Mark Yost - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Mark Yostposted an update

1300 days ago

Ginny Turner, Rose Madura, Paul Lechiaro and 4 others reacted to this

Hello all! I am just over one year out from AVR and aortic graft at the Cleveland Clinic. The surgery and recovery went so well that it is just a satisfying ...Read more

Hello all! I am just over one year out from AVR and aortic graft at the Cleveland Clinic. The surgery and recovery went so well that it is just a satisfying memory as I am 110% of my pre surgical status. Kudos to Dr. Vargo and all of the stellar Cleveland Clinic staff. I can understand why the Cleveland Clinic is one of the best in the world. To all for whom imminent surgery exists, I say the likelihood is that it will be far better than you can imagine. Stay optimistic! The other side is great and well worth the journey.

Ginny Turner Thank you for such an encouraging post, Mark. I'm headed to Cleveland in January for mitral and tricu ... Read more

Ginny Turner Thank you for such an encouraging post, Mark. I'm headed to Cleveland in January for mitral and tricuspid repair. It's great to hear such positive reviews of the Cleveland Clinic and success stories like yours! Wishing you continued good health going forward.

Rose Madura Wonderful post! Glad to hear it.

Paul Lechiaro Was there in July for three days of tests. Very impressive.

Marie Myers Happy Anniversary!

Congratulations on your amazing recovery and anniversary.

Jay Heagerty Mark, congratulations and thanks for sharing your success story. Best of luck to you for continued go ... Read more

Jay Heagerty Mark, congratulations and thanks for sharing your success story. Best of luck to you for continued good health.

Mark Yostposted an update

1643 days ago

Steven Methot and 1 other reacted to this

My aortic valve replacement at the Cleveland Clinic on October 7 went very well with one exception; I now have a fairly severe neuropathy in my upper anterior ...Read more

My aortic valve replacement at the Cleveland Clinic on October 7 went very well with one exception; I now have a fairly severe neuropathy in my upper anterior chest wall just above the site for the Rt chest tube and mediastinal drain placements. My question is has anyone else experienced this and how did they manage it. Thanks in advance for any replies:)

Barbara Wood Not sure if this is the same thing but...I had a constant numb, prickly feeling in my upper chest, un ... Read more

Barbara Wood Not sure if this is the same thing but...I had a constant numb, prickly feeling in my upper chest, under the shoulder blades for months after my ohs. I could barely stand to have anything touch it & wore only tank tops for months afterward. It was very slow to resolve but did go away after some time. I didn't find that painkillers worked for it, ice helped a little bit. Hope you find relief, that kind of thing really wears you down!

Mark Yost Thanks for your reply. It sounds certain that you did indeed experience a postop neuropathy. Your exp ... Read more

Mark Yost Thanks for your reply. It sounds certain that you did indeed experience a postop neuropathy. Your experience makes me hopeful that this will fade over time. Thank you!

Barbara Wood Meant to say under my collar bone not shoulder blades:), yes it was definitely a nerve thing...Take c ... Read more

Barbara Wood Meant to say under my collar bone not shoulder blades:), yes it was definitely a nerve thing...Take care.

Mark Yostposted an update

1680 days ago

Steven Methot, Darrin Vohs, Rose Madura and 1 other reacted to this

POD #6. I am still here in the Cleveland Clinic. Had two brief bouts of A fib. Currently back to preop sinus rhythm. Also had a ??? left atrial appendage thrombus; ...Read more

POD #6. I am still here in the Cleveland Clinic. Had two brief bouts of A fib. Currently back to preop sinus rhythm. Also had a ??? left atrial appendage thrombus; subsequently ruled out with a follow up trans thoracic echo. Hoping to get home tomorrow. Was able to get a bovine, Ca-resistant valve with a 2.8 cm aortic graft. Still uncomfortable but looking forward to home bed and cooking.

Steven Methot Soon!

Mark Yostposted an update

1692 days ago

1 person reacted to this

Can anyone give me tips about what to take the hospital for surgery and what NOT to take. TIA

Jared Takeshita I went to the hospital with the clothes I was wearing. Had to have them go find my clothes bag after ... Read more

Jared Takeshita I went to the hospital with the clothes I was wearing. Had to have them go find my clothes bag after I got to recovery. While I was in recovery, I had my wife bring my go bag that had all my stuff in it. I only ended up using my iphone, ipad, chargers, bathroom supplies, headphones, and a change of clothes. Even then I only changed out of the hospital gown on the day I was discharged.

Mark Yost Thanks Jared. BTW, your posts are tremendous. Really helpful!

Lee Wright Agree with Jared, I brought a pic of my kids, made me happy to look at it too.

Rose Madura I took a travel pillow for napping in the chair.

Jerome Hill I'm planning to take toiletry items, my cpap (if you use one but check with your hospital if they wil ... Read more

Jerome Hill I'm planning to take toiletry items, my cpap (if you use one but check with your hospital if they will provide one or not), ear plugs, clothes, books, pillow and ipad, iphone and chargers.

