Discharged this aft from aortic valve redo replacement surgery (full sternectomy) and some extra days of a-fib! I powered-through! Can’t wait to be home! ...Read more
Discharged this aft from aortic valve redo replacement surgery (full sternectomy) and some extra days of a-fib! I powered-through! Can’t wait to be home! All honor and praise to Him. Thank you for your ♥️ support too!!
Ana Brusso Congratulations and continued good health and recovery. God bless you 🙏❤️
J Alexander Lassally Great. So how was the recovery intensity for this number two as compared to number one?
Susan Lynn Yay! You're looking fabulous! Enjoy your evening at home, Suelynn!
Deena Elani Great photo! Congrats- the hardest part is over. Was the second time very different from the first ... Read more
Deena Elani Great photo! Congrats- the hardest part is over. Was the second time very different from the first in how you “powered through it”?
Daneen Douglas Fantastic! Get some rest and I’m sure it will be great to be home!
Rose Madura Wonderful news! Your smile says it all. You are at gladiator status! 🪖💪
Sue Maize That’s music to our ears and that smile says it all! To God be the glory and may you enjoy this new ... Read more
Sue Maize That’s music to our ears and that smile says it all! To God be the glory and may you enjoy this new chapter without any complications. 🙏🏻❤️🩹
Suelynn Hanegraaf Thank you, everyone! Definitely “tougher” than the first minimally invasive aortic valve surgery ... Read more
Suelynn Hanegraaf Thank you, everyone! Definitely “tougher” than the first minimally invasive aortic valve surgery in 2011 due to the heart flutter & a-fib lingering episodes experienced from this one - longer hospital stay and more meds. Also the full sternectomy (9” incision vs 4” incision and cutting of the breastbone), different protocols for removing the breathing tube (wished I would have asked to be more prepared) and my age. The very best part is that I know it will take time and I will recover. HUGE.
Jack Baker So glad to see your doing well ! You did it… Good for you
Hi Heart Friends! I am scheduled for my aortic valve "redo" replacement surgery of my Edwards-Carpentier bioprosthetic valve (bovine) to a Medtronic... Read more
Hi Heart Friends! I am scheduled for my aortic valve "redo" replacement surgery of my Edwards-Carpentier bioprosthetic valve (bovine) to a Medtronic Freestyle Full Root bioprosthetic valve (porcine) which involves an aortic root replacement on April 8th at Northwestern Medicine Hospital (Chicago) with Douglas Johnston, MD. I do not qualify for a TAVR procedure. Question for those who have undergone a 2nd or more aortic valve replacement: What can I expect the second-time around post-surgery and during recovery? (Please be honest.) Thank you!
J Alexander Lassally I like your matter of fact spirit here, Suelynn. Very impressive. I am sure your second rodeo will go ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally I like your matter of fact spirit here, Suelynn. Very impressive. I am sure your second rodeo will go smoothly. I tell people I could actually go into a second OHS with fewer fears than the first time. Some say it is easier and smoother.
Suelynn Hanegraaf Thank you. You are so right - I don't have near the anxiety since it is my 2nd time around but this ... Read more
Suelynn Hanegraaf Thank you. You are so right - I don't have near the anxiety since it is my 2nd time around but this time it is a full sternectomy and I am small-framed (though it probably doesn't matter. Ha!).
Met with Leonardo Rodriguez, MD, interventional cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic late last month. He originally had speculated from my echo (and past echos) ...Read more
Met with Leonardo Rodriguez, MD, interventional cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic late last month. He originally had speculated from my echo (and past echos) that I may be due for a replacement in 3-4 years. BUT, now, he has changed his mind and it may be earlier - in 2 years - due to my allergist & immunologist and gastroenterologist discovering nickel allergy as the reason for my rapidly increasing allergies and progressively worsening gastro issues. While I always knew that I was sensitive to nickel jewelry, I did not know that nickel is also in all foods, and of course, I learned that nickel is in the wiring and mesh that holds my bovine valve. In the meantime, I use a Nickel Navigator app to keep track of the amount of nickel I am eating (trying to stay below a certain threshold). It's been a journey. I have always said this - my heart surgery is simple next to my allergies but what I didn't know is that my aortic valve replacement back in 2011, in essence, greatly contributed to my allergy overload and has caused other health issues. When I look back at health records, I started having problems with allergies and g.i. issues approximately 1 year after my valve surgery. Curious - Do you or anyone you know have a metal sensitivity issue to a surgical implantable device?
