Michael's Guestbook

Michael McMullen  Thanks James...so true on how one feels internally...I am still dealing w/Chest wall pain, particularly at night and as my physical activity increases. ...my latest CT Scan of chest revealed I still have areas of non-union, albeit small, to impression is these areas are the source of chronic pain.

Now, all things considered, my AVR was very successful, yet the non-union is the one thing that continues. Depending on who I talk to or read, this may continue for up to two years post OHS...and in some (somewhat rare) cases it can go on for years.

Problem w/ there non-union is the pain area begins right of the mid sternum and wraps thru my right pectorals, under my arm (pit) across and under the scapula to the rhomboids...which can form some nasty muscle spasms/knots at the scapula and rhomboid muscle groups. ...had a bout just last night into when I woke up this AM...pretty sore, and tight as I type.

Hope you improve and can peddle down the meds at some point.

Michael McMullen  Just the valve for me, the rest of my ticker was is pretty good shape and strength...now, other genetics have entered, though seen on the heart Cath prior to OHS...calcification was mild...yet appears to have progressed from my recent CT Scan of the chest. So another patiently wait and see as I am not at the established "threshold" for intervention other than diet/exercise...one thing that bothers me is that I did not have outward symptoms of aortic stenosis to the valve, nor am I normal in the way of symptoms as I have had other health issues (non-emergent, or heart) that went unnoticed until the point of plain old discovery by other testing. So there is that...one thing is when you are ailing, see a Dr...much how I stumbled into finding out I had bicuspid aorta...

Michael McMullen  Wow, that's incredible Dennis...thanks for sharing and the encouragement...indeed a lifestyle that is as perpetual as we are allowed by the natural order. ...and our Higher Power.

Michael McMullen  Hey thanks Bill...still forging on the walks, I am holding at 6 miles a day, in addition to other tooling around...today I made it to 7.5 miles. My HR and BP holding good numbers too. You are well advised to listen to yourself on your own mileage goal...I am 10 cardio sessions in and walking on those days too, albeit just 2x of 4 miles on M-W-F. Glad you are progressing, and I hear you on tuning of the valve...seems my heart didn't know how to act with a new fully functioning valve...has since calmed down. Good luck to you, will look for your future updates...thanks again, take care...L8r M2.