Just Got Back From the Cleveland Clinic Hospital

[Goldie54]

I flew to Cleveland last Thursday the 24th, and took a taxi from the airport to the CC ER. I got my 4th stent in my LAD and my 5th overall. That was my 8th cardiac catheterization. If they had not used IVUS (intra-vascular ultrasound), they may not have found the blockage. I went there because my PCP had said that my aortic valve was leaking significantly.

It is leaking, but my heart is compensating for it, for now. I must keep it checked with followup echocardiographs. I have not received any records of my visit yet, of course. I hope to get them mailed to my PCP soon, so that I can get a copy.

My LAD was blocked >80% at the very beginning or ostial portion. Now I have 4 stents, end to end and overlapping a bit, in my LAD.

That is a very big and impressive hospital. They have a "team" of doctors with a cardiologist as the leader, of course, that works on you. My cardiologist, or the one that was assigned to me, went to the cath lab with me, but did not perform the stenting or the cath. He has an "intervential partner" that he works with in the cath lab while his patients are having procedures performed. My doctor was the one who suggested the use of IVUS. It probably would have been missed w/o this technology per him. I don't think my local hospital has this technology.

Other members of the team of doctors include, a PHD in Pharmacology, a doctor of internal medicine, and I forgot whom else is a part of the team. This is quite a remarkable concept.

The nursing is average - bad though. They may be understaffed or hard of hearing.

I would tell you who my doc is, but I don't know if that is OK or not? He gave me the address of a website or section of one that he wrote. It is www.cardioconnection.org

[Barbarella]

Hey Andy,

Sorry, I thought you were a female :) :) I still applaud your spirit though.

Good luck!

[anacyde]

I'm glad to hear you did well and were impressed with CCF.  I love the hospital.  I hope to work there one day.  I'm sad to hear of the nursing situation.  I guess I've been extremely blessed with my nursing experiences - most I've dealt with everywhere have been absolutely wonderful.

I wish you good health and speedy recovery from your procedures.

[Goldie54]

Thanks to both of you sooo very much :) I saw Dr. Richard Krasuski. To me, he is like G-D. He is a genius!

Hey Barb......I am a GUY, ha ha ha. I promise...Heterosexual too!

Y'all just be good and I promise to keep that "you go girl spirit", lol.

Goldie AKA Andy

[Barbarella]

Congrats on your succesful procedure!

You're my kind of girl :) you flew to Cleveland and took a Taxi to the CC ER.  You took matters in your own hands when it came to your heart, and your history concerning your heart.  No waiting around, no run arounds.  You go girl!  

[Momto3]

Congratulations on your successful procedure!

Yes, CC is quite a remarkable place!!  

I was referred there several years ago with what was thought to be a severely leaking mitral valve.  After some further tests, it was determined to be a 2-3+ leak (moderate to moderately-severe).  I do have semi-annual tests to keep an eye on things as there is a small window of opportunity when the valve can be "repaired" as opposed to "replaced."  

Hope the healing process is going smoothly!  Enjoy the holiday : )

connie