Sue's Posts

Diagnosis: Aortic Regurgitation, Mitral Regurgitation, Tricuspid Regurgitation, Atrial Fibrillation

Member Since: March 14, 2025

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Sue Connell posted an update
10 months ago (June 24, 2025)
Hi heart valve surgery friends, Tomorrow, June 25, is my triple valve repair/replace OHS surgery! I flew from Arizona to Cleveland clinic in Ohio (my chosen hospital). my surgeon is Dr. Gillinov. My brother and sister traveled from a neighboring state to be with me for my heart surgery (we... Read more.
All the best tomorrow. You and your team got this. So awesome to have support with you.
Hope you had a great day! You're probably munching on ice chips right now! How wonderful of your siblings to join you! Try to enjoy their company while you're walking your laps around the nurses station. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Hopefully you are doing well! Prayers for a wonderful recovery!
Sue Connell posted an update
1 year ago (April 23, 2025)
Just scheduled my triple valve surgery for June 25 at Cleveland clinic with Dr. Gillinov. I am told that it must be the traditional sternotomy (I was hoping for robotic assist/less invasive option - but not for my multiple valves, so I am told). I live in Arizona, so major... Read more.
Sue, You are in the best of hands with Dr. Gillinov. So you know, we have been fortunate to work with Dr. Gillinov and the Cleveland Clinic team for over 10 years. I thought you might like to see this. Here is a list of some of the patients who... Read more.
For triple, you'd certainly want the sternotomy. I am also a CC alum from Nov 2023... Best of luck - ask away any questions !!
Hi Sue, I live in Tucson too and traveled to CC to have Dr. Gillinov repair my mitral valve in October 2016. If you would like to grab a cup (or glass) and ask any questions I can help you with, please email me at fabphyllis @gmail.com. There have been... Read more.
I also traveled to CC, but from Delaware. For me it was worth the trip. Wishing you the best of luck and skill❤️
I had triple valve surgery 10 years ago. A sternotomy will allow the surgeons to see everything in there.
Sue Connell posted an update
1 year ago (April 9, 2025)
I am just beginning heart valve surgery journey. My mind is still reeling. I knew that my mitral valve would need work but I was shocked to hear from a thorasic specialist (not my cardiologist) that my aortic valve and tricuspid valves are also suspect. My heart went into atrial... Read more.
😂 ❤️ Yumiko Ishida and Sue Connell reacted to this
Sue - the news is very shocking, always! You have found this site early on. There is always someone here to listen and reassure. Don’t be shy. There have been several people with multiple valve issues. If you haven’t utilize the surgeon-finder in the menu top right. Keep us posted!... Read more.
Sue I had aortic valve replaced, mitral valve replaced and tricuspid valve repaired…..plus clip put on for afib! That was in October of 2024. I feel pretty good today! I only have one more day of cardiac rehab. The time went by so fast! I just have to remember to... Read more.
Welcome to this wonderful community Sue! You will find lots of support here. Valerie is right, the news that heart surgery is necessary, even imminent, can be so overwhelming, so please reach out. The journey is distinctly yours and no two are exactly alike. That said, there are many here... Read more.
Adam's forum is by far the best forum for heart surgery. My mom found it for me... You probably already saw it but check out the learning center on this website. Are you in Afib all the time ONLY after the R&L catherization? Or maybe you were in Afib before... Read more.
This is a great forum. In my opinion keyhole surgery is the way forward [as with many other types of operation]. It's more expensive and complicated, but the recovery time is much shorter

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