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Pericardiectomy

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Posted 5/6/2004 5:15 PM (GMT -6)

Hi I am having a pericardiectomy in a few weeks, I am a 38 year old female.  I can not find any info on this surgery.  I will be having the surgery at Loma Linda.  I would really like to hear from someone who has gone through this.

Posted 5/7/2004 4:53 AM (GMT -6)
Barb, I searched the web and found alot of sites related to the paricardium, what it is, and its function. I also looked under paricardectomy and found lots of information related to the procedure. I would suggest that you search google and hopefully you will get the info you are looking for. I would also suggest that you talk to your doctor and or surgeon. He or she should be more than happy to answer your questions about this procedure. I'm sorry I can't be of more help. Quite a few people visit this site and maybe one of them knows more about this. Good luck to you. I pray that everything goes well for you.
Posted 5/7/2004 10:36 AM (GMT -6)

Barb,

I had never heard of that and so did a search on Google and found information there. But, nothing is like talking to some who has actually gone through the same thing, and I hope you can find that person but if not then the next best thing is to talk to someone who has DONE that surgery and like gain said that would be your surgeon.

I'm saying some prayers for you.

Diane

Posted 5/7/2004 5:13 PM (GMT -6)
Thank you for your responses. I guess I will have to keep searching for someone who has gone through this procedure, hopefully before I have mine in June. It would give me peace of mind to talk with someone who went through this, I guess I am just scared and want some kind of reassurance. I have wonderful support from family and friends but it would be great to talk with someone who has been there.
Posted 5/7/2004 10:26 PM (GMT -6)

Barb,
If you're only asking about the open heart surgery, then there are many of us who have gone through that and can give you info. But if you're looking for others with that specific diagnosis, I don't think many have even heard of it.

Best wishes,

Diane

Posted 5/8/2004 5:28 AM (GMT -6)
Barb, I read that the pericardium is the sac around the heart that has a number of functions. It keeps the heart in the right spot, it cushions the heart against shock and it provides kinda like back pressure making the hearts job a little easier. I know that when they do open heart surgery they have to cut thru the pericardium to get to the heart. I read where you can get a pericardial infection and alot of other things and I also read that a pericardectomy is the incision that is made in the pericardium to get to the heart. Without knowing what your symptoms or problem is I don't know where else to look. It has been interesting reading some of the stuff I have found though. Good luck to you in the meantime. Steve
Posted 5/8/2004 2:39 PM (GMT -6)
Steve and Diane, thanks for the replies, my doctors will be removing the entire pericardium. Mine is putting pressure on my heart that I can have heart failure at any time. I was looking to talk with someone who has gone through the surgery and survived. So far I can't find anyone who has had this procedure, I wont give up hope...
Posted 5/8/2004 2:52 PM (GMT -6)
Good luck, Barb, both in your surgery and in finding someone else who has had this done. I can understand your concern with talking to someone else who's had this done more clearly now, especially if they are planning on removing the entire pericardium. I didn't know that could be done! I thought it was something vital. I'm going to have to go back and do more research on this.

Prayers,

Diane

Posted 5/8/2004 5:33 PM (GMT -6)
Thank you Diane, hopefully someone knows someone who knows someone who had this done. :) I will keep looking.
Barb
Posted 5/10/2004 2:34 PM (GMT -6)
Best of luck to you Barb, and I hope you find some answers from someone who has had tis done. In the meantime, welcome here and hope we can at least offer our friendship! smile Hugs and God Bless, Pat
Posted 5/10/2004 3:21 PM (GMT -6)
Thank you Pat, it has been heart warming to hear from others and to know that I am not alone.
Posted 5/26/2004 7:33 PM (GMT -6)

Barb, I have not had this procedure but I had lunch with a friend of a friend (which is why I did a search on it now) who is about to go for his one-year check-up. He is 64, and had his entire pericardium removed in Minneapolis. He had seriously reduced heart function before the surgery, and is now walking 3-4 miles a day and feeling much better.

I wish I could answer questions, but thought this would be better than nothing...

Cindy

Posted 5/26/2004 9:29 PM (GMT -6)
Cindy,
You have no idea how wonderful it is hear about someone who has survived this...God has his way of letting angels touch us..today you are my angel. I can now rest easy knowing I am not alone. Thank you.

Barb
Posted 5/26/2004 9:47 PM (GMT -6)
Barb, my friend (who introduced me to the friend who had the periocardiectomy) tells me that Bob Dylan, of all people, also had this procedure done about 8 years ago! And he's still touring nonstop!

I know how terrifying it is to face an unknown surgical procedure, and thank God for the internet so we can pass along what we know to each other.

Take care and please let me know how your surgery goes! I never heard of pericardiectomy till today, but so far the only two stories I've heard have been very positive ones.
:)
Cindy
Posted 5/26/2004 10:05 PM (GMT -6)
Hmmm... well, I did a search and don't find that this Dylan info is correct, tho he did have an infection of the pericardium.... but my friend's friend Marty definitely had a ful pericardiectomy and is doing very well. He said it scared the daylights out of him but has been very worthwhile, and he felt very lousy before the surgery.
:/
Cindy
Posted 5/27/2004 10:02 AM (GMT -6)
Cindy,
It is just great to know of one person who has had this and survived. Thanks for taking the time to let me know. Have a great day...I know I will.

