Hi Erin
I wasn't getting messages for awhile and just found your reply, I was impressed with your positive cheerful frame of mind and the lovely photo of you ...Read more
Hi Erin
I wasn't getting messages for awhile and just found your reply, I was impressed with your positive cheerful frame of mind and the lovely photo of you and your wife. I am past three months post op, attend the cardio rehab classes three times a week which i find very interesting especially learning why the other folks are there, amazing how many heart attacks the men seem to have.
I am feeling fine, able to walk especially uphill without much trouble, I just do it at a slower pace, the college students practically run up and down the steep hill near a local college, I enjoy raking leaves and being able to resume most activities pre opt, I am indeed fortunate to survive this surgery so well since I delayed it for four years, some damage to heart muscles resulted but cardiologist wasn't specific.
did you have the full sternotomy or minimally invasive, I was lucky to have the minimally invasive, faster recovery, no robots used!!
Keep tickin!
E Blank Ty for your response! I am so glad for you!! I am still sore but really starting to come around. I ... Read more
E Blank Ty for your response! I am so glad for you!! I am still sore but really starting to come around. I am the woman in the pic and that is my wonderful hubby who has been incred! I would tell anyone going into this to line up a huge support team as it has been a longer and harder recovery than I thought. It's funny-- we all think we are going to be different but heAling times do differ by a bit but not by that much. I stArt rehab next week and have been walking. Working part time and starting to drive little trips. Your note inspires me! Silly- I can't wait to rake leaves!!! Ty for reaching out and I wish you a beautiful fall! .
E Blank Ps. I had "minimally invasive" glad it is behind me and grateful but it certainly was not minimally p ... Read more
E Blank Ps. I had "minimally invasive" glad it is behind me and grateful but it certainly was not minimally painful. I wish you the best
Thanks so much for your note in my guest book. You are right about finding the right pace and amount of help. It's hard. My kids are starting to step up, which ...Read more
Thanks so much for your note in my guest book. You are right about finding the right pace and amount of help. It's hard. My kids are starting to step up, which is nice, and my husband is get. Yes, the church is providing meals, and I understand they are going to take on offering to help us get the leaves raked - a major ordeal. At 11 days out what is really bugging me is a cough. I do have pain along the incision, but not so much the pec muscles at this point. Walked a half mile yesterday. Wish they had given me some goals to shoot for. And I know what you mean about gaining weight! My taste buds are coming back, and I actually feel hungry once in a while, and there is food everywhere! Glad you are on a good plan to continue your healing. Stay in touch! Sue
E Blank Sounds all good!! Now let that healing be low and slow👍
E Blank I appreciate your response and I will continue to pray for you! Please pray for me! Xo
Hi,
My left pecs were really sore for about nine months, and then it just went away. I was tols it was probably nerve damage, and it usually take six or more ...Read more
Hi,
My left pecs were really sore for about nine months, and then it just went away. I was tols it was probably nerve damage, and it usually take six or more months to go away.
Good luck,
E Blank Ty for telling me. How did you control the pain? Still on Tylenol and Motrin every 5 hours. I thank ... Read more
E Blank Ty for telling me. How did you control the pain? Still on Tylenol and Motrin every 5 hours. I thank you for your response and I hope you feel terrific!! My best. Erin
E Blank Ps. The pain in in my right pec not left. Ty
Hi,
I recently had the minimally invasive aortic valve replacement, no robots involved, I was amazed at the skill of the surgeon Dr. A. Speir at Inova Fairfax ...Read more
Hi,
I recently had the minimally invasive aortic valve replacement, no robots involved, I was amazed at the skill of the surgeon Dr. A. Speir at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax,VA; he has a stellar reputation as does the entire surgical team, Dick Cheney's heart replacement was done by this surgeon here in Virginia; not too far from Pennsylvania
Good luck and God Bless you in your decision,
p.s. I am in my seventies and doing great
E Blank Thanks for that encouragement Geri! I hope your recovery continues to be awesome. Do you feel kinda ... Read more
E Blank Thanks for that encouragement Geri! I hope your recovery continues to be awesome. Do you feel kinda "normal" yet? God bless you too! Ty. Erin
E Blank Ps. Our insurance limits us to nj an pa but someone else may certainly be encouraged and guided by y ... Read more
E Blank Ps. Our insurance limits us to nj an pa but someone else may certainly be encouraged and guided by your post so thanks very much for responding!!! Best. Erin
Thanks for getting back to me. Have heard concern he is past his prime at age 70. Dr. Morris at Abington does minimally invasive thoracotomy. I liked him very ...Read more
Thanks for getting back to me. Have heard concern he is past his prime at age 70. Dr. Morris at Abington does minimally invasive thoracotomy. I liked him very much but some concern about his volume. He's done plenty in the past but more aortic these days. Dr. Guy at temple is amazing but my docs aren't excited about robotics. Big decision, isn't it? Sorry if this comes 2x. Couldn't see it post!
