Guestbook of Carmen P

My Guestbook

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

161 days ago

Cleve Gantt posted a note for Carmen that says:

Hi Carmen, I use Dr. Gerry Phillips with Cardiology Associates in Mobile. He is a great person. Cardiology Associates has a good number of well qualified cardiologists. ...Read more

Hi Carmen, I use Dr. Gerry Phillips with Cardiology Associates in Mobile. He is a great person. Cardiology Associates has a good number of well qualified cardiologists. I have also seen Dr. John Galla, who completed his fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic and is an interventional cardiologist. He would be a good choice as well. You can see their profiles on their website. Wishing you all the best!

Carmen P Thank you so much. My cardiologist is getting older and it is becoming harder to find a good cardiol ... Read more

Carmen P Thank you so much. My cardiologist is getting older and it is becoming harder to find a good cardiologist is this area.

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

161 days ago

Jan Persico posted a note for Carmen that says:

What make was your original valve? How are you doing now?

Carmen P Edwards Life Sciences. Dr. Roselli believes it was too small, which shortened its life span. I fou ... Read more

Carmen P Edwards Life Sciences. Dr. Roselli believes it was too small, which shortened its life span. I found it interesting that both our aortic valves only lasted 8 years.
My surgery this time was more involved than in 2016.

Jan Persico Carmen, this surgery was much more invasive and involved. I had the Trifecta GT installed in 2017. Th ... Read more

Jan Persico Carmen, this surgery was much more invasive and involved. I had the Trifecta GT installed in 2017. There are problems with this valve. No longer manufactured. 😱

Carmen P The aortic root was reworked, aortic annulus enlarged to accommodate a much larger valve and an aorti ... Read more

Carmen P The aortic root was reworked, aortic annulus enlarged to accommodate a much larger valve and an aortic aneurysm repaired. Sure hope this valve lasts longer than the first one.
I hope that you are home now and can really begin to heal. Try not to get discouraged when it takes longer to recuperate this time. Good luck and God Bless.

Jan Persico Carmen. Thank you. I got an Edward’s Valve this around. They had to do some sort of grafting so I c ... Read more

Jan Persico Carmen. Thank you. I got an Edward’s Valve this around. They had to do some sort of grafting so I could get a bit larger valve this time. Follow up appointments on 6-30. Heading home 7-01. Will be grateful to get home. Stay strong!

Carmen P Probably something similar to what Dr. Roselli did for me. Enlarging the valve opening and a larger ... Read more

Carmen P Probably something similar to what Dr. Roselli did for me. Enlarging the valve opening and a larger valve to be able to replace the valve in future with a TAVR procedure, possibly avoiding another open heart surgery. One of the reasons I chose Dr. Roselli at the Cleveland Clinic.

Jan Persico Agreed. Cleveland Clonic is the best.

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

295 days ago

Valerie Allen reacted to this

Sher Follett posted a note for Carmen that says:

Oh my gosh Carmen, I just read about your whole ordeal and so glad you are on the other side of this. How are you doing now? I saw that you had Dr. Roselli ...Read more

Oh my gosh Carmen, I just read about your whole ordeal and so glad you are on the other side of this. How are you doing now? I saw that you had Dr. Roselli and was so impressed with him in the presentations he did with Adam on the blog. Looks like you had a great doctor.

Carmen P Definitely agree that Dr. Roselli inspires confidence. The fact that I'm still here speaks of his s ... Read more

Carmen P Definitely agree that Dr. Roselli inspires confidence. The fact that I'm still here speaks of his skill. His team and the Cardiac ICU nurses are amazing. Reasons to pick an experienced team when facing heart surgery.

Sher Follett

I think that is key, finding a team you are comforatble with!

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

476 days ago

Geoff Curtis posted a note for Carmen that says:

Thinking about you! It's still early and tough I'm sure, how did everything go??

