Claudia's Journal

Greg Lewis  Claudia, for me, I had a lot of anxiety during my AFIB, and after my Cardioversion. It gradually went away. I still get it a bit sometimes.  But getting out, and doing things with people is absolutely key to overcoming it. Get back to normal. The drugs you have been on, and anesthetic,  play a role in its cause. 
I tried several things to help it,  but they are simply bandaids, so to speak..,get up in the morning, get dressed, have a list of goals, join something to keep your focus. Go out and get a coffee (Decaf!!) .. Do what you used to do, as much as you can, when able ...getting back to life is the cure. If your anxious about something, do it, and prove to yourself there was nothing to worry about. It will subside in time. 
Good luck with this. It WILL go away, and you will feel better!! 

Patricia Miller  I had robotic MV repair 5/2022.  Went into Afib/Tack day 6.  It felt like heart was doing somersaults.  I had PVC's throughout recovery. Had them before surgery but didn't really understand it. Holter showed frequent percent burden about a few months post op.  I had pericarditis in the middle of this.   Metoprolol increased and increased again after I switched cardiologists.  Last few months they have improved greatly.  My cardiologist recommended Kardia app monitor so I can send tracings to her.  Has given me some false Afib readings which is distressing.  Doctor feels they have been PAC's and PVC's so reassuring not Afib.  % burden down to less than 2%.  My cardiologist was not concerned about PAC's.  Nonetheless palpitations  have been so much better last couple months.  Have you been on a Holter? 

Klara Čičić  Dear Claudia, are you sure it is AFib and not some other atrial or ventricular arrhythmia? And how long does it last? I had very short episodes, few seconds. 

Claudia Kwalbrun  It was definitely AFib according to my Apple Watch and my cardiologist confirmed it…my heart rate is also high most days. It will be 4 months Feb 18 since my surgery….my cardiologist is not concerned about the AFib or the high heart rate. He prescribed a new medicine called Flecainide but after reading all the Side effects I am reluctant to take it. Needless to say this is stressing me out. 

Claudia Kwalbrun  Klara, to address how long it lasts….short episodes mostly.  I could be in Afib one moment and sinus rhythm the next time I check. 

Richard Munson  Never heard of the methylprednisolone before, and it has a daunting list of side effects and drug interactions but could not find a rash as one of them. Its the main reason why i hate the thoughts of another med. they do a pretty good job of listing drug interactions but can they cover every combination known to man. I doubt it. 

Ana Brusso  Richard, so good for you to look into this. Glad Claudia found out the culprit. By the way I bought a pair of of the Slimbit knee pads. Just started using them today and hoping they help me with my knee pain. I do need to walk to get stronger so hoping and praying they will help. 

Timothy Andre  I'm happy for you Claudia. This is great news, I'm glad you are having relief and feeling better. Keep pushing forward, you're doing great

Ana Brusso  Good news Claudia. Glad you are already feeling relief. Stay strong, you will get better day by day. God bless you 

Miriam St.Clair  That's such good news. It's amazing how fast the relief is from that procedure. I hope you continue to feel better and improve.

Claudia Kwalbrun  I had  210 ml drained which  is about a cup which is a small quantity and dr said that she hopes I get relief in a day or two. Last night I felt I was breathing better and today not so much better. I think the collapsed lung and the fractured rib also is contributing to my breathing issues. I am staying  positive and I know lung complications are common after major hear surgery.  

Greg Lewis  I sure hope this all clears up for you. Im sure it will in time. But a note, to really watch that what you are eating doesnt have salt, or very little, in it. Salt is bad for fluid retention. If you eat any processed stuff, get in the habit of reading every label. Stay away from soup, and a whole host of items!  And throw away the salt shaker. 

Claudia Kwalbrun  I am using the incentive spirometer and watching my salt. As the day went on today, my breathing has improve so draining the fluid was the right thing to do. Also had more energy to take longer walks. 

Susan Lynn  Claudia - I'm so sorry to read this news, but it sounds like you'll be back on the road to full recovery very soon. Wishing you the best. Please keep us posted!

