About Me (In My Own Words)
I was diagnosed in May of 2021 with Mitral Valve Prolapse with severe regurgitation due to a torn cord.
I had not had previous prolapse, so the current assessment is the cord broke and my posterior leaflet is flailing. The leaflets themselves and the valve seems to be in good shape.
I am have decided on minimally invasive surgery - question is Robotic or not? I have narrowed it down to 2 hospitals and surgeons. Massachusetts General or NY Pres Cornell Weill.
Jan 15, 2022 - Update I have been through all my testing and the robotic mitral valve repair is a go. Scheduled for Feb 8, 2022. It will be performed at Cornell Weill, NY Presbyterian.
Because I am travelling to NYC for the procedure, I will stay there for 7 to 10 days post release, then come back to home..the Boston area.
It is now 60 days post op. All went well with my heart surgery, replaced two chords on posterior leaflet and did an anoplasty...and did it with cryoanalegia aka ice block. My heart recovery is awesome...Breathing is great, stamina wonderful.
However, I have had a very bad result with my surgical site. Massive chest pain across my entire chest after surgery. Half of that went away in one day..my right chest is still very skin sensitive (like a bad sunburn that won't heal). Anything that touches it hurts. I also have internal aches under my right arm, the adjacent back (why back I don't know), tricep and upper chest. Feels like an open incision that I keep pulling apart. Also "electric shocks" in multiple areas of my chest.
Before surgery, I was made aware that 1% of these surgeries with the "ice block" can actually make the nerves more sensitive...and won't go away for months. According to my surgeon...i am probably one of those. The problem is that I am super scared and anxious that it is not going to go away. Before the surgery I was extremely active and want to get back to my lifestyle ASAP. However, because this condition doesn't happen that often, I am having no success in finding someone to help me.
I am using Lidocaine patches and creams. Tylenol and Advil.
I am so disappointed in the aftercare. I hate the answer, "everyone heals differently. It just takes time."
In this area there are no cardiac rehabs available until May 5th...so, I am doing it on my own.
My goal is to walk the golf course early May.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
WESTFORD, Massachusetts
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My surgery date is:
February 8, 2022
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I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
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My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Repair
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