Charlotte's Journal

Anna Jones  Thank you, Charlotte. I'm very happy to read you are doing so well and send wishes for continued health and happiness in the future.

Charlotte Dowd  Thanks Anna! I'll be thinking of you and sending lots of prayers on the 11th. You will get through this too!

Chris Purvis  Hi Charlotte-I saw your post and was wondering if your pain was sternum pain from overdoing it? With my upcoming surgery just trying to take it all in. I’m glad overall you seem to be doing very well!

Charlotte Dowd  Hi Chris, yes - it's general sternum/chest and especially muscular. Just be sure to follow the sternum protection list of Do's and Don't's they will most likely give you upon release. I've been lifting, twisting, and the like which was on the Don't list. You see, after the general surgery - the overall pain subsides rather soon (at least mine did). And because I started feeling "almost normal" and was only needing Tylenol at night for discomfort by week 3/4, I just began to push it and do too much too soon. I found that walking every day does NOT cause any extra pain, but moving,bending, lifting, twisting, etc., is what is the culprit because even if you feel like you can do stuff, you may not feel so hot the next morning, if you don't pace yourself!

I'm sure you will follow directions better than me;-)! Good luck with your surgery and God speed on your recovery path!

Charlotte Dowd  Yes- walking is key and the sooner, the better. good luck to you for a smooth surgeryad speedy recovery!

Judy Shaw  I've seen a lot of recommendations for Mederma cream, Adam mentioned he used it. Also a friend recommended Medihoney. I'll have to get myself something I'm sure after my surgery. Hopefully someone can tell you something they've used and it helped them. Best wishes.

Susan Killian  My surgeon's nurse said vit e, I used also when I had a bad burn on my chest from radiator fluid and there is no scar. I take Vit E capsules and cut them open and rub onto scar. Also said to massage the scar to help "bumps" disappear. Keep in mind no ointments until scar is healed over. I am 5 weeks post and just started. Also said no sun for this 1st summer on scar.

Lisa McLaughlin  I'm using Mederma Intensive Overnight Scar Cream. I don't remember who mentioned it but it was someone on this site.

Charlotte Dowd  Thanks everyone! I have Mederma I wil try - and I like the idea if vit e, Susan. Thanks! I have been extremely careful to shield it from any sun. I plan to get some of that flesh toned tape I saw in Walgreens tomorrow which will be better than band aids.

I was so worried about this scar but now it just reminds me of how lucky I am that I was able to be diognosed and treated to Repair my 2 valves before there was too much damage. We are all blessed to be at this point.

Lisa McLaughlin  I tried the Mederma scar gel but like the overnight cream a lot better. And If you go to the Mederma website there's a $3 off coupon.

Susan Killian  Charlotte Dowd I feel my scar is my battle scar! I totally agree on feeling blessed that it was found. I had a grandfather that died suddenly at age of 65. They did not do autopsy, also an uncle who died at 62, also no autopsy done. I am 64 so I feel very blessed.

Charlotte Dowd  Susan, yes indeed we are all blessed to have been able to seek excellent care when we needed it. I am now concentrating on turning inward to listen for new wisdom and guidance from this experience to improve my life and the lives of my family and friends going forward. I am deeply motivated to learn and apply some new life lessons from this.
May God bless you as you continue your healing journey!!

Marie Myers  Glad to hear you are on the mend! It is really remarkable how the body heals.. You wil be getting stronger every day. For me, it has been a year. I feel like the surgery happened in another lifetime. All the best to you in your recovery!

Civita Fahey  things will get easier as time goes by.. you will do great.. let me know if you need anything I'm just down the road a bit..

Alex Sagan  Charlotte, so glad to read your story hear and follow your progress with this. I wish you all the best for a complete recovery. Greetings from Cambridge (maybe not too far from you)!

Charlotte Dowd  Hi all, thanks for all for your support here! I am reading back to the early days - just processing everything. Each of your supportive comments are so appreciated!!

