It’s All About One Lucky Stitch & A Positive Attitude For Ron
I just received an amazing patient success story from Ron Wells.
Even after three heart surgeries (with suture issues, seizures and some memory loss), Ron maintains an incredibly positive attitude. That said, I thought you might want to hear about Ron’s experience. Here is what he writes:
Hi Adam,
I ran across your web site today and found it interesting. I too am a survivor. I had my first aortic valve transplant in 1975. At the time, I elected for the mechanical valve instead of the tissue valve.
I was able to hear every heartbeat after that surgery.
In 1982, the valve came lose and I was forced to have another operation. The valve was throwing off bits of whatever. Some of those bits went to my brain which resulted in seizures. So you know, my memory during that period is gone.
When I finally arrived for surgery, the surgeon found only one stitch holding it in place. Lucky guy, right?
I received a new valve and now… Now, I am actually doing great. I work every day. I offshore fish in my own boat and basically do whatever I want, within reason.
Ron On The Back Of His Boat
If I had a message for future patients I would tell them, “It’s all about your attitude!!!” If you believe you can, you will. You must have a positive attitude, don’t expect people to feel sorry for you. It’s hard for them to relate.
Good luck to all of you!!!
Ron Wells
P.S. To leave a comment, please click here.
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July 31st, 2009 at 1:34 pm
To Ron,
You are blessed! Hurray for whatever took you into the doctors, after which you found out you had to have a repeat transplant.
They say life is 10% what comes our way, and 90% what you do with it.
I commend you for a positive attitude, and praise God for your new valve, your attitude and advances in heart surgery!
And as Adam says: “Keep on ticking!” —even if you can hear it, cause guess what, it is better to hear it than not!!
July 31st, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Lucky guy!!! I’m curious… #1 What were you told as to why you only one stitch hold the valve on? I find that very unusual. Secondly… did you go with another mechanical valve or did you opt for a tissue?
August 17th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Mr. Holoubek
Regarding the “only one stitch”. The first valve was too large and worked loose. In 1975 this was not everyday surgery as it is now. The second had been in for 23 years. I assumed over time body fluids, continued movement, etc damanged the sutures. The doctor actually told my wife that there were three left and when he cut the first, the rest fell away. This is not a problem I’m concerned with. Over the years your body tells you about things that are happening. I’ve learned to listen and knew each time I had a problem before it was too late. Good luck!