Anne Carey - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

6 days to go

Journal posted on July 11, 2018

Just a few days until my surgery on July 17th. I have decided this is all a bad idea and I would rather take a nice vacation....would so appreciate any tips for staying "grounded" these last days leading up to surgery. It still seems so unreal as I feel so healthy. Hoping to still be feeling healthy at some point after this is all done.

Like | Kelly Stoll likes this

Anna Jones Hi Anne, the best advice I can give you is to stay busy. Also, make a list of things you want to do after the surgery that you will look forward to. On my ... Read more

Anna Jones Hi Anne, the best advice I can give you is to stay busy. Also, make a list of things you want to do after the surgery that you will look forward to. On my list I have a meal at my favorite fancy restaurant to celebrate, a trip in January, planting in my garden. It helps to focus on happy things.

Phyllis Petersen Do something fun, even if it's just a nice dinner with friends and/or family. Taking your mind off of your upcoming surgery is really helpful.

Judy Shaw I made a list of things I needed to do and wanted to do before my surgery. Made sure I saw my children and grandchildren. Tried to go out to some of my favorite ... Read more

Judy Shaw I made a list of things I needed to do and wanted to do before my surgery. Made sure I saw my children and grandchildren. Tried to go out to some of my favorite restaurants too since I knew I'd be a "shut-in" for at least a month afterwards.

Anne Carey Thank you all for the great tips...I will do them all!

Susan Lynn Anne - it's stressful in the final days, for sure. However, when the day arrives, you'll be so ready to just do it. The surgery and recovery are nothing ... Read more

Susan Lynn Anne - it's stressful in the final days, for sure. However, when the day arrives, you'll be so ready to just do it. The surgery and recovery are nothing compared to waiting. Remember you're going to wake up from the world's greatest nap and it's going to be behind you. My advice, make a playlist of your favorite songs because you're going to be doing a lot of walking! 💖

Dan Marcantel My gosh you have one of the best surgeons in the world at this type of surgery. MVR is almost a cake walk I am two years out and doing great. You will too.

Penelope Bodek You will do just fine Anne. I am sure of it. Love the idea of the list of things to do after. I'm in waiting mode as well. My surgery is 7/26. The wait is hard. I'll be praying for you.

Thomas Brusstar Thanks for sharing your anxiety, Anne. I am also July 17, so it's coming up. I'm just looking forward to getting it over with, but I am also getting nervous.

Kelly Stoll Live in the moment. Take time to take care of yourself. Set things out at a lower height that you may need, for reaching, in case you have difficulty doing ... Read more

Kelly Stoll Live in the moment. Take time to take care of yourself. Set things out at a lower height that you may need, for reaching, in case you have difficulty doing this post-op.

Deep breaths. It goes by faster than you imagine.

timothy morris I just went through this and the period leading up to the surgery was really difficult. I got about two hours sleep the night before the surgery but when I ... Read more

timothy morris I just went through this and the period leading up to the surgery was really difficult. I got about two hours sleep the night before the surgery but when I checked into the hospital I was clam and ready have not looked back since.
Now the focus is on recovery and knowing you get back to normal. Hang in there it does get better on the other side.

Darlene Smith Anne, I went to a concert and partied until 2am the night before my surgery. I know, crazy, but I was the 3rd case, so I got to "sleep in" until 7am. I had ... Read more

Darlene Smith Anne, I went to a concert and partied until 2am the night before my surgery. I know, crazy, but I was the 3rd case, so I got to "sleep in" until 7am. I had a blast at the concert. I will tell you that as I arrived at Penn Station in NYC and got off the train, there was another train heading to Washington DC right across the tracks from me, and I stopped and briefly entertained getting on it. (Not really, but I did pause...). I grabbed a cab to Mount Sinai and it was a whirlwind morning and afternoon and pretty soon it was over. I really had ceased to be nervous by that point, and just let the experts take over.

Finished with pre-op testing and cath

Journal posted on July 6, 2018

Yesterday I spent a full day at Mt. Sinai doing pre-op testing and heart cath. An exhausting day for sure but got the good news that my coronaries are all clear....a big relief for me.
They attempted the cath through the wrist but were only able to use the wrist for the artery. Still had to go through the femoral for a vein. Pretty uncomfortable. I was wide awake for the whole thing. I am wondering if that was true for others?
Thanks so much for checking in and thinking of me yesterday. It is such a blessing to feel cared for during this process and please know that care goes both ways!