Marie Myers Yes. My neighbor had both her total knees done within a few months of each other. She then started ha ... Read more
Marie Myers Yes. My neighbor had both her total knees done within a few months of each other. She then started having some ongoing issues, like redness, swelling, and pain. It was eventually determined that she had an allergy to nickel in the implants, and eventually had both total knee replacements re-done with nickel free implants. It was a long road for her, but things are finally heading in the right direction . Wishing you all the best in your journey!
Janelle Hurst I am so glad you shared this...I know I have a sensitivity to nickel from wearing earrings. I have b ... Read more
Janelle Hurst I am so glad you shared this...I know I have a sensitivity to nickel from wearing earrings. I have been told I need mitral valve repair surgery, and after reading your post I did a little research and it looks like the annuloplasty ring may contain nickel. I will definitely make sure that no products with nickel get placed in my body. Thank you for sharing!
Suelynn Hanegraaf Update: Meeting with Doug Johnston, MD, head of cardiac surgery at Northwestern University Medical C ... Read more
Suelynn Hanegraaf Update: Meeting with Doug Johnston, MD, head of cardiac surgery at Northwestern University Medical Center in Chicago on Tuesday to discuss valve re-replacement. Last echo in late October 2023 shows that I have entered severe aortic stenosis. I will be discussing nickel-free options.
Suelynn Hanegraaf Dr. Johnston is recommending Medtronic Freestyle Full Root Bioproshesis because it has zero artificia ... Read more
Suelynn Hanegraaf Dr. Johnston is recommending Medtronic Freestyle Full Root Bioproshesis because it has zero artificial "ingredients"/components. and he'll be using titanium wiring (instead of nickel). I was so impressed that he took my blood metal sensitivity test seriously - I had a fear that he would think I was crazy. I don't know what heart surgeons don't regularly check for this with their patients who have allergies/sensitivities like orthopedic surgeons do.
Marie Myers In the doctor’s defense, I think it really is a rare finding.. But 100% when it is you!!
Hi My Heart Valve Community! A couple of weeks ago, after my early May echo, I was informed that my Edwards pericardial tissue heart valve needs replacement ...Read more
Hi My Heart Valve Community! A couple of weeks ago, after my early May echo, I was informed that my Edwards pericardial tissue heart valve needs replacement (severe stenosis) . . . so after 7 years, I am, once again, looking at cardio-thoracic surgeons especially now, that (my very bright Cleveland Clinic surgeon is now the CEO of Cleveland Clinic! By the way, Adam, your book and website is amazing, and I cannot thank you enough. You are helping me once again!
I am scheduled to see a surgeon at Cleveland Clinic early July and another one locally (live in the Chicago area).
My question to those in the community who have undergone tissue valve replacement or repair twice - how did it go the second time around? Can they just repair it?
Debbie Chatzky Hi Suelynn. I am having a second mitral
Valve surgery on the 31st. The first was a repair with a ring ... Read more
Debbie Chatzky Hi Suelynn. I am having a second mitral
Valve surgery on the 31st. The first was a repair with a ring that developed stenosis. Is your tissue valve repair bovine or your own tissue? I interviewed surgeons at Cleveland Clinc and Northwestern in Chicago. I also live on Chocago area. I chose Dr Patrick McCarthy at Northwestern. He trained at CC and is very skilled
Having performed over 4,000 valve surgeries. Best of luck!
Suelynn Hanegraaf Hi Debbie! Thank you for reaching out. My valve is bovine (done minimally invasive at Cleveland Cli ... Read more
Suelynn Hanegraaf Hi Debbie! Thank you for reaching out. My valve is bovine (done minimally invasive at Cleveland Clinic; not a repair though). I am scheduled to see Dr Gang at Northwestern and the cardiology team at Cleveland Clinic in July. Just wondering how they "go in" again?