Ray's Guestbook

Ray Farmer  Peter, I went for the bovine valve and very glad I did a friend had a metal mitral valve which I didn't think I could deal with. With this one I don't hear or feel a thing, its quieter than the original! I am 56 and (1st surgeon initially suggested a metal valve although said I was in a 'grey' area for my age group', (2nd surgeon thoroughly recommended a bovine valve) & Dr has suggested children get checked.

Ray Farmer  Peter, I went for the bovine valve and very glad I did a friend had a metal mitral valve which I didn't think I could deal with. With this one I don't hear or feel a thing, its quieter than the original! I am 56 and (1st surgeon initially suggested a metal valve although said I was in a 'grey' area for my age group', (2nd surgeon thoroughly recommended a bovine valve) & Dr has suggested children get checked.

Cathleen Weed  Maggie, I called the hospital in the UK (I'm in California) to try to get information. Without a date of birth they can't give me info but they were able to tell me there's no patient with that name there now. In the past on this site if someone is having a rough recovery they don't post for a length of time. Hopefully that is the case and he will log in again in the near future. I will say I'm concerned based on his surgery and post surgery symptoms/complications. No word in 10 days is worrisome. 😕 Staying positive and hoping for the best.

Ray Farmer  Cathleen, so sorry to cause you concern. I made it home for Christmas which was my first target but realize I was not quite with it (even though I had managed to do a couple of blogs in hospital). There were some issues which have probably hindered a quicker recovery than I would have liked and prevented me getting to an electronic device – through pain and exhaustion - I have posted an explanation and would particularly value comments from your experience. However the operation was a success, I am doing well taking it one day at a time!

Ray Farmer  That's very kind of you! I am doing fine just surprised and frustrated at the low threshold for getting very much done, I'm sure I was fine in hospital but crumpled when I got home!

Cathleen Weed  No, it's just one of those things! It gets better but there's no way to rush it. Are you going to do cardiac rehab in the future? I highly recommend it. :)

Ray Farmer  Yes there is a rehab class to start and I have been referred to a Professor Ascione who works at protecting adult high-risk patients from complications during cardiac surgery post op check 14th Feb, its all go. Although next time I'm hoping pioneers like you will have perfected TAVR!

Ray Farmer  Thank you that's exactly what my surgeon has told me today plus right pectoral pain. Looking forward to getting to where you are!

Carol Huston  Tom, my valve area was .80 as well. I couldn't walk across a store without getting very tired. That was my only real symptom. That rating is in the severe category. I felt terrible. I can't imagine what critical would have felt like.
Mine was found during my bi-yearly echo and confirmed by a CT.
I would recommend getting the surgery before your trip. Otherwise you might not be able to go. A valve can nose dive slowly or very quickly. Mine nose dived in about 4 months.

Ray Farmer  Tom, my valve area was .4, and had few symptoms until I went up a mountain and fell over. I feel very lucky I survived. Anything less than 1 is deemed severe and believe would require surgery. I think if you are showing symptoms, now its the time to think about surgery. You are obviously very fit but you need the advise of your cardiologist. As soon as my cardiologist saw the ecko cardio results she told me stop work immediately and rest, but added they would soon have me running marathons again! When the surgeon saw my results he said skip the cardio CT and get on with surgery. One factor may be how fast the stenosis is progressing but you would need to get a series of ecko cardio's.
My surgeon said my valve probably stopped developing when I was 12 but had little impact on me until recently. My valve did not deteriorate whilst waiting but no one wanted to take the risk. When you get back to it you will be fitter and stronger. I would look at it as a chance to rest up for the next season.

Ray Farmer  Thank you, I have got a green light for Tuesday. They wanted me to go in today but it was not clear if I would go on to the ward or just be waiting around so its an early morning call tomorrow and if all still ok then off I go. Could do with some of your weather please! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Cathleen Weed  Lol yes our weather is pretty ridiculous 😇
Sorry you've had so much waiting to do. As if it isn't stressful enough! Will be thinking of you and looking forward to updates about how awesome you're doing! Maybe you can recruit someone there to post your progress after the surgery 😊.

Cathleen Weed  Remember to WALK like it's your new job!! Get up into a chair as soon as possible after surgery and then start those walks in the hospital and don't stop! Makes ALL the difference! It will help prevent those post-surgery complications (edema, infection, etc). Use that spirometer like crazy too to keep your lungs clear and strong! Good luck and talk to you on the other side of your surgery!

Ray Farmer  No, the consultant nurse l saw just confirmed that I had completed the mrsa treatment and said they would probably go ahead anyway as l was checked in and ready to go - that did surprise me - not that it mattered in the end.