Christine's Guestbook

Richard Munson  I finally got off elliquis after 3 years and the maze procedure. I was also told that a stroke chances are slim but possible. My compromise with my cardiologist because i still have an aortic aneurism was a baby aspirin, stay on metropolol and insert the loop recorder . So far, so good. Not sure i feel any different, i just wanted to reduce my pill intake. Not sure i did that either. At least the aspirin is a smaller pill and cheaper. He wanted my heart rate to be lower to ease the pressure on the aneurism. 

Christine Maiorano  Hi Richard, like you I’m trying to reduce my pill intake. I had an episode of a fib seven days after my surgery and I’m still on Eliquis. Since I didn’t have the maze procedure, my local cardiologist recommends I stay on it for another four months. I’ll be seeing MyClevelandClinic cardiologist in the end of September and see what his opinion is. My husband and I along with friends have a three week trip planned in the end of October to Vietnam and Turkey, and I certainly don’t want to risk the possibility of a stroke. Aside from this medication issue I’m feeling great, enjoying my walks and cardiac rehab, life is 😊 

Rose Madura  Christine, I'm glad your surgery went well.  I hope your recovery is going smoothly. Time to really listen to your body and follow doctors orders. 👍❤️‍🩹🪖💪

Christine Maiorano  Thanks everyone. I’m so happy to be home! I’m feeling surprisingly good but incredibly fatigued 😊

Susan Lynn  Christine -Sending positive thoughts and prayers to you! We'll be waiting to welcome you to recovery!

Patricia Miller  Christine- You are going to do well and are in good hands at CC.  I had surgery there in January.  

Christine Maiorano  Hi Dena, I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. My surgery is coming up quickly 4-10-24. I’m anxious, ready!

Christine Maiorano  Thank you for the info. It’s all a bit stressful and the answers to my many questions is so incredibly helpful 

Dawn Neal  I’m 7 weeks post minimally invasive robotic mitral valve repair and all is good! Just wanted to give you a little update in case it might be helpful to others…

My incisions are healing well, the largest being about 3” long with 3 smaller incisions on my right chest and side and 1 in the groin. I’m happy with the healing, but am irritated with the numbness that persists from the nerve block. It is gradually improving. 

I have started rehab 3 days a week, which is great! I appreciate the fact that they can monitor my vital signs and EKG as I exercise. 
My oxygen saturation tends to drop with exercise especially at this altitude of 8600 feet, and I sure don’t want to overwork the healing heart, so I am reassured having experts watch over me. I have also had tachycardia since surgery and my surgeon does not want my heart rate to go over 135, so they watch that and slow me down on the treadmill if it goes too high. 

I don’t require naps during the day and sleep no more than 7 hours at night whereas previously I could have napped for 2 hours during the day. My appetite is good, although my taste buds are still a little wacky, but improving! 

I know others have had tachycardia after surgery- would love to hear how that resolved (or not) for you. My resting heart rate is low 100’s. Blood pressure great-low normal. 

I’m being very lazy today here in the mountains of CO after a big snowstorm last night. The whole town is snowed in with at least 20” of the white stuff!  

Take care!

Christine Maiorano  Hi Dawn, thanks for all the info you posted. I’m scheduled for Mitral Valve repair on April 10th at Cleveland Clinic. Sounds like rehab is going well. I was wondering about tachycardia after surgery, I heard it was pretty common? I’m trying to prepare myself for just about anything. The most difficult part for me is th waiting! I see you’re in Denver. One of my closest friends spends 6 months of the year in the Copper Mt. area ! 
Stay strong!

Dawn Neal  Thank you, Christine! From what I’ve read, the tachycardia is common and usually goes away. My resting HR is now high 90’s, so it’s improving. At rehab they monitor an EKG on me the whole time. I love that! I’ll be anxious to hear about your surgery. You are in the best hands.