Elizabeth's Guestbook

Hi Elizabeth: Hope you are doing extremely well. I am meeting with Dr. Miller tomorrow. How would you rate your experience under his care? Any comments appreciated. Thanks, Steve

Elizabeth: disregard my previous post. I see now that you had mitral valve surgery not aortic valve. Ooops, sorry. Best wishes still apply, though! :-)

Great news, Elizabeth, regarding successful replacement valve! As an athlete, did you every consider the Ross procedure? I will be having AVR on Valentine's Day at Cleveland Clinic...but am still unsure which valve to request: mechanical vs tissue. Am leaning toward mechanical simply because I don't want a re-operation; and I've heard the On-X mechanical valve has been FDA approved for lower INR levels after 3 months post-surg. I would be very interested, as a former athlete/firefighter (retired); what your thoughts are re your valve selection. Thanks, all the best. Kevin.

Hi Elizabeth, I'll be at St.Joe's in Denver too for my stress echo on Dec 6th and thinking of your successful procedure that day. Just met my cardiologist Dr. Shafton last week who said he has referred a number of patients to Dr. Kevin Miller over the last year 2016 with excellent results. (Dr. Shafton has only been here just over a year.) - Steve

Hi Elizabeth, I did see Dr. Miller for my week six surgery review. All has gone well, im recovering much better than expected and I'm still very pleased with the effort of Dr. Miller and his team. Next week on the 16th I'm going to see the cardiologist Dr Derosz, I'm less impressed with her but she does cover all the aspects of treatment and followup. I'm getting an echo cardiogram to baseline my heart/valve function but from how I feel I can tell you my heart i doing well. So when is your surgery...do you have a firm schedule? TOM

Hi Elizabeth...I have read your story and while it does not directly apply to me one of my friends a woman then about your she had the same surgery you are having. She was very concerned about a surgery that was too invasive and at that time no one in Denver was doing the the procedure as you've described. She came through the surgery great, and had a much faster recovery. I see some of the comments here about the sternotomy and they seem positive as well. My surgery this Tuesday at St Joseph Hospital will involve what i imagine will be as much pain possible :-) I'm trying to keep positive about it and as I've read I'm sure I will be okay. I am also sure...or more of a feeling, that you will do just fine! I'm sending you positive thoughts! TOM

Hi Elizabeth...I have read your story and while it does not directly apply to me one of my friends a woman then about your she had the same surgery you are having. She was very concerned about a surgery that was too invasive and at that time no one in Denver was doing the the procedure as you've described. She came through the surgery great, and had a much faster recovery. I see some of the comments here about the sternotomy and they seem positive as well. My surgery this Tuesday at St Joseph Hospital will involve what i imagine will be as much pain possible :-) I'm trying to keep positive about it and as I've read I'm sure I will be okay. I am also sure...or more of a feeling, that you will do just fine! I'm sending you positive thoughts! TOM

Elizabeth, I saw you mentioned Migraines as the a side effect of the first unsuccessful MV repair surgery. This is common Mitral Valve Prolapse symptom. If you have a successful repair/ replacement of your MV, it very well may go away. It is speculated that these types of migraines are caused by lack of proper blood flow to the brain caused by faulty heart valves. I have seen several reports, from individuals on this site,that no more migraines were a positive additional side effect of replacing their valve.

