Ed Pawlak

The first thing that goes through your mind is Oh my God “OPEN HEART SURGERY”. My name is Ed Pawlak and I live in Penna. outside of Phila.  I’m a 50-year-old analyst for the Dept of Defense. Having had rheumatic fever at age 6 and have been in and out of atrial fibrillation for the past 5 years. My valve did have Stenosis.  It was on a recent tour of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard that I experience my latest AF incident, sweats and a  rapid heart rate that failed to go down on it’s own. After a trip to the local ER, I returned home and consulted with my cardiologist, Dr. McGarvey. He suggested that the time was right for replacement.  I had been on betapace and lanoxin and recently placed on aminodarone. I knew the mitral valve would need to be replaced eventually. Even then I was scared. Where to go? What to expect?   Should I go to the big Philadelphia hospitals that were a distance from home or could a local heart center handle it? I did some research on the various websites that exist including this one.  I was also able to talk with another heart patient from the heart Center @ Doylestown Hospital. We talked about my fears and  expectations as well as his experience there.  I had a list of questions that Dr. Metcalf (surgeon) was only to eager to answer, from the procedure itself to the type of valve. After my consultation both my wife and I were confident in our choice of Doylestown Heart Center. It offered the care and experience I wanted and was convenient for my wife and for follow-up rehab.  It was the best thing I did. I went into the operation knowing what to expect. The nursing care in  both the CVICU and in the cardiac ICU was fantastic. You’ll come to trust your heart pillow especially when you sneeze. The nurses really are up on things and were quick to answer a call. I was up and walking around the very next day. Unfortunately after I went home I experienced a TIA. Slurred speech that last but 15 minutes, a quick drive to the hospital had me examined by the Physician Assistant for Cardio-Vascular surgery. Tests were immediately conducted to assure I had no damage. The prophylactic for TIA is thin blood and I was placed on coumadin and monitored by daily blood tests. After I reached the therapeutic ratio for coumadin I was discharged. I began my rehab at home with some simple exercises and limited walking, extending each until my full rehab 6 weeks after the operation.

   For anyone facing similar surgery, prepare yourself by asking any questions that you may have. Go into the operation with a positive attitude and listen to the nurses and PA’s.

Trust in God and let your family support you. This isn’t a macho thing; you’ll hurt, be scared and have new feelings. Rely on your family and do as they say and you’ll do fine.