Robert's Journal

I had my TAVR on April 1, and all went very well. In meetings leading up to this one of the cardiologists said you really have big open veins and arteries. They had to go up both sides, as I have a pacemaker and wanted to put in their own wire in left ventricle so they could override my pacemaker during surgery if necessary. They did not need to do this as it turned out. I did get reaction to the drug they used to counteract the heparin as they finished the procedure. I was in recovery with some tremors in especially in my lower legs but it passed. My wife had lots of tremors so now I know what its like. I don't have the name of drug right now but its on my list of drugs not to be used again. My groin is totally black and blue and has been seen by all nurses and techs in Long Beach Memorial Hospital. Seems to be healing very good. I 88 I did use a rolling walker first day outside for two short half blocks walks. Then second day I went around block without a walker. Today I did 1.5 miles around local shopping center with a few rest stops on benches. I feel absolutely wonderful. My wife has retired nurse caregiver and she and others are constantly commenting on how my face color and voice is so much changed for the better. I got home the next day in evening and am getting around fine. My instructions until I see the cardio next week is short walks twice a day and not to lift over 10 pounds. Leaving hospital they told me to use my own judgement as when I might do stuff like drive. Last words were all these instructions for for your body to readjust and not for the valve itself, as its firmly in place and you are not going to damage it by any of your actions!!!!

I have been cleared to go ahead with TAVR and met today with cardiologist. He explained the TAVR and I said I gave watched many youtube videos. Fine. But then he said we have a surgeon here who is proficient in an alternative way through the rib cage in small incision but this is not the open the chest full procedure at all. Its minimally invasive. So I need to find some resources on this alternative way to go in the side via opening in rib cage. Cardiologist and surgeon with meet me in imaging center next week and do a special scan and they deicide which is the best route. Can anyone help with this new way?