Danielle Elizabeth  Ohhhh Claudia… I know that feeling but it was my left lung partially collapsed due to fluid after my aortic valve repair. They kept me at the hospital for 1 night and did an ultrasound to find the exact location of the fluid. The nurse gave me painkillers and the Doctors locally numbed the spot on my back between the ribs. I felt relief around 30 minutes after the fluid was removed and I could breathe so much better. I know we are all so unique with our surgeries and recovery. Keep us posted and if you’re feeling up for it, take a photo of how much fluid is drained so you can look at the photo later and say “I championed through that!”  You’ve got this 

Ana Brusso  Very sorry to hear this news Claudia. They will take care of you at the hospital. Our bodies sometimes are very unpredictable and things come up you don’t expect. Hang in there, you will recover soon. God bless you 

Marie Myers  I am glad you found the reason for your fatigue. Things will improve for you once that fluid and hematoma are resolved. Hang in there!

Rose Madura  I'm sorry to hear about this Claudia but equally happy to hear they found what was causing your coughing and fatigue. Best wishes for you to feel much better soon. God bless you.

Marie Myers  My tiredness was the worst for the first 2 weeks. It is good for you to get that chest x-ray to see if anything is going on in your lungs, especially with that wheeze. You could get your hemoglobin (bloodcount) checked also, and if it is low, that might account for the tiredness. Are you on iron? It took me several weeks to build up my blood count, and that improved my stamina. Hope your chest x-ray is clear!

Robert Miller  Are you tired because you have a hard time sleeping (I did because I was not used to sleep on by back). Or are you tired when you do activities? You should mention this to the doctor. Wheezing and coughing suggests something is not good with your lungs (which probably were collapsed if you had open heart surgery) or your wind pipe (when they do a TEE the put down a sensor into your wind pipe and it can cause irritation, though it should be gone after the 18 days you mentioned. Still worth checking out, though). 

Patsy Stewart  Claudia, the fatigue was something that I actually wasn’t prepared for. It was overwhelming, and still is for me, but I have a lot of other health problems. I was going to suggest that you prop your body up on pillows when you go to bed and try not to lay flat. It sounds like you might have some fluid buildup and when you lay flat in bed, it kind of smothers you out and you have a harder time breathing. The elevation from the pillows should help a bit.  I’m glad you are going for an X-ray on Monday. Hang in there!! ~❤️

Claudia Kwalbrun  I agree, I think it has something to do with my lungs….My lung was collapses during surgery and I was discharged with some fluid in my lungs. Glad to be having the chest X-Ray on Monday. 

Greg Lewis  Fluid build up around your lungs can cause these symptoms too, i believe. That can be a result of the afib. Are you on a water pill?

Rita Savelis  The exhaustion is normal. But you may have a pleural effusion (liquid around the lung linings - a common side effect, which can make you tired because you have less lung capacity). A simple chest x-ray would diagnose that and the procedure of removing liquid with a needle is simple as well. But general exhaustion is very very common. Your body has been through a lot.

Miriam St.Clair  Your body has been through so much, especially the issues with the lung collapse during surgery and the fluid at discharge. The x-ray on Monday should give you a lot of information and help. I hope you get some relief as I've experienced the pleural effusion issues and know they're exhausting and demoralizing. Lots of love and support!

Claudia Kwalbrun  I did have  pleural effusion when I was discharged from the hospital….thank you heart warriors for alleviating some of my anxiety. I will post after my X-Ray tomorrow. 

Danielle Elizabeth  Hey Claudia, I found the best time to call my Surgeons hotline was mid day and not around shift change (avoid 5:30-7:30 am or pm) in order to get an immediate answer. I called about things like which otc meds I could take with my prescriptions. I also had my sternum pop and crack from lifting something, which was alarming. They hear it all and nothing is too small. 

Claudia Kwalbrun  Just text my daughter’s friend who is a cardiologist and she said not to worry about it as long as it doesn’t hurt when I take deep breaths, which it doesn’t. 

