Richard's Journal

Robert Miller  Huh, how can the patient survive without a liver... Makes no sense. Next we are going to hear, "ah, I was supposed to remove the intestine appendage, not the heart appendage. Sorry. I will only charge you for an intestine appendage removal rather than the heart surgery". 

Richard Munson  My point in an earlier post. Standards have dropped in medical school and everyplace else. Should we start asking to see their grades before surgery. Of course if everyone gets an A to not hurt feelings it becomes everyone gets a trophy mentality. I recall years ago, checking out the list on the coaches door to see who made the cut after try outs. Yes, there were a few dejected faces. Thats life. 

Rose Madura  It's unbelievable to me.  Here locally, an athlete has sued a doctor for operating on the wrong knee.  When she realized the mistake, the other knee was operated on and the diagnosis was changed to double knee issue.  Is it any wonder we have to be our own advocates?!?

Richard Munson  I can say truthfully that i have had 6 knee operations since 1967. All cartilage removal. In every case i was asked multiple times before anesthesia what leg was about to be scoped. Before i was put down for the count, they also x’ed my knee with a magic marker. I did however, wake up in the middle of a knee surgery years ago and could plainly hear the surgical crew talking about a weekend bar b q. As soon as i said , hello, i’m awake, i was given an extra jolt of sleepy drugs in the i.v. And that was all i recall. I did not recall it until months later. I also tried to back out of my mitral valve surgery while being shaved. I was semi sedated. I recall the nurse saying too late. I’m glad they did it. 

Robert Miller  That's a pretty interesting story. I assume you didn't recall any pain when waking up during knee surgery. Interesting that they shaved you after(!) being put down. I had 4 procedures so far in different hospitals and 4 different doctors and shaving was always done before they gave me the meds to put me down. One shaving resulted in some slight bleeding. I think it is one of the wires that is sticking out which creates a hard bump and so they cut the skin there when shaving. 

Richard Munson  I was awake but not fully awake. While being shaved before ohs, i was sedated to ease my anxiety. The good stuff occurred later. Surprised they did not cut the wire sticking out. An electrician would have taped it off. 

Melinda Donahue  My husband woke up twice during a colonoscopy and I woke up once during the same procedure. Very uncomfortable to say the least. 

Robert Miller  @Richard, if I recall correctly, they cut my skin over the wire AFTER my surgeries, i.e. when I had cardioversion. For cardioversion they also need to shave your chest to attach the electric pads. I still have that bump. 

Corey Potter  I think its natural to want the most experienced.  I learned a bit more by reading the clinical notes to my AVR surgery at Cleveland Clinic.  My surgeon only replaced my valve.  A fellow in the program at CC opened and closed and assisted.  She probably has that down as an AVR procedure.  I remember seeing her but she wasn't introduced. For all I know, maybe she actually put the valve in with my surgeon assisting her.  The end result was great.  I now have this valve that will eventually wear out and I will need to have it replaced.  I feel more comfortable going back to a high volume center than going to my local hospital.  My local hospital only put in 9 aortic valves in 2025.  CC put in over 1,000.  I'll go back even though it might be a fellow or new surgeon as I know there is a very experienced surgeon in the room.  Thanks Dr. Michael Tong and your fellow, Dr. Sophie Wei Wei Gao.   

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Yes surgeons have a learning curve in improving technique and skill and for patients to be upstairs side of the curve is better than in the beginning.

Rose Madura  Another thought to consider is getting an opinion from nurses that worked with the surgeon, if you can. I actually was fortunate enough to know 3 nurses who worked with my surgeon about 10 years apart and they all raved about him and how happy they were that I chose him.  Plus, my husband and I gave lots of prayers on the decision.  

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Good advice Rose´s, nurses opinion are independent and know quite well the surgeon skill and competence.

J Alexander Lassally  Fun question - All I can add is there are the "guinea pig years" where patients willingly go to newbie surgeons and give them their grace and trust to build numbers. Some probably win and some loose !  Re surgeries, etc ... 

Richard Munson  You are probably right about the guinea pig years. Not a comforting thought especially in the age of lower medical school 
qualifications. 

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  We need to have faith in the new generations but in easier problems, in other more difficult to manage like repair a valve, look for experienced surgeons.

