Guestbook of Sean Adkins

My Guestbook

Sean Adkinsgot a new guestbook post

95 days ago

Karen posted a note for Sean that says:

Sean - your comment about your recovery is inspiring for me. I’m about to have the same situation occur in April and have anxiety about the recovery. ...Read more

Sean - your comment about your recovery is inspiring for me. I’m about to have the same situation occur in April and have anxiety about the recovery. Would you mind sharing with me tips on whatever you did from the day after surgery to the 4 week mark? I too am going to CCF with Dr Roselli.

Valerie Allen Hi Karen. Can’t write on your guestbook as I can’t find it. I am having Dr Roselli in April too. ... Read more

Valerie Allen Hi Karen. Can’t write on your guestbook as I can’t find it. I am having Dr Roselli in April too. Maybe we can keep in touch. Please see my valve story.

Sean Adkins Hi Karen - my first recommendation would be to get yourself in as good a shape as possible pre surger ... Read more

Sean Adkins Hi Karen - my first recommendation would be to get yourself in as good a shape as possible pre surgery. You're going to be doing a lot of walking after surgery as part of your recovery so try to get in a daily routine now and walk at least 30 minutes a day or more if you have the ability to do so - think "couch to 5K". If you're already in good shape and doing those things, then great. Most resources online seem to only talk about a sternotomy and 6 to 8 weeks recovery. They fail to discuss a hemi-sternotomy. Dr. Svensson performed a J Incision hemi-sternotomy on me which allows for a faster recovery so you can discuss with Dr. Roselli. My incision is larger than the one shown in this article below - my scar is a little over 5" - because I had to get the aneurysm fixed too.

Minimally Invasive Approaches to Bicuspid Aortic Valve: Guide to a Patient-Centered Strategy (clevelandclinic.org)

Minimally Invasive Approaches to Bicuspid Aortic Valve: Guide to a Patient-Centered Strategy

https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/minimally-invasive-approaches-to-bicuspid-aortic-valve-guide-to-a-patient-centered-strategy

For patients with BAV who have aortic stenosis and no need for intervention on the aorta, minimally invasive surgical options are now available. Here’s how we apply them at Cleveland Clinic.

Sean Adkins Outcomes of less invasive J-incision approach to aortic valve surgery - PubMed (nih.gov)

Sean Adkinsgot a new guestbook post

97 days ago

Dan Fouratt posted a note for Sean that says:

Sean,

Thank you for sharing. I am going to basically follow your path. I just committed to the time table last Friday. Since then Duke ...Read more

Sean,

Thank you for sharing. I am going to basically follow your path. I just committed to the time table last Friday. Since then Duke has been sending me depressing videos to watch preparing me for the worse. Did you get this similar information? Your story made me feel better about what is happening.

Dan Fouratt

Sean Adkins I’m not familiar with what Duke might be sending you. Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Lars Svensson had so ... Read more

Sean Adkins I’m not familiar with what Duke might be sending you. Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Lars Svensson had some helpful videos on YouTube

I also found this website helpful.

https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cardiology-and-heart-surgery

Dan Fouratt I have been to that website, You went to the best by far. I spoke with a good friend who is a top He ... Read more

Dan Fouratt I have been to that website, You went to the best by far. I spoke with a good friend who is a top Heart Doc in Michigan. He said for this I would not gain much by going to Cleveland and the travel would off set anything. Duke was fine and they are 28th!

Nancy Bukowski Hi Dan, thank you for your comment regarding this. I agree in that Cleveland Clinic is the best and ... Read more

Nancy Bukowski Hi Dan, thank you for your comment regarding this. I agree in that Cleveland Clinic is the best and I am trying to weigh this out as well. My brother is a doctor ( recently retired) and he let me know that my choice to remain local for surgery should be ok for my diagnosis. So many things to consider-ugh!

Sean Adkins I went to Cleveland because I felt that if I did encounter any type of complications, I would be at t ... Read more

Sean Adkins I went to Cleveland because I felt that if I did encounter any type of complications, I would be at the best facility to handle it. It was an added blessing when I sat down with my surgeon, and he communicated to me that he hadn't had a death in 8 years. My recovery has exceeded anything I expected going in. I was able to do a 4-mile run this past weekend at 15 weeks post surgery. I hope you have the same experience and success at Duke or wherever you ultimately go.

Nancy Bukowski Hi Sean, all good considerations. I just want to get this behind me now. My surgery has been schedu ... Read more

Nancy Bukowski Hi Sean, all good considerations. I just want to get this behind me now. My surgery has been scheduled for April 10th- will be a difficult two months.

Sean Adkins I understand. I had a two month wait leading up to my surgery. Use the time to get ready by walking, ... Read more

Sean Adkins I understand. I had a two month wait leading up to my surgery. Use the time to get ready by walking, exercising and being as active as you're able. The more physically fit you can be going into surgery the easier your recovery should be. Start looking ahead past your surgery. Go to the facility where you plan to do your cardiac rehabilitation. Schedule your follow up appointments with you PCP and your cardiologist.