Richard Munson  Certainly keep an eye on that. I recall telling my grandmother my arm hurts when i raise it over my head and she said don’t raise it over your head.

Greg Lewis  Richard, your Grandma, and my mom must know each other! My arm could fall off and she would be like" pick that thing up. We'll sow it on later! "  😂😂

Richard Munson  My grandma was a very tough but wonderful old school german woman who arrived at ellis island all alone as a young girl. I was her first grandchild so i was treated like a king. I live in her house and her picture is on display in a few rooms.

Greg Lewis  I think its probably different for each person. I had a lot of problems, so i wouldnt use my example. I think that is a question for your cardiologist. If you dont trust him/her thats not ideal. I know, for me, when i lose my trust in a doctor, i go see a different one. But having said that, there must be an average time to be on Amiodorone.

Greg Lewis  Ok. So a site i like to use (drugs.com) says it should only be used in life threatening antiarrythmia cases. It has a host of bad side effects ( like most drugs do)  talk to your doc. And talk to your pharmacist. I can also add that here, once the surgeon was done, and i had a follow up phone meeting with him, he is basically out of the picture, and the cardiologist is my 'go to' heart doctor. My GP also relies on the cardiologist too. And he will answer anything i ask. Just gotta ask. I hope that helps a bit.

Claudia Kwalbrun  Yes, helped. I agree the cardiologist is the go to doctor but because I had an AFib episode, I think that is why the surgeon’s nurse practitioner wants me to stay on the Amiodarone.

 

Rose Madura  I had problems with Amiodarone and at one point, I was advised by three doctors to talk to the cardiologist to get off it.  I did.  He put me on Multaq.  I was on it for less than a month because the Afib and Aflutter went away after six weeks.

Kenneth Southard  I was worried about the high heart rate too.  Granted mine did not range like yours, but the resting was up around 80 - 90.  I was told not to worry about it.  I found out later that it is normal.

Brady Busch  That's quite a quandary,which doctor has the best advice.I did look up the two medications and doesn't look like they are on conflicting lists,when taken together.The cardiologist and surgeon should get on the phone and work it out.

Kenneth Southard  I think smartwatches also run an algorithm that may make the rate seem higher or lower than it actually is.  Remember, they are not medical devices and can also be triggered by various movements of your wrist.

Claudia Kwalbrun  I feel the surgeon knows what medicine I should be taking since he does mitral valve repairs 2 to 3x a week and he prescribes the Amiodarone to most of his  patients. I am disappointed in my cardiologist. 

Rhodie Jacobson  I take 1/2 Metoprolol and a different blood pressure medicine...I was told that the Metoprolol brings down blood pressure AND heart rate so the half is because they were worried about too low of heart rate if I take the whole thing (maybe you know all of that already). I hope you get relief and a strong, steady rate! 

Danielle Elizabeth  My heart was not back to normal (it was pounding heavy and I had palpitations) until maybe 16 weeks post OHS. I found my pharmacist to be a neutral person to listen to my medication adjustments and advised me adequately. I’d just communicate with all of your doctors about your concerns and I’m sorry your heart rate is fluctuating so much! 

Ana Brusso  Rhodie, did you already have your surgery? How are you doing? Claudia, can you ask your doctor about medications just to be sure you are on the right dosage? I always ask questions, send emails and also call. Just to be on the safe side. 

Rose Madura  Agree with Ana. I'd call the cardiologist and tell what surgeons office said. Ask for his opinion based on that. Amiodarone has a lot of side effects and I believe it's something you should wean off.  You have to be your own advocate so I'd call and ask some questions. Just tell them you are concerned and confused as to what meds you should be on...

Klara Čičić  Dear Claudia, best thing would be to go get ECG when you feel this funny rythm. Only that way can your doctor be sure it's not Afib. Afib is irregular beat, possible with lower heart rates as well as higher, with symptoms or without symptoms ....you can't be sure what it is without ECG. 

