Erik 's Journal

George Gardopee  I also found this extremely useful. Lucky for me, I found it before I had surgery.  I was more terrified of the tube than of anything else; this video made the experience a lot less distressing.

A quick note to those who have surgeries coming up - I had forgotten to mention in my notes from my surgery that I thought the tube would make me want to gag but it didn’t, just like this video says it won’t.

Kristine Schroeder  Wow. Thanks, Erik. I always like to know what to expect. I’m seeing new ways to use my recent mindfulness training. 😛 Sorry you didn’t have this information going into your surgery. How is your recovery going? I am also having minimally invasive mitral valve surgery in less than two weeks.... a bit north of Miami, in Tampa. Did you have a cryogenic nerve block? Thanks again for posting.

Erik W.  Recovery is going great. As far as I know no cryogenic nerve block, I don't think my procedure needed it, I used conventional pain meds only for a few days in hospital and none after leaving. Honestly pain was much less than expected, past shoulder survey was much worse pain.

George Gardopee  Erik - fantastic report. It sounds like your recovery is proceeding very quickly. In a few weeks it will be like it never happened. 

Timothy Williams  Congrat's! Sounds like you are committed to recovery by being active and progressively challenging yourself. That worked for me! I had similar fatigue, but it tapers back to normal. Keep it up.

Luke Rodriguez  Erik, I am 8 weeks out from valve and aorta replacement.  My biggest issue was the meds I am on making me tired, like you, hitting a wall.  Now that I am off one med and 1/4 dose of my BP med I feel better now than I did before surgery.  Every week you will see more progress. Keep going. 

Adam Baumgartner  I think I was back to maxing out the spirometer in less than a month,  but the first couple weeks were tough. Just sick with it 

Neal Syverson  I am a little over 3 months out and I seem to have full capacity.  I am not sure at what point it was full capacity.  Maybe 2 months?

Michael Klusyk  I think you’re kicking butt Erik! I’m 21 days post op. today and, although I feel like my lung capacity is close to pre-surgery, I’m at about 2500 on the spirometer. I’d say just keep using the spirometer as a guide and good exercise but don’t get too torn up about the numbers. You’re well on mthe way to a solid recovery!

Erik W.  Thanks everyone that's all helpful information.  I'll keep up with the use of the spirometer and try to adjust my expectations to a more realistic recovery time frame.

Patsy Stewart  I’m amazed at all of you for being able to get that high on your spirometer! I had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma several years ago. The radiation damaged my lungs, heart and lots of other things. I could barely get the spirometer to 500 before my surgeries and I’m still plugging right along at 500. I might as well laugh as cry. Also …. they told me that as long as I was up walking around, I didn’t have to use the spirometer. If I’m just sitting around, that’s when I need to use it faithfully. Erik, I hope you keep progressing. Sounds like you’re doing great with your recovery. 

Timothy Williams  I had two spirometer's.  One at home and then a new one from the hospital stay.  They were different capacities and gave different readings. I had mitral valve repair and believe I got back to normal by 2 months post surgery.  I also pushed aerobic exercise to challenge my lungs.  

Rose Madura  Glad you are home Erik! There's no place like home.  Now it's time to listen to your body and rest when needed.  I'm pretty sure your recovery will go smoothly.   Thanks for the update. 

Richard Munson  My medicine goal is the same as yours a year and a half after minimally invasive ,maze procedure for a symptomatic a fib and mitral valve repair. Of course my doctor is fighting me. The old more pills is better philosophy. . I finally convinced him and my surgeon to install an implant under my skin that records and sends him messages if i experience any heart a fib issues. Been in since march and no relapse. It also comes with a device i can push if i have an incident i want him to know about. Battery lasts 3 years. After a year goes by and i have no a fib recurrence i will readdress the eliquis and metropolol addiction. Even a lesser dose maybe. Never tasted metal or chemicals since surgery. You need to stop gnawing on the metal bed post at night. Lol. 

Klara Čičić  Dear Erik, I see you mentioned going through airport. I will travel from Leipzig  home to Zagreb (900km) and still haven't decided how, car or plane. So, you traveled by plane 1 week after surgery? (I will also have mini invasive) How long was your flight and how was it, if I may ask? Thanks, and wishing you speedy recovery and no afibs.

Deena Elani  Cool, Erik.  You stood your ground.  The metallic taste may be  due to the anesthesia.  It was for me.. 

Susan Lynn  Welcome to recovery, Erik! Glad you're doing so well! Keep up the good work and safe travels back home!

Michael Klusyk  That’s outstanding news Erik! Congratulations on a successful MI procedure and for being your own advocate in finding a doctor who would do it! Hope you have a comfortable trip home. Welcome to recovery. 

Patsy Stewart  Welcome to recovery, Erik! Sounds like you’re progressing really well. Hope everything falls in place tomorrow when you get released. ~❤️

Kristine Schroeder  Great news, Erik. I am having minimally invasive robot assisted mitral valve surgery in a couple weeks in Tampa. Praying things continue to go smoothly for you 

Rose Madura  Wonderful to hear! God bless you as you continue your journey through recovery. You'll do great!

Erik W.  Thank you all for the encouragement and prayers. Recovery continues to go well. I just did my first set of 20 stairs this morning and the plan is to be discharged this afternoon and fly home Thurs to  continue recovery at home. 

Deena Elani  Cool.  Look forward to hearing about your recovery after discharge tomorrow!  You're a go-getter.  Hopeful that your experience gives others another (easier) option for a complex surgery.  Thanks for the share.

Ellen Higgs  Erik, I’m excited to hear how things go for you!  My husband will have to go through an aorta repair and new aortic valve and so far he’s nervous about the full open heart.  He already went through MI for his bovine valve install in 2019, it’s just failing early and his aorta is dilating.  So we have our appointment with a surgeon at Mercy General in Sacramento on 7/6 to hear what he has to say.  I wish you daughter a very happy birthday!

