Lois Harvey - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2664 days ago

Am I the only person that has the Acu Tie II closure system? Mine hurts, wires can be felt through the skin and my surgeon does not care. I am trying to get ...Read more

Am I the only person that has the Acu Tie II closure system? Mine hurts, wires can be felt through the skin and my surgeon does not care. I am trying to get another surgeon to xray it with no luck. Any advice??

Steve Farthing When in doubt, another opinion is often a good idea. You could also ask for a referral to someone wh ... Read more

Steve Farthing When in doubt, another opinion is often a good idea. You could also ask for a referral to someone who can remove it including the wires.

Catie B Gosh, I'm sorry you've got this pain from your sternotomy. If you don't feel heard by your surgeon, i ... Read more

Catie B Gosh, I'm sorry you've got this pain from your sternotomy. If you don't feel heard by your surgeon, it sounds reasonable to talk to someone else. Hope you can have a good resolution to this!

Bob Jensen What does your cardiologist say about this? I can't believe that your surgeon doesn't care - strange ... Read more

Bob Jensen What does your cardiologist say about this? I can't believe that your surgeon doesn't care - strange. Maybe go the head surgeon of the hospital and register a complaint. If no resolution - you can always get a lawyer involved, but be careful. If you go in that direction - your current surgeon will be off the plate regarding your care moving forward.

Talk to or see your cardiologist or PCP abut it.

Emily Rowley There was someone I went to Rehab with the same style sternal closure and it hurt them too. Aww I am ... Read more

Emily Rowley There was someone I went to Rehab with the same style sternal closure and it hurt them too. Aww I am so sorry to hear your Surgeon doesn't care, that is terrible 😫 Could you talk with your Cardiologist about this? I hope you find some relief. Please keep us update 🙏🏼

Lois Harvey Thank you and Emily thanks for telling me someone else has had this closure system. I am trying to ge ... Read more

Lois Harvey Thank you and Emily thanks for telling me someone else has had this closure system. I am trying to get another cardiac surgeon to look at it but they are so afraid of stepping on the other guys toes.

Lois Harveyposted an update

2857 days ago

I am six months out from AVR and finished the 3 month cardiac rehab class and felt great. For the past few weeks, I have noticed that my scar and sternum feel ...Read more

I am six months out from AVR and finished the 3 month cardiac rehab class and felt great. For the past few weeks, I have noticed that my scar and sternum feel differently. Hoping it will eventually even out and feel flat? Also suffering from hot flashes mostly at night, is this normal? My biggest worry are the memory issues I am having, I am often confused and miss dates and times. Hoping that improves, too. Hope some of you can shed light on these issues. Thank you.

Adam Pick Hi Lois, Here are some links that might help you!

Adam Pick https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/09/30/problems-sleeping-after-heart-surger ... Read more

Adam Pick https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/09/30/problems-sleeping-after-heart-surgery/

“Problems Sleeping After Heart Valve Surgery?” Asks Jenny

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/09/30/problems-sleeping-after-heart-surgery/

I just received a great question from Jenny about sleep after heart valve surgery. Jenny writes, "Adam, I had mitral valve replacement seven days ago for reg

Adam Pick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfO5DTvNIkQ

The Patient Mind: Before, During & After Heart Surgery

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/09/30/problems-sleeping-after-heart-surgery/

http://www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - Have you ever wondered what emotions patients experience before, during and after heart surgery? Find out in this educat...

Lois Harvey My surgeon used the Acu-Tie II closure system, I am having pain, I can feel the wires poking me and ... Read more

Lois Harvey My surgeon used the Acu-Tie II closure system, I am having pain, I can feel the wires poking me and my scar is uneven. Has anyone had problems with this system. It has only been on the market for 6 years and I have a feeling it is not the best way to do it. I am a year out of surgery.
Lois

Lois Harveyposted a journal

3084 days ago

I am beginning to doubt my decision to have surgery on Dec. 29. Does anyone have any thoughts on how many years I will live if I do it at age of 74? I live ...Read more

I am beginning to doubt my decision to have surgery on Dec. 29. Does anyone have any thoughts on how many years I will live if I do it at age of 74? I live in a very small town so have to travel 400 miles but have a very strong support team which gives me hope. Are there any survivors in their 70's out there that would share their experience? Thank you

Sophia Ridley In the UK most patients are in their 60s and 70s having valve surgery. I was told that, at 42, I was ... Read more

Sophia Ridley In the UK most patients are in their 60s and 70s having valve surgery. I was told that, at 42, I was young for this surgery. When I've hear stories of older patients, it's been very positive and like a new least of life. I can't comment on your individual case.

Your surgeon is best placed to answer your questions and hopefully he can put you in touch with other patients your age. Please ask him about your recovery as it will be dependant on your type of surgery and fitness prior.

I suggest that you investigate if there's local heart rehab centres and speak with them too. As I'm in UK, I'm not sure how it works in US.

Emily Rowley
When I had my MVR, across the bed from me was a lady aged 74 who pulled through surgery great and sh ... Read more

Emily Rowley
When I had my MVR, across the bed from me was a lady aged 74 who pulled through surgery great and she had multiple things of her Heart fixed through full incision. Although she did have alot of fluid on her Lungs only because she wouldn't give up Smoking! She recovered and I know you will too.
I wish you all the very best. These days the medical technology has certainly improved and Surgeons have become more experienced :D
My Surgeon performs alot of complex operations (inc Transplants) on elderly patients even in their 80's. I too am considered young at 16 & 21 to have surgery. I agree with what Sophia has said, talk to your Surgeon :)

Take care,
Emily.

Lois Harveyposted a journal

3087 days ago

As a 74 year old with Lupus, I am very concerned about going through with the surgery. Is it crazy to ask for a brain scan to make sure I do not have some ...Read more

As a 74 year old with Lupus, I am very concerned about going through with the surgery. Is it crazy to ask for a brain scan to make sure I do not have some form of dementia? Any suggestions?

Christine Oliva Definitely talk to your doctor about any concerns you have and he/she addresses them. After surgery y ... Read more

Christine Oliva Definitely talk to your doctor about any concerns you have and he/she addresses them. After surgery you probably won't feel like talking for a few days. Regarding dementia do you have signs? Generally dementia is a progressive disease so please talk to your doctor about this or any other health concerns. Blessings to you Lois and it may make you feel better talking to your doctor.

Lois Harvey Thank you