Claudia Kwalbrun  I am waiting to hear back from my cardiologist in Florida. I think all three doctors have to be on the same page. 

Patsy Stewart  Claudia, my cardiologist and surgeon worked together on deciding the medications I needed after surgery. Usually, you only see the surgeon a couple of times, and they turn you back over to the cardiologist. I would call your cardiologist and tell them your concerns. Especially since they think you’ve quit taking the amodarone and only 1/2 on the metoprolol. I hope your recovery gets better for you. 

Klara Čičić  I think it is very much normal. You are probably still anemic, your lungs were shut down during surgery, you went through major operation, your body is working hard healing all the wounds, including one on your very heart, it has every right to be tired. Shortness of breath after excersize in these early days is also normal. The thing is, there should be slight improvement with each week....if it is always the same, that's the reason for doctor visit. Right now, this sounds like normal post-operative consequence.

If it feels like too much, listen to your body and slow down. In a few days, maybe you will feel totally different, better, more energetic. Take it easy. Your body went through a lot!

Danielle Elizabeth  Hey, that sounds about right for me. I had very little energy for the first 3 weeks and as Klara mentioned, anemia was also an issue. I didn’t even have the energy for long showers and needed a bench. You’re doing great and your level of motivation is inspiring! 

Ana Brusso  Claudia, you have gone through a lot. Be patient with your body. I know walking helps you heal but you can’t walk to exhaustion to get there. Pace yourself and remember is one day at a time. 

Susan Lynn  Claudia - You might want to take 10 minute walks and add a minute or two as they become easier. Walk at a comfortable pace on flat ground. I remember how difficult it was when I had to increase my speed and incline on the treadmill at cardiac rehab and that was months after my surgery! Endurance will come with consistency and time. Take it slowly.

Rose Madura  Claudia, it sounds to me like you may be pushing yourself. Slow and steady during recovery will have good benefits..

Kristian M.  Completely normal Claudia! 2 weeks post surgery I went up a flight of stairs almost running them thinking I was “fine”….took me like 3 days to recover from just that on top of my own recovery!! 😩😑

Phyllis Petersen  I was worried that I wasn't able to walk enough after my robotic MVr (6 yrs ago), but when I met for follow-up with my cardiologist, he felt that 20 minutes after a month was not a problem. At 6 weeks, I started cardic rehab and improved more quickly, with occasional setbacks. I still often need a nap after my workouts for awhile longer. Listen to your body! It's been through a lot. 

Brady Busch  I had afib in the ICU after surgery and which lasted about a month,periodically.My heart rate was probably up also,even while taking Metoprolol.As the heart and body heal and possible inflammation goes away,things will likely calm down.

Rose Madura  Brady is spot on.  I had Afib off and on for about six weeks.  I was on mega doses of Metoprolol and Amiodarone during those six weeks.  Heart rate up a lot too.  Then everything got better. I was very symptomatic so every time I went into Afib, it was a trip to ER and readmissions to the hospital.  There are videos on this website that talk about Afib.  It's common and typically goes away in a out six weeks.  Hang in there...

Klara Čičić  It is totally normal, Claudia, for both Afib and higher heart rate to occur after OHS. I hope Afib won't repeat. I expect for heart rate to start going a bit down in 12 weeks... Take it easy. 

Greg Lewis  Glad your doing so good! Afib was my middle name. Dont worry, it will be ok. Like the others, they gave me dijoxin, and Amiodorone, to try to get my rhythm back. Lots of ER trips. I finally had to get Cardiversion. That fixed it. There was a lot going on with mine, but, just know they have a lot of ways to fix that. 

Greg Lewis  They do for me. Stabilized it . But when you want it to go fast it doesn't really. Some, but can make you out of breath. Its keeping mine in the low 50s right now. I just did 15 min on the eliptical. And it only goes into the 70s.

Greg Lewis  Thats in Sinus rhythm. Afib is a different animal. I had right side heart failure, and part of my heart was trying to tell the rest to go verry fast. They slowed it with dijoxin, i believe.

