Hi John,
Thanks for the response to my previous post (I can\'t find a way to keep posting on the same thread). I have been doing reading on the internet on ...Read more
Hi John,
Thanks for the response to my previous post (I can\'t find a way to keep posting on the same thread). I have been doing reading on the internet on the procedure, but your suggestion regarding YouTube videos is great and I plan to watch those as well. I\'m happy to hear you had a great experience at Mayo.
I\'m on the same page as you regarding the Will of God regarding my surgery, but can get anxious sometimes as well :-).
Thanks again,
Lynn
Hi John,
I was looking through the patient journals and happy to see yours. I\'m scheduled for the same robotic mitral valve repair surgery at Mayo in June ...Read more
Hi John,
I was looking through the patient journals and happy to see yours. I\'m scheduled for the same robotic mitral valve repair surgery at Mayo in June with Dr. Burkhart and Dr. Suri. I\'m happy to see that your recovery is going well. How long were you in the hospital? Is there something you know now that you wish you knew pre-surgery? I am anxious about the surgery and will be glad when it is over.
Thanks!
Lynn
John Wingert Lynn,
I couldn't be more thrilled for you. You are in highly competent hands. Given that, if in fact, ... Read more
John Wingert Lynn,
I couldn't be more thrilled for you. You are in highly competent hands. Given that, if in fact, your destiny is to have this surgery as I did.
To answer your question, I really can't think of anything that surprised me or that I wished I knew in advance. As for your question regarding how many days......it was 3 days (maybe 3 and a 1/2). My surgery process started at 5:30 AM on Friday morning and I was discharged Monday just past noon. I then spent the night, Monday night, at a local hotel in Rochester. Then returned Tuesday morning to the Hospital for a chest X-ray and ultra sound to check the valve repair one last time before I hit the road.
Lynn, I can completely relate to your being anxious about the surgery. I don't mean to preach here, because I don't know you, but for me, I came to a place where I made a choice to completely surrender to the Will of God. He was either going to bring me through this event or not. I simply made a conscious choice to trust and stay as positive as possible. This was my way of coping with my feelings leading up the day of surgery.
We're all different and maybe you aren't into this but I think I watched every YouTube video there was regarding "robotic mitral valve repair". I say this to you because by the time I got to the hospital I was very familiar with the general process that was going to take place. Although I was still a bit scared, I was very much at peace and prepared to face what was on my plate. I chose to assume the very best. Enough about that.
I fully realize we're all different and our journeys are unique, that said, I can tell you my experience was amazing. Dr's Suri, Burkhart, all the Nurses and helpers. I simply can't say enough. They were all wonderful. They kept my pain in control and made me comfortable. It's a process and they really have it down.
My regurgitation was severe 64cc of back flow and they were able to make this repair.
I'm in my sixth week from surgery. I do plastering for a living and have been back doing light duty work for two weeks. I walk two times a day. I feel great. I can't believe how much energy I have.
Feel free to write anytime. I know I'm a bit chatty but feel very grateful and am very excited for the future.
The waiting is the hardest part. I have every faith you will have a positive experience. I wish you all the best.
Hang tough Lynn,
John
Perfect! You are lucky guy,and have a second chance now to live normal life.I wish you all the best and 100 recovery in the close time!
John Wingert Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I am a lucky guy. I feel very fortunate. I fully realize each jou ... Read more
John Wingert Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I am a lucky guy. I feel very fortunate. I fully realize each journey is unique. Where ever you are on your journey I wish you the very best for a positive result.
Sincerely, John
Thank you very much for your answer! I hope and I think everything will be fine with you.First of all,now you shall focus on recovery - not overexert yourself! ...Read more
Thank you very much for your answer! I hope and I think everything will be fine with you.First of all,now you shall focus on recovery - not overexert yourself! I was told to have MR,too,but my visits to different hospitals showed very contradictory results - 22 cc blood back-flow,but they say III degree MR.Be sure,that Lord will keep you stay in good health for a long,long time - you are now in the middle of your life...I spoke with another people,and most of them said - its condition is not from birth...But certainly there are some reason...Smoking,food,exercise, illness,genes -what? Obviously for you it not genetic,that`s why it shall be caused by something in your life....Is a OHS,or robotic,or trough the right-side of the chest?
John Wingert Dr Suri and Dr Burkhart gave me a 99% chance of repair of my Mitral Valve. I'm 6 ft tall and weighed ... Read more
John Wingert Dr Suri and Dr Burkhart gave me a 99% chance of repair of my Mitral Valve. I'm 6 ft tall and weighed 183 lbs at the time of surgery. I was fortunate enough to be considered for Robotic Mitral Valve repair. These 2 doctors did my repair with the aid of the DeVinci Robot. And yes, they did enter through the right side. One incision was about a 2 inch and all others were about 1/2 inch (very small).
Regards, John
May I ask you about how long time was after you was with MR to the point of surgery? Is it from birth or you get it after that?
John Wingert Thanks for your question.
It was about 6 months ago. Not from birth. My primary Doctor heard a murmu ... Read more
John Wingert Thanks for your question.
It was about 6 months ago. Not from birth. My primary Doctor heard a murmur on my 6 month visit for a cholesterol check. There was never any issue for me up to that point. I would have never know a thing. I was told by my Cardioligist that there was nothing I did to cause it and there was nothing I could do to fix it. He said surgery was the only way to fix or repair it. Once all the testing was complete and it was determined that the repair was necessary and that insurence would cover it I wanted to have the surgery as soon as possible while was healthy and my heart was in excellent shape (except for my Mitral Valve, of course). I was told all other aspects of my heart were perfect.
I was told my regurgitation was severe, 64 cc of blood back flow with every beat of my heart. So I was very motivated to get this fixed soon because they could already determine that this chamber of my heart had started to enlarge a small amount. I didn't want there to be any more damage to occur then possible.
This has been week 5 since my surgery. I simply continue to feel better every day. Getting back to feeling normal, and even better then normal.
I'm 54 years old and just maybe the good Lord will keep me around a bit longer.
I hope this response helps you in some way. I fully realize everyone's journey is unique. I wish you all the best as you walk your path!
Cheers, John
Hi John,
Welcome to our family here at HVJ. Glad to hear about the progress you\'ve made.It really does get better and better everyday.Best wishes to you in ...Read more
Hi John,
Welcome to our family here at HVJ. Glad to hear about the progress you\'ve made.It really does get better and better everyday.Best wishes to you in the days to come...
Al Zebal AVR,Maze 1/17/13
I am from: North Mankato, Minnesota
