Debra Gann - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Debra Gannposted an update

834 days ago

I had aortic bovine valve put in 2016. I'm looking to see if anyone has the similar experience of having chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Rita Savelis I had a breast removed for cancer in 2021 6 years after OHS in 2015 (2 mechanical valves). But no ch ... Read more

Rita Savelis I had a breast removed for cancer in 2021 6 years after OHS in 2015 (2 mechanical valves). But no chemo or radiation for that cancer as the tumor was small. I'm sorry that you have to go through this.

Debra Gannposted a journal

3553 days ago

I'm having difficulty making up my mind when to have surgery. Since I had the episode during the heart catheterization coronary artery disease tear getting ...Read more

I'm having difficulty making up my mind when to have surgery. Since I had the episode during the heart catheterization coronary artery disease tear getting stints on February 29th. Now being on Plavix. It scares me to wait too long. But it scares me to have to stop the Plavix so soon for the surgery. Increases risk. All the doctors basically leave it up to me. I don't know what to do.

Debra Gann As the day is approaching I am freaking!!!! Emotional mess. Forgetful too.

Kate Watson I'm scheduled a few weeks after you. Lots of deep breathing and visualizing of the best outcomes is ... Read more

Kate Watson I'm scheduled a few weeks after you. Lots of deep breathing and visualizing of the best outcomes is helping me. Also leaning on my supports. Hang in there!

Debra Gann Kate I'm praying for you and appreciate your prayers. I'm home and doing well and know you will be so ... Read more

Debra Gann Kate I'm praying for you and appreciate your prayers. I'm home and doing well and know you will be soon too.

Debra Gannposted a journal

3566 days ago

Week ago Friday when I had complications during heart cath and my coronary artery had a tear and caused heart attack. Ever since I think that has worsened how ...Read more

Week ago Friday when I had complications during heart cath and my coronary artery had a tear and caused heart attack. Ever since I think that has worsened how I feel. No energy at all. Having some second thoughts about putting off surgery until June.

Liz Burroughs I hope you feel better soon!

Debra Gann Thank you Liz. How are you doing?

Angela Hicks Debra I hope you feel better soon.

Debra Gann Thank you Angela. Don't know what I would do without this support.

Robert Frederick Wow! I that must be frightening. I hope that you feel better and feel good about your next steps.

So sorry, Debra. I hope you feel better and get more energy soon!

Emily Rowley Oh no 😞 I think having the Surgery soon would be a good idea.

Wanda Mroz Hope you feel stronger soon. Hugs

Gail Magnus Have you told your surgeon and cardiologist about having second thoughts about putting off surgery un ... Read more

Gail Magnus Have you told your surgeon and cardiologist about having second thoughts about putting off surgery until June? I say do it sooner if you can and that's what your gut says!

Debra Gann I am changing my date for March 22. I feel like the sooner the better I'll feel. Putting it off is no ... Read more

Debra Gann I am changing my date for March 22. I feel like the sooner the better I'll feel. Putting it off is not the answer. I've been having feelings of my heart fluttering.

Wanda Mroz Trust your gut.... Glad to hear you are going in sooner. Hang in there. Hugs

Gail Magnus Good choice,,,you won't regret it.

Debra Gann Thanks you all! I'm getting more nervous about it getting closer. Surgery will be March 23. I have i ... Read more

Debra Gann Thanks you all! I'm getting more nervous about it getting closer. Surgery will be March 23. I have in-law family that want to be there the whole time during surgery and i have feelings about wanting to be alone with my husband , is that odd to feel that way? I mean I appreciate caring but I don't want to be a room full of people all the time. Maybe I need them there. I've always been very private I guess especially when I don't feel well.

Gail Magnus Debra, I didn't want ANY visitors at the hospital, or when I got home (at first). I had a no visitors ... Read more

Gail Magnus Debra, I didn't want ANY visitors at the hospital, or when I got home (at first). I had a no visitors policy. I did have my mother-in-law come w/my husband (Dan) the day of my surgery. I didn't want him to be alone and she's a retired physician so I thought she would be a good support person for Dan. You don't need to justify anything to anyone, in my opinion. If you don't want visitors then don't! My sister came from out-of-state and she's a RN so she visited me, too. One night Dan, my sister, my niece, my mom and two kid's visited and I kicked them out. They exhausted me!!! Hope that helps.

