💙 Surgery Update — Asking for Your Prayers and Good Thoughts

I now have a date for my surgery — Tuesday, August 26th at around 11:00 AM at AdventHealth Downtown Orlando with Dr. Accola, my cardiothoracic surgeon.

I will be having open heart surgery and will be placed on a heart-lung machine during the operation. The procedure I’m having is called the Bentall Procedure.

The Bentall Procedure is a complex operation where the surgeon replaces the aortic valve, the aortic root, and the ascending aorta (the first part of the main artery leaving the heart). In my case, my surgeon will use a biological (tissue) valve rather than a mechanical one, which means I will not need to take lifelong blood thinners!!! Yeah!! The surgery also reattaches the coronary arteries to the new graft, so that blood can flow normally to the heart muscle.

If all goes as planned, I’ll be in the ICU for about 3 days and in the hospital for 7–10 days total before coming home, barring any complications.

This is a big surgery, and I deeply appreciate all of your prayers, positive thoughts, and support — both now and in the days ahead. Knowing I have so many caring friends and family in my corner gives me great strength as I prepare for this next step.

I’m also grateful for my excellent medical team — especially Dr. Accola and Dr. Kolli — and for the support of those who will be helping me through my recovery.

I will do my best to post updates here on Saturdays leading up to the surgery. Once I’m in the hospital, a friend will take over posting updates for me so you can follow along with my recovery.

Thank you for keeping me in your hearts. 💙

Sharon