Cheryl Mann  I’m glad you are home.  Everything feels just a little better there.  Make sure you are properly hydrated and eating at least a little bit too.  I hope the adobo settles down for you soon.

Greg Lewis  Thanks, Klara, but i have my unpositiveness 🤔, days like everybody here. BUT it just doesnt help a thing! And i have slowly learned that..it will be better tomorrow, or the next day, or the next...but it will not suck forever! 😁

Claudia Kwalbrun  Thank you warriors for putting my mind at ease….and also saw informative videos about Afib. Feel better each day❤️

Adam Pick  Hi Claudia, Lots of great info above... Glad you saw some videos about this topic. In case you missed it, here's another good video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydZBp4B8KOY

Kenneth Southard   I never had it before the surgery, but I was probably getting close to that.  I had 4 short episodes of if after the surgery.  One in the hospital, one a couple days after being released, another about 6 weeks after surgery and another one two weeks after that.  Each of these were very short and it has been almost 8 weeks since the last one. I have been on Amiodarone and Metoprolol.  Yesterday, I was told that the plan is for me to reduce the Amiodarone to 100 mg per day for the next two weeks and then to stop taking it.  They have also scheduled a follow up appointment in four weeks to fit me with a Holter monitor after I am off of it to see if any irregular rhythms persist.  I also had my first echo yesterday since the surgery and it looks like my left atrium is down in size from severely dilatated to mildly dilated.  My understanding is that an enlarged atrium is where irregular rhythms emante from.

Klara Čičić  Kenneth thank you so much for that input. My left atrium is severely dilated so I look forward to my first echo, hopefully it will be a bit smaller. I know comparison is not good, our hearts are all different, but your story gives me hope. Yesterday I had my first Afib since surgery and it was a bummer. It is not unexpected, I know all of that, and it was short but it's just that...I was little sad, it's irrational.... Now hearing your story I feel better.  It's always good to hear someone going through similar situation...

Kenneth Southard  Klara  - I know we all expect our recovery to be a trajectory going upwards.  However, there are going to be some zig zags in that line for most of us and don't let that get you down (if only I could take my own advice).  Have faith, it sounds like you had a more complex repair than most, but you are only a month out.  

My understanding is that reverse remodeling will occur as the volume overload situation is corrected with the repair.  Just how much will occur is probably more of a function of how much the muscle was stretched and or damaged.  Then again, take that last sentence with a grain of salt as I have never been to medical school or even work in the healthcare field for that matter.  This I believe a main reason why the recommended practice is now to have the repair before symptoms develop.

Klara Čičić  Thank you, Kenneth so much for your comment, you are completely right. Here is someone who acctually went to med school, but being a patient is a whole different stroy...

Claudia Kwalbrun  I feel so much better after reading your posts. I just took 1/2 of an Xanax because I felt I was going into AFib again and got so nervous that I was shaking. My cardiologist and my surgeon are on different pages when it comes to my meds which is upsetting..cardiologist says to stop taking amiodarone and take a 1/2 of metoprolol daily. I am listening to my surgeon. 

Kenneth Southard  My surgery was on June 30th.  As far as Amiodarone, I was reduced from 400 mg a day to 200 back in early August and I was just told last week to taper off of it by going to 100mg a day and then stopping after 2 weeks.  I never went to med school, but I would be questioning stopping so soon after surgery, especially since you have been having AFIB.

I know that there can be some serious side effects with Amiodarone, but my understanding is that can occur after several months on doses that exceed 400mg per day.

Greg Lewis  Gang, i had Amiodorone toxicity. It sent my Thyroid into problems, along with a cold,
 which created a rhythm problem called PVCs. This created some heart failure. Amiodorone can cause some problems, in some people, and maybe thats why they dont like it for too long. They gave me Metoprolol to try to help the PVCs. But i couldnt breath well. So now i am on Carvedilol to hopefully keep the PVCs away. And a med to repair the Thyroid. Which has worked. I would get the Cardiologist to explain his Med choice better. Ask what the plan is for the afib too. He might just be in a hold position on the afib to see where it goes. But he should be telling you all of that. In my opinion.

