Vicki's Journal

Phyllis Petersen  Getting real now! Before you know it, you'll be on the other side of this and on your way to recovery. Hang in there! Do something fun to take your mind off of it all.

Mark Wilbur  The countdown begins, Vicki. Our prayers and best wishes will be with you and your family as you go through this life changing procedure.

Barbara Laurie  Hey Vicki, now that you’ve seen your name on the list, congratulations! That was the hard part! 😄I saw your comment about getting some minimal work in while recovering. Since it depends on your overall health, how well you recover from most other things, and then add it the fact that you won’t be lying around all day will help you decide what to do there. After surgery they keep you very busy with all sorts of things, and if your stay is only about a week you may not want to try to work. Hope you are feeling well, and prayerfully all goes well next week. Best Regards!💕🌸💕

Rita Savelis  It's okay to have a meltdown. It's normal. And you don't have to protect your family. Sometimes family gets stronger when you allow yourself to show your true self. These are real moments.
You are experiencing this one way, and your family in another, and ultimately each one can not know what the other feels. So allow each other to be real, and to feel what you need to.
It's a hard moment. Letting out your emotions is important before, during and after OHS.
Take care Vicki.

Valerie Herndon-Vitarella  That last week before surgery is the most stressful! Try not to worry as you are in excellent hands with Dr Gillinov and the team at the Clinic. Before you know it, you'll be on the road to recovery and holding your granddaughter again.

Shannon Gray  This is such a hard time... but it’s ok to have a meltdown. And it’s ok if your family witnesses. It only exemplifies how very brave you are going through this. Peace and light be with you.

Kelly Stoll  Meltdowns are okay. This is difficult stuff. Slow steady breaths. Treat yourself with kindness this week. You've got this.

Helen Daw  Vicki, it is totally normal. I couldn't stop crying every time somebody at work was wishing me well. This will pass and you will be fine. Stay strong! Many here understand exactly how you feel. CAn't wait to read about your recovery. IT IS NOT THAT BAD. Trust your surgeons and have faith.

Judy Shaw  My almost meltdown was last Saturday. I kept it together but I wanted to cry at almost everything. My true meltdown will probably come tomorrow evening since my surgery is Thursday. Best wishes to you Vicki.

Chris Purvis  I was an emotional wreck all last week and that’s perfectly ok. The priest at the hospital said emotions are like seasons they come and go and you just need to be able to communicate how you feel even when your worried or stressed, etc. Praying for you Vicki.

Susan Lynn  I also had many meltdown moments before my surgery, but by the time I was arriving at the hospital and waiting for my turn in pre-op, I was pretty calm. Sooner or later, you realize that this is something you have to do to improve and extend your life. You're going to be fine when your day arrives!

Vicki B  Oh gosh - thank you - love you all - thot I was loosing it - I soaked my pillow last night and sinuses are a mess this morning. Hoping I got it all out and can start over on a positive note today. Thanks again all!

Rose Madura  Yes, meltdowns are quite normal. Mine came when the surgery was postponed. I cried all day. But we have to remember that the probably for success is very high. And the doctors know what they are doing - even in something doesn't go as planned. They will be able to figure it out. They did for me. You are in good hands at the Cleveland Clinic. Best wishes and keep us posted.

Marie Myers  My cousin had an atrial myxoma removed many years ago. She is still doing well. Best wishes for a smooth journey!

Judy Shaw  Hi Vicki. Hope you find comfort from others here like I have. My surgery is in the near near future and I'm scared too but there are a lot of people on here that have been in our shoes and willing to help by sharing what they've been through. Good luck on your journey.

Anna Jones  Hi Vicki, I had a similar situation. Dr. Accola advertises himself as a very approachable and caring surgeon through this site. So I contacted his office to see if he would be interested in giving me a consultation to answer my questions before I scheduled the surgery. I was told that he would be interested. Yet, after I sent my medical records to him, I was told that I would have to schedule the surgery first and he would talk to me the day before to answer questions. I find that disturbing and unacceptable. So, I didn't schedule the surgery with him.

Instead I drove to Houston in traffic (a total of 8 hours) in order to speak with a surgeon (who has a fantastic reputation and is working at a hospital which also is highly rated nationally). The Houston doctor only gave me 10 minutes of his time, but at least he answered my questions, allowed me to tape the meeting so I can listen to it again and again, and he put my mind at ease.

I also spoke to a local surgeon who spent 45 minutes answering my questions.

For me, I figured it was worth it to find a surgeon with a great reputation, working at a fantastic hospital, who was willing to talk to me to earn my business.

If you look at my journal you will see I discussed this a lot.

Sending best wishes.

Vicki B  Thank you Anna! I appreciate your input. I have so much to weigh and am exhausted from it. Hopefully I can work things out in my mind.

Anna Jones  You're welcome, Vicki. This is a huge surgery for us. You need to be feeling comfortable with your choice of surgeon. There are a million great surgeons out there. There are many great hospitals. You don't need to feel trapped with a surgeon who won't answer your questions.

Peggy Whitecotton  I met my surgeon a month before to get a second opinion. He answered all my questions. After choosing him to do the surgery He ordered several tests and afterwards i requested to meet with him again with my family for more questions. I love my surgeon. He also has several videos online about valve replacement which I watched over and over...

Valerie Herndon-Vitarella  My cardiologist sent my records directly to Dr Gillinov because of his expertise. I also did not meet him before having all my pre-op testing done. Not being on this site earlier, I didn't really question it. I have had both the minimally invasive (11/28/16) and full sternotomy (5/14/18) with Dr Gillinov for mitral repairs. I would request an earlier surgical consult appointment if you want to meet him and ask him questions before you have your pre-op testing done. Once your pre-op testing is done, some testing might have to be repeated if you don't have surgery within a certain amount of time.

Susan Killian  Do not be anxious about having a full sternotomy, I had mine for mitral valve repair on April 11. To be honest no worse that any other operation I have had. The worst was a gall bladder removal and that was just a small opening. Gives surgeon a good view and hands on. So if they decide this no worries!

Susan Killian  I went to valve center at UPMC and got to meet with surgeon prior to operation. He went over everything in detail on a computer.

Phyllis Petersen  I didn't meet Dr. Gillinov until 2 days before surgery, but I traveled from Tucson for my mitral valve repair. I'm surprised they're not doing the testing earlier, since you're in town. If you have any questions you want to ask him before then, I'm sure they'll get them through to him. They were very helpful to me.