I'm at home on IV antibiotics therapy for another 3-1/2 weeks. They had planned on having me 4 weeks on antibiotics. Surgery on Nov 24 and another 2 weeks ...Read more
I'm at home on IV antibiotics therapy for another 3-1/2 weeks. They had planned on having me 4 weeks on antibiotics. Surgery on Nov 24 and another 2 weeks of antibiotics. Cancelled surgery on 24th as my back is still not there. The good news is additional TEE shows infection didn't get to valve. MRI on back is not clear, but being treated as it was infected. Will reschedule surgery probably for January so that I may fully recovery from back and antibiotics. Not being able to move much is not a good way to go into surgery, so they agree that I have that amount of time to still do repair. I tried a been exhausting and so lucky my sister had come in for the surgery onkyvto have all this happen. The team did feel it was actually lucky I had the surgery scheduled as I wouldn't have known about this infection so quickly.it feels like a marathon, but am seeing improvement each day so feel I'll get there.
Shannon Gray Thinking of you and thankful you’re in the mend and have family support throughout this.
Ana Brusso Hi Ruby, it’s good to hear from and you are being looked after and taken care of. Glad you will be ... Read more
Ana Brusso Hi Ruby, it’s good to hear from and you are being looked after and taken care of. Glad you will be able to have your surgery in January. Be well and take good care of yourself. God bless you and have a Happy Thanksgiving
My surgery scheduled for yesterday Oct 28 was canceled as I ended up with slight fever and the blood cultures they did came back positive so I’m back in the ...Read more
My surgery scheduled for yesterday Oct 28 was canceled as I ended up with slight fever and the blood cultures they did came back positive so I’m back in the hospital today sent to ER so they can ck me in an administer intervenous antiobiotics to identify the infection to treat it. They will also do MRI on my back which went out over a week ago. I’ll be here for 5 days til they can identify and treat. So this was the last thing I was expecting.
Susan Lynn Oh, Ruby! Sorry to hear that, but every decision is made with your best interest in mind. These m ... Read more
Susan Lynn Oh, Ruby! Sorry to hear that, but every decision is made with your best interest in mind. These medical professionals know what they're doing and will ensure you have the greatest chance for an optimum result and recovery. You'll have to wait just a few more days to be our newest rock star! Be well! ❤
Ana Brusso Hi Ruby, it’s frustrating to have a new health issue just when you were ready for surgery. But as S ... Read more
Ana Brusso Hi Ruby, it’s frustrating to have a new health issue just when you were ready for surgery. But as Susan Lynn says, the medical professionals have your best interest at heart. When they feel you are ready it will happen and everything is going to be ok. Hang in there and try to be patient. Keep us posted. God speed and feel better
Steven Methot Drat. Drat, drat, drat. But... at least you know that they act in an abundance of care. Hang in th ... Read more
Steven Methot Drat. Drat, drat, drat. But... at least you know that they act in an abundance of care. Hang in there!
Rose Madura Yes. I always say trust the doctors because they know what they are doing. I'm sorry for this setback ... Read more
Rose Madura Yes. I always say trust the doctors because they know what they are doing. I'm sorry for this setback but I believe everything happens for a reason. God bless you.
Ruby Hondros Thank you all for your kind thoughts and encouragement . They are planning on finding this culprit a ... Read more
Ruby Hondros Thank you all for your kind thoughts and encouragement . They are planning on finding this culprit and get the right antibiotics to hopefully resolve this. They also did MRI today to see if the infection has attacked my spine since I can nearly move. I’m optimistic as they plan on keeping me here till they get to bottom of this as an infection is not what you want before surgery. Hanging in there.
Shannon Gray I’m so sorry... it’s so hard to change course. Prayers that all will be resolved very soon.
Marie Myers Hope you get the source of infection figured out and treated. Keep us posted!
Lorraine Willmann Hi Ruby, I know the frustration of added issues and hoping for a quick response to your infection.
Elyse Sherman I’m so sorry, Ruby. That must have been so disappointing for you, but you’re in a good, safe plac ... Read more
Elyse Sherman I’m so sorry, Ruby. That must have been so disappointing for you, but you’re in a good, safe place where this will be taken care of and you’ll get you’r surgery shortly and safely. ❤️
Ruby Hondros You are all an inspiration. They do have a good team here. They have identified the infection type ... Read more
Ruby Hondros You are all an inspiration. They do have a good team here. They have identified the infection type but not completely certain on origination but ruling things out. Have begun intravenous antibiotics and more specific ones today. Did another Echo and MRI for lower back issue which could be related, cat scan later today and will be doing another TEE, as there is suspected infection in the valve, as the infection moves through your blood and attacks etc. Anyway, if they find the infection has entered they will probably do surgery for repair instead of waiting. Many things are up in the air but I know they are working hard to make sure they get this under control. Hanging in there.