Barb
Posted 5/27/2004 12:00 PM (GMT -6)
Barb,
I am happy that you got some answers with regards to your upcoming surgery. I hope and pray that your mind is somewhat relieved and that the surgery goes off without a hitch. Good luck to you.

Steve
Posted 5/27/2004 8:16 PM (GMT -6)
Thanks Steve,
It was such a relief to know I am not alone. They will be removing the entire pericardium and my family and myself are a little nervous. This helped to ease some of the stress. Thanks for all your support and kind thoughts.

Barb
Posted 6/3/2004 10:13 PM (GMT -6)
My son has been very ill the last 6 weeks. The doctors drained 3/4 of a liter of fluid from around his heart 6 weeks ago and he is still in so much pain. They diagnosed a peracardial effusion and put a window in the peracardial lining to drain the fluid. He has been on a round of steroids for the last two weeks but the pain and symptoms have returned. We go to the cardiologist tomorrow to see what else to do. He has a pain patch at the moment and has been supplementing that with percocet the last couple of days. He was put on atenolol and celebrex also. He has had problems with his stomach so the doctor put him on protonix to help with that. My active 20 year old is not able to do much of anything unless he is on major pain medications. He had to drop out of college, stop working and will probably not be able to return to school in August. We have been told that this is the result of a viral infection possibly mono and that it will take awhile for him to be back to normal. Any thoughts from anyone would be greatly appreciated.
Posted 6/12/2004 1:32 PM (GMT -6)

Barb, I am a 57 year old male who is going to be having the same procedure (pericardiectomy) at the start of July.  Like you, I've talked to nobody who's had this particular surgery before, and have been a little aprehensive.  Cardiologist and Surgeon tell me it's not that real commonly done, but not a complex procedure, once the chest is opened.  In lay terms, I take this to mean that it is major surgery, as the chest must be opened, but not a complex or difficult operation.  This surgeon may do six of these a year compared to dozens and dozens of by-passes which are considered more complex and invasive.

My condition leading up to this is called 'Constrictive Pericarditis' which seems to be the principal reason for this procedure.  I've had many, many sympoms:  Swelling of abdominal cavity, Fluid on lungs, gorged veins on right side of neck, enlarged liver, edema (swelling of legs and ankles), general chemical imbalance leading to all kinds of 'nice' things; changes in taste, bad cough, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea at times.  Right lung has been tapped 3 times, yielding about 1700ml of fluid each time and I've been taking a good regimen of water pills, etc.

Much as I don't relish the idea of surgery, I will be relieved to get it over with and will let you know how it went.  My best to you also!

Mike L.

Posted 6/14/2004 10:11 PM (GMT -6)

Hi Mike,

I will be having my surgery next Monday the 21.  I too am very nervous, as I am only 38 and have 3 young children.  My doctors also tell me that this is not a complex surgery.  I hope the best for you and all the people who care about you and love you.  I know that my husband is having a very hard time with this, probably more so then me.  When I am feeling better, after next Monday, I will post to you and let you know how it went. 

smurf Barb
Posted 6/15/2004 11:53 AM (GMT -6)

Thanks for replying, Barb.  Hope everything goes perfect for you.  I don't blame you and your husband for being concerned.  My wife, who is also an RN is plenty concerned, but have faith.  Just a year ago, my wife lingered for weeks on a ventlator near death, due to an infection from a boil, but she pulled through and now has more energy than ever.  So, we've had quite a year, but I'm optomistic about it all, and feel so lousy now that I'd just as soon have it sooner than the scheduled July 2.

Your young age should be a plus factor if anything.  Even I feel lucky I don't have to face this in my seventies.  I'll be pulling for you and look forward to hearing how it goes.

Mike L.

Posted 6/16/2004 12:42 PM (GMT -6)

Dear Barb3,

I also am having a Pericardiectomy on June 24th. You have probably already had yours.  if so and your feeling up to it I would love to know what to expect. Iam rather nervous about it and would love to talk to someone...here's my e-mail

TalliniAJ@aol.com

Thank you Andrea1

Posted 6/16/2004 4:57 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Andrea1,

I will be having my surgery next Monday, the 21st, when I am up to it I will post again and let you know how it went. Good luck to you and my God bless you and your family.

Barb
Posted 6/17/2004 1:32 PM (GMT -6)

To Barb and Andrea,

My prayers go with both of you.  My pericardiectomy is scheduled for July 2, but could be moved up sooner.  Naturally I share your apprehension.  This has turned out to become quite an emotional time for me also.  My surgery will be done in Seattle and both the cardiologist and the surgeon there have been supporting and reasuring.  Like you, I still would love to hear from someone who's already had this procedure.  Generally I don't like disclosing e-mail addresses on forums, but this one is quite unique, so my contact is: lorangm@aol.com.  Again, my best wishes to both of you.

Mike L. 

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