Dave, I sent you my contact info yesterday using that special email that you requested. Hopefully it got to you. If not, please contact me at lapidarian_2000@yahoo.com. ...Read more
Dave, I sent you my contact info yesterday using that special email that you requested. Hopefully it got to you. If not, please contact me at lapidarian_2000@yahoo.com. Also finding your other posts on the research you did prior to your procedure invaluable. In fact I'm meeting with my Cardiologist today and I'll ask about my ERO and Ace Inhibitors.
Ben from Minneapolis
Barry Van Gemert Dave's journal is a must-read for mitral valve patients. So glad I got to read it myself.
Suzanne Kosakowski posted a note for Dave that says:
Dave, back two years ago you were giving me advice about second opinions and finding a facility that had lots of experience with heart surgery. Don't know how ...Read more
Dave, back two years ago you were giving me advice about second opinions and finding a facility that had lots of experience with heart surgery. Don't know how often you check this site but I thought I'd let you know that I wound up going to the Cleveland Clinic for a second opinion on two leaky valves and they found a dilated ascending aorta. They feel I need to take care of it right away because of the rate it is dilating. Surgery is scheduled for May 15. Always appreciated the information you provided. Thank you! Hope all turns out well.
Dave Van Buren (DVB) Hi Suzanne! I dropped a note on your guestbook page. Smart to take care of it right away before it ... Read more
Dave Van Buren (DVB) Hi Suzanne! I dropped a note on your guestbook page. Smart to take care of it right away before it gets out of hand. I'll be checking your journal - best to you.
I checked out your links after your Christmas letter. Wow! I think you are doing a great service to the many who have valve problems. Thankfully, John and ...Read more
I checked out your links after your Christmas letter. Wow! I think you are doing a great service to the many who have valve problems. Thankfully, John and I don't- at least not yet. If we do, we'll now know where to look.
Someone pointed me to your guestbook, and although I'm only on page 4 (working backwards in chrono order), I'm really glad they did. I too any very analytical. ...Read more
Someone pointed me to your guestbook, and although I'm only on page 4 (working backwards in chrono order), I'm really glad they did. I too any very analytical. You asked for comments if we had used the Guidelines. I stumbled upon them on about by 36th hour of research (wish I'd found them sooner), and they became one of our textbooks. After reading them, I too began to have doubts that we were on the same page with our cardiologist. That is when we decided to write the initial emails that are currently referenced in our Journal.
Can't wait to get back and continue reading yours.
Hi again,
Thanks for responding so quickly and in such depth to my question. As usual, you thought of a few things that weren\'t on my list, so many thanks! ...Read more
Hi again,
Thanks for responding so quickly and in such depth to my question. As usual, you thought of a few things that weren\'t on my list, so many thanks! I hope to have good things to report after my appointment in a few weeks.
Take care and thanks again,
Hi Dave,
I have another question for you, and I hope it will not require you to do a lot of research this time:) I\'m coming up on my two year surgery anniversary, ...Read more
Hi Dave,
I have another question for you, and I hope it will not require you to do a lot of research this time:) I\'m coming up on my two year surgery anniversary, and I\'m headed back to CCF for a check up with my favorite cardiologist, Dr. Griffin. While I am feeling well and am expecting just a routine check up, I was wondering what sort of questions really smart patients (like you) ask their cardiologists when they go for their check ups. Are there important things I should be asking about my valves/repairs or about my echo? I have my list of questions, but since I am traveling a long way, I want to make the most of it. What do you ask when you go for check ups??? If you are willing to share, I would love to hear!
Hope your ESOS (and travel) was/is full of fun, family and adventure!
Thanks so much for all your great posts,
Dave Van Buren (DVB) Hi Deb. That's a great question and probably deserves more thought than just this quick note. But h ... Read more
Dave Van Buren (DVB) Hi Deb. That's a great question and probably deserves more thought than just this quick note. But here you go anyway!
In your routine checkups you'll generally get some combination of various exams & tests: stethoscope, EKG, ultrasound, treadmill, blood analysis. So the simplest kinds of questions revolve around the tests and what they are showing. I ask to listen to my heartbeat with the stethoscope and ask "what am I hearing?" When they do the EKG, what am I seeing on the traces? With the echo: show me my annuloplasty ring and the leaflets coming together. Show me the (lack of) backflow when the valve closes. These kinds of questions lead to others and exploring them gives you a good picture of how your heart is working.
Questions about your repair: how is it holding up? Is there anything to be on the watch for? Just in general, how durable are repairs? Most last by the way.
There are questions about good health practices: What can I do to keep my blood pressure low? What can I do to keep my arteries clean? What can I do to reduce my chances of other bad things happening to my heart, for example from diabetes?
If you are on medications you can ask about what they do, how they work, how they interact with other medications. If there are safer or less costly alternatives. Are there other medicines that do the same thing with different/fewer side effects? What are the studies showing their effectiveness and where do you stand with respect to the corresponding study groups. Some drugs require discipline and monitoring so discuss what discipline is needed and how to monitor, especially when away from home base. And what safety nets are appropriate.
Then there are the questions about your potential. How vigorously can I exercise? Is it reasonable for me to do X? Do I have any medical limitations?
Successful mitral valve repairs fully restore patient life spans. Of course the surgery is key, but contributing is that patients learn a lot about heart health and are motivated to apply what they learn. So asking questions during checkups is important.
And congrats to you on your upcoming 2 year anniversary. You seem to have your head fully wrapped around it and are doing a great job helping the "newcomers" in their journeys. Bravo!
Brian Walsh - 6 months post MV Repair and enjoying ESORunning :) posted a note for Dave that says:
Great read as always, your information is great but nice to see how well you are doing 2+ years after surgery. Awesome to hear and keep enjoying the summer, ...Read more
Great read as always, your information is great but nice to see how well you are doing 2+ years after surgery. Awesome to hear and keep enjoying the summer, winters are for blogging.
I am from: Los Angeles, California
