Welcome Susan!

I hope you'll find the community on HVJ to be as supportive and helpful as I did when I had my aortic valve replaced last May. I haven't had breast cancer but have many friends who have and I think you'll find heart surgery a much easier process, especially the recovery. Unless you have complications, it's a pretty smooth process (not to say there aren't some bumps on everyone's road.)

I think you made the right decision about your surgeon. There's no excuse for being treated poorly by a doctor or his staff, no matter how famous he might be. I had my surgery at the Cleveland Clinic and everyone there was helpful and caring. That's what you need when going through surgery.

Good luck as you prepare for your surgery. Feel free to ask any questions!

Ricki Shine