Hi Donna, I want to send you the best of luck with your surgery on the 26th. You will do great. Take a deep breath, trust in the process and your team of... Read more
Hi Donna, I want to send you the best of luck with your surgery on the 26th. You will do great. Take a deep breath, trust in the process and your team of health professionals. See you on the recovery side soon
Thinking of you Donna. You're almost there. I also had a mitral valve repair last year. You will get through this; you will be alright; you will live a lot... Read more
Thinking of you Donna. You're almost there. I also had a mitral valve repair last year. You will get through this; you will be alright; you will live a lot longer and in a couple of days be so happy the hardest part is over. Godspeed
According to Medifind, Dr. Brown is distinguished in mitral valve regurgitation surgeries. That’s what you want. My surgery in ...Read more
Hi, Donna,
According to Medifind, Dr. Brown is distinguished in mitral valve regurgitation surgeries. That’s what you want. My surgery in Sarasota is June 10th and sometimes, it feels like a death sentence, but it’s really a LIFE sentence!
I see you are in the home stretch waiting for your surgery. Hang in there- this is absolutely the worst part - you will be so glad ...Read more
Donna,
I see you are in the home stretch waiting for your surgery. Hang in there- this is absolutely the worst part - you will be so glad to be on the other side of surgery! You are in good hands. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Donna Carlson Thank you so much, Cheryl. I know this, but I am having a hard time not becoming tearful at the drop ... Read more
Donna Carlson Thank you so much, Cheryl. I know this, but I am having a hard time not becoming tearful at the drop of a hat. And yet another part of me is completely calm. Such a pendulum swing of emotions…
Cheryl Mann There is nothing wrong with tears. I think it is probably good to let them go - definitely better th ... Read more
Cheryl Mann There is nothing wrong with tears. I think it is probably good to let them go - definitely better than bottling them up inside.
Marie Myers My emotions were all over the place post op. I was doing the tearing up/ crying at the drop of a hat ... Read more
Marie Myers My emotions were all over the place post op. I was doing the tearing up/ crying at the drop of a hat thing after surgery, not before. I was mostly just anxious prior to surgery, and I can say my fears and worries were overblown.. The whole surgical experience was not as awful as my worrying mind would have me believe. Wishing you a smoother than expected journey through surgery and recovery!
Hi, It looks like you have a few more days until the operation. I remember those days prior to surgery, I sat down and found some of my old books that I ...Read more
Hi, It looks like you have a few more days until the operation. I remember those days prior to surgery, I sat down and found some of my old books that I had not read in years, so I started reading as much as I could. It really helped to keep from constantly thinking of the upcoming operation.
Oh, and after the operation make sure you do all of the things recommended for therapy. My son decided to work from home.... my home and made sure I walked, and walked, and walked each day. I need to get back into my Exercycle riding in front of the big screen TV here in my office. I have been slacking off again. I will be watching to see how everything went.
Don
Donna Carlson Don, thank you so much! I truly appreciate it. I have taken to ripping the house apart with spring cl ... Read more
Donna Carlson Don, thank you so much! I truly appreciate it. I have taken to ripping the house apart with spring cleaning- windows, blinds, floors, rugs. Cut the grass yesterday, I’ll be doing some planting and getting all my houseplants outside, getting the laundry all caught up- I will be working and praying all the way in, lol. Say a prayer for me, and continued good luck on your road to recovery!Donna
Hi Donna, I too had mitral valve regurgitation. The best place for heart surgery ( rated number 1 in the country ) is Cleveland Clinic. My insurance covered ...Read more
Hi Donna, I too had mitral valve regurgitation. The best place for heart surgery ( rated number 1 in the country ) is Cleveland Clinic. My insurance covered everything but the hotel (because we live on the west coast) and flights. Dr Gullinov is head of mitral valve surgery. I recommend him highly! Expert in the field. I never will have to have another mitral valve surgery because the put in a ring and did not do a replacement
Donna Carlson That is wonderful news! I am hoping for the same outcome- fingers crossed!
