We're new;Husband's AVR in 2 weeks

[CHDDoug]

You have come to the right place! Glad you found the website...tons of info and advice here. Ask away with any questions and I know you'll get lots of good feedback.

I wish your husband the best with his surgery and recovery. I know all will go well.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

His surgery is scheduled for August 19th at UCLA - Westwood. The surgeon is Richard Shemin, who says that my husband may be a candidate for minimally invasive, and that he will initially attempt the surgery that way. My husband's greatest fear seems to be that they (the doctors) will not be able to restart his heart once it is stopped for the AVR and he is put on the heart machine. Apparently, someone years ago told him that he would not be able to survive a heart attack due to his myopathy. None of hiscurrent doctors have mentioned this, so I thought I woulld throw it out there. Is this a common fear? Is three an answer to it? Again, thank you all for your kind and prompt responses.

Did you and your husband discuss the myopathy issue with his Surgeon? The surgeon Needs to Know EVERYTHING about the medical history of his patient so that he and his support staff (especially anesthesiologist) can address any possible problem areas.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[SHEEPDOG]

Welcome

Welcome

Im sure you can find the answers you need here. This is a GREAT place. I have the ON-X because I am a Police Officer and want a LOW INR if possible. 2.0 seems to be the accepted # with this valve. Although I am NOT 6'7", I am pretty big. Once the doctors assure you they will be able to JUMP START his heatr, the one thing I can see is being EXTREMELY uncomfortable in the hospital bed made for someone under 6'. I'm sure they have BIG beds though. Ask away with any questions and keepus up to date on how things are.

 

[Marguerite53]

His surgery is scheduled for August 19th at UCLA - Westwood. The surgeon is Richard Shemin, who says that my husband may be a candidate for minimally invasive, and that he will initially attempt the surgery that way. My husband's greatest fear seems to be that they (the doctors) will not be able to restart his heart once it is stopped for the AVR and he is put on the heart machine. Apparently, someone years ago told him that he would not be able to survive a heart attack due to his myopathy. None of hiscurrent doctors have mentioned this, so I thought I woulld throw it out there. Is this a common fear? Is three an answer to it? Again, thank you all for your kind and prompt responses.

This is a question for the surgeon!!!!!!!!!! Please, call his office, ask to speak to his Physician's Assistant and either get a good answer from that person, or have the surgeon call your husband back personally. No surgeon would want his patient worrying unneccesarily about something the surgeon has no knowledge that he is worrying about!! The surgeon and his office can feel somewhat intimidating at first, but really they are VERY professional people...human people!! who want to make your experience as positive as possible. Never be afraid to call them with questions....especially while you are waiting. The waiting is the hardest part, you know!

Welcome to our community. I had to wait 3 years for my surgery. I could not have done it sanely without these loving, supportive people here.

Best wishes to you both.

Marguerite

 

[Jan]

Hi
just want top welcome you the the best info site on Valve Replacement,
I am sure as the days go on you will think of all sorts of questions, ask away, our members are keen to share there experiences

keep smiling

Jan

 

[Phyllis]

Just want to add my welcome and stress that I agree with Marguerite- you should ask your husband's surgeon the question about the myopathy. Best wishes to you both and we look forward to supporting you as you climb "the mountain".

 

[erica688]

I think it is very normal to worry. I am 6 weeks post-op and my number one question was will they be able to restart my heart and speaking with my surgeon and having him reasure me was very relieving and really helped me relax. So i definitely recommend talking to the surgeon and asking any questions. Good luck with everything, this is a great site for support and helpful information. The worst part about it all is the waiting and anticipation for it all to happen.