Week 8 was Dean's 65th Birthday weekend in Palm Desert. First swim in a pool and hike in Joshua Tree National Park. He is feeling back to normal, full of energy and no issues at all. The fast dry Tank top worked out well. He is driving his RAM truck.
Week 9: Pulling weeds, mowing the lawn, repairing things around the house. He feels ready for our Europe trip on May 9th and going back to his home improvement work after that. We both feel his valve replacement surgery was a big success. He has no more Afib, heart is no longer enlarged, no more Congestive Heart Failure. They took him off several medications. We are so very thankful!!
Andrea Babcock He never had many symptoms prior to surgery and he has no symptoms now after. We are very happy.
Pam Dahl Great news! Have a fabulous trip! My hubby’s surgery is this Friday.
Sue Maize Wonderful news that we love to hear! So glad he’s doing so well! Enjoy Europe—I can’t wait to r ... Read more
Sue Maize Wonderful news that we love to hear! So glad he’s doing so well! Enjoy Europe—I can’t wait to re-schedule my Italy trip that was planned for right now.
Day 17: We had been doing small walks and today Dean and I walked our dog around our whole block. Dean felt good and strong.
At which point after surgery did you guys start using small 5lbs dumbells for arm exercises? He wants to start in another week because he does not want to lose all of his arm muscles and upper strength but he also does not want to hurt his sternum.
Dan S-otts In my case I started using 5/8lb weights sitting in a chair and doing curls about week 3. As long as ... Read more
Dan S-otts In my case I started using 5/8lb weights sitting in a chair and doing curls about week 3. As long as Dean doesn’t experience any pain, or feel sternum shifting. As you know everyone’s on a slightly different adventure to the same Goal! Take Good Care! 💔❤️🩹❤️
David Rasmusson Because my surgeon primarily installed plates, I was allowed to lift 10 lbs the day after surgery, al ... Read more
David Rasmusson Because my surgeon primarily installed plates, I was allowed to lift 10 lbs the day after surgery, although I didn’t have the opportunity until 5 days later when discharged.
Ana Brusso Go Dean go. Progress is progress and you are doing great. Andrea, thank you for posting. 🙏❤️
Brady Busch My surgery was in November and cardiac rehab started in March,which included using light weights.One ... Read more
Brady Busch My surgery was in November and cardiac rehab started in March,which included using light weights.One of the aids commented,that it was a little late and a lot of people start,a few weeks after.
Rose Madura Great picture and progress. Thanks for the update. I wish I thought to use weights.. I now have those ... Read more
Rose Madura Great picture and progress. Thanks for the update. I wish I thought to use weights.. I now have those "old people flappy arms" so I'm using weights now. 🤪🥺 I would ask the doctor if it's ok.
Susan Lynn I had a five-pound lifting restriction for three months and didn't have a sternum cut. The weight is... Read more
Susan Lynn I had a five-pound lifting restriction for three months and didn't have a sternum cut. The weight is taxing on the heart, chest muscles, and probably puts unnecessary strain on internal sutures. Definitely a question for the doctor.
Day 9 after surgery - Dean came home on Day 7 doing very well per the Surgeon. Dean continues to feel good and better every day. He had no complications. He walks all on his own, has no problem getting in and out of bed and chairs. He does not feel dizzy or weak. He sleeps peacefully and so do I now. He does get tired after morning showers and eating breakfast. Takes a little nap and after has more energy. He acts normal and jokes around with me as usual. He does his Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonations and has been cracking up his nurses. His breathing is good and he does not have pain anymore from his chest incision. As of today he is no longer on Norco or any other pain meds. He tells me that so far he is feeling much better than he thought he would feel so soon after surgery. So far we are very happy how his recovery is going. Dean is sad when he looks at his ugly scar on his chest. I try to tell him that it will look much better in some month. The scar is healing well so far.
