Mike's Journal

Susan Lynn  Woo-hoo! No blockages!! Great news! The valve choice is definitely an individual one. There are lots of On-X heart warriors on this site and I don't recall ... Read more

Susan Lynn  Woo-hoo! No blockages!! Great news! The valve choice is definitely an individual one. There are lots of On-X heart warriors on this site and I don't recall many complaining about the sound. It's probably like having a grandfather clock - you don't even notice the chiming after a short time. All the best, Mike! ❤

Susan Lynn  Good news, Mike! Once you feel confident in your surgeon, you'll be ready to have your procedure immediately. The wait is torturous, but the surgery itself ... Read more

Susan Lynn  Good news, Mike! Once you feel confident in your surgeon, you'll be ready to have your procedure immediately. The wait is torturous, but the surgery itself feels like a one-minute nap. It's over in what seems like an instant. You're going to do just fine! ❤

Rose Madura  The wait is rough. But be thankful you aren't in an emergency situation. As the others have said, you'll feel better after a consultation with the surgeon. ... Read more

Rose Madura  The wait is rough. But be thankful you aren't in an emergency situation. As the others have said, you'll feel better after a consultation with the surgeon. And don't forget that you can always get a 2nd opinion If hat will make you feel better.

Mike Dotson  Thanks Charles, I have my consult with Dr. Doolabh at UT Southwestern in Plano on Monday. I picked him because he has done over 3000 minimally invasive (mini ... Read more

Mike Dotson  Thanks Charles, I have my consult with Dr. Doolabh at UT Southwestern in Plano on Monday. I picked him because he has done over 3000 minimally invasive (mini thorotomy and the hospital is rated #14 in the nation for valve replacement surgery (at least that’s what my research tells me). I figure if I have to have this done, why not go with the option that can shorten recovery. I’ve 90% certain that I’m going with the On-X, I’ve many questions for Dr. Doolabh, but that’s my plan at this point.

Susan Lynn  Mike - I had minimally invasive mitral valve surgery via a side incision, a.k.a., a mini-thoracotomy. I was on the heart-lung machine for approximately an ... Read more

Susan Lynn  Mike - I had minimally invasive mitral valve surgery via a side incision, a.k.a., a mini-thoracotomy. I was on the heart-lung machine for approximately an hour and a half for my particular procedure. I was out of the hospital in 3 days and had almost no pain. Note: You do have some nerves frozen for the mini-t, so there is numbness and 'pins and needles' sensations on your side for a year or more - very tolerable but noticeable. I had a very small scar - maybe 2.5 inches - almost invisible now. There is also an additional incision above your thigh as the connection to the heart- lung machine is through the femoral artery.

The recovery is easy. There's no driving restrictions. I was tired, but felt great, otherwise.

You want to make the choice that's right for you. The first priority is a successful procedure. Remember, only the entry is different - the surgery is the same once they get in there. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Make the choice that's right for you! Good luck! ❤

Mike Dotson  That is super helpful Susan. I definitely agree that the first and most important priority is having a successful procedure, aka living through it!

Yes, ... Read more

Mike Dotson  That is super helpful Susan. I definitely agree that the first and most important priority is having a successful procedure, aka living through it!

Yes, it is my understanding that the difference between a sternotomy and a mini-thoracotomy is how the heart is accessed. Otherwise, same risk (provided the surgeon is experienced), same heart/lung machine, etc. My thinking is that if all other things are equal, why not choose the procedure that will reduce my recovery time? The whole thing is still terrifying but seeing that this may be available to me and hearing of your experience makes it a little less so.

What type of valve did you decide on? I've gone back and forth on this many times and am currently thinking mechanical, mainly because I don't ever want to go through with this again!

Adam Pick  Mike, There are a lot of happy patients who had minimally invasive surgery. Take the time to find a specialist. Dr. Doolabh is one of them. Here's more about ... Read more

Adam Pick  Mike, There are a lot of happy patients who had minimally invasive surgery. Take the time to find a specialist. Dr. Doolabh is one of them. Here's more about Dr. Doolabh -  https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Neelan-Doolabh-Dallas-Texas.php.