Richard Munson  Or, better  yet, ask any new doctor to show you their grades in med school. I believe the standards have dropped. I could be wrong. Not to just pick on med school, i am of the belief that standards have dropped in general. Starting with respect. 

Robert Miller  A critical question during the discussion with the surgeon is to ask who will do the actual procedure. My brother-in-law (BIL) is a pretty famous robotic surgeon (not heart but women's cancer) and he also talked to the surgeons I considered. He advised me that you are better off getting surgery done at a smaller hospital rather than a large, famous hospital because at the smaller hospital you have a higher chance that the head surgeon is actually doing the main/crucial part of the surgery. For my second surgery, I chose Dr. Castro who did the surgery himself. I considered a famous surgeon at Stanford but besides the doctor having his nose high up and providing little information, based on his comments he probably would not have done the surgery himself. 

Another comment from my BIL was that you get the most information from nurses at the hospital. It's not easy to get a hold of them, though. I met one in the parking lot and got a few minutes to talk to her. 

You can also see which surgeon did what in the surgery report. Of course, you will only see that after(!) the surgery but it gives some insight on who did what. 

Kimberly Eisenhut  This is very true! I have a lot of questions about my surgery for sure. No further comment though... ❤️‍🩹 

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  I think so, it´s important at least  to write down them. When being in front of the physician, always it´s forgotten something, while trusting only in the medical tests made and analysis which have got but not asking about any other points.

Robert Miller  I get your point but I have a slightly different perspective. I try to avoid the online portal as much as possible because it's additional work for which the doctor is not compensated and that impedes on his personal life. Instead, just as you do, I write down my questions (for follow-ups mostly mentally) and I have my wife jotting down the answers on her phone. And if she can't make it to an appointment, I make a point of writing things down when I get in the car. But the point is, I value my time and I try to value my doctors time by limiting my questions to my appointments rather than online portals as much as I can. My 2 cents...

Richard Munson  Wow, you are way more caring than me. I always took work home, hopefully teachers do, and in my eyes doctors are no exception. 

Melinda Donahue  I agree Richard. I use the patient portal to ask questions as well. My cardiologist is always wonderful about getting back to me. 

Melinda Donahue  Richard - I am coming along. Every day a new day !!! Getting there. Cannot say I’m not still of anxiety but improving. Always great to read ur posts. 

John Cook  I write down my questions in the notes of my calendar appointments.  That way I have them ready.

I used the message portal a lot after my surgery to keep in touch with my surgical team and my cardiologist when I had questions or concerns that I thought couldn’t wait until my next appointment.

Richard Munson  Thats what makes us all different. Life would be boring if we all were the same. I suspect robert miller is a great guy from reading his posts. I already know melinda is the best. Hopefully my cardiologist reads my portal of points i want to focus on today. If not i will stand in front of the examination room door and not let him out. Lol. Also doing blood work for my 6 month psa test while i am there. Last time they said no, we have no order from the doctor. I refused to leave the chair till they got it. It took a phone call. I’m a meanie. 

Kimberly Eisenhut  Richard, I could use an advocate like you by my side. Could have used you from the start! This is becoming increasingly crazy for me. Whats done is done and just need to go forward I guess and hope for the best. I am still here and will make the most of each day. Sending love and best wishes to everyone here always I just pray insurance does not go away and I can continue to get the Rilonacept injections that are astronomically expensive and only thing that works to keep my CRP down now. There are things I would like to post here about things associated with my surgery and the things I know now that I did not know then, but it wont change anything. I will continue cardiac rehab and fight like a dog for as long as it takes. I always have! Love you all!

Richard Munson  Perspective. Dog pen has 8 foot fence. My truck in the distance. Our storage box in the pen is almost covered. At least our generator worked when the power went out. Its a generac which we installed 10 years ago. Not needed very often but when you want it, you want it. Its an insurance policy. 

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Awesome!,  it reminds me the Filomena storm, several years ago here. I hope it passes soon , take care!

Ana Brusso  Your Nancy is cute Richard. I will not complain about the heat here anymore. We are going to be in the 90s for a week. 

Richard Munson  Too lightweight for me. But i have my own. $100. Used. Had to go pick it up and grandson did the lugging. 

Richard Munson  Its zero outside tonight. Cold snap. We opened the undersink cabinet door so our pipes don’t freeze. Outside wall. 