Andrea Babcock His blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen are all good in normal range. His Afib still comes and goes ... Read more
Andrea Babcock His blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen are all good in normal range. His Afib still comes and goes but we are told it could still go away. He never feels it. They just told us at the hospital. They did the maze ablation during surgery. Fingers crossed that it will still go away and he will be in normal sinus.
Pam Dahl Such great news! That must so nice being done with the surgery. Continued healing and strength for ... Read more
Pam Dahl Such great news! That must so nice being done with the surgery. Continued healing and strength for both of you!
Susan Lynn He looks great for Day 9! The fatigue does linger for quite awhile and showers were exhausting for ... Read more
Susan Lynn He looks great for Day 9! The fatigue does linger for quite awhile and showers were exhausting for me for a long time. Keep them short and warm - not hot. I never knew a shower could drop blood pressure.
I wish Dean continued success with the remainder of his recovery!
Dan S-otts 👍🏻 Good to hear. Dean, the scar will be a reminder in a few years that you actually had OHS. So ... Read more
Dan S-otts 👍🏻 Good to hear. Dean, the scar will be a reminder in a few years that you actually had OHS. Some days I look in the mirror and can’t believe it happened. Take Good Care! 💔❤️🩹❤️
Daneen Douglas Such great news! Be proud of your battle scar! I know I will be despite the horror, lol!
Ana Brusso Home sweet home. Congratulations Dean. Don’t mind the scar, it saved your life. Continued good heal ... Read more
Ana Brusso Home sweet home. Congratulations Dean. Don’t mind the scar, it saved your life. Continued good health and God bless you and Andrea. 🙏❤️❤️🩹
Rose Madura Wonderful news! Don't worry about the scar, I. A year or two, you won't even notice it. Remember, sl ... Read more
Rose Madura Wonderful news! Don't worry about the scar, I. A year or two, you won't even notice it. Remember, slow and steady. Glad you are taking naps when you need them.
Quote from Arnold: Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When y ... Read more
Quote from Arnold: Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.
Looking good Dean 👍. Maybe you can add an impersonation video for us.😀
Susan Eckermann Great news! He’s doing amazing and fortunate to have a wonderful caretaker. I also had Maze and it ... Read more
Susan Eckermann Great news! He’s doing amazing and fortunate to have a wonderful caretaker. I also had Maze and it took 3-4 months until my A-fib resolved. The scar will fade, but it is an earned badge of honor. I was so concerned about mine initially, but 1+ year post-surgery, it’s very faint and I wear it proudly. Best wishes for continued strong and successful recovery.
Thank you so much Adam for creating this website and writing your book! This has been so very helpful to us. And thank you to the Heart Valve Community for the nice and encouraging words and for sharing your journey's.
Dan S-otts 🙏🏼 Keep it going Dean! 👍🏻 In a short time things will be better than you could imagine. ... Read more
Dan S-otts 🙏🏼 Keep it going Dean! 👍🏻 In a short time things will be better than you could imagine.
Adam Pick Wow! Double Wow! Triple Wow! Thanks so much for the kind words Andrea. This picture and your post j... Read more
Adam Pick Wow! Double Wow! Triple Wow! Thanks so much for the kind words Andrea. This picture and your post just made my day, my week, my month, my year! So happy to learn how the educational resources and wonderful people have supported you and Dean along your journey. My thoughts are with you!
Yeah...my Dean is alive and his surgery was succesful on Wednesday. He was already sitting up yesterday Day 1, making jokes and eating jello for dinner. Surgeon and Nurse told me all is well and normal. Next few days are still critical but so far so good.
Dean - My husband of 34 years and love of my life. He will be having open heart surgery to replace mitral and aortic valves on February 7th. I am doing my best being his advocate during his journey to a hopefully very bright future and many more happy years together.
Grace Mason Welcome Andrea & Dean! You can find lots of info in the search or if you have specific questions some ... Read more
Grace Mason Welcome Andrea & Dean! You can find lots of info in the search or if you have specific questions someone or several members usually can offer some information or experiences.
