I heard from the heart surgeon

[Guest guest]

The heart surgeon called me this afternoon. Gee, what a really nice man. We

talked for a long time and this is what I found out.

He researched everywhere he could and he only found 30 valve replacements on

people with RP. They were all successful and they all had mechanical valves.

The ones who used human or pig valves had to have them replaced a lot sooner

then the 10 year period. (I don't want to be opened up that much) He said

the with the mechnaical valve there is 90% chance that it will last a

lifetime. Even if I was 20 years old.

I will be on coumadin the rest of my life, but said he researched this too

and the prednisone and other meds I'm on should not affect the coumadin, even

if I upped or lowered the pred.

He will be doind a CVG (composite valve graft) This will be the valve and

aortic root repacement. The root will be dacron. (I think that is what he

said)

Surgery will be 4-5 hours with no complications. I will be in ICU for 2

days. I will be on a respirator for a min of 12-15 hours after the surgery,

if there are no problems and I am breathing on my own, they will slowly wean

me off.

The hospital stay will be 7-10 days with an 8-12 week recovery. No driving

or lifting for a month. I must do breathing exercises and a lot of walking,

working up very slowly. He said a treadmill will be fine, so looks like I'll

go looking for a treadmill at garage sales. LOL

The day before the surgery, I will be there for a 3-4 hour appt. At that

time they will do ekg, chest x ray, blood and urine tests. I will meet with

him and his team that works with him. They will go over and explain

everything. I will also meet with the knock out guy, LOL (you know I still

can't spell that word). I will tell him about using the pediatric tubing ect

and he will tell me about the stress steroids that I will be receiving. I

will go the next morning at 5:30 and the surgery will be at 7:30 am. So I

will get a hotel room the day before.

He is having his office call me with the date. He really wants me down to

5mg so he is going to schedule it for the end of July. I will go to 6mg on

Monday. Yeah... He said if I can't make it , don't worry, the 7mg I'm on

now is no problem, but the lower I can get the faster my recovery and safer

from infections.

So looks like things are moving along. I'm not looking forward to this, but

feel it will all be over before I know it. I have a good 3 weeks to get my

house done, if I can get this family in gear.

I will let you know when I have a date. Thank you all for all your prayers

and concern. Don't know what I'd do without each and everyone of you.

Heidi, by the time you get home from Germany, I'll be running circles around

you!!!! YES I WILL!!!! LOL You will come home to a brand new me.

I love you all

hugs

[Guest guest]

--- RCColloran@... wrote:

> The heart surgeon called me this afternoon. Gee,

> what a really nice man. We

> talked for a long time and this is what I found out.

>

>

> He researched everywhere he could and he only found

> 30 valve replacements on

> people with RP. They were all successful and they

> all had mechanical valves.

> The ones who used human or pig valves had to have

> them replaced a lot sooner

> then the 10 year period. (I don't want to be opened

> up that much) He said

> the with the mechnaical valve there is 90% chance

> that it will last a

> lifetime. Even if I was 20 years old.

>

> I will be on coumadin the rest of my life, but said

> he researched this too

> and the prednisone and other meds I'm on should not

> affect the coumadin, even

> if I upped or lowered the pred.

>

> He will be doind a CVG (composite valve graft) This

> will be the valve and

> aortic root repacement. The root will be dacron. (I

> think that is what he

> said)

>

> Surgery will be 4-5 hours with no complications. I

> will be in ICU for 2

> days. I will be on a respirator for a min of 12-15

> hours after the surgery,

> if there are no problems and I am breathing on my

> own, they will slowly wean

> me off.

>

> The hospital stay will be 7-10 days with an 8-12

> week recovery. No driving

> or lifting for a month. I must do breathing

> exercises and a lot of walking,

> working up very slowly. He said a treadmill will be

> fine, so looks like I'll

> go looking for a treadmill at garage sales. LOL

>

> The day before the surgery, I will be there for a

> 3-4 hour appt. At that

> time they will do ekg, chest x ray, blood and urine

> tests. I will meet with

> him and his team that works with him. They will go

> over and explain

> everything. I will also meet with the knock out

> guy, LOL (you know I still

> can't spell that word). I will tell him about using

> the pediatric tubing ect

> and he will tell me about the stress steroids that I

> will be receiving. I

> will go the next morning at 5:30 and the surgery

> will be at 7:30 am. So I

> will get a hotel room the day before.

>

> He is having his office call me with the date. He

> really wants me down to

> 5mg so he is going to schedule it for the end of

> July. I will go to 6mg on

> Monday. Yeah... He said if I can't make it , don't

> worry, the 7mg I'm on

> now is no problem, but the lower I can get the

> faster my recovery and safer

> from infections.

>

> So looks like things are moving along. I'm not

> looking forward to this, but

> feel it will all be over before I know it. I have a

> good 3 weeks to get my

> house done, if I can get this family in gear.

>

> I will let you know when I have a date. Thank you

> all for all your prayers

> and concern. Don't know what I'd do without each

> and everyone of you.

>

> Heidi, by the time you get home from Germany, I'll

> be running circles around

> you!!!! YES I WILL!!!! LOL You will come home to a

> brand new me.

>

> I love you all

> hugs

>

>

Oh, , I'm glad he called and you are getting

closer. He sounds as if he has done his homework, I'm

glad you like him, I always think that helps! You

have a good attitude, and that is important too. Also

you know you have all our prayers.

I would phone you but my voice has totally disappeared

today, I can croak but not much more!! I am not sure

why, I feel pretty iffy, so if it doesn't improve I

will call the doc tomorrow. Anyway, I took it easy

today, the dog and I have been relaxing!!!

Anyway, dear , this will be a very good thing

to get behind you, so you can look forward to getting

it over with, and as you say becoming a new person!!

Love Liz

__________________________________________________