Marcia's Journal

Christine Maiorano  Hi Marcia, sorry to hear about your re repair surgery. I had my surgery at CC with Dr Gillinov on 4-10-24.  You’re in great hands in Cleveland! Best of luck!

Suzette Schear  Hi Marcia,  sorry that you have to go through this again, sending good wishes for speedy recovery.  

Kathy Ozio  I can't imagine having to face another one so quickly. You are in good hands there and I wish you the best of luck on a great recovery!

Susan Lynn  That's the spirit, Marcia! Show all the newbies in the cardiac unit how it's done!! You've been there, done that, got the heart-shaped pillow! You will also achieve heart 'gladiator' status here on the site! We'll be waiting to welcome you to recovery!!

Pamela Gregory  I had my surgery at CC with Dr. Roselli and they were pretty amazing. They specialize in difficult, complicated surgeries so I think you will be in the best hands

Marcia Snyder  Update.  I'm now 8 weeks out from my mitral valve re-repair, which went well - I had really wanted a re-repair as opposed to a replacement.  However..... my heart rate after surgery was too slow, so they needed to put in a pacemaker.  At that point I was 8 days in the ICU.  Unrelated to my heart, I have an inherited rare gene that predisposes me to blood clots, and by the time the pacemaker was put in I was off my anticoagulants too long and had a massive pulmonary embolism.  Thankfully I was still in the hospital, and they were able to revive me and performed a thrombectomy.  I was inpatient for a total of 2-1/2 weeks.  Overall I think CC was amazing and I'm thankful for all they did for me.

Doug Fults  Hi Marcia, thanks for the update - I'm on deck for September 10th w/Dr. Gillinov (Mitral Repair).  You had quite the trial after surgery, so sorry you had to go through that and the extended hospital stay.  You've earned every bit of that re-repair!  Wishing you a smooth - and less eventful - recovery.

J Alexander Lassally  Hey - There have been a couple of failed mitrals here and those folks may respond.  Was this a chord failure from last year at Northwestern?
Just for your info, repeat patients often go to Mt Sinai (Adams) or Cleveland Clinic. It should not fail that soon, so I would switch teams ASAP. (Regardless of whether you switch to artificial repair or do a re-do)...  Best of luck. 

Jamie Griffith  I have a congenital defect.  I had holes patched and the mitral valve repaired in 1980.  In Dec 2023 I had the mitral valve re-repaired at Michigan Cardiovascular in Ann Arbor. They have 3 mitral valve surgeons there and I know they do re-repairs instead of replacements when possible.  My repair was successful and the valve has zero regurgitation post-op.  You should consider consulting with several surgeons from various heart specialty centers to see if a redo surgery might be possible.  Good luck to you.

Rita Savelis  Most surgeons will attempt a repair and then move on to a replacement if the valve cannot be repaired. I would be wary of someone who "doesn't do repairs" - or is it that he/she can already see that a repair is not a possibility for you?

Marcia Snyder  Greatly appreciate your comments.  I've started the process at Cleveland Clinic to get a second opinion from there.   My hospital does repairs,they just don't specialize in re-repairs.  

Sharon Behl  Yes this past November I had a re- repair of my mitral valve. It was first repaired 2 years ago. No one in the Colorado area does re-repairs so they recommended a valve replacement. At a relatively young age, 67 at the time, I knew I'd be facing further surgeries when the biological valve wore out and didn't like that plan. I found one of the absolute "gurus" of mitral re-repairs on this website: Dr. David Adams of Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. I am almost 6 months post op with a re-repaired mitral and newly repaired tricuspid and I am feeling great and back to all activities! Marcia, I am happy to chat further on or off this thread

Patricia Miller  I had mitral valve repair almost 2 yrs. ago at a local university hospital.  My aortic root and ascending aorta aneurysm were not repaired at the time.  Ended up getting 4 opinions total for my recent surgery which was done at Cleveland Clinic.  CC does some of the most redo OHSs in the country.  I am over 3 mos from Davide procedure surgery (aortic valve sparing aortic root/ascending aorta replacement) and doing well.  Highly recommend them if it is an option for you.  

Marie Myers  Congratulations on getting home! Getting out and walking is the best thing you can do. I was a bit frustrated those first 2 weeks, but things will get better bit by bit. Be patient with yourself!

Susan Lynn  Yay, Marcia! Glad you're home. This unseasonably warm weather is providing a great opportunity for exercise this time of year! Take it easy, though - slow and steady wins the recovery race. All the best to you!

Donna Casaletto  Enjoy the beautiful weather! Just in time for your walks which I strongly recommend! Welcome to recovery ☺️‼️

Rose Madura  My two friends from the class of 2017 said it best...walking and slow & steady. I couldn't have given any better advice. Glad you are home!

Pamela Gregory  Agree with the ladies that slow and steady is the way to go! You will see weekly progress even if daily doesn't seem to be happening.

Annette Sterzel  Hi Marcia, 6 weeks ago I had my mitral valve replaced and my tricuspid valve repaired and maze procedure. I was petrified. I feel so much better and happy it’s behind me. You will be just fine. Thoughts and prayers are with you. ❤️

Susan Lynn  It's destiny, Marcia! It's good to have you with us. I had a mitral valve and chordae repair. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. We're always happy to help!

Trygve Harris  Welcome Marcia! I just joined as well. My mitral valve surgery is in 2 days. I'm looking forward to it, as I really need it. 

Kimberly Eisenhut  I see you had your surgery with Northwestern in Chicago. hen my time comes, I too will be going to Northwestern, as my cardiologist there, Dr. Rigolin has put me in wait and watch mode for now. It helps me so much to see that you had a successful surgery and were happy with the care at Northwestern. My main problem is my Tricuspid, then my aortic anuerysm, then mild regurg in mitral. Guess I will most likely get everything fixed when my time comes. Good wishes and congrats on your wonderful outcome and future!!!