christine's Guestbook

Christine I too suffered from debilitating pain following my sternotomy , seems to have been costochondritis after trying all of the steroid / oral and topical treatments with minimal relief I ended up having intercostal nerve block injections done with a pain specialist . They helped . It has been a lengthy recovery process. I would try to nerve block approach 

Christine,

Thank you for sharing your story. It’s been 9 days since my robotic minimally invasive procedure at Cleveland Clinic. My prolapse was first realized at age 53. I’m now 63. You mentioned working out. I do to. Keep that going. Definitely is a plus going in and coming out of surgery. They discharged me after 3 days. I had initial shortness of breath but last couple days none. I’ve been walking quite a bit and my wind is back. I’m off meds for two days now. Im still tender but nothing crazy. You’re in good hands and doing the best thing.  I wish the best for your surgery and recovery.  God bless. 

Sorry if I sent two of these, I am getting use to this site. I am probably a month behind you in my time line.  Have you made your decision as to which procedure? Is there any reference material you used in the process of decision making?  I have not met with my surgeon, but that is near in the future.  Good Luck on your journey.

Thanks, Dan

I hope you find sufficient information to make a most appropriate decision.

A brief account of my story…
I’ve been blessed with an active life. In 2019 I had a heart attack, and 2 stents were placed. That got me on to an annual echo regimen. These indicated a minimal to moderate mitral valve regurgitation, until recently when it suddenly was diagnosed as severe by a TEE, with a subsequent angiogram confirmation as well as the need for 2 CABGs.

My devoted wife scoured the internet for information. The surgeon to which I was referred dismissed robotic surgery as did the subsequent surgeon that did my procedures.

We chose Dr. Gerdisch (watch his videos available on this site) because of understanding his pre-operative and post-operative recovery regimens, as well as him being close to where family lives that would be supportive. (He and his team is second to none!)

During the procedures he determined that I needed a mitral valve replacement even though pre-operatively I had a more likely mere repair needed. This because of the effects of rheumatic fever I must have had when much younger. He also did 3 CABGs. That was a week ago, 12/6. 

I was discharged on Monday. I’m following his post-operative regimen per his fantastic attentive and competent team.

I can tell I’m making progress because I’m less fatigued each day. The hope this lends me causes me to look forward to getting back to an active life at 67.

God’s bless.

I had not been on this site for a while and just saw your note.  So I am probably too  late with my response.  Dr Accola is the best.  I had three things done,  an aorta valve and a mitral valve replaced.  I had another issue with a muscle growth under the aorta valve that needed to be removed.  May you be blessed as much as me.   

Hi Christine, it sounds like we have a very similar story. I had my mitral valve repaired 3 years ago. After regurgitation and prolapse became severe I waited almost a year, still with NO symptoms to have the full traditional open heart surgery. I made my decision to have it done before symptoms arose and there would be no repairing only replacing. I've always been athletic and at 67 still run, swim and bike. Be patient with your recovery and walk and eat healthy.  The anxiety can really be over whelming before surgery. I had really good recovery the first 4 weeks then out of no where I came down with pneumonia.  That was a set back with a lot of pain for about 10 days.  There will be ups and downs throughout your recovery.  If possible take 2-3 months off work just to take care of yourself and heal. Best wishes!

It's my first time replying to a "My Story" so I am not sure where this will be ending up (personal message or the public forum). I also usually just look at what's posted on the forum rather than looking at "My Story". So if you have any particular question I would send a post to the forum rather than asking it in "My Story". 

I am not sure why your cardiologist wants to wait until you show symptoms. When you show symptoms like short of breath, swelling of the legs, etc. your heart got into a bad state quite a bit. It probably will have enlarged, wall thickness increased, vessels got narrower, etc., etc. Sorry to hear but based on your story, things clearly are getting worse. I am not a doctor but I suspect you won't be able to avoid surgery so do it sooner than later. I can't comment much on minimal invasive surgery vs. open heart surgery. My BIL wanted me to go to Dr. Gillinov to get minimal invasive surgery but I ended up getting open heart surgery locally. There were multiple reasons for this. One of them was that I needed the maze procedure (they scare your heart to redirect the electrical signals) and that supposedly can only be done with OHS (Open Heart Surgery). The good part about OHS is that the doctors have direct access to your heart in case something goes wrong. The bad part is that recovery is a lot harder and you will have that big scar (if you care). But recovery is mostly 1 month (3 months until you can do almost everything) so it's not that bad. Also check the learning center

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning-center.php