michael's Journal

Tom Everson  Hi. I Read where SCRIPPS OF LA JOLLA. ( San Diego area) is rated # 27  I have no experience with them   Google them and check it out  It is a start anyway 

George Gardopee  Michael - that’s great to hear that you you are doing well and I’m glad that it was less traumatic than you expected. Cardiac rehab will likely give you another boost in the right direction. How did the intubation go for you?

Klara Čičić  Michael this sounds very much like my recovery :) which is good, I think :) in 2 weeks I will also start my cardiac rehab! Good luck with your further recovery! 

Susan Lynn  Michael- it's always great to read a success story! Our pre-op thoughts can certainly be scary- waiting definitely is the worst part. Continued success with your recovery!

Rose Madura  Hi Michael, I would get nauseous at certain odors - like peppermint which was odd.  Things that never bothered me before.  Sleep will get better in time.  I used lots of pillows and would then sleep for a couple hours and then go downstairs to a recliner and travel pillow for the rest of the night. It took a while for good sleep came back.  But it will get better in time. Hang in there.

Klara Čičić  I had postoperative nausea for a week and then it went away. Zofran (ondansetron) helped. I am 3 weeks postop and sleeping is interrupted, I wake up 2-3 times during night, mostly due to pain in my thorax. I am not overly concerned by insomnia cause I believe as the pain starts to subside, sleep will also get better.

Ana Brusso  I didn’t have nausea but it did take a few weeks for a good night sleep. It’s different for everyone. 

Rita Savelis  Never had nausea ever since I spoke to anasthesiologist beforehand and told her that I tend to get nausea when I wake up from surgery. The more info one gives an anasthesiologist the better as they can concoct an individualised potion for you.
As far as sleep goes, it can be hard to sleep for weeks after surgery. One is in discomfort and even though you might be exhausted it's still hard to sleep. I asked my doctor for a sleep aid to take every few days because one's body NEEDS sleep. I don't know anyone who slept well after surgery. Heavy sigh. But I did learn to sleep on my back after 6 uncomfortable weeks. Now I can easily sleep on my back. I did take A LOT of naps even when I couldn't sleep at night. Take care. Wish you the best.

Marie Myers  I did have some nausea, despite antiemetics. Mine was more related to narcotic pain meds which I quickly discontinued. As far as sleep goes, it was very hard to get more than 2-3 hours of sleep at a time, even when I got home. Luckily, I had no responsibilities, so I could just nap whenever I felt the need. I did have an uncomplicated recovery, and did feel well enough to go back to work part time  at 8 weeks.

Ana Brusso  Oh Michael, so good to hear from you and that you are doing well. Ye for mentioning Tom Petty, sorely missed. You are right about moving as quickly as possible but being careful. God bless you and continued good health and recovery. 

Ed Eller  Glad to hear you are doing so well! Your comments are  even more meaningful to me now since I'm a week away from my  surgery. 

George Gardopee  It’s good to hear it worked out well for you. You will likely be surprised at how quickly you will get back to normal.

Pamela Gregory  Thanks for the encouraging message. 6 days for me left to wait and it is sure nice to read a post like this

George Gardopee  We are all wishing you good luck and a quick recovery.  Like you I was asymptomatic and I’ll always believe that helped with recovery. I’ll bet you find that this will not be nearly as hard as you have imagined.

Ana Brusso  Michael I am lifting you up in prayer for your surgery tomorrow to be successful and your recovery smooth. God bless you and your family. We will be waiting here to welcome you into recovery. 🙏❤️

Susan Eckermann  Praying for you Michael. You are strong, have a great mindset and the support of family & friends. Soon you will be through this trial and on the road to recovery. All the best to you! You've got this.

Susan Lynn  Michael - If you're in good physical condition and you're having
 a minimally invasive procedure, you may not be terribly dependent on anyone once you get through your first day or so in the hospital.  Prepare to be tired - like exhausted kind of tired - for awhile.  But, I did pretty much everything on my own.  I didn't require any assistance with walking, showering, etc. and was at home alone all day one week after leaving the hospital.  I even began working my part-time job from home four days after surgery.  My biggest suggestion is to embrace whatever recovery your body will allow and don't focus too much on what you "think" is ahead.  I have a feeling you're going to be a total rock star!  Best of luck to you - we'll be awaiting your good news!

Susan Eckermann  I can relate to this, Michael. I too have always been very healthy and independent. No prior heart issues or even slightly serious medical issues prior to my diagnosis. As I await my surgery date, I have many of the same feelings. Being dependent on others is just not me. But, we will need to lean on others to get through our surgeries and make strong, successful recoveries. Reading the posts is so reassuring. We are fortunate to live in the era of amazing medical technology. Valve repairs and replacements are no longer rare, and are successfully done every day throughout the world. Patients are posting from the hospital, hours after their surgeries! Each day, each hour really, these heart warriors are recovering, healing, and getting stronger. You will soon be there. No more worrying about if/when, your valve is going to act up and cause serious medical issues. You'll be as good as, or better than new and doing all the activities you enjoy! Wishing you a day of goodness and strength. You've got this! I look forward to reading your updates and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

michael swarzman  Thank you both for your comments - they are helpful.  The day is alternately racing and quite slow - each time my phone rings I hope it's the scheduler from Northwestern but not quite yet - it will come when it comes.  I think the fear of dependence is related to loss of personal control, the essence of what tomorrow feels like, no?  May post again later today, and thank you both - particularly the rock star reference (something that has been unique to me!).