Hi Donna. I had open heart surgery to repair my mitral valve four years ago. I got the diagnosis a month after I retired, and it hit me hard. I was asymptomatic ...Read more
Hi Donna. I had open heart surgery to repair my mitral valve four years ago. I got the diagnosis a month after I retired, and it hit me hard. I was asymptomatic and never had any big health problems. I have friends who helped me through it. I'm 70 years old now and feel great. I work out at the gym several days a week and go for long walks through downtown Chicago where I live. I had no problems during recovery and don't require heart meds. My cardiologist told me there should be no impact on my lifespan. I'd have to say the experience made me more grateful for life in general. You'll get through this and will have a long and happy life, too. I know it!
Donna Carlson Robert, this is exactly what I need to hear. Thank you so much.
Hi Donna, I had my Mitral valve replaced on 3/25. Like you, I really wanted it to be repaired if possible. My surgeon was very good and made ...Read more
Hi Donna, I had my Mitral valve replaced on 3/25. Like you, I really wanted it to be repaired if possible. My surgeon was very good and made the point that sometimes complex repairs may not always be the best option if there is a increased possibility that the repair might not last. In my case, my valve simply was beyond being repaired, and I am thankful that I had a good replacement that should last. I also experienced the same sense of grief and sadness that you expressed. It was strange and unexpected. How did I deal with it? In my case, I am part of a faith-based community of friends that came around me, listened, encouraged and prayed for me. Despite the emotions and fears, I felt well covered in prayer which made all the difference in how I managed my concerns and anxieties. I hope you have something similar to help you through this time. Blessings to you and I will be praying that you will be comforted as I was. Lastly, I am 3+ weeks into my recovery. I am doing well and I know you will too!!
Donna Carlson Thank you so much, John. Yes, I am surrounded by support and prayers, and it gives me so much strengt ... Read more
Donna Carlson Thank you so much, John. Yes, I am surrounded by support and prayers, and it gives me so much strength. I am so happy for your outcome, continued health and blessings! See you on the other side!
Hi Donna. I read your story and hope you have success finding the right facility and your insurance cooperates. From a young age, I knew someday ...Read more
Hi Donna. I read your story and hope you have success finding the right facility and your insurance cooperates. From a young age, I knew someday I'd need surgery and I used to get real scared. Oddly, I felt more at ease after I had a hysterectomy. I know. Doesn't make any sense. But you kind of feel a mourning for your life when you didn't need surgery. Having said that, I'm so thankful I went through with it. I feel so much better than I ever have. You can do this! Trust God, do research, find a facility and a doctor you trust. And don't forget a 2nd opinion. I will pray for you to have peace.
Donna Carlson Thanks Rose. I did a ton of research and I am confident in both my surgeon and the cardiac institute ... Read more
Donna Carlson Thanks Rose. I did a ton of research and I am confident in both my surgeon and the cardiac institute in Morristown. They were my second opinion and I’m so glad I went that route. So now, it’s all about getting through…
Rose Madura Yes, waiting is the hardest part. But try to take it one day at a time. Do some relaxing things unti ... Read more
Rose Madura Yes, waiting is the hardest part. But try to take it one day at a time. Do some relaxing things until surgery. We are here to try to answer any questions you may have.
Hi Donna - Reading your story - I think before surgery is a difficult time. All kinds of thoughts do enter into the equation BUT, I will tell you I never lost ...Read more
Hi Donna - Reading your story - I think before surgery is a difficult time. All kinds of thoughts do enter into the equation BUT, I will tell you I never lost sight of my faith in God or trying every day to keep it positive. I hope you will too. You are going to be okay. God Bless.
Hi Donna, I just saw your post about the emotions following diagnosis. I can relate and remember what you are going through. That said, I thought you... Read more
Hi Donna, I just saw your post about the emotions following diagnosis. I can relate and remember what you are going through. That said, I thought you might like to watch this educational video about the patient mind before and after surgery. I hope the helps bring you comfort. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfO5DTvNIkQ
https://www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - Have you ever wondered what emotions patients experience before, during and after heart surgery? Find out in this educa...
