside of you is a different thing. When my husband had his aortic valve replaced in 1977, he passed out playing basketball. He was a superb athlete, on a semi-pro football team, on a pro baseball farm team, plus he was an excellent track runner and basketball player. He just loved sports. Although he had rheumatic fever and had a murmur, he just ignored it because he loved sports so much. But his valve had other ideas.

You have mentioned several times that you are blaming yourself for having this problem. This site has well over 700 people who have valve problems, or know someone who does. I have never heard anyone else blaming themselves for being ill, and I am hoping that you can see this in a much different light. It is something that just happened. It is unfortunate, but the good thing is that it can be corrected. I would bet that your loved ones will rise to the occasion and give you the support you will need to get through this. You will also have to do your part and try to let go a little, allowing them to help you for a change.

I'm happy to hear that you have a date for your surgery. Please stay close here and let us know how things are going for you as you approach this date.

Wishing you the best.

 

[Jim Trickey]

Hi Lemdonuts
Listen to Nancy. You have enough going on without blaming your self for the conditon! Will be thinking and praying for you on your day of repair. It won't be all that long before you will be back in the pool doing laps and not worrying about running out of air. All the best. Clear Skies.

 

[lemdonuts]

Thank you nanacy and Jim. See what i didn't tell you were the results of the CAth

I had finally come to grips with my valve this past April before i went for my echogram. On the way there I told my partner that i was finally comfortable with it and watch the rug be pulled out from underneath me and sure enough it was!!!

Well when i first posted I was concerned about regular tried and proven incision OR the minival invasive surgery!! My cario had NO problem with this! I told you he is great!! IF my cath came out alright I was going for mininval invasive that really is the way to do after doing my research HOWEVER MY body let me down!!!

Even after following the Am heart diet and taking the aspirin and excersie turns out I have blocakages IF I didn't need to have my valve replaced then these would NOT be treated!!! I just found out May 5th and have gone to peices about it!!! Yes I know how lucky I am etc etc BUT I cannot accept it!!! I am having one hell of a time!!!

First of all what good was any of what i did for the last 2.5 years??? When they come into you after the surgery to tell you to change their life style what are they going to tell me??? That is my biggest complaint!!!
I've already been to the super market and prepared list of the grams of fat etc of all the food I have been eating!

For my birthday I've bought several new books which I was planning to read during my convalence instead I'm in them now! The one that i had wanted to buy at least a year ago was Dean Ornish -- I have been half haertly following his diet over the past year and am still kicking myself for not getting it sooner!!

I personnally believe that my problem including my heart value IS DUE TO STRESS!!! No -- no research work has been done that I am aware of about stress and the calisification ot ithe valve!

So now you know. --In his program Dean says that isolation is a great part to due with heart disea!!! SOOO I guess I've taken the first step. -- Finally saying something.

Problem is at times I don't want this surgery (I know on a intellect level i know it is my only opinion BUT STILL NOT EMOTIONALLY) -- that is one of the resons it has taken so long to get it schuduled My cardiologist realizes it. he is givening me time to pull my self together that is why I travel 220 miles to see him not all docotrs are like him! I knew stress was a problem and started seeing a shrink really a counsllor when i found out about my valve BUT I only dabbled in it -- I know no use looking back -- my trucking motto. So after the surgery I will begin AGAIN a new lif style!

Thanks!

 

[Nancy]

Dear lemdonuts-

If you hadn't kept yourself in such superb shape, then you would have probably faced this surgery much, much sooner, and would probably have been much, much sicker. You have plenty of company here with folks who have had blockages as well as valve problems. You know, there are congenital defects that can cause buildup in the coronary arteries,even though people are on a low cholesterol diet. We have a neighbor who was Phys. Ed teacher, and a sports referee. He eats no fat, removes every bit from his meat, is in great physical shape, is as active as can be, walks all the time. He is now in a diagnostic scenario for coronary artery disease. So go figure!

It is just something that has happened with your body, and it is absolutely no fault of yours. You have done everything you could to help yourself. We are all born with body flaws and as time goes on, none of us can escape at least something.

You know the old saying, "after 30, it's just patch and mend, patch and mend". My guess is that your doctors will tell you that you have probably saved your life by being vigilant with your health. Look how active you have been, and still are, in spite of having these problems.

This surgery will not exclude you from your lifestyle, it will assure that you will be able to continue on with your good life.

Please go easy on yourself, this is nothing you could have helped.

 

[Ross]

You know the old saying, "after 30, it's just patch and mend, patch and mend".

Would someone please tell whomever to stop adding water to my joint compound!

 

[Nancy]

Ross-

You and Joe just have too many "blow-out" patches, you're both like a couple of "retreads", LOL, Good ones, though.

 

[lemdonuts]

That is a good one -- patch and mend patch and mend thank God they can patch and mend!

As my cardiologist says it is better not to compromise the valve replacement because of theortical concerns about tomorrow!!!

Soooo guess I'll and try and do that. Nancy thanks for that encouragement. See I have been like you all these years I've been that car taker the one who researched all the illness. It is different when you are on the other side. We were always painted a pretty picture by the surgeons but the surgery failed! He lives in constant pain!

I know when the time comes I will find the inter strength to rise to the occassion. I guess I am going through what most people do after surgery. I'm going to want to take all my strength and get well no time for self piety then! Any way in thery it sounds good.

Ross you are funny do like hearing from you I just don't answer you.

ttfn (TA TA FOR NOW) and thanks.

 

[lemdonuts]

By the way i placed myself on this regiment no docotr! In fact when i was first told I had a murmur in Oct of 2000 (and only told it was heart murmur no big deal though i knew in my soul something was wrong) I was told i had too many complaints!!! Now i usually don't go to the doctor sooo this took me back -- it does turn out that every sincle one of my complaints there was a problem i.e. bone spur on my heal etc.


Anyway IF i was not told in Jan 2001 by the DOT doctor I would probably NOT see a doctor again till now (2003) Soooo I am lucky.

After they did my cath they were amazed at my condiiton everyone was surprised BUT they said whatever I was doing I did it right!!!
So yes Nancy you are right i should keep looking at the sunny side up!!!

My brother was an angel after this cath he spent a couple of days with me. My sister feel that this whole surgery thing is no big deal! Haven't really heard/talk to them about it nor they with me.

 

[medtronic of borg]

emotions

emotions

Hey I sent you a privet message you may want to check them.