Melinda's Guestbook

Melinda Donahue  Hi I am sorry I didn’t respond earlier. I’m still learning how to navigate around the site. These are great ideas. Thank you!! I have total faith in my doctors. I’m just scared ❤️

Melinda Donahue  Thanks so much for this information. I am so happy you are doing so well and your recovery was quick. 

Melinda Donahue  Thank you so much Suzy - I appreciate your post.  I am sorry you got sick.  I will be sure to be extra cautious with my immune system.  Your post helps more than you know and thanks for the prayers. xoxoxo

Melinda Donahue  It is quite a blip!!!  I will be strong and I can do it and hopefully can be on the other side helping other people like you all do.

Melinda Donahue  Oh my goodness. I woke up scared to death again and there was your post. Thank you!!!  Every night I go to sleep reassured  after reading and taking myself into acceptance and knowing I have the best surgeons and hospital and listen to everyone’s positive experiences and wake up completely irrational and scared. Your post put me back on the positive track. 

I believe I will also have tricuspid repair as there is a slight leak. 


Were you in the hospital long ? You had to have a re-surgery, ugh😳

Melinda Donahue  Hi Theresa!! Thanks for posting. The recovery process is a lot !!  I am trying hard too tell myself If all of you got passed this and are so encouraging and supportive, I can do it. How long were you in the hospital ?

Melinda Donahue  I agree with you. I believe I have the best surgeons. I just have to tell myself out of being so nervous and instead of looking at all of the  negatives - concentrate on the big picture. Some days are better than others. 

Melinda Donahue  I am so happy you are doing so well it gives me such hope. How long was your surgery? Did you experience any issues after surgery ? How long did it take for you to feel like yourself ?

Melinda Donahue  Thanks so much. I am not even sure I have afib. But I will be sure to listen to everything he says. I was so impressed by him and Dr. Boateng. 

Melinda Donahue  Richard Munson, thank you for always taking the time to post !  I am going back and forth with should I or shouldn't I?  I was told that I have a few months to do this and my heart is not compromised at this point.  This will put my life expectancy to a 'normal' life expectancy and without I will not have that same luxury.  My fears are probably the same as most of you all had.   I am afraid of something happening during the operation - not making it thru - the heart lung machine scares me to the core.  It is most definitely the elephant in the room.  You ask yourself what happens if you are that .1%.  I trust my surgeons.  I believe that they are the best ones for the job - they have an astounding record and reputation, but I am shaken to the core.  I am grateful I can talk to all of you because each time I feel I am talked a little more off the ledge.  Please you can 'bore me with how you tried to leave the waiting room on the big day'. x0

Kimberly Eisenhut  Melinda, I will be told when my surgery will be soon also, and am having a very hard time with it also. I appreciate Richards words also, as we all know we just have to take that step and accept that is is necessary. So much love and big hugs sent to you today

Richard Munson  O.k.melinda, here goes. The facts are it was in the middle of covid and i was 79 almost 80. No visitors. My wife dumped me off in front of mass general early in the a.m. as her tailights faded in the distance, i dejectedly entered the lobby. Keep in mind, i pushed to get this mitral valve surgery done.  It was me and a few ladies awaiting the dreaded call.  They called my name and i did not answer. Fear took over. The person calling came over to me and said “ you’re the only guy in here.” BUSTED. My next chance for escape came during chest shaving. I was already strapped down, and he was holding a razor.  I asked if i could leave and was told no, too late. By kicking the can down the road, you lessen the chance for a repair. Yes, there is a .1% chance of failure but if you focus on that and not the 99.9 you will be a mental wreck before you get there. No doubt you have had a colonoscopy in your life. Guess what, they are not 100% either. Ever wonder why you sign a million times before that one. Be strong knowing we all had your fears and here i am now 83 and still ticking. At least for today.

