Hi Sharon, I see you had surgery at Mt Sinai with Dr David Adams. I am scheduled for 4/23/26 with Dr Adams. I will be traveling in from out of town. Do you ...Read more
Hi Sharon, I see you had surgery at Mt Sinai with Dr David Adams. I am scheduled for 4/23/26 with Dr Adams. I will be traveling in from out of town. Do you have any recommendations for accommodations for my family near the hospital?
Sharon, your story sounds so similar to mine! My initial surgery was repair mitral valve and replace ruptured chordae, repair tricuspid valve, and close ...Read more
Sharon, your story sounds so similar to mine! My initial surgery was repair mitral valve and replace ruptured chordae, repair tricuspid valve, and close a hole in my heart. At about 5 months the atrial flutter and fibrillation started - bad. While doing an ablation for the afib they discovered I also have severe mitral regurgitation again. Since my hospital doesn't do the re-repair, they just recommended the replacement. I'm on my own in searching for a re-repair, and can't find much other than HeartValveSurgery.com. How was your experience at Mount Sinai in NYC? I've considered going there for another opinion - according to this web page they are among the best. One of my concerns is the re-repair failing. With an artificial valve, I could do a valve-in-valve if it fails down the line. Did you consider that?
Sharon Behl We did consider that, and while the research on re-repairs doesn't seem as extensive as first time re ... Read more
Sharon Behl We did consider that, and while the research on re-repairs doesn't seem as extensive as first time repairs, I've been advised that re-repairs have similar outcomes as repairs, i.e., over 90% need no followup surgeries at all for at least 20 years. You and I unfortunately are in the "lucky" 10%. I would get a second opinion from Mount Sinai if traveling there is an option for you. They have a well run process of offering 2nd opinions. My experience was well worth the travel & lodging expense ( plus we saw a show and enjoyed NYC beforehand. Cleveland Clinic also has the expertise. Let me know what you decide.
Marcia Snyder Sharon, thanks so much for the feedback. I've started getting opinions from Northwestern Medicine in ... Read more
Marcia Snyder Sharon, thanks so much for the feedback. I've started getting opinions from Northwestern Medicine in downtown Chicago, Cleveland Clinic, and Mount Sinai. The Northwestern is most concerning to me - the doctor said he would do a re-repair, and he used to be on staff at Cleveland Clinic, but he seems too young and inexperienced! I'll wait and see what all three have to say. One of our big concerns is that I had ruptured chordae, and wondering if another chord ruptures, what happens then? Even doctors don't seem to know much about them.
Had my TAVR nov 15th. Some BP issues, ejection fraction went down a bit with some abnormal filling . Getting another echo to see if it improves in next couple ...Read more
Had my TAVR nov 15th. Some BP issues, ejection fraction went down a bit with some abnormal filling . Getting another echo to see if it improves in next couple of months. They say this happens from all the mucking up to quote my cardiologist lol. Glad you’re turning corners. The walking always helps and the fact your hiking is a great sign.
Sharon Behl It seems most everyone's heart has to recover from the "mucking around." It is quite the assault howe ... Read more
Sharon Behl It seems most everyone's heart has to recover from the "mucking around." It is quite the assault however expertly done! Sounds like you are staying on top of things. Do your symptoms interfere with your daily functioning much?
How are you feeling? I hope all is well and the New Year is treating you well.
Sharon Behl Thanks for checking in Dominick! Recovery is slow but steady. Feel I turned a corner this week and ev ... Read more
Sharon Behl Thanks for checking in Dominick! Recovery is slow but steady. Feel I turned a corner this week and even started driving a bit (...and turned some corners, ha ha) Problems with high BP and severe nosebleeds are being resolved. How are you? And what's the latest plan for your heart?
Funny, I went back and looked at the year book. We did know each other and you wrote me a nice note. Your writing covered up your photo, but you kind of reminded ...Read more
Funny, I went back and looked at the year book. We did know each other and you wrote me a nice note. Your writing covered up your photo, but you kind of reminded me of Leslie. Wish you the best of luck. I know this is the fatiguing part then at 6 weeks you feel much better. Wish you a speedy recovery.