Ginger Marine Ruby, like you my original AVR 5 years ago had to be postponed the day before-/because of a rooster a ... Read more
Ginger Marine Ruby, like you my original AVR 5 years ago had to be postponed the day before-/because of a rooster attack! I was putting him up the day before the surgery when he turned on me and attacked my face! I can kind of laugh now. I had to be on antibiotics for two weeks and reschedule. The best part was I had a fast easy recovery and within a few days of OHS felt better than I had in several years! So try to rest in patience while this problem is addressed. Hope you gave a quick, happy recovery!
It’s the day before my surgery for mitral valve repair and what I didn’t expect was my back to go out completely 5 days ago. I will still be doing surgery ...Read more
It’s the day before my surgery for mitral valve repair and what I didn’t expect was my back to go out completely 5 days ago. I will still be doing surgery on Wednesday the 28th, but told them I will need assist in getting up and down , but can walk some. Bad timing but am doing best I can.
Jim Archer Ruby, I am diagnosed with degenerative disk disease, stenosis in the lumbar and cervical spine, then ... Read more
Jim Archer Ruby, I am diagnosed with degenerative disk disease, stenosis in the lumbar and cervical spine, then toss in a bit of scoliosis. This is just the result of an active lifestyle after 70 years. Because I was pumped full of painkillers, I had no back pain while in the hospital, and for another couple of weeks after coming home. Before the OHS, I was consuming 800 mg of ibuprofen daily, along with Omega 3, turmeric, and resveratrol. That kind of kept things under control. Since I am taking Eliquis, Ibuprofen is a non starter. I tried Tylenol as a replacement for Ibuprofen, but that did not work. So now I take Omega 3, Turmeric, and Resveratrol for their antioxidant value. Be careful with these as they also thin the blood like Eliquis, Plavix or coumadin. I am very stiff in the morning and at night, daytime is ok and I don't let the back issues interfere with golf.
Ana Brusso Sorry about your back. I will pray for a successful surgery and a recovery. You just have to be more ... Read more
Ana Brusso Sorry about your back. I will pray for a successful surgery and a recovery. You just have to be more careful. God bless you and will be thinking of you. Blessings
Ruby Hondros Thank you Jim and Ana for encouraging comments. I’m hoping the drugs they give you at the hospital ... Read more
Ruby Hondros Thank you Jim and Ana for encouraging comments. I’m hoping the drugs they give you at the hospital will keep the pain to subside. Major spasms have subsided and I’m trying to go in with a positive mind. I think the stress and trying to get ready for surgery just was a bit much and my body said stop. I can resume certain supplements after surgery. Just trying to get through this for now.
Ruby Hondros I have had back issues from time to time with scoliosis but it was never this bad before. Mind body ... Read more
Ruby Hondros I have had back issues from time to time with scoliosis but it was never this bad before. Mind body are connected for sure.
Lee Wright Maybe go for some acupuncture for your back before surgery, I have heard it is helpful for back issue ... Read more
Lee Wright Maybe go for some acupuncture for your back before surgery, I have heard it is helpful for back issues, I find it helpful for other stuff of mine.
I’m having surgery the end of October for mitral valve repair, mini thoracotomy, at Hartford Hospital, and came across this group and thought it might be ...Read more
I’m having surgery the end of October for mitral valve repair, mini thoracotomy, at Hartford Hospital, and came across this group and thought it might be helpful for support since so many have had experience with this. The prospect is daunting and am trying to be positive. Mine is elective, but was advised that it would be best to do before this takes a turn that would bring complications. Have severe regurgitation etc, but am lucky my arteries are clear and the TEE results show that I am a candidate for the mini. My parents both had bypass surgeries late in their lives and seeing them having the sternum cut was something I was hoping to avoid when I knew I would have to deal with this. Anyway, I am just babbling away.
Steven Methot Babble away... that's what we do, and that's what we are here for. Welcome aboard!