Alex, I used to work in Cambridge for many years at Lesley University. One of my favorite MA cities😀! Hope you're doing well.

Civita Fahey  I'm so happy all turned out well for you Charlotte.. keep us posted.. I'm glad they were able to fix all that was needed. We are so lucky to have such a great institution in our back yahd as we say in Boston!

Phyllis Petersen  Welcome to the other side! I'm glad to hear you're doing so well. All the best for continued and speedy progress!

Marc Marelich  CHARLOTTE, best wishes to you. I am leaving the hospital tomorrow after an aortic valve, ascending aorta and double bypass, there is nothing like being on the other side! 4 days and all I am taking for pain is Tylenol! Good luck, stay strong!

Charlotte Dowd  Wow!! what encouraging thoughts and info! Marc - you are my inspiration! If you can be doing so well -- then I can handle a little MVR;-)!!

Thanks everyone for being such a supportive group. I have been in a daze all day and reading all of your comments really lifts me up. Best wishes to you all!!!!!

Susan Killian  My surgeon said 2 days maybe 3 in intensive care, counting the day of surgery. He said expect 6 altogether. I believe there will be drains, but usually out fairly quickly.

Gina Fiorentino  Hi Charlotte, I had Mitral Valve repair at Sequoia Hospital exactly 1 month ago. I was ready to be moved from a private ICU room to a regular hospital room about 24 hours later, but the hospital was full... so I got to stay in ICU for an additional day (which was fine with me because of the hi level care of the nurses). My surgery was Thursday morning at 7:30am and I was released the following Tuesday morning around 11am. (5 days total if you count surgery as day 0).

John Formby   Hi Charlotte
I had OHS for a replacement Aortic Valve. I was in ICU for 24 hours and then in my private room for 4 days before being discharged. OHS on Monday - Home on Saturday.

Deb Lewis   I had minimally invasive robotic assisted mitral valve repair. All drains were removed in the hospital before going home. I had just under 24 hour in ICU and 3 days in step down. For the first 3 days at home, I really needed family with bringing me meals and doing my laundry.

Michael Meyer  Charlotte:

I was in on Monday morning, out of ICU that day on the floor and out of the hospital on Friday. I stayed over the weekend in Cleveland before traveling home on Monday. Wee took two days to drive home to the St. Louis region.

Would care is important especially for robotic mitral valve repair, you have smaller wounds, but more of them so it is good to have help because you cannot see them easily. This can be especially true for women because of the entry the surgeon may make. The incisions can be different depending on if it is minimally invasive with or wiithout robot.

Michael

Civita Fahey  Charlotte, I had drains in for about 3 days.,catheter for one day.. . the took the drains out on day 3.. and the leads to the heard on day 4 if I remember correctly. I was only in ICU for overnight and then step-down for the the other 4 days( which are private rooms at the B8W) .. went home on day 5. I had it on a monday and went home friday morning.. the Brigham doesn't do spirometers either and they will want yo to walk as much as you can..deep breaths and you will do great..

Meredith Bray  Hi there. My surgery was on Wednesday, and the drain tubes came out on Friday. I don't know what they looked like - I never looked down. Not even once. I told my nurses I didn't want to see anything going in or out of my body, not even an IV line, and they kept everything covered up for me. :) Nurses are angels, really.

Once the drain tubes come out you should be able to get some really good rest. Best of luck to you!

Charlotte Dowd  Thank you to each of you! This all sounds okay. I'm glad the drains will be dealt with while in the hospital! And it's good to know that it shouldn't be longer than 6 days, give or take.

Rita Savelis  Drains come out pretty fast (after a few days) and are dealt with at hospital. They leave a small scar, but I don't remember them bothering me or being painful, or even much being done to/with them until they came out.
In the U.S. you'll usually be out of hospital, even with major surgery, in 5 days.