Susan Lynn  Mike - I had my mitral valve repaired, so I didn't need to make the mechanical v. bio valve decision. I can say, I told my surgeon I only wanted to go through ... Read more

Susan Lynn  Mike - I had my mitral valve repaired, so I didn't need to make the mechanical v. bio valve decision. I can say, I told my surgeon I only wanted to go through this procedure one time, too! However, in your situation, there have been significant improvements in bio valves and valve-in-valve replacements via TAVR, that make this option far more appealing than it used to be. Now that I know heart surgery isn't nearly as bad as I thought, I would choose a bio valve rather than live with the restrictions and risks associated with life-long blood thinners. The choice is very personal - think about what's right for you. ❤

Mike Dotson  Thanks Adam! I called Dr. Doolabh's office just now and arranged for a consultation on the 25th.

Susan, you wrote..."Now that I know heart surgery isn't ... Read more

Mike Dotson  Thanks Adam! I called Dr. Doolabh's office just now and arranged for a consultation on the 25th.

Susan, you wrote..."Now that I know heart surgery isn't nearly as bad as I thought". I'm going to try to take those words to heart as I prepare for what's to come. Right now, the lead up is excruciating. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your expertise and lived experience.

Susan Lynn  Mike - Please don't hesitate to ask me or the other heart warriors on this site any questions you may have before, during, or after your procedure. That's ... Read more

Susan Lynn  Mike - Please don't hesitate to ask me or the other heart warriors on this site any questions you may have before, during, or after your procedure. That's why we're here! Most of us will tell you, waiting is the worst part! By the time you reach game day, you'll have the hardest part behind you. You can do this!

Lisa Coombe  My first surgeon was going to do this but I would be waiting 6+ months for my next appointment just to see him, I have another surgeon and I’m not sure what ... Read more

Lisa Coombe  My first surgeon was going to do this but I would be waiting 6+ months for my next appointment just to see him, I have another surgeon and I’m not sure what he will be doing yet but I don’t have to wait as long and will have my first appointment with him next month

Marie Myers  Along with getting info on aortic aneurysms, I listened to UTube meditations on “acceptance” and other anti-anxiety videos. I think they helped me more ... Read more

Marie Myers  Along with getting info on aortic aneurysms, I listened to UTube meditations on “acceptance” and other anti-anxiety videos. I think they helped me more than the information on aneurysms, but I do think you have to do a bit of both. You have to get the info to make a good, informed decision on your surgery, but then at some point you have to just accept that it is all happening and go with it.

Steven Methot  Mike, there are many good books out there that are inspirational, but the one thing that helped me most so far has been actually writing. I got something called ... Read more

Steven Methot  Mike, there are many good books out there that are inspirational, but the one thing that helped me most so far has been actually writing. I got something called a "Writer's book of days" which contains prompts and a suggestion that you spend 10 minutes writing based on that prompt. That's it, that's all. No editing, no second thoughts, just write. What it's done is helped me connect with what I'm feeling because in some way it all comes back to linking your conscious and sub-conscious minds, your memories, your feelings. Even something as simple as today's : "Write about Sunday afternoon" can reveal things when you look back on what you've written weeks or months later. So write - and read your own work!

stephanie arnold  that sounds neat. I sure have read my fill of medical info. I even checked a couple you tube vids on open heart surgery(yuk)but I am a research freak,,ever ... Read more

stephanie arnold  that sounds neat. I sure have read my fill of medical info. I even checked a couple you tube vids on open heart surgery(yuk)but I am a research freak,,ever since I was a kid and read my daddy's medical books,and my worid book encyclopedia...