Glad to hear your surgery went well. Wish you continued and rapid improvement. . I remember Leslie, I believe we were in the same class. Sad to hear and ...Read more
Glad to hear your surgery went well. Wish you continued and rapid improvement. . I remember Leslie, I believe we were in the same class. Sad to hear and sorry for your loss. I. Trying to remember you, the only Sharon I remember was Sharon Becker, she was a year younger then me. Was your surgery open heart or robotic. How has the recovery been?
Sharon Behl Leslie was quite the engaged extrovert, Pres of Student Council, etc. I was more behind the scenes. S ... Read more
Sharon Behl Leslie was quite the engaged extrovert, Pres of Student Council, etc. I was more behind the scenes. Surgery was through a sternotomy, open heart, and recovery is slow & steady with the biggest challenge keeping the sternal repairs stable ( no lifting over 10 lbs, no twisting or pressure, etc.). So grateful that otherwise, I'm just really tired. Merry Christmas and hope you're doing well!
Sharon. Was a pleasure meeting you today. You’re looking good and hopefully you get discharged soon. They decided not to ...Read more
Sharon. Was a pleasure meeting you today. You’re looking good and hopefully you get discharged soon. They decided not to discharge me to try and some more water out of me.
Hi there! How are you doing? I read your updates and see that ICU has been ongoing. Hope you are making progress and feeling stronger daily. I know, it ...Read more
Hi there! How are you doing? I read your updates and see that ICU has been ongoing. Hope you are making progress and feeling stronger daily. I know, it is a strange continuum, right?!
Ana Brusso There is no place like New York City for Christmas. The decorations are amazing and it’s very livel ... Read more
Ana Brusso There is no place like New York City for Christmas. The decorations are amazing and it’s very lively. Sharon, will lift you up in prayer for a successful surgery. God bless you
Can’t think of a better way to use your pre-surgical time than visiting family and enjoying NY. Island Parker’s are tough so I know you will do well. ...Read more
Can’t think of a better way to use your pre-surgical time than visiting family and enjoying NY. Island Parker’s are tough so I know you will do well. Best of luck on the 30th. Happy Thanksgiving.
Sharon Behl Thank you Dominick, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family,too!
Almost there, Sharon. I also had my MV repaired at Mt. Sinai by Dr. Adams and team. He is AMAZING. He literally was picking calcium off my MV ring in... Read more
Almost there, Sharon. I also had my MV repaired at Mt. Sinai by Dr. Adams and team. He is AMAZING. He literally was picking calcium off my MV ring in order to do the repair. The ICU is fairly new and state-of-the-art. Godspeed.
Hi Sharon , Post op I couldn ‘t tolerate the feel or the idea of wearing a bra - so I didn ‘t for a few months and it felt great ! My wound had healed ...Read more
Hi Sharon , Post op I couldn ‘t tolerate the feel or the idea of wearing a bra - so I didn ‘t for a few months and it felt great ! My wound had healed well but i hated the feel of a bra over my chest post op. I wore loose t - shirts in a shade of blue that really cheered me up and just added layers and / or a scarf . It was Autumn - Winter as I recovered and covid times so nobody cared how I looked when I was out and about . The main things that made me feel like me , was getting a bit of make up on - mascara , bit of lipstick , my earrings and then I felt like me !
Pamela Gregory Hi Sharon, I did exactly what Ruth did- no bra for a few months just comfortable tops easy to get on... Read more
Pamela Gregory Hi Sharon, I did exactly what Ruth did- no bra for a few months just comfortable tops easy to get on and usually a cardigan because I was really hot and cold all the time! Sweater on and off constantly!!!
Rose Madura The hospital gave me a surgical bra which I wore if going out somewhere or if someone was stopping b... Read more
Rose Madura The hospital gave me a surgical bra which I wore if going out somewhere or if someone was stopping by but for a few months it was big soft Tshirts and no bra!
Sharon Behl Thanks women! I'm packing this week for the trip to Mount Sinai Hospital and taking your clothing ti ... Read more
Sharon Behl Thanks women! I'm packing this week for the trip to Mount Sinai Hospital and taking your clothing tips to "heart!"