Helen Daw  I had my surgery on Tuesday Feb 13th, 2018 and was released on Sunday. I was ready by Saturday, but because we had a snow storm, I decided to stay an extra day. 24 hours in ICU, breathing tube came out while I was under and all the tubes came out the third day. I was up eating, talking and walking in ICU. I had mitral valve repair at Mount Sinai. Walked out of the hospital with just Tylenol. I am still recovering, still sore in the chest and still trying to adjust my Metropolol but all is good. All the best to you

Anna Jones  Hi Charlotte, the catherization will be easy. You will probably have a blood test, and a chest x-ray. Then they will bring you into a cold lab. They may give you a warming pillow which is lovely. Then they will inject you with something to relax you. They will shave you around the area that the cath will be inserted (groin or wrist) The Interventionist will be by your side looking at a computer. You will be able to see what he sees. If you don't want to look you don't have to. They will inject you with a dye. It will feel warm. It is also a lovely sensation. Then before you know it, the catherization is over. You will be put back onto a bed and told to lay still for a few hours. After that you can go home.

Jennifer John  Charlotte, see my journal post of March 22. Might help ease your mind and maybe even give you a chuckle.

Susan Killian  My heart Cath was a snap, they did shave groin in case wrist access failed, they sedated me after they started access and I woke up with my cardiologist who also did the Cath saying arteries were all clear! Was taken back to recovery area for a few hours to sleep. There was a pressure dressing and a splint on my wrist. Had to wear the splint for 24 hours. The nurse left the air out of the pressure dressing after so many minutes. They also did all my pre op blood work and chest x-ray while I was there. My surgery is April 11!

Jim Harvey   Charlotte, my experience was same as Susan's. I was under the impression that if they found enough blockage that they might do a stent which is why they shaved the groin, but the doctor who did the angiogram said they wouldn't do a stent so close to the surgery date (next Monday) because it would need to settle/rest for about 6 months. Fortunately my arteries passed the test anyway.

I tried to watch the procedure but whatever they gave me pretty much wiped my memory from the beginning of the procedure until I was being wheeled back into my room.

Charlotte Dowd  Thanks everyone! These details are very helpful. Susan , I'll be sending you lots of good thoughts on the 11th!!

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Hello Charlotte,
It really helps to be busy. And, feels good to be able to control things.
Good for you!

Cynthia Pagiatakis  Working hard caring for practical matters pre-op made a huge difference in how I felt ... didn't have time to feel afraid!

Charlotte Dowd  Thanks Bonnie and Cynthia, I feel like there's so much I want to get done before surgery. I haven't started to panic yet but if I stop long enough to think about it I do start to get some anxiety.

Susan Killian  Hi Charlotte, my surgery is the 11th of April so I am just a little before you. I know it gets real after they set that date. Keep in touch, the planning helps. What type are you having done?

Marie Myers  Having been through my surgery, I can look back and see that the preop time was very emotionally stressful. All I can say, is be kind with yourself during this time. I can also say that the whole experience was NOT as bad as my mind had me worried it would be. Wishing you all the best for a smooth surgery and recovery!

Helen Daw  Hi Charlotte, I just had my surgery almost 2 weeks ago and to be honest it wasn't that bad. I, too, was very emotional and nervous when I knew I needed an OHS. I couldn't believe that at the age of 50 I'll be dealing with a life changing event. I just finished paying for my kids colleges and was about to start enjoying my life and then I was hit with this. Don't let bad thoughts get the best of you, it is really not bad. I am home recovering and sometimes I forget that I just had a major surgery. I am not taking any medication right now and started walking 1/2 mile daily. Any questions you have, you can as this community as they are very helpful. Good luck!

Civita Fahey  As usual, Marie and I have the same things to say.. :-) maybe its because we had our surgeries a few weeks apart. She is absolutely right, take care of yourself, it will be stressful and you'll have days where you will do great and others that you feel you are going to explode emotionally.. do whatever it takes to calm you down.. walk, read, meditate.. but again as Marie said, when its all over and done with, its not as bad as our imagination makes it.. You will be in a great hospital, where they do this kind of surgery at least 10x a day.. (I was quoted this), when you go for your preop you will see the professionalism and caring they have.. The RNs on the floor are amazing.. you can even have some stay in your room with you (family member) if you want.. I can't say enough about the Brigham.. Best wishes to you and I will be praying for you.. any questions just ask..