Ps.. Dr Roselli is doing my surgery 10/21

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

477 days ago

Celeste Pfau posted a note for Carmen that says:

Thinking about you during your recovery

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

479 days ago

Margaret France posted a note for Carmen that says:

Good Luck with your surgery. You have a great surgeon and CC the best place to be 🙏

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

479 days ago

Ruth joy posted a note for Carmen that says:

Hi Carmen ,
Wishing you good luck for your surgery .

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

479 days ago

Anna Rakowicz posted a note for Carmen that says:

Hi Carmen,

Sending prayers and encouragement to you on your surgery tomorrow. I am strongly considering Cleveland Clinic for my surgery as well. Seems ...Read more

Hi Carmen,

Sending prayers and encouragement to you on your surgery tomorrow. I am strongly considering Cleveland Clinic for my surgery as well. Seems everyone has had exemplary results there. You will too ❤️

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

479 days ago

Karen Hommel posted a note for Carmen that says:

Saying a prayer for you tomorrow Carmen. 🙏 I was also told I had a murmur at a CVS minute clinic. A nurse practitioner saved my life. 💕

Carmen P I agree with you. Mine was saved by CVS, too.

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

480 days ago

Betsy Davenport posted a note for Carmen that says:

Carmen, you're a day ahead of me. I am thinking about you and I hope to connect again after we're done in the hospital.

Carmen P I understand that the TAVR procedure has a shorter recovery than open heart surgery. Good luck and ... Read more

Carmen P I understand that the TAVR procedure has a shorter recovery than open heart surgery. Good luck and I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

483 days ago

Hugh Martin posted a note for Carmen that says:

Hi Carmen, are you saying you need intervention again only 8 years after the valve was replaced?

Marie Myers Going to jump in here and comment. There is no way to reliably tell how long a tissue valve will last ... Read more

Marie Myers Going to jump in here and comment. There is no way to reliably tell how long a tissue valve will last in any one person. This is why the choice of valve is a really hard decision. I have seen stories on here where the valve was calcifying in only 5 years! Generally, tissue valves will last between 8-15 years, but there are always outliers who may be at the extremes of that range. I too have a tissue valve that is at 8 years, and believe me , i get a little anxious at every echocardiogram…

Carmen P It would have been 8 yrs in October 2024. It came as a big disappointment and shock. I was hoping fo ... Read more

Carmen P It would have been 8 yrs in October 2024. It came as a big disappointment and shock. I was hoping for 15 or 20. I guess it just wasn't meant to be.

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

483 days ago

Wilda Pelton posted a note for Carmen that says:

Carmen, The best to you with your surgery. I had aortic stenosis and a bi-cuspid valve and chose the Cleveland Clinic for my treatment in 2016. All went well ...Read more

Carmen, The best to you with your surgery. I had aortic stenosis and a bi-cuspid valve and chose the Cleveland Clinic for my treatment in 2016. All went well and I’m sure it will for you. You are in my thoughts.

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

489 days ago

Valerie Allen reacted to this

Genine posted a note for Carmen that says:

You are so fortunate to have Cleveland Clinic! I have thought long and hard about them since they have taken care of my Grandma, Dad, Uncle and me. ...Read more

You are so fortunate to have Cleveland Clinic! I have thought long and hard about them since they have taken care of my Grandma, Dad, Uncle and me. When I left Ohio a few decades ago it was just a small dirty brown building but even then, only the best of the best work there and oh how it has changed. I live on the West Coast so my concern is the travel time between here and Cleveland so I'm also considering Stanford since I live in a medical desert. You are in very good hands so I'm sure you will do well.

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

492 days ago

Celeste Pfau posted a note for Carmen that says:

Hi Carmen!! I’m in Milton and will be going to UAB for surgery. I see you’re close to where I live.

Carmen P Welcome Neighbor.

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

494 days ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

Nancy Romero posted a note for Carmen that says:

Everything will be fine!