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Kelly Stoll Congrats on completing your testing. I wish I could comment on the cath but i never had one. I know others who have had it and appeared to have some form of ... Read more

Kelly Stoll Congrats on completing your testing. I wish I could comment on the cath but i never had one. I know others who have had it and appeared to have some form of sedation but not sure if this is a case-by-case situation or if this is a standard. I do recall it was pretty light at the end at least.
Continuing to think of you and wish you well.

Thomas Brusstar They were only interested in an artery for me, so wrist was all they needed a week ago. And I was awake. I guess a bit mellow from the sedatives, but I was ... Read more

Thomas Brusstar They were only interested in an artery for me, so wrist was all they needed a week ago. And I was awake. I guess a bit mellow from the sedatives, but I was awake. My wrist bruised up a fair amount in the last week, but if that’s the worst of it.... now on to my July 17 date.

Susan Lynn I had the radial catheterization and declined the sedation. The dye does burn, but it dissipates. Sorry you had to endure that, but you got some great ... Read more

Susan Lynn I had the radial catheterization and declined the sedation. The dye does burn, but it dissipates. Sorry you had to endure that, but you got some great news as a result! You're stronger and braver than you realize. Each step in this process is an achievement. You can do this. You're going to do just fine, Anne!

Rose Madura Hi Anne. Glad your arteries are clear! Mine were too. Yes, I was very much awake during the whole thing and found it quite fascinating. When I saw the die ... Read more

Rose Madura Hi Anne. Glad your arteries are clear! Mine were too. Yes, I was very much awake during the whole thing and found it quite fascinating. When I saw the die go out like a road map on the screen, I said, "That's from eating oatmeal every day," I was a little loopy. They all laughed at me. I did have some discomfort from where they went in for several days and severe bruising but it all got better in time.

Darlene Smith I didn't have a cath for my pre op but I had one 2 months ago because I'm having persistent shortness of breath. I was awake, and they were able to use my arm ... Read more

Darlene Smith I didn't have a cath for my pre op but I had one 2 months ago because I'm having persistent shortness of breath. I was awake, and they were able to use my arm for both the vein and artery. I was very fortunate they didn't have to use my groin. I've heard it's very uncomfortable.

Update posted on...

July 4, 2018

Going for a cardiac cath and pre-op testing tomorrow at Mount Sinai. Sounds like it will be a very full day. Hoping they don't find anything beyond mitral valve that is a problem. Surgery scheduled for July 17.
I don't need this to get any bigger than it already is!

Like | Susan Lynn, Judy Shaw, Rose Madura and 4 others like this

Dan Vechiola Hi Anne! Be cautiously optimistic tomorrow. The fact that we are on this journey is the biggest thing for ourselves and our families, Good Luck tomorrow! ... Read more

Dan Vechiola Hi Anne! Be cautiously optimistic tomorrow. The fact that we are on this journey is the biggest thing for ourselves and our families, Good Luck tomorrow! Our thoughts will be with you and keep us posted!

Susan Lynn Best of luck to you, Anne! My catheterization showed 100% clear arteries even after decades of familial high cholesterol. I had a straight forward mv repair. Hope you will, too!

Debbie Chatzky Thinking of you for good results!!

Thomas Brusstar I just had my cath last Friday, and the arteries were all normal. So my surgery can be just about my mitral valve. Good luck. The cath procedure is easy.

Thomas Brusstar Sounds like we have the same surgery date! I’m looking forward to getting on with it.

Anne Carey Fingers crossed. Thank you all for your good wishes. Glad to be sharing our surgery date Thomas. Hears hoping for clean arteries!

Steven Methot All the best Anne!

Chris Purvis Hope all went well with your cath Anne!

Darlene Smith Anne, Dr. Adams repaired my mitral valve almost two years ago, July 18, 2016. He and his team were amazing and the nursing staff at Mount Sinai was incredible. ... Read more

Darlene Smith Anne, Dr. Adams repaired my mitral valve almost two years ago, July 18, 2016. He and his team were amazing and the nursing staff at Mount Sinai was incredible. It was a very positive experience considering what's being done to you. I felt the care was outstanding.

Second guessing myself

Journal posted on June 30, 2018

I found out at the end of April that I have MVP with severe regurgitation. I need to have it repaired soon so have done lots of research and am scheduled to have surgery on July 17 at Mount Sinai in NYC with Dr. David Adams. Wow...not much time between my initial consultation on June 27th and my surgery date but that was partly my doing. I work in a school and summer is by far the easiest time for me to be away.

But now that the plan is made, I find that I am second guessing my decision, wondering if I have picked the right place for surgery. I am wondering if anyone has had mitral valve repair at Mount Sinai and if you could share some thoughts with me...

