Hello Everyone. Quick History:
I live in South Florida. After 7 years of treatment by local Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, I am seeing Dr. Asher in CC Florida. I already have an ICD/Pacemaker (implanted in 2000), which seemed to work for a few years. I have been getting weaker over the last year and had my first blackout with Defib discharged last August. Two weeks ago, while in Dallas on business, I almost passed out and that episode was followed by about 2 hours of amnesia. Up to this point, Dr. Asher had been saying I had time to decide on when I would have the myectomy. Real life has made it difficult for me to fit it in up till now. After last week's episode, Dr Asher advised me (twisted my arm is more like it), to have the myectomy NOW.
Everything is happening quickly, but it looks like I am headed to Cleveland on May 9 for surgery on May 13 (Yea Friday the 13th). Reading all of the posts on these boards about Dr. Lever and Smedira, have made my wife and I more confident. But..... we are still nervous. I have an extensive medical history including being a cancer survivor (testicle cancer found in 1978). I know what to expect from the chest surgery because I have had 2 chest surgeries over the years.
Again, I thank all of you for the encouraging words about Cleveland Clinic and the doctors there.
One question, they are telling me that I will be in the hospital for at around 5 days. When should I schedule my trip home to Florida? Obviously, we want to get back home quickly but don't want to mess it up. On top of all of that, we probably have to fly home through Atlanta and make the transfer. I know the airline will take care of us with wheelchairs and electric carts in Atlanta, but want to be realistic. When should I come home?
Another question. Did any of you ever experience the amnesia that I did last week. Both teh doctors in Dallas and Dr. Asher said that it was not a usual sympton of HCM. I woudl like to hear if anyone else has experienced this.
Finally, while in Dallas, I was attended to by the doctors at Baylor University Hospital. They tried real hard (again twisting my arm) to consider Alcohol Ablation instead of the myectomey. For every reason they had that I should do it, Dr. Asher was able to turn it around to a negative and convinced me to go for the myectomy. I only tell you this so if you are considering which one, it is very important to get the info from doctors who believe in both sides. Getting both sides of the story from different doctors really helped me to make up my mind, and I know I am doing the right thing for me and am not looking back.
Thanks again, and I will keep you folks up to date.
Sal
PS. Lisa, I will be sending in my membership application and dues ASAP.
I live in South Florida. After 7 years of treatment by local Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, I am seeing Dr. Asher in CC Florida. I already have an ICD/Pacemaker (implanted in 2000), which seemed to work for a few years. I have been getting weaker over the last year and had my first blackout with Defib discharged last August. Two weeks ago, while in Dallas on business, I almost passed out and that episode was followed by about 2 hours of amnesia. Up to this point, Dr. Asher had been saying I had time to decide on when I would have the myectomy. Real life has made it difficult for me to fit it in up till now. After last week's episode, Dr Asher advised me (twisted my arm is more like it), to have the myectomy NOW.
Everything is happening quickly, but it looks like I am headed to Cleveland on May 9 for surgery on May 13 (Yea Friday the 13th). Reading all of the posts on these boards about Dr. Lever and Smedira, have made my wife and I more confident. But..... we are still nervous. I have an extensive medical history including being a cancer survivor (testicle cancer found in 1978). I know what to expect from the chest surgery because I have had 2 chest surgeries over the years.
Again, I thank all of you for the encouraging words about Cleveland Clinic and the doctors there.
One question, they are telling me that I will be in the hospital for at around 5 days. When should I schedule my trip home to Florida? Obviously, we want to get back home quickly but don't want to mess it up. On top of all of that, we probably have to fly home through Atlanta and make the transfer. I know the airline will take care of us with wheelchairs and electric carts in Atlanta, but want to be realistic. When should I come home?
Another question. Did any of you ever experience the amnesia that I did last week. Both teh doctors in Dallas and Dr. Asher said that it was not a usual sympton of HCM. I woudl like to hear if anyone else has experienced this.
Finally, while in Dallas, I was attended to by the doctors at Baylor University Hospital. They tried real hard (again twisting my arm) to consider Alcohol Ablation instead of the myectomey. For every reason they had that I should do it, Dr. Asher was able to turn it around to a negative and convinced me to go for the myectomy. I only tell you this so if you are considering which one, it is very important to get the info from doctors who believe in both sides. Getting both sides of the story from different doctors really helped me to make up my mind, and I know I am doing the right thing for me and am not looking back.
Thanks again, and I will keep you folks up to date.
Sal
PS. Lisa, I will be sending in my membership application and dues ASAP.
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