Jerome Hill I like the pics idea. I just learned that my hospital isn't allowing any visitors, either in the wai ... Read more

Jerome Hill I like the pics idea. I just learned that my hospital isn't allowing any visitors, either in the waiting room or in icu or once I'm in regular hospital room.

Barbara Wood I liked having slip on sneakers for all the hall walking, it just feels more normal than walking in h ... Read more

Barbara Wood I liked having slip on sneakers for all the hall walking, it just feels more normal than walking in hospital socks.

Mark Yost Awesome suggestions....thanks guys!

Susan Lynn Mark - I also recommend pajama pants or shorts and a robe. I felt more comfortable walking around t ... Read more

Susan Lynn Mark - I also recommend pajama pants or shorts and a robe. I felt more comfortable walking around the halls with a little more 'coverage.' 😉

Marie Myers I liked my flip flops for walking the hospital halls. Easy on and off.

Lee Wright My hospital gave special permission for me to have my brother visit each day. He just asked and they ... Read more

Lee Wright My hospital gave special permission for me to have my brother visit each day. He just asked and they approved, can try. But the first few days, I was so tired, would probably have been fine with no visits anyway.

Steven Methot Mark, extended stays in the hospital have taught me that I usually bring too much stuff. I've limite ... Read more

Steven Methot Mark, extended stays in the hospital have taught me that I usually bring too much stuff. I've limited it now to: A nice bathrobe. The electronic stuff I need, Earplugs !!! Yes, even though I have hearing aids, the hospital can be noisy. A good book. Slippers. The clothes I wear get sent home and another set arrives for me to come home. I have learned to get a neck pillow (think air plane). What happens is that I often brace the arm with the tubes coming in and out of it on that.

Mark Yost These suggestions are really useful and I have not seen such a comprehensive list elsewhere...this lo ... Read more

Mark Yost These suggestions are really useful and I have not seen such a comprehensive list elsewhere...this log is a major resource!

Thomas Brusstar Make sure your charger is long, like 6' or more. Closest plug might not be close.

Mark Yost Thanks Thomas...I was wondering about that...

Thomas Quigley Good luck Mark! These surgeons and this technology are truly a blessing. You'll be just fine, and in ... Read more

Thomas Quigley Good luck Mark! These surgeons and this technology are truly a blessing. You'll be just fine, and in fact, way better than the day before your surgery!

Rita Savelis I took an elastic to tie back my hair but it looks like yours is short enough to not bug you so you'l ... Read more

Rita Savelis I took an elastic to tie back my hair but it looks like yours is short enough to not bug you so you'll be fine! (There is very little one actually needs....)

Mark Yostposted an update

1696 days ago

Darrin Vohs, Steven Methot, Pat Bluemel and 1 other reacted to this

Hello to all! I am preparing for an AVR on Oct 7 with Dr. Vargo at the Cleveland Clinic. I have really enjoyed reading the many posts from everyone. It certainly ...Read more

Hello to all! I am preparing for an AVR on Oct 7 with Dr. Vargo at the Cleveland Clinic. I have really enjoyed reading the many posts from everyone. It certainly is nice to hear real and recent experiences. I look forward to upcoming conversations and wish everyone all the best!

Elyse Sherman All the best to you, Mark! I am also considering the Cleveland Clinic. How did you choose Dr. Vargo a ... Read more

Elyse Sherman All the best to you, Mark! I am also considering the Cleveland Clinic. How did you choose Dr. Vargo as your surgeon? TIA for your help!

Steven Methot Hi Mark! We're pulling for you. On the plus side you'll be fit as a fiddle and ready for Christmas ... Read more

Steven Methot Hi Mark! We're pulling for you. On the plus side you'll be fit as a fiddle and ready for Christmas and New Year celebrations - socially distanced but fit as a fiddle.

john roland You picked a great hospital. Waiting is the worst part. Put your mind in the right place and you will ... Read more

john roland You picked a great hospital. Waiting is the worst part. Put your mind in the right place and you will power through the bumps and bruises, which you will have. After 12 weeks you won't even look back. Incredible what these surgeons can do now.

Hi Mark, John R. is right. It’s amazing what heart surgeons can do nowadays. And as Steven says you ... Read more

Hi Mark, John R. is right. It’s amazing what heart surgeons can do nowadays. And as Steven says you’ll be fit as a fiddle in no time. Just be patient with your body. Will pray for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. God bless you

Maryann Gomez I had my aortic valve replaced in 2018 at Cornell in New York. They were wonderful. My surgeon was aw ... Read more

Maryann Gomez I had my aortic valve replaced in 2018 at Cornell in New York. They were wonderful. My surgeon was awesome. Of course in the first 3 or 4 months I kept comparing myself to other patients. Don’t do that! It’s fustrating and makes you push too hard. Let your body heal. Be good to yourself. There is no hurry. It took me a good year to heal and now 2 years later I feel like it’s finally a complete recovery. Best thing I did was rehab. Treat your body gently and lovingly. Good luck

Mark Yost Elyse...it was rather random when I inquired about being seen. Thanks to all for the nice and support ... Read more

Mark Yost Elyse...it was rather random when I inquired about being seen. Thanks to all for the nice and supportive comments. What a great community!