Klara Čičić  Everything will be fine. If I had done it, spoiled last child out of six, with pain and discomfort intolerance, than everyone can! It's my second postoperative day and it is better since the tubes are out today. Stay positive, it will all be fine! It was funny when my anesteziologist started anestezia he told me: you'll sleep for five minutes and wake up, don't worry. It was cute cause to you it really feels like few minutes :))

Marie Myers  The preop time is a rollercoaster of emotions. Do something really nice for yourself in this time. (I got a relaxing massage..)

michael swarzman  Thanks - was going to try and sleep but that didn't work, so came down and looked at the site - this helped.

Marie Myers  Glad this site is helping you. I know I got a lot of comfort from reading all these stories during my preop waiting time. It is mind-boggling just how many heart surgeries are performed daily!

Thomas Brusstar  I had a mitral repair at Northwestern in 2018.  Went great.  Went in on a Tuesday and was home for dinner Friday.  Dr. McCarthy did mine.

Marie Myers  Yes, mini or maxi ( I had maxi), it is still open heart surgery. Be patient with yourself in recovery!

Holly Wale  Michael - welcome to the group.  I  had minimally invasive AVR on 10/6/21 (almost to my 1 year anniversary).    That may be a bit different than the mini-thoracotomy but happy to share my experience.

My surgery was on a Wednesday morning.  I was discharged on Friday afternoon.    The first two days were rough with the chest tube in but once that was out and I was up and walking - my recovery was pretty swift to about the 90% mark (my opinion).     I was back at work in 3 weeks.    I have walked 2 miles (or more) daily since about 2 weeks after my surgery.

My incision area really did not hurt much at all.   My main soreness was just in moving about with my chest and arms.    My leg/groin were definitely sore from the bypass machine so I could not sleep on my left side for quite some time (maybe 2 or 3 months).

A few minor things still bother me - I cannot prop myself up on my right elbow which seems like such an odd thing to even notice but I guess I do it a lot!    It does not really hurt when I do it - but later my whole rib cage feels rattled so now I just pay attention to NOT doing that!    

Sleeping is okay - I get by but it took about 6 months to really figure out how to get comfortable to sleep.    My biggest thing there was not using my elbow to turn over.   I just got out of bed - and got back in the way I wanted to sleep.

My scar is small but noticeable.   

Since all of this will hopefully add decades to my time here to enjoy with my family --  I think it for sure was worth it!

Happy to share other details if you or others have questions!

Susan Lynn  Michael - I had a mini-thoracotomy for the entry for my heart surgery. I had surgery Friday morning and was released on Monday after lunch. The surgery is the same, only the entry is different. As Holly mentioned, an incision in the groin is required for connection to the bypass. There may also be numbness, pins and needles, and even shooting pains in your side for a year or more, if your surgeon is going to be freezing your nerves as part of the procedure. I would have the mini-thoracotomy again in a second, but you really need to understand what is involved before making your final decision.

michael swarzman  Thanks Susan - as I'm "good to go" this Friday, I may just ask the question.  There was no mention of any nerve freezing when I met with him at NU - I don't think that's part of his process.  Thanks for your comments.  Michael

George Gardopee  Hi Michael. I bet that you will do very well this Friday. I too was terrified of the intubation to the point I would have middle-of-the-night anxiety attacks.  it turned out to be not that bad - not nearly as much as I feared. I thought I would be choking and gagging, but they apparently put something in your throat that suppresses the gag reflex. I can recommend a YouTube video that I and others on this site found to be helpful with respect to the breathing tube.  

I was also asymptomatic and about the same age as you (69 when I had the surgery last fall). I found the sternotomy to be not very painful. You’ll likely be out of the ICU in a day or two and back to close to normal quickly.  Good luck!

Brady Busch  Hello Michael,the tubes were really a nothing burger for me.They might have taken them out,while still being sedated.There were three at the abdomen.to drain off excess liquid,that felt a little unusual coming out,is all.The only one that caused discomfort,was going to the bladder.The young nurse,Joseph told me,it was going to hurt,Wow no kidding!It felt like he tore me a new one,coming out of the urethra.Do girls have it easier,regarding this?All the tubes though,aren't really a big deal,looking back at the whole experience.

Bob Rini  Good luck, Michael! I just did this two weeks ago, and know it's scary but you will be happy once its over and you're on the recovery trail.  