Hi Elizabeth, I'm responding to your comment about your having a low pain threshold and thus your anxiety about having a full sternotomy. As you've probably heard, every patient has his/her own unique experience with this surgery, so I can only share mine. I had a full sternotomy, with my mitral valve repaired and my aortic valve replaced. My biggest anxiety was over the post-op pain. (I wasn't at all anxious about not pulling through, since this is one of the safest operations out there, with a mortality rate of a whopping 1.7%-2%.) But as for pain, I was assured that they'd keep it well under control, not just for my comfort but because they'd want me to walk around, do breathing exercises, etc., which I'd do poorly (if at all) at if I were in much pain. To my astonishment post-op, I felt very little pain--and not because I was doped up. I got off the narcs. after about the first day and off the ibuprophen after the third day--by my own choice, not my caregivers' decision. I just didn't feel the need for them anymore. I've heard of others who have had the same experience--most notably, Barbara Walters. She has some clips on youtube about her OHS experience, and they're well worth watching. Again, we're all different, but do be assured that you'll be kept very comfortable post-op. Not 100% pain-free of course, but easily handled. Hug that pillow whenever you laugh, cough or sneeze! BTW, I read Dr. Gillinov's book (I think it's called "Heart 411") and it's excellent. You'll be in very good hands with him. Reading his book could help too, to lessen your anxiety. Wishing you the very best, Artie

Hang in there Elizabeth - we are all saying lots of prayers for you. You have endured so much already that correcting the problem with OHS is what you want. We all are stronger than we think and just take one day at a time. Don't get too far ahead of yourself. Stay Heart Strong!

Hi Elizabeth, I'm speechless! I had the same procedure done on September 11, 2015 with a successful story. I recovered so fast that I went back to work 3 weeks after my surgery. Even thou I feel good, I'm now very concerned and a little apprehensive. Can you please tell us how did they discover that your OHS 3 months later didn't go well? Did you have any symptoms? Wish you the best my heart sister 🙏🏼.

Hi Elisabeth, i read your story and you have every right to be rather disappointed and upset. However by the same token, you must keep your cool (easier said than done) simply because , in case you have to have OHS, you need to keep mentally and emotionally STRONG.....it's essential. One quick question comes to my mind and that is why they didn't perform OHS in the first place !!!!!!! I wish you well and i am in your corner battling along with you. Keep strong my dear.........all the best.

Hi Elizabeth, On September 11, 2015 (about 3 wks ago) I underwent Mitral Valve Repair thru Minivally invasive procedure done by Dr Robert Kalimi from Southside Hospital LIJ, New York. Being that Im 47 years old, healthy individual, very hyper, physical therapist and a mother of 3, my surgeon told me that I was a good candidate for this procedure. I have to tell you Elizabeth, 24 hours post op I was walking in ICU with a walker since I was still unsteady. Day #3 moved to Step down unit carrying my heart monitor and draining tubes walking all around nursing unit by myself. Day #4 early afternoon I went home. Day #5 I went shopping with my husband to BJ's. Day #9 I walked my first mile, Day #14 I walked 3 miles and now after 3 weeks post op Im going back to work (no heavy lifting) My surgeon and hospital team was amazed of my recovery. So, as your heart sister and knowing that you will have the same procedure I had, I must say: Good luck! You are going to do great! Email me for any questions you have, oxox

Hello Elizabeth- My name is Terrie and I had aortic valve replacement last year. I want to tell you at the age of 66 I have spent most of my life very active with swimming, kayaking, biking and it was in my favor towards heading for my own surgery and one of the things I feel made the recovery go well for me. I mention this to you as your story tells me that you are a very active person which will also be in your favor as your surgery comes to pass.... I also developed SVT's(super ventricular tachycardia the year prior to the cardiologist deciding to move forward with valve replacement which throws you off a bit from time to time as you are trying to keep active but as you have learned CAN be done. I am sure you will be hearing from many who have experienced what you're diagnosed with and that they will help support and inform you as you move forward with your surgery and want you to feel comforted in the fact you are not alone and that you can do this! I wish you the best as you move forward......take care Heart Sister

Hi Elizabeth. I am also a mitral valve patient. I am in the process of interviewing surgeons and hope to have surgery scheduled soon. Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way as you move closer to your surgery date!

Elizabeth: I had minimally invasive mitral valve repair at the Cleveland Clinic. Feel to reach out to me if there are any questions I can answer. My procedure was done via the Da Vinci robot and I could not tell from your story which repair option you are considering.