Michael's Guestbook

Hello Michael, How wonderful it was to read you posting of March 22. I gives me confidence to face my valve surgery in May. I am the same age as you and very undecided about tissue vs. mechinal valve, being on coumidin of course the major drawback but resurgery with tissue not a pleasant though either. Would love to talk to you if you would not mind. God Bless, Doug Sivyer 214-762-5245

Michael, how wonderful to celebrate your one-year mark! Congratulations and all praise to God! Your recovery was about as smooth as anyone\'s I read on the journals, and that\'s awesome! None of us, on our own, deserves God\'s grace and favor. He does it because He loves us, and He blesses us so that we can bless others. So go live your life to the fullest, loving God and loving people!! I feel blessed to be friends with you. Still gotta get up to Knoxville sometime. After a bumpy early recovery, I too was living my life like I wasn\'t a heart valve patient. The last month has thrown some curve balls. I now have significant aortic insufficiency. It wasn\'t there a year ago when I had my mitral valve repair. So now I\'m under close watch for that. I hated, for the sake of those awaiting surgery, to post that new journal, but I also must be honest. Anyhow, my reality is now that I will be a heart valve patient for life. God is good, and He is working me through the process of redirecting my thinking and expectations. Regardless, I trust Him and where He leads me. Congratulations again, and my best to your family! Let me know if you ever get to central Florida and I\'ll let you know if I get to east Tennessee. Duane

Michael - CONGRATULATIONS! For those of us that are waiting our surgery dates it is wonderful to read your update and I hope the anticipation is truly worse than reality. I too am asymtomatic with a Bicuspid AV that has severe stenosis. It was made worse by raditation I received from Hodgkins in my 20\'s. It sounds like you went with a mechanical valve - I am still debating. At 46 my cardiologist says that is what he would reccomend - but I am fearful of long term coumadin. What has your experience been like. So glad to see another positive story on here, Randa Gaalswijk

Michael, What a wonderful piece of news to read. It is hard to realize that it has been a year already. We are so glad that everything is continuing to go well for you. God is good.

Michael, Congratulations on your anniversary. I just posted about my one year anniversary on march 2. Glad you are doing well, and what a great way to celebrate. Continued good health and best wishes to you. Theresa C.

hey Mike, great to hear you are doing well! Beautiful weather for a picnic. I hope we can keep it for a while! I actually had a wiffle ball game on Sunday with my kids, parents against kids, they smeared us:(. ha Continue to take care and enjoy those great repairs done on you! Don\'t take anything for granted but know you are so blessed because you are a great person!! God Bless you and your family! Kristi

Don\'t give Morgan a hard time even though I know it\'s fun and we do the same thing to our kids:-). Soooo glad you\'re at home now as I know you are too. You almost feel guilty taking up a hospital bed when you feel o.k. and want to go home and there is so much sickness around you, been there, done that, know exactly how you feel. I know you are glad to be back home. Now take it easy and try not to push yourself too hard. I know that\'s easy to do when you feel good and want to do more immediately. God Bless, Kristi

So glad to know you\'re back home again, Michael! I\'m praying that the meds and your body will keep the pericardial effusion at bay and you won\'t need the surgical drainage. Been there, done that. Will you back to work right away? Keep us posted, friend. Duane