Dianne,
I was reading your post. I have to have my Mitral valve repaired either partial sternotomy or full. I was wondering what happened to the lady you ...Read more
Dianne,
I was reading your post. I have to have my Mitral valve repaired either partial sternotomy or full. I was wondering what happened to the lady you mentioned that never left the hospital. Was she an Elderly lady? I just cant figure out why she never made it through.
Dianne A Hi Paul, as I understand it, Mitral valve repair is actually low risk, provided there are no major co ... Read more
Dianne A Hi Paul, as I understand it, Mitral valve repair is actually low risk, provided there are no major co-existing health conditions. My friend was elderly, and she had some significant health issues before her aortic valve issue. We all wish it could have been otherwise.
Paul Pierce Thank you for your time. I was upset that when you said she was so happy and friendly I was just thin ... Read more
Paul Pierce Thank you for your time. I was upset that when you said she was so happy and friendly I was just thinking how sad it was and how could that have happened but it does and it did.
Paul Pierce Dianne , Have you herd anything from Lisa? last I heard she was having surgery at Advent Health with ... Read more
Paul Pierce Dianne , Have you herd anything from Lisa? last I heard she was having surgery at Advent Health with Dr Accola on 3/29/19 I hope she is doing well.
My OHS (bovine valve and aneurysm repair) was my first hospital stay, I didn't think about sleeping. I am also a side sleeper but when I rolled on my side while ...Read more
My OHS (bovine valve and aneurysm repair) was my first hospital stay, I didn't think about sleeping. I am also a side sleeper but when I rolled on my side while sleeping, the sound of my heartbeat woke me up. I finally bought an adjustable bed. At about 11 months all is back to normal.
Hi Dianne, Sleeping on our sides seems to be one of the top 5 goals in early recovery. I was so stiff and sore from sleeping on my back. I could hardly stand ...Read more
Hi Dianne, Sleeping on our sides seems to be one of the top 5 goals in early recovery. I was so stiff and sore from sleeping on my back. I could hardly stand it until I asked my doctor about it. Cardiologist said that trying to sleep on our sides before 6 to 8 weeks can put weight on wires used for surgery and permanently bend them into an inverted V shape that could cause lifelong arthritic type pain. This is from one doctor, so check with yours. I had OHS/AVR and I am 5'4, 135lbs - so it was not an issue of size or weight. Keep feeling better each day.
Mike Roskowinski That is good to know. Thanks for the information. I just got a recliner to sleep in since I am a side ... Read more
Mike Roskowinski That is good to know. Thanks for the information. I just got a recliner to sleep in since I am a side sleeper. I guess I will get more use out of this than I expected
Fay Kozas Hi Mike, I agree with Dianne. If you sleep on your side too soon after your surgery, there is a possi ... Read more
Fay Kozas Hi Mike, I agree with Dianne. If you sleep on your side too soon after your surgery, there is a possibility that the sternal wires, holding the bone and
muscles together as healing takes place, will shift. Sleep on your back, and if you can, do so for the 12 weeks that it takes for the sternum to fully heal. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
leslie terjesen That's weird as the nurse in the hospital said I could sleep on my side, not that it worked out. I t ... Read more
leslie terjesen That's weird as the nurse in the hospital said I could sleep on my side, not that it worked out. I think I was home a week so two weeks post op that I could sleep on my side but when I am half asleep try to turn on my back.
Fay Kozas Mike, I apologize. I was referring to Patricia's post that she wrote to Dianne.
Loved your cartoon, Dianne. Dealing with bacterial infection that has caused dementia like symptoms. I felt like I was losing my mind adding this to OHS. Blessed ...Read more
Loved your cartoon, Dianne. Dealing with bacterial infection that has caused dementia like symptoms. I felt like I was losing my mind adding this to OHS. Blessed to have a doc who knew right away what it was. Your drawing is just perfect! Still giggling. Thanks
It's so good to know you're moving right along, Dianne! I have been praying for you since before your surgery, and will continue to pray throughout your recovery. ...Read more
It's so good to know you're moving right along, Dianne! I have been praying for you since before your surgery, and will continue to pray throughout your recovery. Love your "expectations/reality" graphic, haha.
I don't have a date yet for my mitral valve repair (most likely replacement, I'm told, but will know more when I meet with the surgeon on March 11th). Like everyone, I feel scared, but it's so encouraging to read about the experiences of others going through it before me. This website is a godsend.
Hello Dianne,
I am going to need Mitral valve repair soon and I am in the Orlando area. I was thinking of going out of state for surgery. But if I could ...Read more
Hello Dianne,
I am going to need Mitral valve repair soon and I am in the Orlando area. I was thinking of going out of state for surgery. But if I could find an experienced well practised mitral vale repair surgeon in florida it would be such a relief. How was your experience with dr Accola?
Dianne A It has been wonderful, and Florida hospital cardiac is every bit as good as their reputation
Debbie Kelly I dont have any experience with him but have read a lot of great things. Also, check out Dr. Lamelas, ... Read more
Debbie Kelly I dont have any experience with him but have read a lot of great things. Also, check out Dr. Lamelas, who just returned to Miami. He is a pioneer in minimum invasive surgery. Many people on this site used him, as well. I was scheduled to visit him in Houston, but he moved.
Learn more about J. Alan Wolfe J. Alan Wolfe, M.D. from Northeast Georgia Physicians Group.