Richard Munson  Melinda, also take a look at my profile picture. That is my first day home after a week in the hospital. My faithful friend is by my side. Not nancy, but my faithful friend cassie.  Lol. She laid  there for 2 hours with her head on my body. I think as i look at that picture that i made the right choice. Not just because i lived but because it made sense. Cassie, god love her, is no longer with us but that photo is something i will cherish forever. 

Melinda Donahue  Oh Richard you are an inspiration!  You are also funny!  I am so sorry Cassie is not with you anymore that is heartbreaking. I have my dog Biscuit and I know what it is like to love and loved by a best friend who has four legs. I will try and focus on the 99.9%, sometimes I do but more don’t than do. I have 3 grandsons and another on the way I want to live a healthy life as along as possible so the choice is a no brainer until the .1% stuff creeps in. Thanks for taking the time to speak to me !  You are so much appreciated. 

Melinda Donahue  Kimberly I am new to this site but I hope I can be as supportive to you as those in her are to me. I definitely know how you feel !!!

Richard Munson  You will do fine. I also have grandkids but you would not be able to be the grandma you want to be if your heart was not functioning the way it should. I found this site after my surgery, not before. No ana, no second opinion rose, no sue or kim. I have learned a lot from these wonderful ladies and others too numerous to mention but before my surgery it was me and me alone. Cardiologist of course. My analogy for the day. Compare it to a bandaid. Tear it off slowly or rip it off all at once. In each case there is pain, but one is much faster than the other. I believe my surgery was a success even if i were to keel over tomorrow. Mine was a repair by the way with the maze for a  fib. As i look in the mirror today i still think i look great. What an ego. Lol. 

Melinda Donahue  I am thankful for you, for this website and all the wonderful people !  I appreciate your kindness more than you know. I was just chatting with ChatGPT and got the heck scared out of me. My fault I asked about all the things they can happen - you know that pesky .1%. It’s going take a bit for this old girl to change the way she thinks. 

thanks for the analogy it helps. You not only still look great but are smart too 

Kimberly Eisenhut  Melinda, I do that to myself also, and have found looking into the information/studies/outcomes etc is good to a point, then you just have to STOP and accept what will be will be. I am in no way saying to stop educating yourself and advocate for the best course of action for you, but take it a little at a time and when you feel overwhelmed, take a break. I am so guilty of going down that rabbit hole so many times; sometimes daily, and then my daughter and others tell me to stop researching now, there is only so much I can do and then I have to leave it in the hands of the professionals. I am learning to let things go I cannot control. It is a hard thing when you have always been the one to make sure everything is o.k. and figure things out for my family. This time I have to trust my Drs, Surgeon and family to do these things for me and let go of some control. We can do this and come out stronger, have a better working heart and then pay it forward by staying involved with this community of warriors to then encourage and uplift those in the waiting room, as Richard, Marie, Sue and so many more who regularly let me know I will get through this have done. We are NOT alone in this

Melinda Donahue  I am really down that rabbit hole and think that with my (our) condition(s) things can deteriorate so the cardiologist say - its not if - its when!! I have to come to terms with the when is now part. I try really hard to stay the course and not get all stressed - I am having such anxiety about it - sometimes one day is a bit better than the other!! I appreciate that we have each other and can share our feelings. I cannot wait for both of us until we are on the other side of this.

Melinda Donahue  Deena - thank you so much for this post. I am off the charts nervous - when was your surgery. Did you have any complications from heart lung machine - how many hours did it take - how long were you in the hospital? What were the first few days like - you will be sorry you told me to ask away

