Very sorry to hear about John’s woes. I guess we all wonder ‘ did I really need that surgery?’ It may be useful for him to seek some other first class surgeon opinions even now. Your suggestions were useful, but John may need further specialized diagnosis.

Personally, I am now 5 months out. I am aware of occasional bump-ups in how I feel. I know I have much less pain now than 3 weeks ago. Every few weeks there is improvement. Recently I had a head injury while preparing for a hurricane. I bled copiously! After an e-mail consult with my cardiologist I stopped my Plavix. When I checked in again to see about resuming it, after the bleeding had stopped, he said we should try dropping it altogether. So here I am, off all my meds except the beta blocker and zetia. At my check-up last week my cardiologist was very pleased with progress and told me to get out! Next appt in April! I have not had a cardiac rehab program, but I work as a building inspector, and garden a very steep lot. When not doing that I swim 2-3 miles at a time, or walk. Keep active and remember that this healing business takes time.

Adrian B