Posted by Carl Plaskett on March 01, 2003 at 11:34:24:
In Reply to: March 24 posted by Jimmy C --Memphis on March 01, 2003 at 08:45:36:
Jimmy: Given your immediate need for mitral valve repair, waiting could only worsen things for you: you might end up with a replacement valve which could mean coumadin (or similar) for life. Besides, as you may have read here, SOME of us, based upon the anecdotal reports here, feel that the "open chest" maze has resulted in fewer post-maze arrhythmias or need for "touch-up" ablations, than the less invasive methods.
Terry recognized the need for immediate action when she was at the CC with her sister and had no intention of having ANY surgery until they discovered the leaking valve. She left a few days later, having had a valve repair and the maze. I was there at the same time, and concur re: Drs. McCarthy & Hammer, and the rest of the staff!
Even though it is a HUGE place, with LOTS of people waiting at the various "desks" or "stations" on one's schedule, the waiting is very short. I always felt that whomever was dealing with me for tests, etc., was treating me like I was the ONLY patient they had scheduled. I began to think they had all been "trained by Disneyworld" because they were genuinely pleasant, unhurried, yet verrry efficient.I had lunch yesterday with another prospective CC mazer who is waiting to hear back from the CC re: schedule. He also has been reading posts since early on, and posted once long ago. I wish him and you rapid recovery to a "dream" lifestyle, free of afib, drugs, fatique, depression, etc.
You might both set up a Patient Page at www.thestatus.com which will make it easy for family/friends/fellow mazers to keep up with your progress.