Comments on: Restarting The Heart After Surgery… A Fear For Barbara’s Husband

By: Alicia

Alicia — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 23:26:20 +0000

Hi, my name is alicia I had a tumor removed from the surface of my heart and lungs. I wonder when doctors stop my heart was I considered dead or unconscious. My heart was with restarted a defibrillator. Can someone answer this question?

By: Dave Richards

Dave Richards — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:32:01 +0000

That acronym is spot on. I myself am the proud owner of heart that had a double valve reconstruction four weeks ago. After being diagnosed with MVP six years ago, my doctors told me that I would require surgery at some point in my life. Eight weeks ago, the prolapse worsened and the inevitible came to fruition. F.E.A.R. took hold of me as I told myself I was facing my own mortality. My surgeon pulled me out of that tailspin with his calming self-assurance and incredible humanity. Adam’s book, a comprehensive insiders look at what we’re all facing or have gone through, also helped to lessen the fear and mystery of the whole process. Can we talk? Without surgery, what’s the prognosis? If the answer is “not so good”, then get ready to be happy. You are truly blessed, you are lucky to be the beneficiary of groundbreaking procedures pioneered by surgeons 30 years ago and improved upon ever since. If it were 1975 right now, most of us probably would have required a heart transplant. My god, can you imagine going through such a thing and just how lucky each and every one of us are? Barbara, everything will be OK.

By: Becca Allison

Becca Allison — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:01:26 +0000

Barbara,
I don’t have the facts (Adam probably does) on how many successful restarts there are after surgery; I just know mine started back up without a hitch and two weeks after surgery (aortic replacement)is still going! It’s amazing how many are just fine, but doctors have been doing open heart surgery for over twenty-five years! Best advice is – get facts, but don’t dwell on them overmuch. You have chosen the best surgeon you can. When worry pops up, just reassure yourself as best you can. Prayer works really well for this, and if you have folks who will lay hands on you and pray for you, all the better. Let go of trying to control the operation – you can’t – and trust those who are doing it.
I’m doing great after my surgery! You will, too.
Becca