Ana Brusso  Dear Mike, recovery it’s a slow process. But as time goes by you think less and less about what you went through. I for one sit sometimes like tonite and ... Read more

Ana Brusso  Dear Mike, recovery it’s a slow process. But as time goes by you think less and less about what you went through. I for one sit sometimes like tonite and recalled the whole process and the feelings that we as a family went through. The hiccups that occur sometimes scare you a little but they too pass and you move on. As I said before, I exercise, do yard work and am careful when climbing a ladder as I have developed an auditory issue on my right ear that causes some dizziness and I don’t want to fall. Other than that those scary thoughts have gone away and even with this pandemic I feel I’m living a full life. You will be fine, just think recovery and know you will managed well and you will be encouraging to others on this site. God bless you

Rose Madura  I agree with Ana. I too, will go through the whole process again in my mind and just thank God that I'm alive and doing so well. I had a lot of complications ... Read more

Rose Madura  I agree with Ana. I too, will go through the whole process again in my mind and just thank God that I'm alive and doing so well. I had a lot of complications and was readmitted four times and spent 24 total days in the hospital but I trusted the doctor and I trusted God that all would be ok. I exercise regularly now. At first, because of the complications, I was very cautious but now, I don't even think about it. It will get better for you. Hang in there.

Rita Savelis  There is pre-surgery anxiety and then post-surgery anxiety. It passes and you get on with things. Surgery goes quickly, recovery takes longer and is different ... Read more

Rita Savelis  There is pre-surgery anxiety and then post-surgery anxiety. It passes and you get on with things. Surgery goes quickly, recovery takes longer and is different for everyone. There are some hard days. You take them one day at a time. And then years down the line you don't think about your heart as much anymore. Take care.

Civita Fahey  it takes some time not to be afraid.. I was constantly looking at my heart rate and was terrified that it would go top high. Time heals all wounds, as they ... Read more

Civita Fahey  it takes some time not to be afraid.. I was constantly looking at my heart rate and was terrified that it would go top high. Time heals all wounds, as they say.. I'm almost 4 years out and I still feel I don't push myself when I work as much I should. So, some of it stays with us. We are all different as my friends Ana, Rose and Rita have said.. you will find your pace. You'll know at the beginning when you have over done, you'll be exhausted. I went back to work at a desk job after 10 weeks and for a month, I came home and had to rest. But, after that 4-5 month time I started to be myself. I think to be totally honest, I didn't feel 100% until about a year, but I was able to do everything I needed to do, just took some extra rests. As Rita said, there is a lot of anxiety that goes with this, I actually was put on anti anxiety meds for about year, but now I no longer need them. Its a "complication" of the surgery, but like everything else, sometimes I forget I had surgery unless I see my scar. Your fears and anxieties are to be expected, I know I had them and this group was my savior. There are such wonderful people here willing to share their experiences and knowing they got through it got me through it. You will do the same.

Dan Baltazor  It takes some time for the anxiety to get quiet, and I wasn't prepared for the level of anxiety I had, BUT it eventually goes away. I felt what you describe ... Read more

Dan Baltazor  It takes some time for the anxiety to get quiet, and I wasn't prepared for the level of anxiety I had, BUT it eventually goes away. I felt what you describe before my surgery and after for about a year post op. It lessens substantially about 6-8 months post op, and then one day, you'll catch yourself thinking about it and realize you haven't thought about it for days. Hang in there. As others have said, recovery is kind of slow and is different for everyone but you will recover!!!! Try and distract yourself with the holidays and enjoy your loved ones. Easier said than done I realize, but all of us post op have done it and this a journey needed to be take one day at a time.

Denise L  Hi Mike. YES You will survive this! I wondered the same thing but am now just about three weeks post Mitral Valve replacement and TAVR along with some other ... Read more

Denise L  Hi Mike. YES You will survive this! I wondered the same thing but am now just about three weeks post Mitral Valve replacement and TAVR along with some other stuff I am not even sure of as the Holidays are delaying my post surgical appt with the surgeon.
I won't lie, this becoming a Heart Warrior IS a big deal, but you CAN and WILL do it! Just take one step at a time, prepare methodically it will help you feel a little less in a tailspin! Keep in touch on this site, it helps!