Debra Gann That does help to know others feel the same. I was feeling guilty about feeling that way. Just don't ... Read more

Debra Gann That does help to know others feel the same. I was feeling guilty about feeling that way. Just don't know how to tell without hurting feelings. Thank you.

Gail Magnus Debra, I'm sure your in-laws will understand if your not up for visitors.

Debra Gannposted an update

3570 days ago

I was seen by surgeon on Tuesday. Set a date for surgery. Sounds kind of crazy but I'm an outdoor person and don't want to miss the Spring so we set it for ...Read more

I was seen by surgeon on Tuesday. Set a date for surgery. Sounds kind of crazy but I'm an outdoor person and don't want to miss the Spring so we set it for June 2. The surgeon said I have a bicuspid Aortic valve. I was told that about 12 years ago by a cardiologist at the Heart Place in Dallas. I didn't realize it was difficult to diagnose. Does anyone else have thoughts on the subject of bicuspid valve?

Ed Miskovic Hi Debra, About 10 years ago a cardiologist said I may have a bicuspid aortic value after a TEE. Thro ... Read more

Ed Miskovic Hi Debra, About 10 years ago a cardiologist said I may have a bicuspid aortic value after a TEE. Through the years with many echocardiograms, the reports always came back tricuspid, but a tech recently mentioned to me that there was too much calcification of the valve to even suspect it. I still want to know so I asked my surgeon's nurse & was told that during my operation the surgeon will be able to determine whether it is or not. Surgery is tomorrow, the 5th, so maybe I'll get an answer. Once I ask him, I'll post his answer. Hope this helps.

Ed-best wishes tomorrow! Debra, I had a bicuspid aortic valve. My dad and his sister also had it. The ... Read more

Ed-best wishes tomorrow! Debra, I had a bicuspid aortic valve. My dad and his sister also had it. They both had their replacements within a couple of years of each other late 90's, early 2000's. My dad's mother died of a heart attack in the late 60's and we all thought that she may have had the same valve issue and didn't know it. Mine wasn't difficult to diagnose. An echo confirmed it, but maybe the picture was clear on mine. Seems like it is a very common congenital defect. So thankful for technology.

Debra Gann Does anyone here have experience with equine valve?

Debra Gannposted an update

3576 days ago

Was wondering if anyone could recommend a surgeon with heart hospital Plano tx for aortic valve replacement. Having hard time making up mind.

Kimberly Biddick Dr William ryan did mine 11 weeks ago. I could not have been happier with my outcome and the heart ho ... Read more

Kimberly Biddick Dr William ryan did mine 11 weeks ago. I could not have been happier with my outcome and the heart hospital Baylor Plano!!

Debra Gann I have an appt with Dr Mack but was told one of the other surgeons could possibly perform the surgery ... Read more

Debra Gann I have an appt with Dr Mack but was told one of the other surgeons could possibly perform the surgery because he has cut back a lot. Does a lot of travel.
Thank you Kimberly

Catrina Glover Dr. Robert Hebeler. He is one of the best in the area.

Cheryl Batzing Debra, I consulted with Dr. Hebeler & Dr. Ryan, and they are both excellent surgeons & I feel outcome ... Read more

Cheryl Batzing Debra, I consulted with Dr. Hebeler & Dr. Ryan, and they are both excellent surgeons & I feel outcome would have been excellent with either. For personal reasons I went with Dr. Ryan, but again, both are excellent. I have many nurse/dr. friends in DFW area and they recommended 3 surgeons out of the US to touch me..and these were 2 of them.

Hi Debra, I met with both Dr. Brinkman and Dr. Harrington. Dr. Harrington was getting ready to go on ... Read more

Hi Debra, I met with both Dr. Brinkman and Dr. Harrington. Dr. Harrington was getting ready to go on maternity leave so I chose Dr. Brinkman as I could wait a little longer to have surgery. I had minimally invasive AVR ~8 weeks ago with tissue valve. Dr. Brinkman was great. I have heard great things about Dr. Harrington as well (she should be back from maternity leave now). She is recently out of fellowship training and is apparently a powerhouse with surgeries and she also specializes in minimally invasive. I looked her up and she does research with folks at Cleveland Clinic. Good luck!