Fay Kozas Hi Dianne, if you wouldn't mind traveling all the way to NY, Dr. David Adams, in Mount Sinai Hospital ... Read more
Fay Kozas Hi Dianne, if you wouldn't mind traveling all the way to NY, Dr. David Adams, in Mount Sinai Hospital, is famous worldwide for mitral valve repair. Good luck!
Fay Kozas I apologize. I meant to address you, Paul. Consider a consultation with Dr. David Adams in Mount Sina ... Read more
Fay Kozas I apologize. I meant to address you, Paul. Consider a consultation with Dr. David Adams in Mount Sinai Hospital. Good luck!
Paul Pierce I know he is one of the best I have read about.
Your story is so much like mine! I found out I needed surgery to repair/replace my mitral valve just last fall, and my surgery was Feb 5th. Dr Kevin Accola ...Read more
Your story is so much like mine! I found out I needed surgery to repair/replace my mitral valve just last fall, and my surgery was Feb 5th. Dr Kevin Accola is my surgeon, and he is just wonderful! Also, Adventhealth and its staff, is such a great hospital. You are in excellent hands! Prayers for your successful surgery, Dianne.
John Morales Dianne wishing you the best of luck im right behind you , all the best prayers on there way
Dianne - Wishing you all the best on Tuesday! We'll be here awaiting your good news! ❤
leslie terjesen Going for my aortic valve replacement on Tuesday, also. Wishing you the best and we'll be writing aft ... Read more
leslie terjesen Going for my aortic valve replacement on Tuesday, also. Wishing you the best and we'll be writing after all over. I will be up at NY Presbyterian at Columbia. Going tomorrow as they have a hotel in the hospital since we are a few hours away and need to be down at surgery at 5:30am. Can't wait till this is over and hoping to be home a week from today!!! We'll talk soon!
Dianne
Sending positive thoughts your way. I have the same diagnosis and was curious how long it took you to get an appt with Dr. Accola. I was diagnosed Feb ...Read more
Dianne
Sending positive thoughts your way. I have the same diagnosis and was curious how long it took you to get an appt with Dr. Accola. I was diagnosed Feb 8th and just had my cardio cath Feb12th. I am seeing my first surgeon (locally recommended by my cardiologist) appt on Feb 20.
Dianne A Lisa & Glen, Dr Accola went to a conference right as I was getting prepped for urgent surgery. Fortu ... Read more
Dianne A Lisa & Glen, Dr Accola went to a conference right as I was getting prepped for urgent surgery. Fortunately for me, my cath didn't show any other issues, so I was downgraded in urgency. My cath was on Jan 24 and my first appt with Dr Accola was on Feb 11. It might have been sooner if not for reshuffling a week of his calendar.
Dianne you got this. You will do great. Think of all the things you want to do afterwards. You are in my thoughts and prayers for your surgery and recovery ...Read more
Dianne you got this. You will do great. Think of all the things you want to do afterwards. You are in my thoughts and prayers for your surgery and recovery
See you on the Recovery side.
Dianne....all the Heart Warriors have you on their Radar Screen for your Surgery tomorrow. We are all here in support, prayer, hope and encouragement. Remember ...Read more
Dianne....all the Heart Warriors have you on their Radar Screen for your Surgery tomorrow. We are all here in support, prayer, hope and encouragement. Remember to get Physically, Mentally and Spiritually prepared today.
We prayer for a very successful surgery tomorrow and an absolute incredible recovery!
Prayers for the smoothest surgery and recovery possible, Dianne!
I haven't posted a story yet but was told on Jan 16th that I need valve repair (hopefully ...Read more
Prayers for the smoothest surgery and recovery possible, Dianne!
I haven't posted a story yet but was told on Jan 16th that I need valve repair (hopefully not replacement) for mitral valve (with moderate to severe regurgitation) that has already caused moderate to severe enlargement of the left atrium. Have known about my MVP since my 20s (I'm 67 now). My tricuspid valve also leaks, I'm told. Expecting a call from the surgeon's office to schedule consultation.
No idea what to expect but taking one step at a time ....Just discovered this site & hope it will be helpful... Hadn't thought about post-surgery fevers and fluid retention until reading posts. Lots to process.... They didn't give you much time for that! Could be an upside to that...
I'm in Daytona, not far from you... Stay strong & positive; it won't be long before the hardest part is behind you! I will be holding you in prayer and watching for your posts on your progress.
Dianne A Oh you are right in my neighborhood! I wish you well and would encourage you to consider Dr Kevin Ac ... Read more
Dianne A Oh you are right in my neighborhood! I wish you well and would encourage you to consider Dr Kevin Accola. I have a friend who had a lot of time to research surgeons and Dr Accola has a wonderful reputation as the best of the best in the area.
Two days to go, Dianne. Good luck from here in the UK.
Try to keep it in perspective. Yes, it's frightening. But consider the alternative. This is worth it. ...Read more
Two days to go, Dianne. Good luck from here in the UK.
Try to keep it in perspective. Yes, it's frightening. But consider the alternative. This is worth it. It's a positive attempt to get you back to what you were.
Take the time to get better. Allow your body to recover, but push it and encourage it every day. I went through three clear phases: recovery from the operation itself, recuperation after that and then a definite rehabilitation period.
Talking with others and reading stories on the boards here, consistency is the key to recovery. You will go through some ups and some downs, and if you can use your mind to believe that the overall trend is in an upward direction, the downs won't feel so severe.
Good luck. Be positive and have faith in your ability to recover.