Although this is my first post, I have been visiting this site daily and have learned so much already from what others have experienced.

I am grateful for any guidance you can offer.

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Rose Madura Hi Anne, welcome! I am not familiar with ths t hospital but can comment on second guessing. It's quite normal. Nobody wants to have surgery and I think our ... Read more

Rose Madura Hi Anne, welcome! I am not familiar with ths t hospital but can comment on second guessing. It's quite normal. Nobody wants to have surgery and I think our subconscience gets us to wondering if we should just wait. Our mind plays all kind of tricks on us. I can tell you that even though I had a series of complications (I'm symptomatic), the surgery was well worth it. I'd do your due diligence and hopefully someone on this site will have information on the hospital and doctor.

Maria Gapinski Have heard great things about Dr. David Adams and Mt. Sinai for MV repair surgery. He also has expertise in re-do MV repair surgery (for those who had failed ... Read more

Maria Gapinski Have heard great things about Dr. David Adams and Mt. Sinai for MV repair surgery. He also has expertise in re-do MV repair surgery (for those who had failed MV surgeries elsewhere). He is concerned about the longevity of the repairs and appears to have great success. I did read one comment on this blog in the past to ask about the financials in advance. I think that a team of surgeons work with Dr. Adams during the surgery, and understanding the expected payments ahead of time would be a good idea.

Steve Farthing You can search on Dr David Adams at the top of this page. Lots of info.

Chris Purvis Hi Anne-I tried to locate a recent post from a friend that had surgery there...I didn’t have any luck though. Hoping some friends will chime in as I know ... Read more

Chris Purvis Hi Anne-I tried to locate a recent post from a friend that had surgery there...I didn’t have any luck though. Hoping some friends will chime in as I know I’ve seen his name and the hospitals name previously. As far as second guessing yourself that’s 1000% normal...this is something no one wants to experience but if you think about modern medicine and what these guys can accomplish it is truly life changing. Hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Susan Lynn Tons of folks on this site have had their MVR surgeries performed by Dr. Adams with great success. He is among the top heart surgeons in the country. The ... Read more

Susan Lynn Tons of folks on this site have had their MVR surgeries performed by Dr. Adams with great success. He is among the top heart surgeons in the country. The most important thing is having confidence in your choice. It makes all the difference. Best of luck.

Helen Daw Hi Anna, I had my surgery on Feb 13th with Dr Adams. Can't speak highly enough of him. I loved his confidence and his passion for what he does. Mount Sinai ... Read more

Helen Daw Hi Anna, I had my surgery on Feb 13th with Dr Adams. Can't speak highly enough of him. I loved his confidence and his passion for what he does. Mount Sinai is a fine institution and I would do it all over again there. Did not seek a second opinion and knew after the first consultation that I will be in good hands. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me.

Helen Daw Anne, Also check out
John Lant journal, he recently had his surgery at Mount Sinai with Dr Adams.

Carlie Marsh Hi, Anne! I didn't decide to have surgery at Mt. Sinai because of insurance but Dr. Adams was easily in my top 2 choices for my surgery! My surgery is the ... Read more

Carlie Marsh Hi, Anne! I didn't decide to have surgery at Mt. Sinai because of insurance but Dr. Adams was easily in my top 2 choices for my surgery! My surgery is the 9th at Cleveland Clinic, so you and I should be right on a similar track for recovery! My turn around was just as fast! Would love to talk more with you!

Anne Carey I can't thank you all enough for sharing your thoughts...I am very reassured and so glad to hear that second guessing is normal.

As a follow up to the comments ... Read more

Anne Carey I can't thank you all enough for sharing your thoughts...I am very reassured and so glad to hear that second guessing is normal.

As a follow up to the comments made about financials at Mount Sinai, I have a high deductible health plan through my employer and while the employer pays a significant portion of that deductible, I am still being asked to pay the full deductible amount up front too."

So happy to have you all to talk to! Many thanks.

Thomas Brusstar I only know of him because he and my surgeon, Dr. McCarthy, co-invented an annuloplasty ring that Edwards sells (the Carpentier-McCarthy-Adams IMR ETlogix Ring). ... Read more

Thomas Brusstar I only know of him because he and my surgeon, Dr. McCarthy, co-invented an annuloplasty ring that Edwards sells (the Carpentier-McCarthy-Adams IMR ETlogix Ring). I know my guy’s expertise, even to the extent of inventing his own devices for use in the surgery, gives me more confidence. Adams is surely eminent in the valve repair field.

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