Comments on: Anita, 58, Praises Dr. Gillinov & Shares Heart Valve Surgery Tips

By: Ruth Howell

Ruth Howell — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 20:57:58 +0000

Dear Anita,
Sorry to be a pest. I just re-read the comments and noticed you had an anterior leaflet repair – and done with a minimally invasive technique. Sorry I missed this when I posted my first comment to you. I too have a problem with my anterior leaflet and I have not been able to find anyone else who has had the same problem and repair. Please, please, please get in touch with me if you can. I really could use some information and support from someone who went through the same thing. Thank you so much. Ruth Howell ruthjohnhowell@gmail.com

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 20:19:17 +0000

Thanks Anita,

I’m scheduled for mitral valve repair in Aug. I’m extremely nervous and your story has helped me. Would like to know more about your procedure as I’m supposed to travel to Europe 4 weeks after my surgery and I’m concern that this may be too soon.

Thanks Adam for the Book and Blog it has really been helpful!

By: Erika Bursavich

Erika Bursavich — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:24:50 +0000

Congrats Anita! Happy to hear that Dr. Gillinov did yet another amazing job. My husband had the robotically assisted mitral valve surgery (repair) last September performed by Dr. G. Although he didn’t recover quite as quickly as you he is also doing very well and runs daily on the treadmill.

I am glad to hear you mention the power of meditation in regards to healing. My husband received a guided relaxation CD two days before having the surgery (made by the Cleveland Clinic) & starting using it immediately & even listened to it while being wheeled into the operating room. When he awoke from the surgery the first thing he asked for was his CD (he actually asked for “his relaxation lady,” since he was half awake/ highly drugged) while recovering in the ICU. He continued to listened to this CD after returning home, which made me giggle since he is not the type to normally meditate. Needless to say it helped him immensely. I highly recommend it to anyone having a major surgery, or minor surgery for that matter.

Thanks for sharing Anita! Good luck on your continuing recovery

By: Richard Brint

Richard Brint — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:36:35 +0000

Congrats on your quick recovery…mine wasn’t quite as fast.
Dr. Gillinov re-repaired my mitral valve 11/08 (he didn’t do the first op)…this may have been the reason for my longer recovery…anyway as I conclude this comment I’m off for a 6 mile walk.
Thanks Dr. G

By: Anita Devine

Anita Devine — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:00:16 +0000

Hi, Anita here. I wanted to address specific questions that were asked by Meigs and Louise.
Meigs, the mitral repair was minimally invasive, but it was the anterior leaflet, so it was more difficult.
Louise: I purchased a book and CD set titled Preparing for Surgery by Peggy Huddleston. I also found a very good guided meditation on I Tunes by Amber Chandra OM. Both were extremely helpful.
Thanks to everyone for your comments.
Anita

By: Louise

Louise — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:32:26 +0000

Hi Anita,

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.

My husband is due to have mitral valve repair in a few weeks. It has been a bit of a rush decision (we knew it would have to be done in the next 6 months but then were offered a date in just 1 months time which we have accepted). Consequently I’m not sure how prepared we are for what is about to happen (and on top of this we have to leave our home in Asia to return to the UK for the surgery which is a stressful experience in itself).

I was interested in the guided visualizations you used prior to surgery. Can you or any other readers recommend any so I can get them for my husband to try?

Thanks so much everyone. I appreciate the support here.

Louise

By: Meigs Matheson

Meigs Matheson — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:24:37 +0000

Anita, was yours a minimaly invasive surgery? And was it an “easy” repair – like the posterior leaf?
Just wanting to get info on possibilities on a repair of the more difficult anterior leaf- esp as regards minimally invasiver surgery.
Thanks, Meigs

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:00:28 +0000

Anita,

Thanks so much for sharing… Like you, I’m going in for mitral valve repair soon. My doctors haven’t really stressed any of the points you noted. Again, thanks!

Barbara

By: Anne North

Anne North — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:04:33 +0000

Thanks to everyone for the very informative tips. I’m trying to get prepared to be the caregiver following my fiancee’s June 17 aortic valve replacement. Does anyone know where I can purchase one of the heart pillows? The hospital for his surgery does not give these out, and I can see what a help they are. Of course I can use a regular pillow, but would love to find a heart-shaped one as in Anita’s photo and Adam’s book.

Thank you!

By: Kerrigan

Kerrigan — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:29:39 +0000

You hit the nail on the head re the importance of preparing oneself mentally and physically for this experience.
Preperation, coupled with strong support by friends and family, turned this into a positive step forward for me and allowed me to get it behind me and get on with an active life.
You are good to go!