Laura's Guestbook

Laura Brase  Hi Mark! I met with Dr. Murphey in Cardiology at Mayo and he's the one that gave me the news of the necessary surgery. He told me theyd do the full breastbone cut and recovery would be long and difficult! I didn't know any different or what to expect so I followed his lead in setting me up for surgery and tests. I met with the surgeon Dr. Pochatino (sp) and walked away a bit more confused than informed.
My sister works at Allen Hospital in Waterloo Iowa. (Dr. Rabindra does surgeries there every other month.) She highly recommended I get a 2nd opinion with him. She knew he was an excellent surgeon and patients talked highly of his bedside manner. I set up a consult with him and I'm so glad I did!!
After meeting with Dr. Rabindra my opinion of Mayo changed dramatically. Mayo instantly seemed cold and impersonal. I felt like just another patient to them. Dr. Rabindra sat across from me and we talked for a very long time about every aspect of my procedure and recovery. He had a genuine concern.
Dr. Rabindra was able to provide me with the information I needed to hear. I didn't know what I should know or what questions to ask. He made me feel very comfortable.
Now I have a new tissue valve and a 3.25" scar to show off! :-)
He's great and I hope you get to meet with him soon!!

Nancy D  Lara-- this just validates my opinion that the biggest may not be the best for all. It was important to me to feel confident in the team around me, and to be close to home for follow up care in the post op phase. It was the right choice for me. Everyone is individual in their priorities and you must be confident that you are comfortable with the people you charge to take care of you!!
Take good care!

Laura Brase  Absolutely Nancy! My husband actually doctors at Mayo in Rochester, MN for his Crohn's Disease and they are wonderful in that area. They just weren't the hospital for my care. I felt 100% confident in the surgeon and his team that I chose! I'm actually located in central Iowa, about 4 hours from my surgeon. That's the bad part. The good part is that he also does surgeries in Waterloo, IA at Allen hospital so I can do my follow-ups there. It's only 1 hour away from me! You're right, the best for me and you may not be the best for someone else. I was encouraged to get a 2nd opinion, and I owe a lot to my sister for encouraging me to do so. I can't stress enough to anyone how important it is to consult with different surgeons.

Mark Schmitz  Thank you very much for this insight!! I am thinking about getting one more opinion from Cleveland Clinic. I know I better get going for the dr.'s wanted it done soon, especially with the herniated aorta. Anyone with any info on these circumstances I would love to listen.
Mark and family

Laura Brase  Woohoo! Go Dave! :-) I can't wait to feel like you do now. I'm heading in the right direction but I'm getting impatient!

Laura Brase  Hi Helen! I chose the tissue valve. :-) I had two main reasons for my decision. One: I didn't want to be on Coumadin for life. Two: Our family is not complete and the tissue valve would allow a safer pregnancy/delivery!

Adam Pick  Great to hear that all went "smoothly". Those are the best types of procedures. Give my best to Laura please!

Eleanor R  This is quick progress, and hopefully more of the same is to come. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and thanks to the family and caregivers for the update. Eleanor

Laura Brase  Susan!
I first went with Mayo Rochester because my husband goes there for his Crohn's Disease. It's the best place I knew of at the time. After doing all of the testing and Dr. visits I felt rushed into surgery. They were going to do the full top to bottom incision.
Two of my sisters work in nursing and encouraged me to get a 2nd opinion. I saw Dr. Rabindra from Gunderson Lutheran in LaCrosse, WI and really loved his manner. He was soft spoken and just had a more caring approach. What I really loved about him is that he is one of a few that do the minimally invasive surgery approach in this area. He will be making a 4 inch incision and the hospital stay as well as the home recovery will be significantly shorter.
I guess I just had a gut feeling and in my heart I knew he was the one to fix my heart!!
Have you had a 2nd opinion?

  Sounds like you made a good decision. This will be my second aortic valve replacement. The first was here in Syracuse, NY in 2002. A second opinion isn't needed in my case. I've always known I'd need another surgery and have been followed very closely all these years. So, I've known this was coming for the last year or so. Plus the TEE and the cath confirmed things. I'll be going to the Cleveland Clinic for this one Nov 12. I was just curious why you switched. Thank you.