Donna Carlson Thank you so much Adam! For this, for everything. This site and your videos are keeping me sane ❤ ... Read more
Donna Carlson Thank you so much Adam! For this, for everything. This site and your videos are keeping me sane ❤️
Donna Vedovelli Good luck with your surgery I know how you are feeling my date is 4/13 and I am also emotional cryin ... Read more
Donna Vedovelli Good luck with your surgery I know how you are feeling my date is 4/13 and I am also emotional crying at a drop of a hat. I need three valve two replacements and one repair. It is hard to find the strength. We can do it one step at a time
Donna Carlson So much love to you, Donna! I will be pulling for you, and keep you in my prayers!!
Hi Donna, I know how you feel I have been on an emotional rollercoaster since September when I found out I had a bicuspid valve with severe stenosis. This ...Read more
Hi Donna, I know how you feel I have been on an emotional rollercoaster since September when I found out I had a bicuspid valve with severe stenosis. This website has helped me by reading everyone's success stories and all of the support that everyone gives you. This week has been extremely emotional for me my surgery is scheduled for 1-11 the last thing I need to do is go for my Covid test on Saturday and make sure I have all of the last minute things buttoned up. I have a great surgeon and Cardiac team at Northwestern Medicine and I know I am going to be fine I wish I could tell you how to not be anxious but its just human nature to be. We are all going to feel so much better once our hearts are fixed and this will all be behind us. #newheartnewyear2022
Donna Carlson God bless you Karen, Northwestern is a premier program firm what I have researched. Good luck, I know ... Read more
Donna Carlson God bless you Karen, Northwestern is a premier program firm what I have researched. Good luck, I know you are in good hands, and I’ll keep you in my prayers. Let me know how it goes!
Donna Carlson God bless you Karen, Northwestern is a premier program firm what I have researched. Good luck, I know ... Read more
Donna Carlson God bless you Karen, Northwestern is a premier program firm what I have researched. Good luck, I know you are in good hands, and I’ll keep you in my prayers. Let me know how it goes!
Donna Carlson God bless you Karen, Northwestern is a premier program firm what I have researched. Good luck, I know ... Read more
Donna Carlson God bless you Karen, Northwestern is a premier program firm what I have researched. Good luck, I know you are in good hands, and I’ll keep you in my prayers. Let me know how it goes!
Donna Carlson God bless you Karen, Northwestern is a premier program firm what I have researched. Good luck, I know ... Read more
Donna Carlson God bless you Karen, Northwestern is a premier program firm what I have researched. Good luck, I know you are in good hands, and I’ll keep you in my prayers. Let me know how it goes!
HI Donna,
I was an emotional mess for 2-3 months after finding out I needed surgery. Once I found a surgeon that I felt comfortable with and had a surgery ...Read more
HI Donna,
I was an emotional mess for 2-3 months after finding out I needed surgery. Once I found a surgeon that I felt comfortable with and had a surgery date I felt much more calm. I also have mitral regurgitation, with surgery scheduled for Feb. 11. I'm sure the anxiety will ramp up again when it's finally time for surgery.
If you're not doing it already, I encourage you to do a lot of research on the surgery itself and various surgeons, get multiple consults if possible. Sounds like you want the BEST (I felt that way too). I live in FL but am going out of state for my surgery.
Feel free to reach out for anything!
Janelle
john roland Donna, the best thing for you to do is get all your medical records in order. In the meantime contact ... Read more
john roland Donna, the best thing for you to do is get all your medical records in order. In the meantime contact the hospital or Dr. that you want to do the surgery. Tell them what insurance you have and let them tell you if they take it or not. Do not trust or call the insurance company like I did. I contacted the Cleveland Clinic and they told me my insurance is accepted. You then send all your records in to them, or if it is close drive it to them for their review. Most importantly try to relax. These Doctors and their support staff perform miracles every day. You definitely want a valve center, they have the expertise to deal with it and give you confidence. Good luck