Michelle E  Good luck Charlotte - I too had time to prepare. While I knew it was coming I think a little bit of denial was what kept me moving forward, just so I could get through each day. But the last week I did get pretty weepy and allowed myself that. Now that it is behind me I am so grateful to not have it hanging over my head. The real work is now, giving my body time to heal while staying active enough to help it along. I find the discomfort tolerable and mostly just want to be aware of the restrictions so as to not undo my progress. Praying you have an uneventful surgery and smooth recovery!

Charlotte Dowd  Thank you all for the wonderful,supportive advice! Susan I am having a Mitrol Valve Repair due to moderate to severe regurgitate in and enlarged left ventricle.

Helen, Marie, Michelle - thank you all for sharing - it sounds like you all are doing fantastically!!

And Civita (neighbor), thanks for the insider info on BWH. I'm happy with my selection! How is your recovery going?

I hope all of you continue to heal so well so you can get back to enjoying life! Thanks for the great responses. They do seem to help an awful lot.

I've been super busy at work but I am also taking whatever time I need each day to meditate and prepare mentally for this. Just trying to stay calm, and focused on good thoughts. Thank you for all the prayers and support! I'm glad to be a part of this group!

Civita Fahey  Hi Charlotte..I'm doing really well. I feel I'm back to normal.. working full-time, family, daily routine etc. I actually started back to my 4x week with my boxing class which was the last thing for me to do to feel "normal" again.. so, you will do great.. I'll be praying for you.. please keep us updated on your progress.

Civita Fahey  hi charlotte, welcome to the site.. I live in Topsfield right down the road from you.. I had aortic valve surgery last April at the Brigham with Dr. Prem Shaker.. though I have heard great things also about Dr. Aranki.. the Brigham is great and you will be in great hands.. let me know if you have any questions I would be happy to talk since we are neighbors..!

Toni Z  You can search your doctor’s name on this site to find out if any has written about their experience with them.

Charlotte Dowd  Civita - thanks and it’s very nice to meet a neighbor. I am eager to meet with the BWH surgeon on March 8th!

Toni - thanks and I will do that search.

Bonnie - nice to meet you.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Michael Neverisky  Hi Charlotte, welcome to this very supportive community!

My story is similar to yours, a routine checkup in May 2017 found a murmur and, short story even shorter, my mitral valve was repaired on February 8th, about two weeks ago.

I live in New Hampshire, about 90 minutes from Boston. My experience interviewing cardiologists and surgeons included Tufts, MGH, and BWH. In fact, I did have a consult with Dr. Aranki at BWH. He met with my wife and I for about 20 min and (as others before him did) described my condition and talked about the repair and replacement alternatives. Dr. Aranki was the most informative about replacement options and the use of Coumadin. With degradation of both anterior and posterior flaps, he gave odds of repair over replacement of 60%. One flap was 80-90% in favor of repair.

It was helpful to speak with Dr. Aranki and all the others. More info helped me understand and make a decision. I ended up choosing Dr. Westbrook at Catholic Medical Center New England Heart Institute in Manchester, NH. I have nothing but heartfelt praise
and gratitude for the people at CMC. They exceeded my expectations. CMC, like BWH and MGH, is one of the top cardiac hospitals in the country. We are very fortunate here in New England, so many excellent medical professionals!

Best wishes,
Michael

Phyllis Petersen  I knew I had a MVP with regurg, but not that it had worsened as much as it had. I, too, was doing clearances for knee surgery (replacement) when the cardiac imaging doctor called and said he didn't know if he could approve surgery. In the end, I was able to have the knee replaced in February and the heart valve fixed in October, since the doctor didn't think knee replacement was a big deal for the heart valve. There was sooooo much testing before the heart valve surgery! Good luck with your upcoming surgery!