Julie Stein - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

787 days ago

Susan Lynn reacted to this

8 week post op, mini thoracotomy and sternotomy with fixed mitral valve. I can raise both arms up in the air now. I stopped the warfarin. I drove ...Read more

8 week post op, mini thoracotomy and sternotomy with fixed mitral valve. I can raise both arms up in the air now. I stopped the warfarin. I drove last night for the first time since surgery. Gabapentin is a godsend. I have such nerve pain. Start cardiac rehab in 2 weeks. Feel well everyone 💗

Susan Lynn Julie - You're doing great! The nerve pain might last awhile, but it sounds like you're taking it ... Read more

Susan Lynn Julie - You're doing great! The nerve pain might last awhile, but it sounds like you're taking it in stride! Continued success with your recovery!

Delise Becker Wonderful news! Keep up the good work.

Julie Stein Thank you 😊

Grace Mason Yea Julie! So glad to see your update and know you are moving forward

Rose Madura Wonderful to hear! Congratulations.

Julie Steinposted an update

833 days ago

Susan Lynn reacted to this

12 days post op and just had first sneezes. That was a wake up.

Ana Brusso So sorry, I do remember those sneezes, no fun. They too shall pass

Richard Munson Hope you had the pillow

Susan Lynn Sneezing is brutal! Glad I didn't have my surgery during allergy season. As Richard advises, keep ... Read more

Susan Lynn Sneezing is brutal! Glad I didn't have my surgery during allergy season. As Richard advises, keep the pillow close by.... and God Bless You! 🤧

Grace Mason Ditto what Susan says, God bless you ❤️‍🩹

Jeff Williams Sneezes were scary. My body somehow fought them and yawns off for over a month.

Julie Stein I think I need to make a leash for my pillow lol. Thanks all

Klara Čičić Yuck those sneezes, I remember them well, pillow helped significantly!

Julie Steinposted an update

837 days ago

Pamela Gregory, John Wilkinson, Danielle Knapp reacted to this

So, I am home after 8 days in the hospital and a mini thoracotomy AND an open chest. Issues with the groin and they switched to plan B. The good news is the ...Read more

So, I am home after 8 days in the hospital and a mini thoracotomy AND an open chest. Issues with the groin and they switched to plan B. The good news is the surgeon was able to do complete repair. Thank you for all the prayers and good wishes.

DeWayne Adamson Way to go Julie! Great news!

Valerie Allen Glad you are home!!

Pamela Gregory There is no place like home! Congratulations

Grace Mason You look amazing post mini AND Sternal open, Julie! You must be happy to be home now. So glad to hea... Read more

Grace Mason You look amazing post mini AND Sternal open, Julie! You must be happy to be home now. So glad to hear everything worked out. Sending many well wishes to you in your recovery

Ana Brusso Congratulations Julie. God bless you

Susan Lynn Julie - Welcome to recovery! Looks like you're doing great! I had a minimally-invasive side incis... Read more

Susan Lynn Julie - Welcome to recovery! Looks like you're doing great! I had a minimally-invasive side incision and I knew it required a bypass connection through the femoral artery. Did the surgeon explain what happened during your procedure?
Wishing you all the best!

Adam Pick Welcome Home!!!!

Rose Madura Wonderful news to hear you are home and well! Like the travel pillow in the picture.... 😉

Kath Duggan So glad you are home ❤️❤️❤️

Deena Z amen

Laurent G Happy for you 👌

J Alexander Lassally Congrats on surmounting this high impact experience !! So glad you are home now. How was the stern ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally Congrats on surmounting this high impact experience !! So glad you are home now. How was the sternotomy experience for you?

Delise Becker So glad you are home, Julie! Best wishes for your recovery.

Julie Steinposted an update

850 days ago

Sean Adkins, Rose Madura, Donna Casaletto reacted to this

Less than a week now, trying to keep positive. Created my own positive motivation. Minimal invasive mitral valve fix on the 13.