Richard Munson  Besides a good echo , this might be second best. A few rides around my driveway and cover it back up. Too bad they insist on salting the roads or i could wake my boring neighbors up.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Good morning Richard, I see that your 1970 Olds-mobile needs take a walk from time to time, almost as ourselves to get rid of the cobwebs, hi Ana.

Suzette Schear  A bit late but love the car, looks like you did a good job with the engine from what I can see with the photo.  Must be nice to have classic car insurance.  

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Fantastic, I enjoy when it's snowing here, which happens not very much, only two or there times in the whole winter.

J Alexander Lassally  Smile. I wish you had fabricated a story about meeting her in Boston Common on a spring day by the swans.... The rest is legend only !!! 

Ana Brusso  She was my favorite actor my whole life. Always wanted to look like her. I also like that after acting she dedicated her life saving animals. RIP 

Richard Munson  You look better than her. She had more husbands and boyfriends than clevland clinic does heart surgeries. When i saw her picture at 91 it erased all my childhood memories. Yes, she helped animals. Good for her. Rip.

Kimberly Eisenhut  Oh, I plan on it Richard. Ignoring my ridiculous heart rhythms and going to enjoy my daughter Dawn, son Matthew, son In law Eric, Granddaughter Layla and their 3 dogs, Buddy(great pyrenees), Penny, (golden retriever ), Oreo(lab mix), cat "squeaks" and my dog Luna, (mini schnauzer )! It's a house full of furry love here!🫶❤️🌲🎅🕯️🦌
Mery Christmas to you and your family and everyone here💖

Kimberly Eisenhut  My daughters home🫶 My son Matthew; my unwavering sidekick and "driver", errand runner💖 Unfortunately my son in-laws sister and family that were going to come cannot as their son is sick😔 Guess it's just the 5 of us this Holiday. My mother is sick also, not too bad, just lingering cough and cold. At least I talked to her😊🙏 

Pamela Gregory  I hope you had an amazing day with your family and fur babies Kimberly!!! How could you not with all that animal therapy! They are the best

Kimberly Eisenhut  Thank you Richard, Fidel, Marie and Pamela🫶 Did my 1st double loading dose of Arcalyst a while ago with virtual nurse to guide me . Wish it was pre filled and ready to inject, as it's quite the lengthy process to get med ready and make sure it's measured correctly and injected correctly. Only have to do  it once a week now. 🙏👍 
Marie, I'm sure you know what I mean.

Richard Munson  Last xmas i gave her a sweater but it was full of static electricity. I returned it though and got a new one free of charge.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  I can't believe It Richard. So cold there!!. Here also but not so much. Where is that, in Massachusetts ?

Richard Munson  Yes, fidel, it has been very cold. Single digits some nights. After he stuck his head in the sculpture he turned it yellow. My reaction was a little slow once he lifted his leg. The good news, no snow as yet.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  I hope the sculpture didn´t melt too much Thinking in Massachusetts, I remember Bee Gees, what times!! by the way I think Barry Gibb the old brother of the band is still alive.

Richard Munson  One of my favorite groups. Songs on my i pod in the car. Beach boys and Frankie valle and 4 seasons my others. Barry gibb is the only one left. Frankie still does shows in his 90’s. Just got married in fact. God love him. Just read an article and picture of a rare white lynx spotted in spain that they thought was extinct. 

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Oh what a nights those of our thirties, days of parties and "guateques" lol. I see great Frankie keeps on with the boots-on till the end, I see he´s still active.    About the white lynx, a rare species indeed, yes one has been sighted around Jaen´mountains in Sierra Morena, Andalusia. 

Richard Munson  That white lynx turned out to be richard gere prowling around your country looking for young women to dance the flamenco with. His new wife is getting old. 

Richard Munson  Now that i know the lingo, i should visit you in spain. 2 richards. Gere and munson. I am the better looking of the 2. He has the younger wife but is he happy.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Richard, to improve your lingo, bullshit in Spanish is "basura
or mierda de toro", but not "toro de mierda", which would mean a bull made of
shit, lol! Regarding to visit me here, whenever you want Richard with good weather, it would be a
pleasure for me and go with you both to Burgos where we have a bigger flat.

Richard Munson  Odds are not good for visiting Spain. Hate to fly, leaving shadow. Maybe by ship and bring shadow. Not a huge iceberg fan either.