Debra Keife  Yes. It's totally normal but can be a little unnerving.  Before you know it, it's gone. Feel better.

Chris Calhoun  waiting is one of the hardest parts- 48 hours after you will have a big one to check off your list !!! It gets better 

Erik W.  Thanks all, the cardiac cath went well today, a bit of plaque but nothing of major concern so surgery on June 17th should be a go after the surgeon reviews the images. Was a bit surprised at feeling whipped out this afternoon since the procedure was not invasive, maybe part of that was underlying stress. 

Laura Bickford  I suggest keeping yourself busy these last days of waiting...like birthday parties!  Happy Birthday to you and your daughter.  Trust your surgeon.  I'm 4 months post surgery and doing great.  Best wishes

Mike Argentino  Hi Erik, I wish you the best of all outcomes for your surgery. Being active and healthy as you obviously are should present you in good stead for the road to full recovery. Best regards

Ginny Turner  Hi Erik and welcome to the group! I have a few thoughts after reading your story. I am 3 months post-op from mitral and tricuspid repairs and a Maze procedure. My surgery was by full sternotomy incision. I did consult with a surgeon who said he could do all three procedures with a minimally invasive approach. However my second opinion, and the surgeon I chose to do the surgery, was a much more experienced surgeon in my specific procedures. Although he said it was possible to do it, he did not recommend the minimally invasive surgery in my case for a few important reasons: I required more than one procedure during surgery, if the surgeon has a full view of the heart, they can get in and out faster, and the patient spends a shorter time on the pump, reducing potential risks and complications during surgery. I did not find recovery to be bad at all and I had very little pain in my chest or sternum. I was in ICU less than 24 hours, did not need opioid pain meds once I left ICU and flew home a week after surgery. For isolated valve repairs or replacements, MI can be a great option. In your case, I would go with the most experienced surgeon and operating team in your particular type of surgery and trust the surgeon's opinion on which approach is safest and best for you. Good luck as you continue to research your options.  

Peter Eglinton  Welcome! I had open heart surgery in 2019 to repair my aortic valve and aorta. Having this group for questions and support was invaluable. Please reach out as you navigate your journey. You've got this!

Timothy Williams  I had mitral valve repair 9 weeks ago.  I thought I wanted minimally invasive.  Surgeon I trusted recommended sternotomy for best chance of repair.  My pre-surgery anxiety related mostly to the sternotomy.  By 4 weeks after surgery, I was feeling like my old self and concerns about sternotomy, strength, range of motion, etc. were gone.  I also support Ginny's comments regarding finding the institution-surgeon-approach combination that you trust.  Make sure they are high-volume pro's.  Best wishes to you.  

Deena Elani  Erik, It’s your heart! Think long term survival.  Go with the most experienced and with the best outcomes. Outcomes drive decisions.  Did you check the outcomes for the MI surgeon you are exploring?  I also live in the DC area and went to Manhattan for two valve surgery. My other choice was the cleveland clinic.  

Erik W.  Thank you all for your input, I am still gathering information but still leaning towards the MI approach.  Meet with my cardiologist tomorrow to talk things over.

Erik W.  I am looking at using Dr. Lamelas at University of Miami, he is a premier MI pioneer surgeon and has now performed over 17,000 cardiac surgeries, with 9000+ as MI: more on him here https://cardiovascularnews.com/lamelas-university-of-miami-health-system/

Erik W.  https://physician-news.umiamihealth.org/university-of-miami-health-system-recognized-as-a-mitral-valve-repair-reference-center-from-the-american-heart-association-and-the-mitral-foundation/?_ga=2.32596926.1425620877.1652985939-261689373.1650924069

Ellen Higgs  Hello Erik, I’m a little behind on the the comments here, but my husband went through the MI procedure in 2019 to replace his Aortic valve.  In terms of recovery and pain, Jim didn’t really have any.  He only had to take Tylenol.  Not sure if you have any specific questions.  His surgery did go a bit longer than they planned and unfortunately, we are facing open heart surgery again because his Aorta is dilated now and the bovine aorta valve is already calcifying.  So, we are waiting on our appointment with a surgeon to discuss his recommendations.  This next surgery will be full open heart from my understanding and Jim is pretty upset by that.  I’m actually grateful for this post, because of the comments Ginny and Timothy made.

Timothy Williams  Two separate tangential thoughts:

(1) 17,000 surgeries is >2 per weekday for 30 years! Wow! Blessing to have folks (and their teams) dedicate their life to saving/extending our life !

(2) So many variables with each case probably makes it hard to assess. I wonder if MI results in 2nd surgery more than OHS. One thing my surgeon said to me was, "it might be MI on the outside, but nothing about heart valve surgery is MI on the inside". I assumed he was referring in my case to anesthesia, chilling the body, stopping the heart for 2 hours, making repairs often inserting man-made/biologic components, etc. and then restarting heart and closing things up. In that light, easy decision for me to let him due sternotomy as that was his preference. I am at week 11 and have had a blessed recovery. I hope to be reporting great success for years.

Erik W.  Mountains in Nepal around Everest, but I do hope to get to the Tetons some day if the heart holds out!

Adam Pick  Amazing shot Erik!  Did you know about Veronika Meyer? https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2007/12/03/veronika-meyer-at-mount-everest-peak-after-heart-valve-replacement/

Neal Syverson  This was my group backpacking along the Teton Crest Trail three years ago before I had my problems with the mitral valve.  Now that I had my valve repaired I should be able to do things like this again.

Sandy Harvey  Good luck with your research Erik. Lots of good surgeons to choose from. Options are patient specific ,  no one size fits all.