Klara Čičić Yay Julie, that's the spirit! Sounds like you are in a good place mentally. It is hard, all of it, bu ... Read more

Klara Čičić Yay Julie, that's the spirit! Sounds like you are in a good place mentally. It is hard, all of it, but you can do it!! Your heart will be healthier and stronger! 💪

Sharon Behl With your sense of humor, you've got this!

Wes Edens You'll do fine! I had my mitral valve replaced in 2021 and it went perfectly. I know you're getting a ... Read more

Wes Edens You'll do fine! I had my mitral valve replaced in 2021 and it went perfectly. I know you're getting a repair--that's even better. This will be in your rearview mirror before you know it.

DeWayne Adamson Wishing all goes well with your surgery tomorrow. Please let us know how easy it was :)

Julie Steinposted an update

859 days ago

Susan Lynn reacted to this

I’m curious, two weeks till minimally invasive mitral valve repair. When I asked about pain management, Tylenol IV around the clock for the first few days. ...Read more

I’m curious, two weeks till minimally invasive mitral valve repair. When I asked about pain management, Tylenol IV around the clock for the first few days. I’m sure if I need something stronger, it will be available for me. Anyone else have that? Also any tips for minimally invasive procedure would be helpful. Thanks.

Richard Munson Don’t expect miracles. It still hurts., but down time is quicker in my case.

Delise Becker I had minimally invasive mitral valve repair in 2014. That was a long time ago, so I don't remember w ... Read more

Delise Becker I had minimally invasive mitral valve repair in 2014. That was a long time ago, so I don't remember what pain med I was prescribed. However, I do not do well with pain meds, so I think I took 1/2 a tablet, with food, every 4-6 hours for 2-3 days, and then switched to regular Tylenol. My pain wasn't that bad, but everybody is different. Just remember to use your heart pillow when you cough, sneeze, or laugh.

Susan Lynn Julie - I had the nerves on my right side frozen during surgery and didn't have pain after surgery, ... Read more

Susan Lynn Julie - I had the nerves on my right side frozen during surgery and didn't have pain after surgery, but I did have numbness, pins and needles, and intermittent sensations for about a year as those nerves regenerated. All completely tolerable without narcotics. I would choose the same entry if I had to do it over again. Best of luck to you!

J Alexander Lassally Hi - in my extensive research this summer if seems that there is a wide array of protocols. Quite a l ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally Hi - in my extensive research this summer if seems that there is a wide array of protocols. Quite a lot of approaches. Assuming that Tylenol IV is juiced with some narcotics for the first days?

Julie Stein Thanks all. I’ll keep ya posted.

Klara Čičić They gave me opioids for the first few days. I had some side effects so they switched to regular NSAI ... Read more

Klara Čičić They gave me opioids for the first few days. I had some side effects so they switched to regular NSAIDs, but the thing that helped the most I think was subcutaneous catheter that delivered anesthesia directly to the thoracic nerves affected by surgery (peripheral nerve block). It was taken out 4th or 5th day. Some hospitals do cryoanalgesia, too. It was a life saver. Overall, pain was substantial, but not unbearable. Take into account I have low pain threshold. Nevertheless, in a few weeks all pain was gone.

Robert Miller I can't really comment on minimally invasive surgery as I had open heart surgery. In any case, I didn ... Read more

Robert Miller I can't really comment on minimally invasive surgery as I had open heart surgery. In any case, I didn't get any pain medication after surgery except for the first day when they give you pain meds by default. Having said that, if you are in pain simply tell the nurse/doctor and they will give you some more medicine. You just came back from a heart surgery after all.

Terry Tannenbaum Hi Julie, I had the robotic or minimally invasive repair done in 2010 and a re-repair with sternotomy last October. Post-op both times was uncomfortable mainly due to the drainage tube that was inserted during the surgery, which is a normal part of the procedure once the repair is completed. Within a few days, the nurse removes the tube and you should notice immediate relief but you still may experience some minor aches and pains along the way, which is perfectly normal, but nothing that lasts or lingers. Once I was released from the hospital I was walking around Manhattan and not even taking an over-the-counter pain pill.
Good luck, and before you know it, you'll be back home resuming your normal life again.