Robert Miller  That's one big tongue... I let our dog "kiss" me and enjoy it. I do wash off my face afterwards, though. Are these kennels in the background? They seem rather small...

Richard Munson  No drop off grooming for shadow. We assist his groomer by being at his side. and as a result, he loves the whole show. He can’t wait to jump on the table or into the tub. No fear of the dryer. After 2 hours he looks  like a show dog. Yes, the occasional slurpy kiss goes with it. 

Melinda Donahue  Hi Richard - thanks for the good wishes - I am getting there - 12 weeks today!!! I am very fortunate but remain a nervous wreck - can't teach an old dog....lol!!! 
I am trying !Hope you have a wonderful day and order something for Shadow - he watches your house !

Richard Munson  You’re a teacher so you want to be positive for your students and yourself. As our dog trainer says and i believe it to be true that your strengths and weaknesses radiate down the leash. 

Robert Miller  "burning a little gas instead of passing gas" LOL!! And Black Friday isn't what it used to be waiting in line hours before the store opened. 

Richard Munson  Route 495 in wrentham was backed up for miles with folks waiting for the stores to open. Burning up their savings? Every month our local church has a food basket give away. The folks in line sit there in their cars waiting sometimes for hours till the give away begins. Mostly people my age i am sorry to say. I have to chuckle when i think about them emptying their gas tanks for a chunk of free cheese. Free is the magic word. But is it really ? 

Kimberly Eisenhut  Richard , I'm so glad you had another cruise before storing your olds 👍 I keep having painful pericaditis flare ups and now constant junctional rhythm past few weeks. Saw the electrophysiologists and new cardio Dr about new biologic drug trial a few days ago downtown, along with more CRP blood test, echo and heart monitor placed for two weeks. It'll be a long road ahead for sure. Dr Kim was the kindest Dr I've ever met! Praying and hoping I can navigate the pain and make final decision about the way forward, as Dr Al Kazaz wants me to make a decision about the new biologic trial soon to get started. I literally will need to be going downtown Chicago, 2.5 hours away 4 x in first 2 weeks, then every week or two for over 6 months! I can't drive because of my condition and have to rely on my daughter or a Lyft the hospital would provide . I really don't like the idea of going downtown In a Lyft and trusting it. I wish I was there to go over all of this with you in person Richard, it's quite daunting trying to take another leap of faith . I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and everyone here are always in my prayers and thoughts. My prayer for now is to be able to handle the pain (11/10 is what electrophysiologists called it, which was so validating for me, since the junctional rhythm is so hard to explain the discomfort of it) pericardial flare ups as well can be so painful. I'm calling myself "rare" and "special" now to replace my negative thoughts of "why me". Dr Kim was also so wonderful at explaining, with hand written drawings, what's going on in my heart and telling me to try not to "ruminate" too much. My heart has decided to use its " back up" pacemaker, the junctional node to power my heart instead of the sinus node, that is basically asleep now . I will say I'm glad we have the backup electrical systems for our hearts ! First getting the pericarditis under control, then the rhythm problem under control. As Drs keep telling me, this will be a marathon, not a sprint . Sending gentle hugs and so much love to all my supporters and friends🫂🥰🙏🫶

Richard Munson  Wow, what a story. Hoping it all works out in the end. Sounds like you are pleased with your doctors. Why you is a good question. I must look up junctional node. 

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Happy thanksgiving to all, here we don't celebrate It but are thankful to God to awake alive every day into this amazing world and sharing these feelings with friends.

Melinda Donahue  Happy Thanksgiving Richard. I am truly  thankful for all the kindness and support during a difficult time. You are all truly the best !!

Richard Munson  For this veterans day and our 59th wedding anniversary i decided to get her something special. Yes, my little shorty is behind it, holding it up. 

Deena Z  You’re such a romantic, Richard!  Way more sentimental than say roses.🤣❤️
Kidding aside, you must make Nancy laugh all-the-time. Precious. Happy 59 years married and more together!!!! 

Adam Pick  Hi Richard, I can look into this no problem. But, on my computer it shows that you posted this “1 hour ago”. On what post does it say “1 day ago”?

Adam Pick  FYI, we have made a bunch of updates to the website during the past week. Thanks for helping us fix any issues from that update. I thought we fixed everything but maybe there is a bug or two that we missed. Thanks!

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  On my computer the last  Richard´s comment shows 1 hours ago , but Michael Smith guestbook post to you Adam shows 1 day ago. 

