Sounds good Nancy. The cath is a piece of cake. I had myself worried sick and it was all for nothing. They went through my wrist, so that made it doubly easy. My incision is about 5 inches. They did the minimally invasive, too. I really didn't have very much discomfort with the incision until a few weeks later when it started to heal, and then it was a combination of itch and soreness. Like your doctor said, its pretty straight forward and I had more discomfort from other surgeries I had, hysterectomy, etc., then I did with the open heart surgery. They have come a long long way with medicine and is really truly remarkable. I will keep you in my prayers. Try not to worry yourself too much.
Diana

Great news, Nancy.Having a date is scary and exciting at the same time. I had to wait 2 1/2 months after they gave me my date due to the fact that Dr. Gillinov was so busy. It was a real lesson in patience for me. You are on my prayer list for the 30th for an excellent surgery.
Fran

Hi Nancy

Sounds like you are ready to rock and roll! It is really good you have family so close to your hospital, which will certainly benefit your husband.

I took comfort in fianlly having the "date" on the calendar. In my case it was 6 weeks out and all in all that was too long a wait to deal with. I just wanted to hurry up and get it behind me.

Sounds like you are in great hands and that you have done a lot of research so you know what all will transpire. It's not a lot of fun, but it is really easier than your imagination creates for you. It helps so much knowing from Adam's book and journals what all will happen and what to prepare for.

I look forward to your getting through this with bells on and positive updates to start December with.

Best wishes...

Mark
Keller, TX

Hi Nancy, read your entry in Amy's journal, couldn't agree more, getting yourself to let others take care of you is extremely hard....to that end I made some little buttons for my family & friends team to wear. they say Laurie's Team with a little cut out heart in the middle...I think its just a reminder that they are there for me and that I should let them be!!! I think that that sort of thing also lets the hosp. staff know that someone is looking out for you and personalizes you. (I would rather be Laurie than "the patient") Laurie C

Hi Nancy
Thanks for the really nice note n my journal. Those of us who've had our surgeries at the Cleveland Clinic rave about it, but we know there are other excellent hospitals all over the country. So, you've made the right decision for you. With a small incision your recovery should be shorter and easier. Let us know when you have a date set. In the meantime try to get hold of some relaxation/guided imagery tapes to listen to. Made a big difference for me.
Fran

Hi Nancy,
Thanks for signing my guestbook. Believe me, the problems I have experienced since my surgery are minor ones. Just hiccups, as I like to call them, along the way of recovery. This latest problem has me baffled and I'm hoping seeing the rheumatologist will give me some answers.
I feel wonderful since my surgery and every week gets better and better. The surgery was a piece of cake compared to the recovery, in my opinion. I'm sure you will make out just fine and your recovery uneventful.
Diana

Hi Nancy, thanks for the note. I am glad to hear that you liked your surgeon in New York. I have seen his name numerous times on the internet etc. As you might know if your read my journals, I changed my mind and went against CC after I met my doc in Fort Collins! and this after I was 99% sure to was going out of town. I agree with Amy S. when she says follow your gut feeling about decisons (but make sure you do the research first) I think that I tried to talk myself into going to CC but felt this huge relief when I went back to staying home. My doc has done 4000 of these AVRs and has a o% mortality rate, plus he is extremely nice and down to earth. I know that I trust him, which is very important. Yes it is wonderful that my sisters are coming. One lives in Pittsburg, the other in Delaware so it is quite a distance. It's good your son lives so near the hosp. staying in a hotel would be a drag for your husband. I guess you don't have a date yet... let me know when you do. It would be good to share convalescence! I hope I can take my laptop to the hosp. I am not the greatest computor person but I will give it a try. I know that putting my experiences out there may help someone else.. this has got to be one of THE scary things a person might have to goe through...I know it is close to routine now, sort of, but there is somethink about one's heart that is so personal, that it can never be routine. keep in touch.. laurie c

Nancy,
Thanks for the quick note. You sound like you are in a very positive place to begin this journey. I believe that is half the battle. I also had a wonderful cardiologist who reccomended two very different surgeons. In the end, I trusted my gut instinct and went with the surgeon in Boston. It was a very difficult decision because both were very talented and had good reviews on medical sites. I took a big risk and reached out to my cardiologist through his nurse. She patiently returned my phone calls and listened to my anxious worries about how on earth do I possibly choose a surgeon. My cardio actually called me several times and really tried to understand my doubts and worries. I was very surprised that he took the time to do it. It was a tremendous help. In the end he highly recommended the Boston surgeon and it became very easy for me to trust them both.
I think the medical field can seem so over whelming that we lay folk forget that we can simply ask for what we need. Going through his nurse was good because she helped advocate what I needed to him.
When I trust my gut instinct I am ok. When I do not trust my instincts is when I always get in trouble.
I wish you positive energy and peace.
Amy Szalony

