Marina Pride - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2241 days ago

I had a mitre valve repair last year on November 1 My operation was done by key-hole which was less invasive. I have just turned 62 years, and I’m still recovering ...Read more

I had a mitre valve repair last year on November 1 My operation was done by key-hole which was less invasive. I have just turned 62 years, and I’m still recovering 4 months on. My operation on the day I was the first one on the list at 08.00 and should have come out at at least by 1300, instead my family didn’t get the call till 16.45. I was in ICU for 2 weeks with complications. Suspected Stroke. That was ruled out as they gave me a 2 CT scans. My right leg and left arm had no movement, and I couldn’t speak. I have been left with pressure in my left eye, which I am now having surgery which is improving slowly, as with physiotherapy. I have lymphodema in the left arm and swelling in the hand, which I thought I was going to be a quick fix, how wrong was I. The hospital told me they don’t know why and what went wrong but that the repair was a success and therefore I have been discharged. I was in the position I couldn’t have got out as if I didn’t have the operation I could have had a stroke or heart attack. I am happy that my repair went well but I am unhappy about the complications that am still suffering from. I am hoping that time will give me 99% recovery but I would like to have answers about why these complications have arisen, even if only to help save others from the same. Nobody will give me any answers other than that I have been unlucky, but that is really no help. What should I do?

Rita Savelis I am so sorry to hear about what you've been through. I'm sorry that no one will give you answers, ev ... Read more

Rita Savelis I am so sorry to hear about what you've been through. I'm sorry that no one will give you answers, even hard ones.
I hear your frustration.

Rose Madura Here in the United States we would switch to doctors we can trust but I'm not sure you can do that wi ... Read more

Rose Madura Here in the United States we would switch to doctors we can trust but I'm not sure you can do that with the U.K. government funded healthcare. It's terrible what you've been through and even more terrible that you can't get the answers you need. Is there some sort of healthcare advocate who can help? Just being told you are unlucky doesn't seem proper.

Barbara Wood That is just so tough what you went through & then to get no answers...my heart goes out to you. I ha ... Read more

Barbara Wood That is just so tough what you went through & then to get no answers...my heart goes out to you. I have had lymphodema in my arm & hand ( from having cancerous lymph nodes removed), I know that it is a very long process. Are you going to a specialized lymphedema massage therapist? I went 3 times a week for about 2 months to get my arm & hand back to normal & she can teach you massage techniques to do at home - it can be very effective. I have kept mine from flaring up again for about 7 years. And you probably know not to carry or lift more than 5 lbs or so on that side, no tight armholes or sleeves, no saunas, hot tubs - there's a whole litany of donts surrounding lymphodema - it never really goes away, it's kept under control.

Sending positive thoughts & prayers Marina...you've been dealt a tough hand, I wish you all the best.

Bonnie Stone-Hope Hello Marina,
Very sorry to hear that you have had such a tough time.
Do not give up! You need to ... Read more

Bonnie Stone-Hope Hello Marina,
Very sorry to hear that you have had such a tough time.
Do not give up! You need to get answers to all your questions.

Lilly Black Marina, I'm sorry to read about your complications! if it were me, and I know "easier said than done" ... Read more

Lilly Black Marina, I'm sorry to read about your complications! if it were me, and I know "easier said than done", is get a second opinion. First find out how your medical insurance carrier will honor second opinions. I truly believe in 2nd opinions because if I didn't go with my gut to get a second opinion I probably would not be alive today. I wish you the best! As Bonnie also stated, don't give up. It's a difficult situation. Barbara also talked about therapy which sounds like a great solution! I would definitely get therapy, or try to find your own home therapy, which is what I did. I have an infrared heat lamp, a massager, coconut oil and I gave myself massages everyday. My heart goes out to you! I wish you the best outcome!