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Septum myectomy scheduled next week Jan 20th
My name is Tom Cassidy I will be checking in to the Mayo Clinic on Monday the 16th Rochester Minnesota. I am scheduled to have the septal myectomy on Friday morning at st. Mary's Hospital performed by Dr hertzel schaff. I am 52 years old live and work in Delaware and have had complications my entire life. Been in and out of the hospital since my twenties, always running into a Doctor or Surgeon or somebody that said they could fix me. Over the years every other month your meds are changed your doctors are change but what never changed was the symptoms.Started out with always feeling out of shape . I played every sport imaginable through High School and entered the Marine Corps at 17 years old. Again I just kept working through it . Over the years it seemed to get worse and Turned into passing out. Over the last 20 years I've broken ribs ankle finger elbow all from passing out. Walking up steps, standing up taking two steps and passing out . So I got referred to John Hopkins 5 years ago that was the first time I was diagnosed with hypertrophic . After numerous tests of course they said surgery was not going to be option cuz I had too many other underlying problems with the valves. Next I was referred to a specialist at University of Penn . Last January I had the alcohol ablation done. Spent five days in intensive care where my heart stuff 3 different times. Needless to say the alcohol ablation didn't work. So dr. Herman from University of Penn referred me to the Mayo Clinic to dr. Hartzell schaff and that's where I'll be next week. If you have questions about what I've been through what I'm going through or I'll follow back up after recovery after I get out and let you know what it's like. but stay informed always ask questions and when someone says to go get checked out go get checked out.
Tom Cassidy
Delaware heading to Minnesota.
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Welcome Tom. You are definitely not alone. In this discussion thread, you can meet several Connect members who have had a myectomy at Mayo Clinic Rochester. Some as recently as last month like @1949 and @lamborama; and others 10 years ago like @cynaburst. I'd also like you to meet @lynnkay1956 @PatMattos @ronaldpetrovich @FrancineFafard @mbcube @vivian88 @margie11
@debcrawford is waiting for a myectomy, so she'll be happy to connect with you too.
Tom, I agree with you. It's important to keep asking questions. Do you have any questions that you'd like answered as you prepare for your surgery? Or what to expect?
Hi Tom,
Welcome and be assured you are in the best hands for your myectomy.
If you are interested, I wrote a blog about my experience having a myectomy at Mayo 10 years ago.
You can find it at http://www.cynthiassummeradventure.blogspot.com
I also write a current blog which has a whole page devoted to resources for patients undergoing myectomy. You can find it here:
https://hcmbeat.com/resources/resources-for-patients-about-myectomy/Hoping all goes well for you. Your doctors have already probably warned you, but your experience may be a little different since you have already had an alcohol ablation. The alcohol ablation gives you right bundle branch block, while the myectomy will give you left bundle branch block. Therefore, there is a pretty good chance you will be pacemaker dependent after surgery. Do you already have an implanted device?
Wishing you all the best.
Yes I do have a pacemaker defibrillator it saved my life last year
Hey Tom,
I'm in Rochester, work at Mayo in Communications and had a septal myectomy last year. If you would like to talk in person, and if you have any time on Thursday, maybe we can get together if our schedules work. Feel free to private message me.
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1 ReactionHi Tom, I wanted to ask you how are you tolerating the 200ng of Metoprolol? My Cardiologist wants me to work up to that, but when I do I get sick to my stomach and chest pain is worse.
Metoprolol never made me feel sick, norpac made me sick on a hot day or in the sun
I'm on 200mg Metoprolol right now. Unfortunately, it still isn't helping my symptoms. I have no stomach issues with the medicine. I have chest pain but then I don't think that's from the meds. Lots of palpitations, SOB, dizziness. Working with my local cardiologist to get connected with surgeons for myectomy.