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

498 days ago

Rose Madura, Betsy Davenport reacted to this

Sue Maize posted a note for Carmen that says:

Safe travels tmrw Carmen and praying all goes well with your surgery! Looking forward to your next update! ❤️‍🩹🙏🏻

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

500 days ago

Robyn Peacock, Yumiko Ishida reacted to this

Geoff Curtis posted a note for Carmen that says:

My CC cardiologist referred me to Dr Roselli's office and they're supposed to call this week to schedule my surgery. How long was your wait from time ...Read more

My CC cardiologist referred me to Dr Roselli's office and they're supposed to call this week to schedule my surgery. How long was your wait from time of scheduling to the actual surgery? Months?

Suelynn Hanegraaf It all depends on the immediacy of your case (symptoms, what they are seeing from testing). I was tol ... Read more

Suelynn Hanegraaf It all depends on the immediacy of your case (symptoms, what they are seeing from testing). I was told by my CC cardiologist that I was in the severe range (aortic stenosis) in late Oct 2023. I went ahead and scheduled a surgical consultation with Dr Doug Johnston (former longtime vice chair at CC, now at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago) in January 2024. In early Feb, I also called Dr Roselli at CC and his surgery schedule was booked until June. Dr Johnston was able to my ❤️‍🩹 surgery on April 8, 2024. I was glad to get it done sooner and to have the summer to recover, do rehab and walk outdoors.

Geoff Curtis Ok, thanks

Margaret France It will depend on your situation and your specific issues. If your CC cardiologist made the referral ... Read more

Margaret France It will depend on your situation and your specific issues. If your CC cardiologist made the referral it may be a few months. I started with Dr. Roselis office and they actually referred me to Dr. Patrick Vargo who trained under Dr. Roselli. He was great. I had an aortic valve replacement on July 10th. I’m 2 weeks post op! At home doing pretty well.

Carmen P Hi Geoff. I had tests at CC on May 17th. I was scheduled for a heart cath on July 26 and surgery on ... Read more

Carmen P Hi Geoff. I had tests at CC on May 17th. I was scheduled for a heart cath on July 26 and surgery on July 30. This will be a reoperation and repair/replacement of the ascending aorta aneurysm and hopefully, anything else they find during the heart cath.

Valerie Allen Mine was a 5 month wait, but then I was just on the threshold of needing surgery. Good luck! He’s t ... Read more

Valerie Allen Mine was a 5 month wait, but then I was just on the threshold of needing surgery. Good luck! He’s terrific!

Patricia Miller Mine was a couple months. Someone was looking out for me bc Dr. Roselli had a 4 month wait at the ti ... Read more

Patricia Miller Mine was a couple months. Someone was looking out for me bc Dr. Roselli had a 4 month wait at the time. He had an opening January 2024 and it was the right time for my surgery. You will feel better once everything is set and you have a timeline to work with. Hang in there. It is a lot to take in but everything is going to be fine.

Dan Fouratt Mine was right at 2 months. I had severe but asymptomatic. I found the wait time the worse part of t ... Read more

Dan Fouratt Mine was right at 2 months. I had severe but asymptomatic. I found the wait time the worse part of the process. Good Luck

Mirza Baig Mine is probably will be schedule in August 2024. All the pre-op tests were done, like CT scan and an ... Read more

Mirza Baig Mine is probably will be schedule in August 2024. All the pre-op tests were done, like CT scan and angiogram.
At Kaiser their is a TAVR team, my interventional cardiologist is at this time is Dr. Heidi Nafday with Dr, Jacob Mishell

Mirza Baig How do I know its definitely will be thru your artery in the groin area

meg oconnell Mine was also about 2 months. I was not in "urgent" need so I had to adhere to the doctors availabili ... Read more

meg oconnell Mine was also about 2 months. I was not in "urgent" need so I had to adhere to the doctors availability.

Carmen P Just tested positive for COVID. I'm devastated. Waiting on a callback from CC for rescheduling. ... Read more

Carmen P Just tested positive for COVID. I'm devastated. Waiting on a callback from CC for rescheduling. Has anyone else been in this situation?

