Melinda's Guestbook

Hi Melinda,
It was this time last year that, I too was nervously awaiting my surgical consult. Ours is an emotional and challenging journey but it is not insurmountable and there plenty of amazing people to work with along the way. 
Tomorrow you will have answers to the questions that you have wrestled with for so long. You will find direction and develop a plan. You are going into this meeting well prepared, you have done your homework and that is to your credit. You have found your way to a highly respected surgeon at a highly respected institution. Job well done, Melinda!
Very best wishes for a day that goes well tomorrow.

Hi again,
Hope you are doing well. Waiting and planning for heart surgery is challenging in many ways. 
I have read that you are considering Mt. Sinai and a major heart valve center is critical for a Barlow patient. Doing your homework is vital. Knowledge is truly power. Have you had your consult yet?

My presenting symptoms were shortness of breath on exertion and fatigue, which when worked up showed afib. and mod/severe regurge. I did not feel that badly. Was truly stunned to learn this, as I have had MVP since my 20's with no prior issues. A single cardioversion and amiodarone kept me in sinus rhythm until surgery 6 mos. later.

My repair was a complex one. Start to finish, I believe it was close to 6h including prep and line insertions, etc. Surgery was at MGH in Boston. I did indeed have pain but didn't take much narcotic as it worsened the post op nausea I have following any surgery.. Tylenol and lidocaine patches made it manageable.

Now 8 mos. post I'm taking metoprolol and baby aspirin daily. I feel so blessed to have conquered this. May you know this relief before very long. Let me know how you are doing and any questions as they come up.



 

Hi Melinda,

You are not alone. I have walked in similar shoes and shared similar fears. I am 8 mos. post Barlow's valve repair, at age 65, via sternotomy. All went smoothly, without complications and I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. While we all want a minimally invasive approach, sometimes it is not an option. If you find this is true in your case, I'm open to sharing my recent first hand experience. 

All the best,

I just read your other post and I totally recommend Dr. David Adams and his team! Mount Sinai's food was terrible for vegetarians but the medical expertise is unimpeachable. Like you, I didn't feel that poorly before the surgery but had signs of cardiac damage due to the mitral regurgitation. The surgery reversed the damage and i never regretted having it done when i did. 

When you have your consult write down a list of questions beforehand. Such as repair or replace ( on rare occasions they decide after they get in there so picking a valve just in case is a good idea). Ask about the maze procedure for a fib done during the surgery. As far as recovery times, go with the flow. Every person and surgery is different so predictions are like weather forecasts. Not worth much.