Debra Gann Thank you all so much!

Debra Gannposted a journal

3588 days ago

Adam Pick and 2 others reacted to this

I'm new to the community. I have AS and waiting to see cardiologist to see when AVR will be scheduled. Found out my gradient has increased to 60. A little, ...Read more

I'm new to the community. I have AS and waiting to see cardiologist to see when AVR will be scheduled. Found out my gradient has increased to 60. A little, a lot worried. Thinking about on-x minimal invasive. Any thoughts. Does anyone know about these gradients or has been to Heart Hospital Baylor Plano Tx? Any info or thoughts appreciated.

Adam Pick Hey Debra... Welcome aboard!!!! Fyi, you're in great hands with THHBP and Dr. Mack. That team is fant ... Read more

Adam Pick Hey Debra... Welcome aboard!!!! Fyi, you're in great hands with THHBP and Dr. Mack. That team is fantastic. If you haven't seen it yet, here's more about Dr. Mack - https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Michael-Mack-Plano-Texas.php.

Dr. Michael Mack - Heart Surgeon in Plano, Texas

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Michael-Mack-Plano-Texas.php

See patient reviews, physician biography and videos of Dr. Michael Mack, heart surgeon, with phone number and address in Plano, Texas.

Clare Auten Welcome. I am 2 years post op from a full sternotomy with an On-X mechanical valve. This website is ... Read more

Clare Auten Welcome. I am 2 years post op from a full sternotomy with an On-X mechanical valve. This website is a great place to ask questions. We all love to tell our stories.

Hi Debra, I just had minimally invasive AVR surgery at the Heart Hospital at Baylor - Plano on 12/1. ... Read more

Hi Debra, I just had minimally invasive AVR surgery at the Heart Hospital at Baylor - Plano on 12/1. My surgeon was Dr. Brinkman who works in the same practice as Dr. Mack. Dr. Brinkman specializes in minimally invasive surgery and I was very pleased with him as a surgeon (although running into post op complications with my valve, but that isn't the surgeon's fault). I also was so pleased with the heart hospital. It is state of the art and the staff are amazing. Please let me know if I can answer any questions!

Debra Gann Thank you for the responses. I'm
just scared and anxious about it all.
It's nice not to be all alone ... Read more

Debra Gann Thank you for the responses. I'm
just scared and anxious about it all.
It's nice not to be all alone and have someone else to talk to.

Hi Debra, it is totally normal to be scared. The build up to surgery was much worse to me than the ac ... Read more

Hi Debra, it is totally normal to be scared. The build up to surgery was much worse to me than the actual surgery and recovery. Not to say it was easy, but this is such a common surgery that the statistics are in your favor. Best wishes to you and please let me know if you have any questions/needs.

Cheryl Batzing Debra, I had "minimally invasive" MVR at Plano Heart Hospital Dec. 2015. I was scared beyond words as ... Read more

Cheryl Batzing Debra, I had "minimally invasive" MVR at Plano Heart Hospital Dec. 2015. I was scared beyond words as well, but my faith got me through, along with the great doctors and nurses. Please ask any questions you might have, and know I will be lifting you up in my prayers for peace!

Debra Gann Thank you all. I haven't learned yet when I'll be having surgery, just know my gradient has gone from ... Read more

Debra Gann Thank you all. I haven't learned yet when I'll be having surgery, just know my gradient has gone from 50 to 60 and I'm to see cardiologist on Thursday. Guess it will become real then. Does anyone know about gradient of Aortic valve? As of now I'm not having any significant symptoms. Do get short of breath when pushing hard.

Good! I know my gradient right after my valve replacement was 8% according to my cardiologist. Keep u ... Read more

Good! I know my gradient right after my valve replacement was 8% according to my cardiologist. Keep us posted.

Debra Gann Tomorrow is my cardiac Cath. Nervous.