Laura's Guestbook

Laura Metrano  Hi Guy, I'm feeling pretty good, thanks, coming up on 3 wks post-op. Sleep is still kind of erratic and my discomfort level is unpredictable (taking few percocet or tylenol each day). Sneezing/coughing are the worst! How was your pain? How long did you take pain meds?
I too thought the surgical team was very professional. I didn't speak with Girardi all that much but it appears he did a great job-- so happy to have a repair! Did you also have Dr Erin Mills? She was my favorite.
After some confusion, my cardiologist is now monitoring my INR which is convenient. Had first post-op visit with him last week...no more murmur!! What's life like at 5 mos post-op?

Guy Blachman  I was on decreasing amounts of percocet for 3-4 weeks, the last week i took very few. so i never let the pain be bad. I didnt have Dr. Mills - who is she?
Life at 5 mos after is great, i forget about the surgery until i look in the mirror with no shirt..so no complaints. Hope your recovery goes well

Laura Metrano  Guy, I agree, the ventilator was beyond awful. I loved the staff, caring, professional and knowledgable. Where did you have your warfarin levels monitored? I had some trouble finding a doctor to do it. Congrats on repair, such great news to wake up to!

Guy Blachman  I went to Quest diagnostics clinics to get blood drawn for Warfarin tests. They are all over Manhattan and you can book appointment online - much better than just showing up and waiting for an hour.
The doc monitoring should be your cardiologist. My initial one didn't care to pay attention to it so I switched, now I go to Dr. Kim at Weill Cornell, he is excellent.
BTW, I just had echo 5 months after surgery, MR is gone and left side heart is almost back to normal size, so Girardi's steady hand worked well..

Laura Metrano  Congrats Guy! That is fantastic news. Have you noticed a difference in the way you felt before surgery? I had very few symptoms (that I knew of) so I'm curious how different I will feel after recovery.

Guy Blachman  I felt a difference immediately when I woke up from surgery, no more heart palpations or thumpings or any "weirdness" i felt prior.

Terry Shermeister   Nice to hear from you Laura: I feel like we all are like spiritual comrades going through this challenge. Some days I'm strong, other days I'm overwhelmed. Today I met with my primary Doc and he says he knows my surgeon, it made me feel reassured. Last night a friend of mine told me about his AVS, though my is the Mitral Valve, he's been through the recovery process and was so helpful. This morning I woke and was feeling anxiety until I read your post, just knowing others are in the same place makes me feel much better. Feel free anytime to write and I'll always give you an honest and "heart felt" response!! Thanks for being there, Terry

Tim Goff  Welcome Laura. I hope you find information that gives you comfort and confidence as you embark on this journey as many have before you.