Anne's Posts

When I get the messages from Adam, it reminds me to check in on the journals for this wonderful site! I had AVR 3 years ago July 16. The best thing Adam did for me was tell me to get a second opinion. I went to Cleveland Clinic and had a pretty amazing experience. You can go back through my journal to see how quickly I was able to recover - thanks to their minimally invasive procedure. I still can't believe how it far surpassed any expectations I had about the recovery process. Not having my sternum split open was the key. Life has been SO much better these past three years plus I have quit worrying about the murmur my cardiologist was following for years. That was such a nagging concern in the back of my mind. So my advice from my current vantage point is to do your homework. One great thing that happened was that last summer Barry Stone from NM who followed me into surgery by about four months and did what I did. He went back to Cleveland and had the same amazing surgeon, Tom Mihaljevic. Well, Barry was headed for a family event in Colorado and was passing by my house. He stopped for lunch and it was just wonderful. He signed and left me a racing bib that he had worn - just because I had inspired him! What a fun visit it was - you know how close we get to our fellow journal keepers!

Hi guys, About 6 months ago I bought a "Fitbit Ultra" which is like a pedometer except it communicates with your computer and gives you a record and encouragement. The Fitbit itself is a small gadget that I clip to my bra first thing in the morning. I tells me steps, miles, calories burned, and flights of stairs climbed - or in my case - hills. My health insurance company sent me another gadget that clips on my shoes but I never get around to changing it from one pair to the next. Plus it comes off and the dogs find it and I don't need to know how far they are traveling! Anyway, I first found the Fitbit at the Cleveland Clinic kiosk at the shopping mall in Cleveland. Since then I have seen it at REI and other sports store. I am finding that it motivates me to get my steps in for the day. Oh, it also comes with a wrist band that holds it at night and gives you an idea of how well you are sleeping. This isn't a paid ad - I just love my Fitbit. I put it on in the AM and forget it. So happy to hear that Linda and Stephanie are doing great. My friends are beginning to wonder about me. I am always talking about these people I met on line who are having heart surgery and I am so excited when they are safely on the "good side!" Long, happy lives to all of them!

I have been very remiss in posting to my journal and see it has been almost one year since my last entry. I keep thinking I will write something philosophical and profound but that just never seems to happen. As I look back, my AVR has been nothing short of amazing. I had a cardiologist appointment last Friday and he continues to be impressed by my "weekend surgery", as he calls it, and recovery. My exam and EKG were both excellent. As you may recall, he was not really on board with my decision to go to Cleveland. He wanted me to go with the surgeons in his group who would have done the typical full sternotomy. I was told that the surgeon really needed to open my chest and have lots of room to work. I chose to look into Cleveland Clinic and am still amazed that I was able to make a phone call, get an appointment with one of the best heart surgeons in the world and schedule surgery. Dr. Mihaljevic replaced my aortic valve using a minimally invasive surgery as discussed by Dr. Gillinov on this website recently. My incision was about 3 inches down the center of my sternum. I went into the hospital on Friday about 10, had surgery in the mid-afternoon and was released from CC on Monday morning. I was able to shower, wash my hair and get dressed completely by myself. We flew back to Denver Tuesday morning. Before my husband left for work on Wednesday, I made him drive me to the store where I shopped on my own. Pain was nonexistent and my recovery was complete within weeks. Both my PCP and Cardiologist were amazed to see me looking so hale and hearty shortly after my return. In a subsequent trip, my cardiologist said he has told everyone about my "weekend surgery" and that the surgeons in his group have been in touch with CC to learn the procedure I had. He expressed an interest in seeing others who have had the same operation I did to see if they are doing as well. Unfortunately for me but most surely not for him, Dr. Mihaljevic has gone to Abu Dhabi to be Chief of Staff at the new Cleveland Clinic there. However, I would have no problem recommending any of the surgeons at CC, they all seem to be excellent. The entire facility is like a trip to the Starship Enterprise and everyone you encounter is first rate. Would be happy to answer any questions Anne P.S. Nancy from St. Louis - leave me another message with your e-mail address filled in so I can respond!