Wes's Guestbook

Wes Edens  The anesthesia for and after the surgery fogs your memory. I can say that before the procedure, I was worried about what it would be like to wake up with a breathing tube. While you do have to be "awake", you're definitely not awake like you are at this moment. I vaguely remember the nurse telling me to cough as they removed it. It didn't hurt and was not frightening. I don't remember much at all about being in the ICU after surgery. My wife was impressed by how well I was taken care of. No pain, really. I think they removed the urinary catheter before I left the ICU. Again, it sounds awful but it's not. Nurses know how to do this in the blink of an eye. Later, in the longer-term recovery room (Mayo Clinic) some other tubes and wires were removed and disconnected. No problem. I was pretty worried about what it would feel like when the chest tube was removed. It was nothing at all!  I think I was in the hospital for a total of five days. 

At home, I had been anticipating an arduous recovery and had bought a high-priced leather recliner with power. It wasn't really necessary. At first, I thought I would get by with Tylenol, but the discomfort did increase to where I needed something stronger--tramadol, I think. After a couple of days, I didn't need it. I took 3 weeks off work, I think?  I have a desk job, and I probably could have gone back earlier, but they don't want you to drive for 2-3 weeks.   I had to go to a clinic to have my INR tested pretty often because even with a tissue valve, you are on warfarin for a while. Like a month or two?  I can't recall exactly.    After a month or two I started cardiac rehab, which meant going to a specialty rehab clinic and doing some treadmill, bike, and weightlifting exercises while wearing a portable EKG monitor. I only did a month of it, because on my insurance it was about $30 per session.  But I liked the rehab and highly recommend it. 

Walking during recovery is *extremely* important, so I walked about 2-3 miles per day with my wife in our neighborhood for the first month I was back home.

It was a very smooth, and pretty much pain-free experience from surgery to full recovery. I've had much worse times at the dentist!

I had a minimally-invasive procedure rather than going in through the sternum.  The surgeon made a 4" incision on my right side. That gave her a clear look at my mitral valve on the left side (the mitral valve faces over to the right).  My recovery would have been a little longer and more difficult, I think, if she had done it the regular way, through the middle of the chest.

Incidentally, Mayo found out I had lymphoma during the workup for the surgery. The surgeon ordered 3D CT scans to help her map out the procedure, and a bunch of lymph nodes showed enlargement. They did a biopsy and found I had follicular lymphoma. They checked with a lymphoma specialist before rescheduling my procedure. It turns out follicular lymphoma is usually indolent, and doesn't need treatment for a long time. I still haven't been treated for it. I see a hematologist, and we just monitor it closely.

All in all, don't be anxious. You'll have a whole team of people looking after you, and for them it's just another day at work.  As far as valve choices go, hopefully you won't need a replacement. I think at 59, it's really okay to go either way. My wife was a little concerned that mechanical valves make a clicking noise that is audible when it's very quiet!  But I really went with tissue because of the blood thinners. After I was on blood thinners for a few weeks, having to get my finger poked frequently to test INR, I was glad I chose tissue. 

As far as the durability goes, yes, I'll have to get a new one at some point if I'm still around. But technology is changing rapidly, and my surgeon seemed pretty confident that when the day came, I would be able to have the new one popped in via a blood vessel (TAVR) rather than having surgery.  


Make your choice, and don't worry about it. You'll be fine, and probably won't even need a replacement!


Best of luck,


Wes

Walter Bonnett  Wes, you lucked out with the urinary cath. Because I also have BPH. They had a difficult time with insertion of mine.  Consequently,  I STILL have it.  Seeing my urologist Monday AM  to see if I can finally get rid of it. 

Richard Munson  Bill is correct. We are all a little different. I was 78 at the time and the first few nights home i had trouble getting out of bed. Almost but not quite situation. My little tiny wife gave me that little extra boost i needed. Then i rigged up a rope tied to the end of the bed for that little extra tug and i was home free and independent. Just recalling that stabbing pain gives me the shivers. Now 6 months later it is just a faded memory. I had minimally invasive and it still hurt . A recliner was not an option for me due to length of leg in fact the hospital found a bed extension for me and it fit the bill.

Wes Edens  All of this advice and commentary are so helpful. I’m 59 and not in bad shape. I did pull the trigger on the recliner though! So necessary or not, it’s on the way. I can use it, anyway. I don’t have a great place to watch tv or read, and I read a lot!