-Terry T.
Boca Raton, Fl.
... Read more

Julie Steinposted an update

976 days ago

Rose Madura, Brady Busch reacted to this

Everyone here is so kind and supportive. Just an update on my journey. I have seen a surgeon and have a TEE scheduled for next Thursday. Will see surgeon ...Read more

Everyone here is so kind and supportive. Just an update on my journey. I have seen a surgeon and have a TEE scheduled for next Thursday. Will see surgeon the week after. Thanks my ❤️friends.

Julie Steinposted an update

991 days ago

I’m curious, who did your TEE? Surgeon or cardiologist? Was hopeful to get it done before seeing surgeon, but cardiologist is kinda dragging his feet. Thanks ...Read more

I’m curious, who did your TEE? Surgeon or cardiologist? Was hopeful to get it done before seeing surgeon, but cardiologist is kinda dragging his feet. Thanks :)

Patricia Miller My initial cardiologist did my TEE several weeks before surgery. Surgeon did one intra op which was ... Read more

Patricia Miller My initial cardiologist did my TEE several weeks before surgery. Surgeon did one intra op which was standard apparently for the mitral valve repair.

Ana Brusso It was my cardiologist

Patsy Stewart I had an echo, and afterwards the same tech did my TEE. My cardiologist came in the room during the t ... Read more

Patsy Stewart I had an echo, and afterwards the same tech did my TEE. My cardiologist came in the room during the test and observed the procedure.

Rose Madura My TEE was done in the OR just prior to the surgery.

Marie Myers Cardiologist usually does the TEE, but mine was done by my cardiac anesthesiologist, who then gave it ... Read more

Marie Myers Cardiologist usually does the TEE, but mine was done by my cardiac anesthesiologist, who then gave it to the cardiologist.

Susan Lynn Cardiologist did my first. Surgeon did one in the OR during my mv repair. All the best to you!

Donna Casaletto Cardiologist

Julie Stein Thanks all

Julie Steinposted an update

1000 days ago

Susan Lynn reacted to this

Hello, newbie here. I have severe MR as per echo. Waiting to have TEE scheduled. Cardiologist says I can have surgery when I am ready. I’m in SE PA. Any ...Read more

Hello, newbie here. I have severe MR as per echo. Waiting to have TEE scheduled. Cardiologist says I can have surgery when I am ready. I’m in SE PA. Any recommendations for surgeons at Penn or Jeff. I know some names, but still trying to get more info. I have minor symptoms. Thanks for any information or advice. :)

Susan Lynn Welcome Julie! I'm from NEPA. I also had mitral valve regurgitation. I chose Dr. Scott Goldman a... Read more

Susan Lynn Welcome Julie! I'm from NEPA. I also had mitral valve regurgitation. I chose Dr. Scott Goldman at Lankenau's Heart Pavilion. I was very happy with my experience, but you definitely want to do your research and get multiple opinions. Make the choice that's right for you! If you have any questions, there are a bunch of mitral valve folks on this site.

https://youtu.be/KaI9dUTRlm8

Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair at Lankenau Medical Center

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaI9dUTRlm8

Dr. Scott Goldman and his team lead one of the most experienced mitral valve repair centers in the country, with superior patient outcomes. For more informat...

Grace Mason Hi Julie,
Have you checked out the surgeon finder tool on this website.?

Julie Stein Thank you, the Penn drs I am considering are on here. The Jeff ones are not.

Thomas Brusstar Hi Julie. Sorry you have this problem, but glad you found this site! I had my mitral valve repaire ... Read more

Thomas Brusstar Hi Julie. Sorry you have this problem, but glad you found this site! I had my mitral valve repaired in 2018 in Chicago. It went well, but my regurgitation had progressed to a very severe stage (the valve was "flail" because some of the anchoring chordae had broken off) before I was told to consider surgery. (I thought I had pneumonia because I was coughing badly and so short of breath. The clinic gave me an antibiotic and told me I'll get better. Nope, just in heart failure!) So catching it early is a good idea, before the heart and lungs damage themselves trying to get around the leakage. So congrats on getting ahead of this. I wish I'd fixed mine before it got bad.

Julie Stein Thanks for your input. Hope you are feeling well.