Susan Lynn Ruby - There are several of us who have had the mini-thoracotomy mitral valve repair. Feel free to ... Read more
Susan Lynn Ruby - There are several of us who have had the mini-thoracotomy mitral valve repair. Feel free to ask any questions you have! You've come to the right place. ❤
Ruby Hondros Thank you so much. I hardly know where to start. Maybe, if you could go back to prepping before sur ... Read more
Ruby Hondros Thank you so much. I hardly know where to start. Maybe, if you could go back to prepping before surgery, what would you definitely do or not do?
Kathy Blank Adam Pick- the founder of this group wrote a helpful book that tells you what to expect before and af ... Read more
Kathy Blank Adam Pick- the founder of this group wrote a helpful book that tells you what to expect before and after heart valve surgery- it helped me so much as did this group! Same situation as you except mine was robotic mitral valve repair. My surgery was at age 60- 3 1/2 years ago and I feel great and can run and work out without any restrictions.
Get critical insights for patients needing heart valve surgery in this best-selling book by Adam Pick.
Ruby Hondros I’ll check it out Kathy. I was going to have robotic repair but the surgeon was in Philadelphia an ... Read more
Ruby Hondros I’ll check it out Kathy. I was going to have robotic repair but the surgeon was in Philadelphia and the logistics as well as Covid just wasn’t going to work. Dr Hashim in Ct is well respected and expert in his field and actually feels this is better than robotic for him. The team has been great so far and do feel I am in good hands. My sister is flying in to help me for a few weeks too. The book will be a good base. Thanks.
Susan Lynn Ruby - Many of us will tell you that waiting for your procedure is the worst part and I absolutely fo ... Read more
Susan Lynn Ruby - Many of us will tell you that waiting for your procedure is the worst part and I absolutely found that to be the case. The fear I had about every part of the process was significantly worse than the procedure or recovery. Everything was completely tolerable! I was fortunate to have an easy procedure and a short hospital stay - in on Friday and out by Monday at lunch time! I was specific with my surgeon and anesthesiologist about an approach called early extubation. That means, I wanted absolute minimal time on the breathing tube - fortunately, they were both proponents of it. I had no issues with breathing or my lungs following surgery - not even a sore throat.
Also, during the mini-t, the nerves in your chest are frozen. Honestly, it was great - I had no pain, removal of the chest tubes was a piece of cake, but you will have numbness and pins and needles on your right side and back for a year or longer as your nerves regenerate. I didn't have a problem with it, but it's good to be informed about it. I didn't take any pain killers at the hospital or during recovery beyond an occasional Tylenol.
My surgeon also provided a "cosmetic bonus" by hiding the small entry scar in my right breast crease. While the success of the repair is by far the most important priority, I personally preferred not to have the horizontal scar as a reminder of this experience every day. You may want to ask your surgeon about it if you are interested in that approach.
Finally, the thing I didn't expect was the exhaustion after surgery and for me, it lasted for months. Don't be fooled about a minimally invasive procedure - only the entry is different, it's still the same surgery. Rest as much as you need to after surgery and walk in between whenever you can. The midday power nap was my friend!
All I can say is, if I can do it, you can do it, Ruby! You're going to do just fine!
Ruby Hondros Susan, your words resonate my feelings about the anxiety of going in. I appreciate the info as well ... Read more
Ruby Hondros Susan, your words resonate my feelings about the anxiety of going in. I appreciate the info as well on the extubation and the the scar possibilities. As far as pain killers, I’m with you and don’t take any unless I really need to. I had meniscus surgery in July after an injury a few years ago and finally took care of it and was very lucky not to need any pain killers. I do have stairs in my house, but have learned to take one step at a time when I have to. The exhaustion is something that makes sense and helps to know it is normal to experience for some time. Thank you for your encouraging words.
Ruby Hondros Susan,
Where did you have your surgery. I asked about the nerves of chest being frozen, but that doe ... Read more
Ruby Hondros Susan,
Where did you have your surgery. I asked about the nerves of chest being frozen, but that doesn’t sound like they do that at my hospital. The incision is placed beneath in crease of breast which is a good thing. Will keep all you have mentioned in mind. Renting a reclliner for a few weeks to rest up while healing after surgery. Trying to be better prepared. The 28th is getting close. Ruby
Dr. Gerdisch is a heart valve expert having performed over 4,000 heart valve repair and replacement operations during his 25+ year career as a cardiac surgeon.
I am from: Woodbury , Ct
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