Linda just sent me an email about one of the surgical options for aortic valve replacement, known as the Ross Procedure or “Switch” procedure.

She writes, “Hi Adam – I was curious what your surgeon told you about how long the Ross Procedure would last. My doctor said it would last the rest of my life.  But, during my yearly echos (and other testing), we have detected severe leakage of the aortic valve and moderate-to-severe leakage with my pulmonary valve.  I had to have both valves replaced in March of this year. I had the Ross Procedure 15 years ago.  I’m curious to find out your experience and others. Thanks, Linda”.

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Thank you for all the wonderful notes regarding the birth of our son, Ethan.

Robyn (my wife) and I wanted to give you a quick update… Ethan is doing great!!! On Saturday, Ethan entered his fifth week of life. And, on Sunday, we celebrated Robyn’s first Mother’s Day.

As Ethan is our first child, we have quickly learned how wonderful it is to be parents. Yes, Robyn and I are very tired. Yes, we’re pee’d on regularly. Yes, he’s pooped on us. And… Yes, I’ve had the joy of “spit-up” splattering the side of my face several times. But, all it takes is one look from Ethan and all that discomfort becomes comfortable.

Here are some of the latest pictures we’ve taken of our little man.

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Cindy, from Illinois, just asked me a fantastic question about heart valve surgery and the intensive care unit (ICU).

Her email reads, “Adam – The time is finally here. After suffering from aortic stenosis for the past twelve months, I’m going in for heart valve replacement next week. Yes, I’m nervous. Yes, I’m anxious. Anyways, I have a question for you about the ICU. How long were you (and other patients) in the intensive care unit? I want to know what to expect and I want to make sure my family knows what to expect. Thanks, Cindy.”

To start, I want to acknowledge Cindy for asking an excellent question. In my opinion, expectation management is critical for patients and their caregivers. That said, I’d like to publicly say, “Great job Cindy!”

Me (Adam) In The Intensive Care Unit

As for Cindy’s question, I was in the intensive care unit for 24 hours following my aortic valve replacement at USC Medical Center in Los Angeles. However, just because I was in the ICU for one day, that does not mean all patients will have the same experience.

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This is an amazzzzzzzzzing heart valve surgery success story from the Macclessfield Express in England:

A brave great-grandmother Olive Durrington recently became the UK’s oldest patient to undergo heart valve replacement surgery. Olive, 88, broke the record as she underwent a “keyhole” heart operation previously offered to younger people.

Grandmother-of-two, Olive said she was now looking forward to getting back to baking cakes and treats for the church, and shopping when the weather gets better.

She was diagnosed with a “sticky valve” (aortic stenosis) in 2007 and it deteriorated until January, this year, when she was unable to walk across the room without becoming totally breathless.

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As a follow-up to our recent discussion about heart valve surgery, pregnancy and child birth, I found this story in RIA Novosti, a Russian magazine, to be quite amazing…

An unidentified Russian woman unexpectedly went into labor just before heart surgery in the city of Penza, and gave birth to a healthy girl, the clinic’s chief doctor said on Tuesday.

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