Hi Nancy, thanks for the note. Do you have a date for your surgery yet? I have pretty much decided to go the CC for my AV surgery. After talking to Anne Shannon yesterday, I was pushed over the edge to that decision! She and I are both agility dog people in Colorado (small world) so she called me after reading my journal. She had an amazing time there, apparently they are so ready and able to handle anything. Dr. Mihaljevic has his OWN patent on his miinimally invasive valve replacement technique. it would be worth your while to read her journal. I would say she is on the far end of the easy procedure, recovery sprectrum. It is nice to know that it is possible for things to go that well. after reading Adam's book I was scared out of my mind! anyway, i decided to overnight my info to his office, thought I would have trouble getting everything ffom my hospital, but I pushed and had it all in one day, even paid the extra $50 to have it overnighted, so they will get in on Monday. apparently it takes about 10 days to have it evaluated and then they can set a date. this doc is scheduling in Dec and Jan. After talking to Anne it was so easy to pick this guy, from the horse's mouth so to speak. I would have hated just trying to figure out which doc to use without some inside info! anyway am trying to get my surgery ASAP since I have asthma and get sick a lot during Feb and March. would be interesting to know where you are in the process.....actually it is an amazing process, interesting to watch how you go from one stage to another as you gather info. When I started out I was sure I wanted to get it done where I live and all the docs were pushing for mechanical valve. I am a research junkie so I know so much more now that I did 4 weeks ago. anyway, would love to hear from you! Laurie Cadwell

Hi Nancy Thank you so much for your note. I read your story and see that you are so ahead of the game. There is a great deal of peace and confidence when we educate, interview and obtain as much info prior to our decisions of Dr's and valves if there is a choice. I too had been a very active, healthy swimmer etc even through the last 20 yrs of 3 open heart congenital procedures. It would be great if you have a minimally invasive procedure and can proceed with a tissue. Sounds like you are getting good advice for resources to investigate the Ross procedure. Thanks again for you note, I will follow your journey. This site is remarkable especially when suddenly we encounter an unexpected bump. Take care
Susan V NC

Hi Nancy & welcome. I wanted to have the Ross Procedure when I initially found I needed to have my aortic valve replaced. When my heart cath was done in advance of the surgery, a second problem was found - my aorta was narrowed & required a bypass to correct that. As a result, my surgeon (who specializes in the Ross Procedure) advised me that doing both the Ross & the bypass would be "too much surgery". So, I wish I had some advice on it, but I don't. Reading our journals & Adam's book will help you prepare for your surgery. I wish you the very best. Joy Vera

Hi Nancy,

I had a Ross Procedure almost five years ago.

If you are interested, here is some information about it:

http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/ross-procedure-statistics.php

http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/01/13/would-you-do-the-ross-procedure-again-asks-tom/

http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/07/31/ross-procedure-surgery-results-success/

Keep on tickin!
Adam

Hi Nancy,
I had talked to my cardiologist and surgeon about the Ross procedure, and they both said the hospital I was going to did not do that procedure. They found there were too many instances of redoing shortly after surgery. So, wasn't an option for me. I know that Adam had the Ross procedure done, so maybe you can email him with his thoughts and information.
Best of luck,
Diana

Hi Nancy,

Welcome to HVJ.. Sounds like you are doing your research and have selected excellent hospitals as potential sites for your surgery. I had AVR and aortic root repair in May at Cleveland Clinic, and feel it was a wonderful facility that lives up to it's reputation as the best heart hospital in America.

It's been a while since I did all my research, but generally found the Ross procedure was on the general decline as a choice, except for younger patients. I would certainly ask the questions and let the doctors explain the various choices from their perspective. I did just that, and at 49 opted for a bovine tissue valve. It should last 15-20 years. A key factor is that within the next 10 years the likely AVR method will be via a transfemoral catherter, such that the next surgey will be likely much less invasive. It might not be though, and if they have to go back during normal surgery I know I can get through this again. I also never had to take a single Coumadin treatment, which was a big factor for me. I want(ed) my every day lfe to be as normal as possible, and as an active person knew tissue was the right choice for me.

My local cardiologist was very pro mechanical, while my surgeon at CC was very pro tissue. I had already made up my mind, and knew I needed to find a surgeon who was would support my choice and CC is pro tissue.

Best of luck in your research..

Mark
Keller, TX

Hi Nancy,
Welsome to HVJ. On here you will find support, comfort, knowledge and a lot of friends. People who have gone, or are going through the same thing you will be going through.
Let me try and ease your mind that its not all that bad. Really, sounds a lot more scary, but I found it to be a positive experience, even with all the hiccups along the way.
Keep us up to date on your progress.
Diana

Hi Nancy
Like Ricki I had my surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in March. Dr Gillinov was my surgeon. I traveled from SW FL to have this surgeon at this hospital. They have been the #1 heart hospital for 16 or so years. Have a bovine mitral valve and a tricuspid repair. The CC is pro tissue valve but my surgeon would have done what I wanted. Read the journals, do as much research as you can and you'll be prepared. It was not as bad as I thought it might be. Good luck.
Fran

Hi Nancy!

Welcome to HVJ - I had my aortic valve replaced with a bovine valve at the Cleveland Clinic in May. My surgeon was Joseph Sabik. I can's say enough wonderful things about the treatment I received there.

I have found this site, and everyone on it, to be helpful and supportive. I hope you'll find it helpful as well. If you haven't done so already, I recommend you read Adam's book. Although his experience was somewhat different than yours will be if you have minimally invasive surgery (like I did), it was very informative as I prepared for surgery. You should also read as many journals as possible, especially those from patients at the hospital you choose.

Please feel free to ask any questions.
Ricki Shine

Hi Nancy,
Welcome to HVJ. I also live in NJ and had a repair of my mitral valve at Mount Sinai NYC in March. I had a minimally invasive procedure and am doing great. If you have any questions everyone on this site is most helpful.
Theresa Callanan