Danielle Elizabeth  I hope you’re recovering well from your surgery. I had fluid build up around my left lung after my aorta valve repair but it wasn’t robotic, something I’ll definitely have to look up. It was very painful to breathe the 6 days I was in the hospital. It improved and then got worse at home and I ended up needed fluid drained 2 weeks later. At the hospital they took a chest X-ray every morning. I’d put the X-ray images in a collage side by side to check the fluid amount on the impressions and would read the Doctor notes to understand what was going on. Reading all of the notes and having comparisons of my X-rays helped me personally feel better. In the hospital I believe a lot of the fluid came off with lasix. The incentive spirometer was explained to be beneficial. 

Klara Čičić  I didn't have pneumothorax, but breathing pain, especially deep breathing, was real, and bad. But after they removed chest tubes it got better each day...it wasn't instantly painless. Pneumothorax is not uncommon after these procedures. It takes time for pleura to heal. It is very unpleasant, but it takes time. Hang in there! There is a fight ahead of you and you can do it! It's middle of the night here in Croatia and I am wide awake in thoracic pain.,.I have neuralgia and it is frustrating. We must endure and be strong....

Cheryl Mann  I had a small one.  A small pneumothorax is very common after robotic repair.  The fact that yours is getting smaller already is encouraging.  Keep using your incentive spirometer, stay hydrated and keep moving - it will likely be uncomfortable for a time, but will continue to improve.  it also helps to do what you can to relax.  I liked to listen to ocean sounds on tue tv (mayo had a relaxation channel)

Claudia Kwalbrun  Thank you all for your positive feedback and thank you for making me less  anxious. You are truly heart warriors. 

Ed Eller  It's wonderful to hear from you so soon! congratulations on the success.  I hope tomorrow will be a more comfortable day for you.

Greg Lewis  That is VERY great news! Each day will lead into the next, now. And will get a little better each morning!

Rose Madura  Welcome to recovery Claudia. Trust the doctors. They know what to do. I had all kinds of complications and yet, here I am more than 5 years later.  

Ana Brusso  Congratulations Claudia, you did it. You will be well taken care of and you will progress one day at a time. God bless you 

Klara Čičić  You are doing great, Claudia! It will get a little easier each hour, each day... Hang in there, brave warrior! 

Angela Meletiadis  Bravo, Claudia, for making it through and keeping a positive outlook!!!. Be patient with your body as you recover! 

Richard Munson  Its open heart surgery so a little discomfort is expected. Be happy you are looking at new york city thru the window. You could be on the subway getting mugged. 

Claudia Kwalbrun  Richard so true I rather be looking at NEw Yorks Skyline  than on the subway getting mugged. trguess I forget what my body went through and I should be grateful I have these incredible nurses getting me through the recovery. 

Susan Lynn  Yay! Welcome to recovery! One day at a time. You'll be surprised how quickly you'll heal.

Deena Z  You did have a rough day, Claudia.  It will soon be a blur and you will feel so much better each day now.  Not just saying that.  You will see.  Congrats that it is over!!!!

Richard Munson  Claudia, in a couple of days you will wonder what the big deal was. Happy recovery. My wife and i used to love to take the train to nyc and stay over at a fancy hotel and go to a high priced restaurant, maybe natural history museum , a play or bronx zoo, room service breakfast and take the train back home. Not any more . Too dangerous. What a shame. Frank sinatra would be ashamed to sing it. 

