Steve's Profile

March 2022: I'm back! It is time to have my aortic valve replaced again. I also have an ascending aortic aneurysm this time which will be replaced/repaired by a Dacron polyester tube. Surgery is March 30 (tomorrow) and I am ready to get this done!! Original Story From 2011: I was diagnosed with a leaking aortic heart valve (aortic regurgitation) in 2001. At that time I was given medicine to take daily and was told that I would be monitored with yearly stress treadmill tests and echocardiograms (ultrasound) to measure my heart functions and size. I was also told at that time that I would need to have the valve replaced sometime in the next 20 years. Here we are 10 years later and after a battery of tests over the last 2 months, it is clear that now is the time to have the open heart surgery to replace the aortic valve. I'm told this is a pretty straightaway surgery nowadays. That does not minimize the recovery period or the pain involved, but it certainly means that this major invasive surgery is commonplace and there are folks who do a tremendous volume of these surgeries and are very skilled at them. I gain peace of mind from that. Assuming no complications, typical recovery from this surgery should have me in the ICU for 2 days, the Cardiac recovery unit for an additional 4 or 5 days and then off to home for the rest of my recovery. I will be out of the office for approx 4-6 weeks. I will not be able to drive for 6 weeks. Water polo is out for 3 months at least with perhaps some light swimming after a couple months. As always, Anne has been my rock through the last couple months and I will continue to lean on those huge shoulders of hers. My family on both sides has been incredible and I know I am blessed to have a wonderful support group of friends. Just reading the few heartfelt comments in the Guestbook since Anne posted this last night has been very uplifting to me. Much love, Steve