Deena Z  Now you know what to get Shadow for xmas!  - - Lots of sealed packages with nothing but say paper in them.  Though could be a choking hazard?!

Richard Munson  Are you referring to me or shadow. He loves his dad. He is our first cuddling sled dog.  They tend to be aloof. . 

Richard Munson  Fidel, i believe the faithful friend is me. We faithfully pick up his droppings on our walk. Bag it and deposit it in the trash. Would he do the same for me ? NO. A little humor, he is a great friend. He asks very little and provides a great deal of warmth and companionship. I wish nancy was as friendly. She does not read these or i would be toast.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Yees, but before Charlie or Rex might send me lyrics and chords of some songs and I would go training with my spanish electrified guitar in the style of my admired Willie Nelson, and you could come in as a manager  lol!

Rose Madura  Richard, I'm no expert but I think people can get depressed over situations (Cassie) but depression is a mental illness. I agree, there is much more to rejoice than to gripe about when it comes to OHS.  It seems that there are those who see the glass as half full and those that see the glass as half empty.  Whenever one feels hopeless, they probably need medical intervention. Sometimes people the fall into the "why me" victim mentality and it's not a good place to be in any situation. Those people may need an attitude adjustment rather than medical intervention. My opinion and my two cents. 

Richard Munson  I think you are right. There is a difference between being depressed and depression. You are very smart. 

Darrell Malone  This is an important topic. I for one have not been in a state of depression ect. I'd say more of emotions at times. I have always been so happy with my decision and also the outcome as opposed to an outcome without an intervention. I only can say I hope that folks that are struggling with depression can see that it is OK and you can overcome what is worrying you. All the best in your journeys 

Suzette Schear  For me I was uncomfortable as we all are after surgery, I sleep on my stomach can’t sleep on my back, so I wasn’t sleeping.  I had a lot of off kilter things happen that made it very frustrating. The meds weren’t right I felt like a burden to everyone and the why me pity party, when everyone was continuing their lives and reading everyone’s wonderful recovering , although I was happy for them it was not like that for me.  Then my cardiologist was blaming my neurologist then losing feeling in my leg and collapsing it depressed me. I was happy and still happy to be alive and count my blessing but for me it became depressing .  So I can understand it but I don’t let it rule me but when one feels like crap nothing seems right poking stitches back to doctor, blood pressure back to doctor.  Not complaining there is someone always worse or better but for me it was a long journey of recovery .  So when others feel that depression being an empath I choose to share

John Cook  It has all the ingredients for causing depression:
- mental trauma from diagnosis
- fear of one’s own mortality 
- feelings of isolation and helplessness
- physical trauma from surgery
- loss of independence 
- loss of physical ability both pre & post operation
- long recovery
- lots of medication

For 10 weeks,
recovery was an obsession for me because I tend to be a workaholic. It wasn’t until Week 10 that I could enjoy exercising again and didn’t feel mission-driven.

Janet Gaffney  The surgery itself - of being on bypass - messes with your head. Messes with the chemicals in your brain. If you are pre-disposed to depression it can make it much worse. 

People who have heart attacks are prone to depression - it’s a physical response; they can’t help it. My FIL turned into a brute for about 6 months afterward. His cardiologist told the family it’s not uncommon. 

I, too, am on the end of ‘whew, they fixed me, I’m gonna live’ side of things. I’m of a cheerful disposition naturally, so never stay sad for too long. I tend to get over stuff. 

But I have a dear friend whose husband had emergency valve surgery who was depressed when he went in, had PTSD-like symptoms afterward and needed heavy-duty help when the surgery was over. 
Fortunately, he got great help and is fine now. Took a while, though. 

Kimberly Eisenhut  I am working on getting my numbers up with bloodwork and making small progress every day with moving and walking a bit outside. Only got a few houses down today, but I have to be ok with that I guess. Baby steps :) My follow up is this Tuesday in Chicago. Get more bloodwork, chest xray and see surgeon and cardiologist. Hoping for all good news

Rick Goucher  Thank you everyone for the help I hope the pre surgery feelings of doom are worse then the post surgery is next week and and found out suddenly about it so it’s rough to process but I’m doing what I can 

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Hello Rita, I´m join our fellows thinking of you and wishing you health and strenght to overcome the obstacles along the way, with the help of God .