Klara Čičić  Claudia, I am feeling fine overall. I can climb on our third floor, heartwise it's getting better every day. But those wounds are slowing me.... They are still large holes, I am going for a new dressing every two days. I feel pain in my thorax still quite a lot, my right arm will need physio cause I can't do full range of motion...but pain is definitely managable, although it's always there. it's all a bit frustrating. But all of that is apsolutley minor considering a fact that I don't have heart murmur anymore. My husband listened to my heart (I am too scared).... All my life I have this very loud murmur...now my heart sounds normal. It brings tears to my eyes and my husband's... So that's what keeps me going and hoping those wounds will heal.... Thay say they rarely see thing like that and were surprised by the size of the holes. I really don't know what went wrong. The main scar is beautiful and clean, only those drainage tubes holes.... I am still grateful that I don't have any major complication. This will get better with time! Wishing you all the best! You got this!

Claudia Kwalbrun  Klara, Glad you are feeling well overall. In time you will be back to yourself, the incisions with fade and the pain will be a memory. You are doing so well!!!!  Looking forward to putting the surgery behind me and be where you are. I am scared but I know that deep down I made the right decision. Looking forward to sending posts after my surgery. 🙏 

Adam Pick  Great way to focus on the 98% Claudia. You are going to do great. I just know it.  Also, you raise a great question. I'm going to post two videos that I just filmed about expectations after surgery. Hopefully those will help. I imagine some of the folks here may also chime in about post-op expectations. 

Richard Munson  I can only speak for mass general in boston but you will meet some of the most caring and qualified support staff on the planet. I was in the middle of covid, no visitors so they were my only ones. The only aggravation for me was being woken up every 5 minutes for another blood test. Actually it only seemed like 5 minutes but it was a lot. Necessary i know. 

Claudia Kwalbrun  Thank you Adam.  These videos really gave me insight to what to expect after my surgery. So Helpful!!!!

Donna Casaletto  Love the videos too!! Thank you Richard for reminding me how caring MGH was to you! Claudia love your honesty! I just received my surgery packet in the mail and yup a rollercoaster of emotions!! I’ll be thinking of you and sending you speedy recovery wishes your way 🥰‼️

Greg Lewis  I would like to address any fears you have, that you could be part of the 1% that things dont go as planned. I was, and am, part of that 1%. BUT that is a 1% chance that when they get in there, they find something, that makes them shift gears into a different plan, in order to make things work out. They know what they are doing, and i doubt there is much, they have never seen before. So, i agree, to not dwell on what will or wont happen in surgery, or after, for that matter. I know thats easy to say, tough to do. I have been through every emotion there is, several times. What i can share, from this is that, you stay a lot happier, with less anxiety, if you can push yourself to a place of acceptance, rather than expectations. Most of this is out of your control. Realize the absolute incredible miracle that is going to take place in that operating room! And accept where it all goes from there, and choose to stay positive. I sincerely wish you all the best!

Patsy Stewart  I’m glad you’ve changed your perspective on this.   I’m sure your anxiety has calmed way down.  You know either outcome could happen, but have chosen to be on the positive side. Sending prayers that you have peace in your soul and that you have a successful surgery. You can do this! Go, Claudia!!~❤️

Joyce Wells  Just know that you did your research and you trust your surgeon and the team.  I did my research as well. Had a mitral valve repair minimally invasive robotically assisted on 2/8/2022.  Very successful.  My heart recovery is amazing.However, I wish I had done more research on my pain management team.  Asked more questions etc.  I elected to receive the cryoanalegic nerve block.  It was the biggest mistake ever.  I would tell anyone...don't do it.  My surgeon has told me that she will never do it again based on my results.  I have asked people on this site and have gotten mixed reactions.  I am 8 months from surgery and have been in pain everyday.  Advil, Tylenol and Lidocaine are my friends.  I have received no help from any Dr as to how long this will last or any treatments to help.  I am seeing a pain management dr (the second one) who is supposed to know more.  A neurologist is next.  
However, I am golfing, tennis, gardening etc.  But not 2 weeks after.  Took about 3 months to start getting back to my normal self.  

Claudia Kwalbrun  Thank you Joyce for informing me about your experience with the nerve block. I will make sure It is not part of my pain management. 

