Septal Myectomy Part 2 - Mitral Valve Replacement

Hi Everyone!

This post is a little late, lol. Almost 3 years 😊.  So much has happened. I guess I should start where I left off on my last post Septal Myectomy Part 1.


Dec. 2, 2016
Very Bad day emotionally. After being told that I was going to have to be opened back up for Mitral Valve replacement and another Septal Myectomy I'm devastated. Fear and depression are worse than ever. I'm told surgery will be Dec. 5 early AM.


Dec. 3, 2016

Walked a lot today.  Lost count how many times around the nurses station.  Mind is going 100mph. All the What if's. Long day.

Dec. 4, 2016

More walking and waiting. Pain from first surgery a little better. Anxiety is off the chart. The lead Anesthesiologist came to see me this evening. Wanted to go thru the plan for tomorrow and prepare me mentally for another Intubation awake. (Fyi... 3 years later I still have nightmares about this part.)

Dec. 5, 2016 

4:00 AM ish... Awaken by the Blood Nazi (She earned the title, trust me.) Time for morning blood work. 6 AM I'm told to get ready, they are coming to get me for surgery. 7 AM, it's go time.

They wheel me in to the prep-room & start running Ports, etc... Hooking you up. Fun stuff when All your arteries, veins whatever are blown and have been tore up by the Blood Nazi!

They take me into OR. Cold, white, stainless steel, Big TV monitors. Slide my big ass onto the operating table. Now all I see is the white ceiling and a bunch of people with masks, prepping.

The Anesthesiologist comes into my view, tells me they are about to begin the intubation process.

Not sure how many people it took to hold me down, but I do know it was almost not enough.  It took 2-3 tries this time and then.... Lights out. According to the notes, surgery lasted about 6-8 hrs.

Dec. 6, 2016

I wake up in ICU, breathing tube hurts, still in. I hurt All over. Due to I had already gone thru this, I made up hand codes for my wife before surgery so I could tell her simple stuff while tube was in. 4 Fingers meant "Tell them I want this Tube Out Now!" I kept showing her 4 Fingers, than eight Fingers, LOL. Breathing Tube Sucks!!! They took it out eventually, and later took me to step-down room. Pain is worse second surgery. Back Hurts BAD.

Dec 7-14th, 2016

I'm told surgery went well and I'm doing good.  Walking daily around the nurses station. Harder second go around for sure.  They do final echo and tests on the 14th and say I'm ok to go Home. Now I have to take Warfarin for Mechanical Mitral Valve. Released on the 14th officially. First time I see the outside of Cleveland Clinic in almost 30 Days. Go back to the hotel for the night.

Dec. 15th, 2016

We fly home to Tennessee and I get to see my kids for the first time. Pain is bad, but it gets better over time. Thanks GOD for the Heart Pillow!