Bob Rini  Removing the chest drainage tubes a couple days after surgery felt a little strange but wasn’t painful. Neither was removing the catheter ( but it felt like I had to pee, is all). Dont worry about it; you will breathe easier once they’re out, 

Rose Madura  Michael, it's so normal to have anxiety prior to your surgery. I was still intubated when I woke up and it was awkward, once I realized what was going on, I was ok and they took it out shortly thereafter.  All should go smoothly for you. Trust the professionals and try to stay calm. You'll receive good care, I'm sure. Please keep us posted.  Godspeed.

michael swarzman  Hello and thank you to all who commented - I'm glad that I waited until I commented back as I gained from each and every comment.

I should have added that I'm having a mini-thoracotomy (I hope I spelled that correctly, not an open chest surgery) -has anyone had that procedure?  From what I've been told by the surgeon and team, as well as read, that's markedly different and less invasive, but the length of stay remains similar.


Thanks again - very sincerely - for your comments and support.


Michael

Kristine Schroeder  Hey Michael. My surgery date slid 19 days later (this past July). When you’re ready, you’re ready….just keep your eye on the prize! 

Ana Brusso  Linear or not you will be ready Michael. Some of us have had our surgery dates changed and here we are. You will get all your tests done on time and your surgical team will be ready to perform a successful surgery on you and we will be here to welcome you into recovery. Hang in there. I will be praying for you and your surgical team and all will be ok. God bless you 🙏❤️

michael swarzman  Thanks so much Kristine and Ana - appreciate your counsel and prayer - and my focus is becoming increasingly targeted - thank you!!!

Kristian M.  Michael, I was hospitalized on a Saturday and was told my surgery was on that following Tuesday... in just a few days I got all tests done. I was not mentally prepared to get surgery that soon but look at it on the positive side, you'll be done with it in no time and on to recovery phase!... good luck to you and stay positive everything will be fine.

Rose Madura  I think it would have been easier for me to have the date moved up instead of delayed like it was. For some reason that delay really messed with me.  You will get through it all in fine fashion.  And we will be here for you!

michael swarzman  Hi - writing this morning to thank everyone again and do a quick update.  With the help of Northwestern I was able to complete most tests this morning, which was very helpful.  With help of meditation and friends/family I'm getting used to the idea of the accelerated date, and after reading everyone's posted comments, accepting the "upside" of the new date - I think I'm close to garden variety anxiety again!  Will keep checking in, sending others my best thoughts as their surgery dates arrive, and accepting good wishes from all as my date approaches on the 30th.  Thanks again for your experience and support.  Michael

Kimberly Eisenhut  Michael, I will most likely get my surgery with Dr,. Malaisrie also, but for my Tricuspid valve, some time in the future. Unfortunaltely I have to wait until it is severe to have surgery. I did have a phone consult with Dr. Malaisrie last winter and it did ease my mind just a little. I look forward to your updates and pray your mind stays as calm and positive as possible. Glad you have family and this site to support you and send positivity your way! I am in Woodstock, so going to see my cardiologis,t Dr. Rigolin, at Northwestern Bluhm in Chicago is a 2 hour drive, but well worth it! You will be in very good hands, no worries :)

Adam Pick  Hi Michael - Great to hear the patient stories here are helping you along your journey to a healthy heart! Fyi, you are in GREAT hands with Dr. Malaisrie. I have been fortunate to have worked with Dr. Malaisrie for 10 years. Many, many, many patients in our community have had excellent results with Dr. Malaisrie and the NM team. I'll post a few videos for you to check out. If you need anything, please let me know. I'm here to help!

Klara Čičić  That's great Michael, this community was helpful for me, too! I hope everything turns out fine for you. We are here to cheer eachother :)

Kimberly Eisenhut  I have spoken to Dr. Malaisrie also about surgery for my Tricuspid valve, and he told me I am still in wait and watch mode for now. Tricuspid needs to be severe before they go in, which is sometimes quite scary for me, but guess there is not much I can do about it but wait as told. I tried getting an appointment to speak with Dr. Macarthy because I know he has more experience with tricuspid, but was told he rarely does surgery any more. I hope you feel confident with Dr, Malaisrie and wish you all the best. I do know his team is great and have spoken to his nurse a couple times, and they are so kind and understanding and willing to answer questions you have at any time. Look forward to your recovery and seeing your smiling face when all is done and behind you!

Kimberly Eisenhut  Hello Michael, I live in Woodstock, but go to Northwestern for cardiac care with Dr. Rigolin and have spoken to Dr. Malaisrie about my tricuspid regurgitation and aneurytic aortic artery. He told me he would wait and watch at this point and carefully watch symptoms. Tricuspid surgery is a little more risky and they just do not do them until it becomes severe is what I have learned. I look forward to seeing how you are and your experience with Dr. Malaisrie and his team at Northwestern. My next visit is in November for stress echo and speak to Dr. Rigolin. I am a single mom with my youngest son, 17, who lives with me. I am 57 and worry quite a bit about what the future holds for us. My family does not seem to take any interest in my diagnosis these past 7 years and this site helps me to feel a little less alone. If you'd like to talk or just lift each other up when we need it, I'd be more than happy to be a heart friend