MY RELATIONSHIP TO DA VINCI SURGERY: Patient

MY CONDITION: Heart Murmur / Irregular Heartbeat

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Mitral Valve Repair

DATE OF PROCEDURE: May 20, 2008

MY SURGEON: Dr. Eric A. Espinal

HOSPITAL WHERE MY PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED: Akron City Hospital

OTHER TREATMENTS I CONSIDERED BEFORE DA VINCI SURGERY:
None

THE BIGGEST CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT TREATMENT:
That it would work as I was told it would

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
My trust in the surgeon and my cardiologist

HOW LONG I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL:
4 days

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
Pain was moderate, not nearly as bad as I expected

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
I was moving around and able to do most normal activities days after surgery and the care I needed from my wife was simply not needed.

WHEN I RETURNED TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES:
I was running 2 weeks post op, everthing else was back to normal when I was discharged from the hospital

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
Simply amazing!

HOW DA VINCI SURGERY COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES OR PRECONCEPTIONS OF SURGERY:
This destroys the common conception of surgery

I was, I thought, in great health prior to the discovery of a heart murmur. In fact, I was not symptomatic, as near as I could tell, I wasn't. Hindsight has told me otherwise. I ran, frequently participating in some minor road races, though not overly competitively. I participated in some triathlons, and rode in several bicycle races. I played basketball and lacrosse in winter months. I thought I was the picture of health.
In March of 2008, I was seen by a physician who my wife works for; I merely thought I was getting the flu. As it turned out, I was getting a virus, but the physician heard a heart murmur and recommended that I get it evaluated. I procrastinated getting an evaluation of my heart, mostly because I wasn't symptomatic. To make a long story short, I did get my heart examined and was very rapidly told that I needed surgery. The news that I needed surgery was a bit of a shock and surprise to me and my wife, Heather. From the time I had it checked out to the time I was in surgery was about 5 weeks. According to my cardiologist, the murmur was 'severe' and my heart was regurgitating blood back into itself. I had a very leaky mitral valve.
My recovery was much faster than those who have a 'traditional' heart surgery / sternotomy. Two weeks after having the surgery, and with the permission and guidance of my surgeon, I was able to run a little over 1 mile and the following day ride my bike 8 miles. 1 month after surgery, I participated in bike race, hoping only to finish, yet was lucky enough to not finish last. I participated in a triathlon 3 months after surgery and ran a relay leg of a marathon.
Surgery is always stressful; mine may have been a bit more stressful than others. I found out I needed heart surgery 2 days after the birth of our second child. My wife was concerned that she would be taking care of a 2 year old child, a newborn and husband who was recovering from heart surgery. Thankfully, this was not the case. I was moving around and able to do most normal activities days after surgery and the care I needed from my wife was simply not needed.
I am now able to run at a faster pace, ride without getting nearly as tired and chase after my children and know that I am extremely fortunate for da Vinci and my surgeon, Dr. Eric Espinal. I truly can't express my gratitude for da Vinci and the medical staff that I have been fortunate enough have treat me. Truly a Happy Halloween.