Pamela Gregory I had Dr. Roselli and it was scheduled within 5 weeks of the referral

Geoff Curtis Carmen, are you still good with the surgery? I know it's 8/13, didn't know who that works though

Suelynn Hanegraaf Oh no, Carmen! Shoot. 🙏🏻 for a quick recovery.

Carmen P Hi Geoff. Yes, for 8/13. Assuming nothing else happens. I will not be socializing anywhere between ... Read more

Carmen P Hi Geoff. Yes, for 8/13. Assuming nothing else happens. I will not be socializing anywhere between now and then. Probably wear hazemat gear on our flights as an additional precaution. Bathe in hand sanitizer. Whatever it takes to get to Cleveland in August.

Geoff Curtis Good ideas! Lol. You got this

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

510 days ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Carmen that says:

Hi Carmen ,
Welcome

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

511 days ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

Suelynn Hanegraaf posted a note for Carmen that says:

Hi Carmen! I am a twice-aortic-valve replaced ♥️ warrior. First time in Feb 2011 and the “redo” in April 2024. You got this, girlfriend! 🙏🏻

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

511 days ago

Suelynn Hanegraaf, Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

Peg Rosenbaum posted a note for Carmen that says:

Hi Carmen: I had my second aortic valve replacement last October (after learning that the Trifecta Glide valve that had been implanted was defective and ...Read more

Hi Carmen: I had my second aortic valve replacement last October (after learning that the Trifecta Glide valve that had been implanted was defective and being recalled.) I had so hoped that I would be a candidate for a TAVR, but such was not the case. By Thanksgiving I was up and ready to help prepare dinner for 25+ guests (although we opted to leave the good china in the cupboard and go casual for this one. You look very fit in your picture and it sounds like you have an excellent surgeon! I well know the apprehension that accompanies this whole process, but the surgery is very similar to the first one as is the recovery time. Is it fun? Nope! But it really is a marvel what can be done these days. Sending positive thoughts and prayers for successful surgery and easy recovery. And if there was ever a time to prioritize what YOU need-this is it. Don't be afraid to ask for help and be gentle with yourself. Best of look!

Carmen P Thank you. Even though this is my second surgery, it is nerve wracking thinking "what if". This tim ... Read more

Carmen P Thank you. Even though this is my second surgery, it is nerve wracking thinking "what if". This time around there is the aneurysm, too. I'm hoping my recovery goes as well as the first one and as well as yours.

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

511 days ago

Gilad posted a note for Carmen that says:

Hi Carmen,
I'm relatively young at 51, and had my reoperation (valve and aorta like you) in 2016. The biggest difference maker for me compared to my ...Read more

Hi Carmen,
I'm relatively young at 51, and had my reoperation (valve and aorta like you) in 2016. The biggest difference maker for me compared to my first surgery was how I prepared for the surgery - got very fit at the gym, practiced yoga, meditated every day, I even went as far as doing a pre-operation hypnosis session. I feel like all those things helped in my recovery, which was quicker and easier than my first surgery. Good luck!

Carmen P Thank you so much and I'm hoping that I can say the same after my second surgery.

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

511 days ago

Skip Knowles posted a note for Carmen that says:

March of 2017 my aortic valve and small section of ascending aorta replaced with bovine valve and patch. December 23 of 2017 thought I had a heart attack. Turned ...Read more

March of 2017 my aortic valve and small section of ascending aorta replaced with bovine valve and patch. December 23 of 2017 thought I had a heart attack. Turned out my descending aorta dissected from the arch to the bifurcation. Stent for thoracic was all they could do to save me and it worked. Please ask your surgeon to converse with vascular surgeon to see if at least weakness in the descending aorta has developed.

Daneen Douglas Wow! That is scary. I had a similar procedure in April. I would imagine they checked the entire ao ... Read more

Daneen Douglas Wow! That is scary. I had a similar procedure in April. I would imagine they checked the entire aorta but may not be the case. Hopefully you have had the dissection in your descending aorta patched.

