Posted by Terry Gann on February 03, 2003 at 11:44:49:
In Reply to: I know (hope) it's coming posted by Jim on February 02, 2003 at 13:41:18:
Jim,
It sounds like you have a very positive attitude, and that is a great thing to have going into this surgery. I was 43 when I had my maze and mitral valve repair at the CC by Dr. McCarthy. I would recommend him and the clinic wholeheartedly, as most, if not all, other posters on this board would. His aim was to repair my mitral valve if at all possible. My cardiologist here says that is great because a lot of surgeons find it easier just to put in a mechanical or pig valve rather than trying to fix yours. He repaired mine and performed the maze at the same time. Thank God I've been free of a-fib now for 2 years!!!!
I know you're aware that open-heart surgery is not something to be taken lightly, but for me everything turned out great. There is soreness after the surgery, but it's tolerable. I also was of the respirator before being moved to ICU. Dr. McCarthy tries to accomplish this with each surgery.
I'm rambling on, but I get excited at the prospect of someone else going for the cure!
Terry