Deena Elani Hi Andrea, you're a strong and savvy wife and person to being acting as your husband's advocate. T... Read more
Deena Elani Hi Andrea, you're a strong and savvy wife and person to being acting as your husband's advocate. This is the best site on the internet that I have seen to give you fast and accurate information from a patient's experience and from many surgeons'. There are so many videos, etc.
Your husband does in deed look super young for being 64. He must be doing a lot of things right..
Susan Lynn Welcome Andrea and Dean! I have visited beautiful Lake Elsinore- you're so lucky to call it your ho... Read more
Susan Lynn Welcome Andrea and Dean! I have visited beautiful Lake Elsinore- you're so lucky to call it your home. I can tell you, heart surgery is truly a team effort. My sister and husband were my biggest cheerleaders. Every bit of the process is very tolerable and it helps when you have a support system. You will both get through this with flying colors!
J Alexander Lassally Best of luck as this unfolds. Sounds good having two surgeons. In my research I found that this is a ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally Best of luck as this unfolds. Sounds good having two surgeons. In my research I found that this is a highly fractionated world, so best to get the right specialists and work in harmony rather than try to over extend. Best of luck. (I had my mitral valve open 6 weeks ago.... steady goes it!)
Laurent G Welcome aboard to both of you. It's a 3-6 month flight, probably some light chops from time to time, ... Read more
Laurent G Welcome aboard to both of you. It's a 3-6 month flight, probably some light chops from time to time, but fair weather at landing 🙂 Most of us will tell you the worst part is your next 5 weeks before surgery : you are in line for check-in at LAX. For sure, you are in the right place to get support
Rita Savelis Hello Andrea and Dean. I'm sorry that you have to go through this. I also had 2 valves replaced (with ... Read more
Rita Savelis Hello Andrea and Dean. I'm sorry that you have to go through this. I also had 2 valves replaced (with mechanical valves) almost 9 years ago at age 53. I was in good health at the time but my heart valve stenosis was due to radiation therapy I had as a teenager. OHS and mechanical valves are usually the best choice for double valve surgery. I know the pre-surgery anxiety must be hard for Dean and even harder for you, because caretakers and loved ones often have just as hard an experience as patients. Wishing you the best.
Andrea Babcock Thank you so very much for all of your comments and encouragement. I truly appreciate your words. I w ... Read more
Andrea Babcock Thank you so very much for all of your comments and encouragement. I truly appreciate your words. I will look up your journey's as well. I just got the surgeon's name and will add it to our info. I received assurance that Dean has a very experienced surgeon and he is the Chief Heart surgeon at this hospital with 29 years of experience doing heart valve surgeries. I am feeling a little better now. The waiting is killing both of us and I have been reading and researching until my brain starts smoking. We have been staying sane by spending lots of time in nature and doing easy hikes. I am taking him to San Diego to the beach next weekend again to keep him in a positive mind set. But at night we lay in bed awake admitting to each other that we are just very scared. Prior to knowing how bad Dean's valves are we booked a trip to Munich in May to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary with my parents that live there (Dad is 90) in the place where we got married and together going for a week to Crete, Greece. Our big goal is for Dean to be recovered enough to take this trip still. We have 3 month from the day of his surgery. Wish us Luck!!
Abhishek Sharma I m 38, valve replaced 3 month ago, now i feel better and energetic than before.. soo don't worry eve ... Read more
Abhishek Sharma I m 38, valve replaced 3 month ago, now i feel better and energetic than before.. soo don't worry everything will be fine. Praying for your husband.. god bless u both
Week 9: Pulling weeds, mowing the lawn, repairing things around the house. He feels ready for our Europe trip on May 9th and going back to his home improvement work after that. We both feel his valve replacement surgery was a big success. He has no more Afib, heart is no longer enlarged, no more Congestive Heart Failure. They took him off several medications. We are so very thankful!!