Carmen P Good to know. I'm adding this to my questions for Dr. Roselli.

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

511 days ago

Bill Brayton posted a note for Carmen that says:

I have been through two open heart surgeries similar to what you are experiencing. Just a suggestion,: if possible, spend some time in getting to know the anesthesiologist ...Read more

I have been through two open heart surgeries similar to what you are experiencing. Just a suggestion,: if possible, spend some time in getting to know the anesthesiologist The worst part of my experiences has been immediately after the surgery, and recovering from the anesthesia. First time, I had a very understanding doc monitoring my surgery, and recovery was mild, with no nausea. Second surgery with a different anesthsiologist, was not pleaseant. Nothing worse than nausea with your chest stiched up. So interview carefully with the anesthesiologist. Thats it! Hope it all goes well

Carmen P My recovery from the first valve replacement was not too bad. I, thankfully, did not have any nausea ... Read more

Carmen P My recovery from the first valve replacement was not too bad. I, thankfully, did not have any nausea. Thank you for the advice and I hope to meet each and everyone of the surgical team.

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

511 days ago

Bob Crook posted a note for Carmen that says:

Hi Carmen. Had my reoperation in May. Got a new bovine aortic valve, aortic root aneurysm repair and a bypass. I agree with Adam. Dr Roselli is one of the best. ...Read more

Hi Carmen. Had my reoperation in May. Got a new bovine aortic valve, aortic root aneurysm repair and a bypass. I agree with Adam. Dr Roselli is one of the best. After a long search I ended up at Mass General in Boston with Dr Sundt (the tie breaker was that I live close by) and was very pleased. The only advice I would give to you is to get into the best condition you safely can before your surgery. It will make your rehab easier. Otherwise we will have shared two of the best surgeons in the world for this type of procedure. You'll do great. You will be my thoughts and prayers. Bob

Carmen P Thanks Bob. I love doing aerobic dance, but was lightheaded two days ago and not sure if it was hear ... Read more

Carmen P Thanks Bob. I love doing aerobic dance, but was lightheaded two days ago and not sure if it was heart related. So have cut back, just in case.

Carmen P I've been pretty active most of my life. Deep sea fishing, horseback riding, scuba diving, sailing, ... Read more

Carmen P I've been pretty active most of my life. Deep sea fishing, horseback riding, scuba diving, sailing, skiing, snow & water, taught aerobics when I was younger. I've slowed down as I've gotten older, but still kicking. I was a little short of breath in December, climbing up a steep mountain path in the jungle outside of Puerto Vallarta, while four wheeling over the longest suspension bridge in Mexico. That was the first clue the valve wasn't performing as it should have.

Carmen Pgot a new guestbook post

511 days ago

Bob Duncan posted a note for Carmen that says:

Carmen, Thirteen years ago, I had SAVR surgery for severe aortic stenosis. Two years ago, the artificial valve was replaced with another tissue valve ...Read more

Carmen, Thirteen years ago, I had SAVR surgery for severe aortic stenosis. Two years ago, the artificial valve was replaced with another tissue valve using SAVR surgery. How was it different? The second time was easier because I knew what to expect.

An additional improvement was the scar on my chest. The first time the incision was sewn. I had a scar that looked like an exclamation point with a round chest tube scar as the dot. (My son said that I looked like a super hero.) On my second surgery, the incision on my chest was glued and the scar completely disappeared! Something to look forward to.

Carmen P At last, some really good news. My scar is actually hidden in my cleavage. Courtesy of a mini stern ... Read more

Carmen P At last, some really good news. My scar is actually hidden in my cleavage. Courtesy of a mini sternotomy. This one will probably be longer. I have a scar on my forehead from a head wound from a neighbor's dog. The scar is where my head hit the driveway. The 71 stitches it took to close the wound is hidden by my hair. So, scars, no problem.

Carmen P I was almost 2 years old.