As some of you may know, Jeff Hamilton is undergoing an open-heart surgery this Thursday. While he is expected to make a full recovery easily, we know it is a journey that will span several weeks that invites the love and support from his family and friends. This Caring Bridge page will be the fulcrum of news and periodic messages surrounding this event.
Below is a short Q&A we developed to provide you with the basic information many of you will want to know. Please feel free to ask questions and we will give you the answers as soon as we are able. Thank you for your love and support for Jeff!
Q&A (In Jeff’s Own Words)
THE CONDITION
1. Why are you having heart surgery? I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve instead of a tricuspid valve. About 1/3 of people with bicuspid valves need a repair or a fix. It is a routine procedure. The valve will either be repaired using my own tissue, or replaced with a biologic (porcine or bovine) tissue valve. They won't know which procedure they do until they open me up.
2. What is the condition you have? Aortic regurgitation due to a malfunctioning aortic valve. The good news is my heart is otherwise in good condition. No underlying heart disease, plaque or blocked arteries. Purely a structural issue.
3. Is there anything unique or unusual about the surgery? No, this a routine surgery performed thousands of time a year. My surgeon has done over 500 of them.
4. Is this hereditary? The bicuspid valve is congenital. The condition occurs in 1/3 of people with a bicuspid valve.
THE SURGERY
1. What date are you having your surgery? October 1st, 2020
2. Where will it be done? CPMC Medical Center at 1101 Van Ness (a brand-new facility).
3. Does the surgeon have a particular specialty that suits your case? He has a specialty in the repair of valves as well as in replacement.
4. In what hospital will you be recovering? Is it a particular unit? CPMC Medical Center on Van Ness, 1101 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109; phone: 415-600-6000. I will be in the heart recovery unit.
5. Can you have visitors? I am allowed one visitor a day as I recover in the hospital. It will be my sister Sarah.
6. Can you receive cards, flowers, etc.? To what address can they be sent? Due to COVID, the hospital says that cards/flower/etc. should be sent to the hospital ER. ER will contact the heart unit to be picked up and delivered to me.
7. What is the best way to communicate with you as you are in the hospital? Via this Caring Bridge page. If you want to privately send me a communication, send me an email from within Caring Bridge and it will be forwarded to my personal email.
8. Will you be taking phone calls? It depends on how I feel. If I can I would love to. Please be patient as I have no idea what state I will be in.
9. Will you be reviewing emails or texts? Yes, although intermittently.
RECOVERY
1. When do you anticipate coming home? I will be in the hospital between 4-7 days.
2. How long will your recovery be? 2-3 months until I am eligible to go back to work. It takes 4-6 months for a full recovery.
3. Will you be able to receive visitors? No. However, I do have a team of friends who will act as on-site caregivers in the early stages of my recovery.
4. If I want to send a gift, to what address can I send it? As I recover at home, you may send anything there.
