Comments on: After Aortic Valve Replacement, Mavis Shares Four Heart Surgery Lessons

By: Sharlene von BERG

Sharlene von BERG — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:20:38 +0000

Hi Mavis

I am 9 weeks post mitral valve repair and Maze Procedure. i currently live in the Middle East but opted to go back to Durban,South Africa to have the surgery….I have just read your posting and felt very encouraged by it…thank you. I have also just received Adams book which in my mind is FANTASTIC and certainly helped me tremendously. Unfortunately I found the surgery to have been a very difficult time of my life and really felt that I didnt get much in the way of preparing oneself for the surgery and then the expectations thereafter. really feel that the hospital staff and doctors didnt tell me enough of the dos and donts after discharge….a little distressing when we have had to pay so much money for the surgery. I flew back home to the Middle East on 23 Dec-5 weeks after the surgery-9 hour fight as I was desperate to get home to be with my husband,my son who came home from college in the USA and celebrate Christmas. I can honestly say that I have started to feel only half human again in the last week or so.I am also so excited to have come upon your posting and to read how others are doing.

Take care.
SHARLENE

By: Marion

Marion — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:02:31 +0000

Hi Mavis, I read your story with interest and I hope you are still making good progress. I live in Victoria, am 66 years old and have to have surgery soon at the Jubilee for an Aortic replacement and repair to a bicuspid valve. My question is what you thought of your treatment at the Jubillee and who was your surgeon. My cardiologist said that all the surgeons at the Jubilee are excellent but I guess he is bias. I have to see Dr. Ofeish on Tuesday as he is the choice for me. I am aprehensive of course but am not panicking at this stage. But I would love to hear your comments please. Thanks Marion

By: Micki Novak

Micki Novak — Sat, 09 May 2009 18:59:20 +0000

Hi Mavis!!
I am having surgery on May21st. I will be having by bicuspid valve replaced as well a graft for my aorta, as I have a 5.5cm aneurysm. I chose the cow tissue, at the advice of my surgeon. I so appreciate your comments. I think I am even more prepared. I had two other types of surgery some 20 years ago, one being a Kidney surgery. The first surgeon I spoke with told me that my valve replacement surgery would be a piece of cake and I’d only need 4 weeks recovery period, maybe less before I went back to work. I have since decided to go to another hospital and chose the best in Chicago, along with one of the 8 best heart/valve surgeons in the state. He told me 6-8 wks, recovery and also about the rehab. I am glad I know more now, thanks to him and to you. If I had gone to the first doctor, I might have really been depressed with my recovery. I so intend to print out your words of wisdom. I am having my pre-op appointment this Wednesday, and will now be able to ask more questions. The hosptial I chose, also has an education departement, which I will visit that day. Not only will I be able to get more information and answers, but I get to see a video (if I so desire). I expect to learn a great deal. Thanks again I now know some of what I REALLY need to know.

By: Maureen Spielman

Maureen Spielman — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:39:01 +0000

Hi Mavis,
Thank you for your lessons posted on Adam’s website. I am facing Arotic Valve Replacement in the next couple of weeks and I am not looking forward to the pain. It’s good to know about the ribs etc even though I don’t want to think about such things. I like to be up and doing things so I appreciate your insigt as to resting and letting others do for you. Adam’s book has been great and I feel reassured by so many testamonials. Maureen Spielman – Simi Valley, California

By: Kenneth Kahn

Kenneth Kahn — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:16:16 +0000

Dear Adam: In response to Mavis’ paean to Canadian health care, I’d like you to watch (if you haven’t already seen it) the video posted by a Canadian couple.

http://WWW.freemarketcure.Com/brainsurgery.php

I’d like to add that my procedure (4/25/2008) was performed by one of the 3 top surgeons in Las Vegas, was performed ONE WEEK after my angiogram, was covered by Medicare and so far has cost about $600 out of pocket. I could have had it done by the V.A. but would have had to wait 6 months for the angiogram, then who knows how long for the surgery.

By: Alex Lang

Alex Lang — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:22:31 +0000

Hi Mavis,
You have a truly inspirational outlook on life, and I have nothing but admiration for you. Being 9 months into a AVR & CABG, I identify with your initial problems, pain and questions, having trod the path. Even after this time the odd doubt does arise, but as you so cleary identify, life is the bonus. So, it can be tough at times. but what was the alternative?
I agree totally with your 4 lessons – well done.
And, Mavis, this is no chat up line, but you look great. Was your age not misprinted?
Best wishes, and here’s to the next 20 years.

By: Annette Sophocles

Annette Sophocles — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:39:38 +0000

Hi Mavis,
Thank you for your thoughtful words. I will having my aortic valve replace Wed April 1st in Venice Florida. I am a re-do as I have had quadruple by-pass in 1996. I am now 64 and will have a tissue valve and am looking forward to keeping it the rest of my life. Your words were very encouraging and helpful. I have a lot of family/friends support and I know that I will do well. I have a herniated cervical disk that must be repaired as soon as I am ready so I must keep my spirits up. It is amazing what we can do when we must. Thank you again.
Annette

By: mercyturan

mercyturan — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:33:41 +0000

Dear Mavis, As the mother and caretaker of a 37 year old (now 38) who underwent a similar procedure (JohnTuran, Ross Procedure March 5,2008); I have to thank you profusely for a well done review of the lessons learned! I am 65 y/o and appreciate how you have taken your time to do someone else a favor–pretty much the way Adam has done with his book and blog, though he is much younger than you. I feel younger patients have a different view and they just want to “get over this and go on with life” and forget how much they were helped by those who came before them in this journey.

God bless you, you look great, and yes, there’s already something in the works kind of like “shooting a new valve up your arm”. Look it up, Adam has an article about it. So, enjoy life, give thanks and carry on.

Oh,! thanks for mentioning that you are from Canada and are thankful that this procedure was available to you and under your healthcare system. I am sick and tired of people telling me “it doesn’t work”, when I see it to the contrary. Thank you. Mercy Turan, Summerfield, Fl

By: Leslie

Leslie — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 06:25:56 +0000

Hi Mavis
What great comments! Thanks for sharing them. I am now 14 months post mitral valve repair surgery and I agree with everything you say. I thought I should be up and running around within a few weeks because I had robotic surgery but it isn’t just about the incision. (and believe me, your incision from the robot can also hurt as it heals and it also has scar tissue) I was tired, I was depressed, I had all kinds of bizarre eye problems, I had no idea what was the matter since everything I read and heard assured me that I was clearly a hypochondriac. ?? Well guess what! It took me nearly a FULL YEAR to feel up to myself again. This year I am a different person but everyone heals at his or her own pace, so be good to yourself, take your time, there is no race, you don’t get a big medal for leaping out of bed and forcing yourself back to work or out into the world too soon.
Cheers Mavis and all valve surgery survivors!
Lily

By: nancy mallinger

nancy mallinger — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:44:10 +0000

You are so right, Mavis! I had aortic valve replacement 4 months ago and am still having severe pain in my chest wall and ribs. I also had excrutiating pain post op in my back and neck. Nobody told me that this was common, so my anxiety level was very high. I also let me husband and adult son bully me into not taking much pain or sleep meds, and I regret being so passive. It would have made the whole experience easier had I known that a lot of my post op problems were normal.