Greg Lewis  Claudia, if they want to leave the epicardial (temp pacer wires) in you when they discharge you, i would try real hard to get them to yank them out. Assuming you have those, they sometimes leave them in, as they did me. I have 3 of them in there, still against my heart. Went back to have one pulled, that was trying to stick out. They left them, since my blood was too thin that day. If i could do it over, i would ask to stay, until they could pull them. 

Claudia Kwalbrun  Adam, Sarah is the tall girl in the middle. She is an active healthy 16 year old who is on the volleyball team in her high school and a fantastic artist

Adam Pick  Ab-soooooooooooo-lute-ly wonderful!!! Great to see Sarah all grown up! Please give her and Pam my best!!!

Cheryl Mann  Beautiful family! You are surrounded by love - remember that as you roll into surgery.  You’ve got this.

Marie Myers  I am 5 yrs past surgery, and I still mask -up when in big crowds. We also have a lot of Covid here in South Florida. Stay well!

Claudia Kwalbrun  Thank you Marie. I a getting anxious about COVID still so prevalent here on Long Island and my biggest nightmare is getting the virus and having to postpone the surgery. 

Klara Čičić  Dear Claudia, I was as careful as I could and I got Covid 10 days before planned surgery. I got better and surgery was postponed for only 2 and a half weeks. I guess I wanna say that you do take care of your self, but if it happens, definitely better before than after op. It really wouldn't be pleasant to get it now when I am 5  days postop. Acctually my PCR was still positive a week before surgery (rapid test was neg), but the viral load was so small that they consulted infectology and continue with the procedure. It's different approach now with the experience with the virus, all the new knowledge... So. Please don't worry, it will all be just the way it should be! :)

Susan Lynn  I had my surgery in pre-Covid times and I stayed away from everyone (except my husband and sister) for two weeks before surgery. Even a common cold can cause surgery to be rescheduled. Be well, Claudia.

Klara Čičić  Hi Mohammed, every infection is unwelcome in such a vulnerable time after surgery...when your body is healing, you need strength, rest, your immunity is dealing with closing the wounds, the last thing it needs is an infection! Which, in the best scenario, only prolongates recovery, but you know that every infection (viral, like Covid, or bacterial or any other) can have countless complications... There are people on this site who had Covid closely after surgery and it wasn't pleasent at all. 

Susan Lynn  Wow!! That might be the first generational success story on this site! What would we do without Adam and HVS.com??

Claudia Kwalbrun  . I did not realize that it was Adam Picks website that helped us get through one of the most stressful  times of my family’s life.  Now I am going through what my five year old granddaughter went through and I have comfort in knowing I have a great support group by joining this site. 

Kenneth Southard  It is only natural.  However, there comes a time when you have done all you can and picked the best team to help you.  From there, you put in God's hands the medical team.

Deena Z  Great hospital, Claudia! I had my mitral valve surgery at NYC Mt Sinai near-by. Both hospitals and surgeons awesome. The surgery is so much safer now and recovery that much faster, particularly if you are having minimally invasive surgery, But to not be scared would be abnormal. Your emotions will be like a roller coaster; try to focus on that the surgery has over a 99 percent success rate at a nationally ranked hospital like yours. You will get through this, you have more courage than you could ever imagined. God bless you. We will be by your side virtually as your go through this journey,

Susan Lynn  Claudia - You're actually going through the most difficult part now - waiting. Surgery is going to feel like a one minute nap and it will all be behind you. You've got this!

Ginny Turner  Claudia, you can rest easy in knowing you've made good choices and will receive excellent care. I can honestly say that my surgery in January was not bad at all and much easier than I had expected. I was pleasantly surprised! As all have said, waiting is the hard part - you will be just fine. We're all cheering for you!

Klara Čičić  You will manage it Claudia! If I did it, trust me you will, too. I have very low pain tolerance and I made it through. First 24-48h are the worst but it gets better each hour. I am hoping your repair is successful! 

Claudia Kwalbrun  Thank you Deena Elana for reassuring me that I picked a great hospital and a great team to do my robotic mitral valve repair.