Lee's Guestbook

Echo. I had a Echo in the Hospital after my operation that is now my new base. Again make a list of questions I put mine on my phone. My recovery has been smooth Good Luck

In my case my sutures were removed and they checked my weight, appetite, chest healing progress, sleep history, blood pressure, and your overall attitude. Make a list of questions to ask.

Hi, so glad to hear that I'll know right away about surgery. I know your day is close, all the best, praying for you for great outcome! Take it easy! You'll do great!

Hello Lee, I can relate. I'm 64, have known I had MVP since my 30s but it never caused any problem other than occasional palpitations. I had an episode of PVC in 2018 and began having echos annually, and my valve has worsened. So, I will have my TEE on September 28th, and cardiologist feels Ill definitely need a repair. I was shocked! I totally get the taking care bit to be exposed to Covid. I am seeing very limited family members but still! Best of luck and I'll be keeping track to see how you do. Best of luck!!! Take care! Laurie Quinn St. Louis

Hey, Lee. I’m glad that my journal is helping you. The journals that I have read and other people sharing their experiences was invaluable to me. I wanted to pay it forward with my experience. They physical part isn’t bad. It’s the psychological and mental side that are tough. Yesterday, I was feeling like I would get discharged in a day or two. Now that I have this AV block, I’m thinking that my heart is failing and that they screwed up the surgery. It’s back to the same unknowing that I had when I was first diagnosed. Just have faith in the professionals that will be looking after you.

Hi Lee, I just went through this same procedure where Dr Balkhy was able to repair my mitral valve. I was so glad this was an option because I was on the fence in picking the artificial or pigs valve. I was leaning towards the artificial valve because of my age. I guess the only negative is I would have been on coumadin the rest of my life. I was up and walking the day after my surgery. I was also discharged later that day. I was walking around my block 5 days later. Then at 10 days I was on the treadmill walking 1.5 miles a day. Today has been 6 weeks since my surgery and I walk on the treadmill every day for 45 minutes at 3.8 mph. I am also officiating high school football games for the IHSAA. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. Good luck to you.

I was shocked in 2017 when I was told I had severe mitral regurgitation. I was at a loss of what to do about it so I dove into the internet. The percentages were unbelieveable. I thought going to a major hospital would be best and my local cardiologist recommended Sammi Said at Mayo Rochester. The worst part was the waiting for the surgery. I even did a family vacation that had been planned for some time before my heart issue. Not that I enjoyed the vacation but the surgery went great. Dr Said was able to repair the valve. Minimum issues developed post op. Only took one pain pill after discharge. Recovery was slow but I was retired so I didn't really care how long it took. My yearly exams have been great. I have no restrictions. Still trying to bike 20 miles though. You've picked a great surgeon with a lot of experience. One day you'll wonder if this really happened.

I need the same surgery as you do so let us know what procedure is to be used. I thought about having this doctor do it but, not sure yet what procedure has to be used. When they go through the ribs on the right side the recovery is much faster but, just as painful. I know someone who had it done this way. She came out of it with no other problems and recovered very fast. You should recover just wonderful at that hospital let us all know.