E Blank sue--I was very impressed with Dr. Hargrove and his team at Penn Presby. I am going to surgery this ... Read more
E Blank sue--I was very impressed with Dr. Hargrove and his team at Penn Presby. I am going to surgery this Wed the 27th and feel this is a good choice. My neighbor is a cardiologist and has referred all his patients to him and has found him to be excellent! I am looking forward to recovering and getting this behind myself and my family. I hope your search is going well.
E Blank Robotics have been frowned on as well by my cardiologists. Concerning dr Hargrove - I am checking him ... Read more
E Blank Robotics have been frowned on as well by my cardiologists. Concerning dr Hargrove - I am checking him out. He still does plenty of volume and we know another surgeon that worked with hon and says he is excellent. Also- my husband is a primary care doc and teaches residents. The u penn residents think very well of hargrove. Obviously not very scientific, but I am going to see on the 18th. Please let me know how you make out. Ty
Hi? I'm in Philly too. Like Dr. Acker, but don't want that cut! Also talked to Dr. Guy at Temple who does robotics, and Dr. Morris at Abington. Can you tell ...Read more
Hi? I'm in Philly too. Like Dr. Acker, but don't want that cut! Also talked to Dr. Guy at Temple who does robotics, and Dr. Morris at Abington. Can you tell me about the other surgeon you saw at Penn? Great to have someone local.
E Blank Susan--dr Hargrove from u penn. Meeting the 18th for a second. Hoping I am a candidate. He is very we ... Read more
E Blank Susan--dr Hargrove from u penn. Meeting the 18th for a second. Hoping I am a candidate. He is very well respected. Please keep in contact so we can compare notes!! I wish you the best- let's stay in touch! Please let me know if you figure something else!! Ty!??????
I'm just at the beginning of my journey but want to take a moment to wish you good luck!
E Blank Hi Sarah! Thanks for taking the time to reach out! If you're like me this is a scary time figuring ou ... Read more
E Blank Hi Sarah! Thanks for taking the time to reach out! If you're like me this is a scary time figuring out which way to go, I'm still grateful it can be fixed. Where are you from country and what are your plans? Again, thanks and I wish you the best! Erin
E,
I had my repair done at Greenville Heart Institute at East Carolina University. Which is a leader in the field of Robotics! However, fortunately we have ...Read more
E,
I had my repair done at Greenville Heart Institute at East Carolina University. Which is a leader in the field of Robotics! However, fortunately we have many great doctors in the USA and whom every you choose I'm sure will do a great job. You will be amazed how fast you will bounce back. May God Bless you on your journey!
E Blank Hi Kevin! Thanks again for responding...Cardiac cath on monday....hoping for all clear so I am a goo ... Read more
E Blank Hi Kevin! Thanks again for responding...Cardiac cath on monday....hoping for all clear so I am a good candidate...also TEE. It has been so encouraging to hear from other patients--so again many thanks! You are the best!!! ps. Say a prayer for me and I will keep you all in my prayers!!!
If by chance you are a candidate for minimally invasive I would go that route. I had my mitral valve repaired this past Dec and choose the robotically assisted ...Read more
If by chance you are a candidate for minimally invasive I would go that route. I had my mitral valve repaired this past Dec and choose the robotically assisted minimally invasive procedure over all other options. Yes it is a little bit longer procedure but recovery is much faster with less pain. I went in Monday and was home Friday. I was walking daily, able to shower and dress myself. All surgeries carry risk and you will have some pain but it goes away quickly. Also You really want to get a REPAIR if at all possible not a replacement unless there is no other option! With a repair you will not have to be on blood thinners for the rest of your life. I would encourage you to visit with several doctors before you choose one. You want to make sure you have explored every option and gotten different opinions. I interviewed #3 different surgeons before I made my decision. I would also not worry about traveling. You want the best doctor for you know matter what city or hospital he or she is at. This is a great website and everyone on hear has been in your situation. I know it can be scary but the more info you have the better off you will be. Ask questions?
E Blank Hi Kevin!! Ty for your thoughtful response,,,where did you have your surgery and yes a repair is abs ... Read more
E Blank Hi Kevin!! Ty for your thoughtful response,,,where did you have your surgery and yes a repair is absolutely what I am hoping for. Thanks again. I wish you the best in health!
The minimally invasive is a longer procedure but recovery is much easier. Pain would be quite less and chance of infection is lower. I would highly recommend ...Read more
The minimally invasive is a longer procedure but recovery is much easier. Pain would be quite less and chance of infection is lower. I would highly recommend minimally invasive. I had a echocardiogram via my esophagus to see if it was possible. Than I had a catscan to check the condition of the arteries before the surgeon would give the ok. I wish you good luck
E Blank Thomas--Thanks so much for responding....I am hoping that I am a good candidate after my consultation ... Read more
E Blank Thomas--Thanks so much for responding....I am hoping that I am a good candidate after my consultation....where was your procedure at? Thank you again, and I wish you only the best!