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I hope others are doing as well as I am. At 72 years, I thought my allergies ...Read more
I hope others are doing as well as I am. At 72 years, I thought my allergies were getting worse. I went to an allergist and she told me I had a significant heart murmur. She told me to see a Cardiologist. I didnāt have one. One month later, I was seen at Lankenau Heart Institute. My ECG was abnormal & so another journey began.
I have read your story and you have been through so much. You are truly a heart warrior. I had my mitral valve replaced last year due to a bacterial ...Read more
I have read your story and you have been through so much. You are truly a heart warrior. I had my mitral valve replaced last year due to a bacterial blood infection. I wonder if they ever discovered how you got the infection. The only thing they could come up with for mine was dental cleaning a few weeks before. I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery and will keep you in my prayers.
"
Scott

Doctor Q&A: Atrial Fibrillation & Amiodarone After Heart Surgery
Doctor Interviewed:
Dr. Douglas Johnston
Doctor Q&A: Atrial Fibrillation & Amiodarone After Heart Surgery
Excellent Mid- to Long-Term Outcomes:
Studies have demonstrated that the David procedure offers ...Read more
Excellent Mid- to Long-Term Outcomes:
Studies have demonstrated that the David procedure offers good long-term outcomes, with high survival rates and freedom from reoperation at 10 and 15 years. For example, one study showed a 90% freedom from reoperation at 10 years.
Durability Beyond 20 Years:
While 20-year follow-up data exists, long-term outcomes beyond that are still being evaluated. Some studies suggest the procedure is durable and safe in the long term, with significant freedom from mortality and secondary reoperations.
Factors Affecting Durability:
The durability of the David procedure can be influenced by factors such as the patient's age, the underlying pathology (like bicuspid or tricuspid aortic valve), and the quality of the aortic valve cusps. Ongoing Research:
Continuous monitoring and research are crucial to further assess the long-term efficacy and durability of the David procedure, especially beyond 20 years.
robotics or mini thoracotomy
1. I have some 'stiffness'/aching in my shoulder blade/rear ribs area and also some occasional minor discomfort in a couple of front ribs (in the obvious area). I tried cycling recently which really didn't help especially on slightly uneven roads and any jolt while walking also causes some unpleasant discomfort.Does anybody else have experience with this. Obviously I'll also discuss this at my next scheduled checkup.
2. Mental health: After the surgery I was delighted to be getting back to normal and to my original level of fitness but very recently, I've had flashes of thoughts of 'my own mortality' which kind of weigh heavy on my mind, which is kind of annoying.Anyone else?Is this usual?
Thanks everyone.
2) That's a pretty complex area. Yes, a heart surgery can and probably will elevate your consciousness of your mortality. That's a good thing. It pushes you to finally do that will/trust (which I did long before), sort out your things, re-emphasize your priorities. e.g. go out and do things, spend time with kids if you have kids, spend quality time with your partner, etc. Make the best out of every day. If you have fear of mortality and this affects your life, you might want to talk to someone.
2) All the websites say that emotional upheaval & anxiety are normal post-op. I cried at least once a day over random things for 3 weeks after my surgery. It still happens occasionally. Worry, anxiety, & depression are all normal post-op. Talking about your worries to someone you trust is better than trying to hold them all inside.
Be good to yourself (as Journey sings) and give it time! It will evolve.
The recovery plan now: intervals & strength training at rehab during the week and a run + optional hike at home on the weekends.
My body seems to be able to do roughly what it could do 3.5 years ago when I started this fitness journey and recovering my health.
The goal to get my fitness & activity back to pre-op levels before the end of the year feels more attainable today than it did a couple weeks ago.

“I just went in for an annual check-up. After listening to my heart, my doctor told me I had a heart murmur. I never knew I had a heart murmur, and I didn’t know much about them. The images ... Read more.
“I just went in for an annual check-up. After listening to my heart, my doctor told me I had a heart murmur. I never knew I had a heart murmur, and I didn’t know much about them. The images showed that I had a severe mitral valve prolapse.
We made the decision, at the time, to keep an eye on it for a year because I had no symptoms. Based on my second echocardiogram, it was determined that my mitral valve prolapse had progressed, and it was time for surgery. Now, I am ecstatic to say that my wife and I just returned from a 10-day holiday in Saint Lucia which included four scuba dives.
Dr. Castillo-Sang gave me the confidence that I would be able to dive again, and he was 100% correct."
-- Gary Fabre, heart valve patient
Ana , I hope that Sir Buddy gets on okay

Presuming , he won āt be affected in any way and he will just be getting on with life š¾š¾ xxx"
I am exhausted and had decided to get off the heart valve site. But had to respond to yr honest hard posts about recovery. Much love


Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
I just read your latest journal entry. You will be in the best hospital in the world with the BEST surgeons on the planet. They ...Read more
I just read your latest journal entry. You will be in the best hospital in the world with the BEST surgeons on the planet. They can handle anything. After my surgery, my issue was fluid retention. They had the drugs to address it. Knowing the people at Mt. Sinai, I am confident all will go well. It took me two tries to find the right people and the right hospital; you have done it on the first try. I am looking forward to talking to you after your surgery and listening to your stories about your experience. "
https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning-center.php

... Read more
l
focus on the future

Thanks to the members of this wonderful community, I am happy to share that... Read More.
Our recent webinar, ā6 Misconceptions of Heart Valve Surgeryā, was fantastic!Ā We had over... Read More.
Dear Ana ,
How is Sir Buddy doing ?

Try and get your iron levels up .
It can be difficult to get iron by diet if your appetite is poor or if you can āt tolerate iron pills .
There ...Read more
Try and get your iron levels up .
It can be difficult to get iron by diet if your appetite is poor or if you can āt tolerate iron pills .
There is an iron spray that is very good , just spray into the inside of your cheek .
My emergency OHS surgery was almost five years ago . I have a St. Jude ās mitral valve and take daily warfarin .
The perimenopause and heavy periods have made me anaemic . I have recently started using the iron spray and it is very good .
You are doing really well ā¦..Little steps , one day at a time xxx
"
Welcome

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Welcome and welcome to recovery

Welcome

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
Thank you for your update, Pierette
"
and may take a while. Truly glad to be on the other side of it though.
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
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Tricia Casey
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Surgeon Spotlight
Dr. Badhwar is a world-renowned heart valve surgeon that has performed thousands of heart valve operations that include minimally-invasive techniques.