Jeff's Guestbook

Jeff Lashins  So you're using Imuran. Have you been working with a rheumatologist or still a cardiologist? Has anyone suggested IV immunoglobulin therapy?
I get a fever when I get pericarditis, so I don't know if I can just treat the pain. My cardiologist puts me on Prednisone to quickly reduce the inflammation to eliminate the fever.

Linda Whitney  Hi Mindy. Like you I too feared the ventilator, and thinking back, I don't even remember waking up with it on!. I recall ICU, but I was so relieved to be on the healing side I honest to God don't even remember it. And honey, I fretted about it incessantly. So rest assured, you will be OK!

Yvonne Gottlieb  Keep a positive mindset and give yourself a beautiful visual as you drift off to sleep. Happy thoughts and sweet dreams!!!

Jeff Lashins  Wow! The speed of your recovery is a real inspiration. I hope my experience is similar to yours. Thanks for reaching out.

Jeff Lashins  Thanks so much, Linda! So far I've been really happy with the Cleveland Clinic and very glad I made the trip out here.
I hope your recovery is going well.

Jeff Lashins  Thanks, Jennifer! I'm feeling quite confident with my choice of surgeon. Glad to hear your experience went well.

Dan D.  Jeff, good luck on upcoming surgery. You look young and strong so you will have an excellent outcome. Hope your recovery is fast!

Jeff Lashins  Hi Jennifer -
I'm happy to share my process with you. :)
At the recommendation of my cardiologist, I consulted with Dr. Craig Miller at Stanford. For whatever reason (maybe because I'm getting a repair vs a replacement?), my cardiologist said that Dr. Miller is really the only surgeon in the Bay Area he can recommend.
I sort of always knew that I was going to Cleveland anyway. I like the fact that Cleveland has been ranked the #1 cardiac center for for the last 20 years. I also like that Cleveland has such a huge volume of aortic valve surgeries. I wanted to be with a surgeon that does hundreds of aortic valve surgeries a year. Out of the entire cardiothoracic surgery department at Cleveland, I chose Dr. Svensson because he is one of 2 in the group that specialize in aortic valve repairs and replacements.
I do hear that Sequoia is quite good. I didn't care for Dr. Miller.
-Jeff

Wiliam Height  Jeff, you have your priorities in order and you have done your research. All heart surgeons and their specializations are not created equal. i read many people who chose the best local regional hospital or heart center thinking it's good enough. This is the most important decision of your life. Great decision on your part! Welcome to the site by the way.

Jennifer Miller  Thanks for sharing how you chose the Cleveland Clinic, Jeff. I found Sequoia from the June 2014 article in Consumer Reports listing the top 15 heart hospitals in the U.S., which also included CC. I started my research from there. UCSF, Stanford & Alta Bates were also on my list of possibilities, but for various reasons, Dr. Castro & Sequoia made the decision very easy for me. We ideally needed to stay as close to home as possible for my husbands job, while still feeling confident I was in the best hands for my valve repair. That's what it all comes down to for each of us, right? Being absolutely confident we've made the best choice for ourselves. I hope your valve can be repaired vs. replaced-- are the odds good? Do you know what kind of incision you're having? I had my surgery on a Friday, just as you are. It's weird how I think of Fridays differently now; it was a life changing, life saving day.

I'll be thinking of you May 1st & following your progress here. I wish you & your family the very best of times together before you leave. I see your kids are quite young--how I miss those years! You're very blessed, Jeff!
Take care,
Jenni

Jeff Lashins  @JenniferMiller- The surgeon is pretty confident the repair will work, but can't say with 100% certainty that it will. He needs to do the repair and test how well the valve can make a seal. To answer your question about the incision size - 3-4" sternotomy. Thanks for your thoughts.

Jennifer Miller  I'll be praying & sending good, positive thoughts your way Friday for a successful repair. My sternotomy is a mini also-- just 3.5". Good luck & safe travels!