{"id":669,"date":"2008-12-24T10:31:25","date_gmt":"2008-12-24T15:31:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2008\/12\/24\/mitral-valve-surgery-blood-transfusions-bank\/"},"modified":"2025-07-15T15:36:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T20:36:09","slug":"mitral-valve-surgery-blood-transfusions-bank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2008\/12\/24\/mitral-valve-surgery-blood-transfusions-bank\/","title":{"rendered":"Lisa’s Mitral Valve Repair, Blood Transfusions and… Christmas Shopping"},"content":{"rendered":"

This email just came in from Lisa, a registered nurse from Colorado, who had mitral valve repair surgery less than two weeks ago. I thought you might appreciate reading about Lisa’s experience, her attitude toward heart surgery, and her early recovery. Here is what she wrote:<\/p>\n

Dear Adam,<\/p>\n

I had my surgery on Thursday, December 11th and things went pretty well. The surgeons were able to repair my mitral valve<\/a>, which should last 20 years or so before any additional work may need to be done.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/div>\n
Lisa Darr – Mitral Valve Repair Patient \/ Nurse<\/div>\n

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I still have some prolapse and regurgitation, but as an active 35-year old patient, I was really fearful of having a valve replacement.\u00a0 I lost a good deal of blood in the surgery and was given transfusions.\u00a0 A special “Thanks!” goes out to all those who donate blood. As an emergency room nurse, I have great confidence in United States blood banks even though I have seen some studies which suggest blood banks can be risky.<\/p>\n

Due to continued blood loss post-surgery, I remained intubated for 7 hours after surgery (just in case I needed to return to the OR to stop the bleeding). What a miserable experience for me and my family, I was conscious and unable to communicate, constantly choking on the vent tube and unable to open my eyes because they were caked shut with goo.<\/p>\n

My family took turns holding my hands, comforting me in my struggle – while struggling themselves to hold it together.\u00a0 I spent that night and the next day in the intensive care unit. Then, I was transferred to a telemetry floor which was rather uneventful.<\/p>\n

Since then, I have been recovering well. I was sent home from the hospital this past Monday, only 4 nights in the hospital! I think my recovery has gone more smoothly than yours. I have had some pain. But, I went Christmas shopping with my family on Saturday, only 9 days after the mitral repair. As you suggested, I am to begin cardiac rehab very soon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Dr.<\/div>\n
Dr. Joseph Cleveland – Lisa’s Heart Surgeon<\/div>\n

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I would like to thank Dr. Joseph Cleveland and his surgical team for their work and continued follow-up on my case.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Female
\nLisa’s Incision<\/div>\n

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FYI, I saw your blog about incisions that are glued or stapled.\u00a0My surgeon used dissolvable sutures. I have a long but very tidy mid-sternal scar about 6.5 inches long.<\/p>\n

Thanks again for your heart surgery book<\/a>, your blog and all that you do for the patients and caregivers out there!<\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/p>\n