Deena Z  Ask away that’s why we are here!
So…Had my surgery March 2021.  No complications from the heart-lung machine. On it for about 2.2 hours.  Surgery was about 5.5 total hours for mitral and tricuspid repairs, including the prep time.  I also had a higher risk surgery, due to all the calcification.  Barely remember the breathing tube.  
The first two days i was beyond exhausted.  I was not ready for that.  Walking a few steps was a major feat. Slept a lot.  This was the hardest part for me.  ICU care was outstanding.  Food, well, that’s a different story. Lol. 
Pain was well controlled with pain mgt and way less than I had assumed.  I was in the hospital 6 days and in good shape when discharged. It was hard for me to be on my back 100 percent of the time.  And this sole back position lasts for weeks, so be creative with pillow supports!   We can talk over the phone or email, if  would help.  It’s normal to be scared, just know you are In outstanding hands.  (Total control freaks:)❤️

Deena Z  Sure.  If you share your email or tele, we can chat!   You can delete post with info once i receive, if you want. 

Melinda Donahue  Hi Mary thanks so much for your posting. I am still trying to find my way around this site and don’t always see the posts 

Melinda Donahue  Mary when did you get your surgery and which hospital ?  I have faith in Dr. Adams and Dr. Boateng I am just scared. It’s a lot. The whole heart lung machine and all the negative side effects. I don’t even know if I have afib. The holter monitor said 0% but the electrophysiologist at my cardiologist seems to think I do. It’s a bit of a confused issue. 

Melinda Donahue  Hi !  I am having trouble navigating through this site and just found your response.  My consult is tomorrow and I am beyond anxious.  I am asymptomatic - and am told I have some occurrences of afib based on a 3 day holter monitor.  I am noticing some shortness of breath but its so humid in NJ.  I go tomorrow and am pretty certain surgery will be scheduled.  Thanks for answering me - will update tomorrow

Melinda Donahue  Hi Mary. I met with Dr. Adams and Boateng. My surgery is scheduled for 9/4. I am asymptomatic, no shortness of breath, but the mitral valve regurgitation is pretty severe. I do have Barlows, but Dr. Adam said that I have a classic case when that he sees all the time. He says that my heart is small! When I initially heard, I had a small heart I was like oh my goodness but as far as medically, it’s concerned having a small heart as a good thing.  There’s nothing wrong with the structure of my heart, I have some left ventricle dilation, but he says that is because of the condition. He expects a full and total recovery. His estimation for prep surgery and to CCU six hours. I feel totally confident with them in Just a short time that I have met them. I actually can’t wait till this is over. 

Melinda Donahue  Mary, why do you have to take metoprolol and a baby aspirin? Did you have to be on blood pressure medication prior to surgery?

Melinda Donahue  Hi Mary - thanks so much for getting back to - I am so happy you did.  I am also 65.  

I have so many questions - like how long was the surgery, where did you get it done, were you in a lot of pain afterwards?  Are you on any meds now - did you have symptoms before!!!  Thanks so much for answering.

Melinda Donahue  Sharon you made me burst out crying. I am so happy you answered. God bless you and am so happy you are well. Scared to death. They had a cancellation. Appointment change July 16. 

Richard Munson  Yes, important to write them down and bring it with you. Easy to forget once you get in the meeting. Write big if you wear reading glasses. Pain to take them out. Assume that you had an echo already. Don’t procrastinate. Your valve will not repair itself on its own. But once your valve is repaired the rest of your heart can possibly improve because it is not working overtime to make up for a leaking valve. Mine did after a year went by. You should also discuss the plusses and minusses of minimally invasive vs. the full zipper. Keep in mind hospitals and doctors tend to push what they do. Its a business after all is said and done. In either case its open heart surgery. Once they get inside, its all the same. I am sure others can add more questions to ask. I learned a lot more after my surgery especially on this site. I am considering going back to school for ohs but at 83 i might be rejected. Plus my sat scores are no doubt single digit. I had mine 3 years ago, minimally invasive at mass general in boston. 

Melinda Donahue  Thanks Richard - my appointment is on August 13 - I know I sound like a big baby but just so petrified.  I am going though!  I am sure it will be scheduled.  I fear that it will get worse and compromise my heart.  I am certain you would be accepted!!