heart surgery at Cleveland Clinic

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Posted by Sheena Sims on September 04, 2001 at 21:23:02:

I am a 51 year-old female who had her first open heart surgery at 7 years old at the Minnesota Heart Hospital with Dr. Walton Lillihei. In 1957, this was considered pioneer surgery. I had an atrium septal repair, but as a by product of surgery my sinus node was cut. I lived with a complete heart block until age 23 when I received my first pacemaker. Inspite of all this, I was able to enjoy a relatively normal life and had 2 children.
I now need a mitral valve repair/replacement, a tricuspid valve repair and a possible maze. I have been in chronic atrial fibrilations for 2 years and take coumadin. I am a bit anxious as you can imagine, especially since I will need to get off coumadin for a few days prior to my surgery. Dr. Cosgrove will perform the valve operations and Dr. Gillinov will perform the maze procedure. I am scheduled for Sept 27th/28th or Oct 1st depending on pre-surgery tests. I will arrive in Cleveland, OH on Sept 22nd.
Some of my worries include: how it will feel to wake up on the ventilator, how difficult the recovery will be, the amount of pain, the fact that this operation will include 3 procedures as opposed to one, my ability to climb stairs when I get home (my bedroom is upstairs!!!), whether women fare as well as men, whether after-surgery complications are common, and what to expect? I have heard that it feels like a big weight resting on your chest.
I understand that I may be released in one week. That seems amazing to me! I plan to stay a few extra days in Cleveland with my husband at a hotel because I don't believe I will be prepared to get on an airplane so quickly.
Any comments, suggestions, prayers or words of advise will be appreciated.

Thank you.
Sheena Sims

sheenasims@aol.com

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