Nancy Bukowski That’s great advice, Sean - thank you! I’m trying to stay positive and perhaps some walking may ... Read more

Nancy Bukowski That’s great advice, Sean - thank you! I’m trying to stay positive and perhaps some walking may ease the stress.

Sean Adkinsgot a new guestbook post

128 days ago

Sean Adkins reacted to this

Michael Klusyk posted a note for Sean that says:

Hi Sean,

I just read that you already had surgery and got the Edwards Inspiris upgrade as well.

I hope you are continuing to recover, improve, ...Read more

Hi Sean,

I just read that you already had surgery and got the Edwards Inspiris upgrade as well.

I hope you are continuing to recover, improve, and getting back to an even better life than before OHS.

Mike

Sean Adkins Thank you!

Sean Adkinsgot a new guestbook post

178 days ago

Sean Adkins reacted to this

Jim Hilbe posted a note for Sean that says:

Greetings Sean!
You have a great story! I am also a patient at Cleveland Clinic, along with my wife Betsey. She had a bicuspid aortic valve, ...Read more

Greetings Sean!
You have a great story! I am also a patient at Cleveland Clinic, along with my wife Betsey. She had a bicuspid aortic valve, aortic stenosis and enlarged aorta. Her valve was replaced by Bruce Lytle MD in 2009. Our cardiologist is Brian Griffin MD; he said that since she keeps on ticking, it was a great cow that donated the valve to her. She is on watchful waiting for a reoperation after 14 years, and possible ascending aorta replacement. I am also on watchful waiting for ascending aorta replacement and possible aortic and mitral valve replacements, due to a 4.5 cm aorta and valve calcifications. Lars Svenson MD is one of the best heart surgeons on the planet right now and I hope we get him too.
People think we're nuts for traveling to Ohio for heart care, but we consider that it is well worth it. CCF is tops, and now we have 2 granddaughters at Case Western down the street. One graduates this May.
Best wishes from California. Jim Hilbe

Sean Adkins If it means waiting a little longer and you can afford to do so, I’d do it to get Dr Svensson and h ... Read more

Sean Adkins If it means waiting a little longer and you can afford to do so, I’d do it to get Dr Svensson and his team. They are amazing.

One of the nicest employees I interacted with during my time in ICU was a student from Case Western.

Best wishes for you both!

Sean Adkinsgot a new guestbook post

178 days ago

Mirza Baig posted a note for Sean that says:

Hi Sean, my name is Mirza and I live in Petaluma , California

I also has severe Aortic Stenosis but symptoms. I was ready for surgery but when ...Read more

Hi Sean, my name is Mirza and I live in Petaluma , California

I also has severe Aortic Stenosis but symptoms. I was ready for surgery but when they perform CT Scan I was told that there is no need to perform surgery right away, because according to CT Scan analysis my aortic stenosis is moderate.

what do you think about this

stay well

Mirza Baig

Sean Adkins Hi Mirza - there’s a lot of factors to consider. If you’re not confident in the advice you’re g ... Read more

Sean Adkins Hi Mirza - there’s a lot of factors to consider. If you’re not confident in the advice you’re getting there’s nothing wrong with getting a second opinion. If you do, I’d recommend going to a high ranked high volume center of excellence. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cardiology-and-heart-surgery

Sean Adkinsgot a new guestbook post

179 days ago

Raymond Michaels posted a note for Sean that says:

Sean did you have any post op depression?

Sean Adkins Hi Raymond, I haven’t experienced anything I would consider to be depression. It has felt like a ro ... Read more

Sean Adkins Hi Raymond, I haven’t experienced anything I would consider to be depression. It has felt like a roller coaster emotionally with highs and lows. It’s a traumatic experience to go through both physically and emotionally but it’s only for a short season. I had a two month wait for surgery as well. I’ve been blessed to have strong support at home in my wife and many friends praying for me and encouraging me. I will be released on Monday to drive as well as released from all other restriction - one month after my surgery.

Sean Adkinsgot a new guestbook post

179 days ago

Valerie Allen reacted to this

Dot posted a note for Sean that says:

Which procedure did you have in the end I can’t find it how are you feeling now you look really well x

Sean Adkins I had an aortic valve replacement with Edwards Inspiris Resilia tissue valve and an aorta remodeling ... Read more

Sean Adkins I had an aortic valve replacement with Edwards Inspiris Resilia tissue valve and an aorta remodeling - aortaplasty. I’m doing well and expect to be released to start driving next week

Brady Busch That's the valve I received two years ago,today.

Sean Adkinsgot a new guestbook post

206 days ago

Sean Adkins reacted to this

Mark Fetheroff posted a note for Sean that says:

Sean, you're in good hands. Dr Desai is my cardiologist also and Dr Svensson did the same surgery on me just a few months ago. Good luck with recovery, it gets ...Read more

Sean, you're in good hands. Dr Desai is my cardiologist also and Dr Svensson did the same surgery on me just a few months ago. Good luck with recovery, it gets a little better every day.

Sean Adkins Thank you Mark. Everything is going well post surgery