Alan's Journal

Hi Everyone It 3 years since my Heary Valve Replacement and all is good.I do log on and still read peoplle's stories and it great to see so many using the site.I would like to say what a great help the site was to me pre and post surgery and thanks to all the people who worte in my guest book. I have 2 grand children now and they keep me on the go,I keep fit by attanding the gym and play golf every week. I will say to anyone heading into surgery to keep a positive outlook as I did,because you need this for your recovery. Most importantly you need a recovery plan,thats to say know your own limits.The biggest problem is over doing things at the start.I will say the best way is slow and easy and listen to your body,it will tell you when you need to rest.Another thing you must do is your rehab,it was a great help. I would just like to wish everyone heading in for surgery a safe passage through to recovery and may God bless you all. Regards Alan.

Hi all Well where has the time gone,I cannot beleive how fast the time has gone by.I am in good health and living life to the full.Working out in the gym and playing golf and of course working.I have had no issues since my op and on yearly hospital visits,the only thing is being on wrafin ,even aftrer 2 years my NIR level is up and down.The longest time between blood tests has been 6 weeks,but I am mostly on a 2 week visit. I still visit the HVJ on a regular basis to keep up with whats happening with advances in hv replacements.So to all of waiting for your HV replacement my prayers are with you and you are in good hands. To my fellow HVJ friends as they say,KEEP ON TICKIN. God bless Regards Alan.

Hi All Well its 4 months since my heart valve op and thing have gone very well.I have had no issues since surgery.I am attending Rehab and enjoying it very much,the talks a interesting.I am speed walking over 3 miles every second day and have no problems.Rehab finishes in a couple of weeks and then I will start back to the gym. Will be 30years married on the 12th June,so bringing the wife away to Orlando for a week and then to Miami for second week,so looking forward to the break.Its great to be alive. To all you guys waiting for your op,may God be with you on your journey and that all goes well.To all post op may the rest of your life be a good one.Its been great to find this site and all the people on it.I would like to say a special prayer for Ruth and that her recovery in now on track. Will keep updating . God bless you all. Alan.

Hi all,well its been some journey.Recovery has been very good,since leaving hospital I have not needed any sleeping tablets or any high doses of pain relief tablets.The only issue I had after surgery on day 5 after having an echo and chest xray ,they found I had a lot of fluid around the heart and had to bring me back to the OR and insert a drain in to take away the excess fluid .that delayed my discharge ,so I spent a total of 13 days in hospital but it was the best place to be. So since coming home I have had no major issues, other than part of the wound getting an infection,but was treated with drugs, getting out walking every day. So life is good.I just want to wish everyone who is due surgery soon the best of luck,listen to your surgeon and all the nurses who look after you in your after care,As they say it your life in there hands. I would just want to say finding this web site pre op was a God send ,I got so much information and it made such a difference know what was ahead and the great outcome all the other people had after there surgery. Finally I want to say thanks Adam for setting up this website and your book and all you guys for telling you story and your journals.And most of all to all the great surgeons in the world who perform these operations,God has given them a great gift.So as Adam says \'\'keep on tickin\'\'.

Today is the physio will be back around getting my dad to take his first few small steps. We are goin back in this afternoon so i can update this again later. Today his was very very tired not been able to get enough sleep in. He did get a fright last night he felt a pain in his side and thought it was his heart but it was to low to be that it ended up just been trapped wind thank god. The nurses helped him out of bed and to march on the spot to help movement. other than that his progress is perfect the physio has him walking about and is really pleased with his workrate

This morning 07:30 11th we got some great news my dad had been takin off the ventilation machine and was doing very well. 17:00 - we made it in to see him and found that he had been moved from ICU back upto the Hyperintensive room on the ward we were delighted. To our suprise he was sitting up and wide awake i was expecting him to be fast asleep. He told us how he felt waking up as if he had been kicked by a mule and also how he was in and out of sleep after surgery with the nurses buzzing around him and around the room so he was still very tired. He also said about 12 hours after surgery they had him out of the bed and into a chair for a while but he was gettin tired and was also feeling a bit of pain and wanted to go back to the bed. The most pain he said he felt was when he woke after surgery but since that its obly been a toothache pain. They also had him eating breakfest, lunch and dinner he was delighted as he went 16 or more with out food the day before.

Hi Ken here alan\'s son Yesterday the 9th we found out that my dad\'s surgery was going to be at 15:30 today the 10th which was great news knowing that we could go down with him before surgery. With a good nights sleep behind him my dad was very relaxed, at 14:30 the nurses gave him sleeping tablets to relax him but as the surgen was late starting the previous operation my dad wasnt taken down to surgery till 17:30 as you would expext the rest of us were starting to get anxious with the waiting while my dad was fast asleep not knowing the time ha ha. Finally it was time for him to head down and for us to leave him in the hands of the surgeons. All we could do now was go home and wait for news as nurses said there is no point waiting around. 21:30 - My mam rang the ICU asking for news. She was told that everything went well and that she should make her way down as he was not out of surgery yet and they would allow her to see him. We were all over the moon getting that news. Hi gene just to let you know he had the open sternum operation.

Hi All This will be my last journal before suregry.I will be checking into Blackrock Clinic at 1.30 p.m. today Sunday.I still dont know if my surgery is am or pm on Monday.I would just like to thank you all for your kind words and blessings,it great to know so many have gone before me and are doing great. To those who are following behind me for surgery best of luck,to those who have gone before me thanks for you journals.My son Kenneth will keep you up to date with my progress.God Bless and keep on Tickin. Alan.

Well the 10th of Jan is fast approching,your mind never stops thinging about whats coming down the line.So many people are wishing me well,which make the journey a lot easier,knowning you are not alone.I have just been to my Gastro Clinic for checkup and everything is fine,so that gives me piece of mind.Tomorrow see my dentist for checkup.Well all is going to plan so far.Will keep in touch until my journy reaches it climax. So to you all keep on tickin. Alan.

Hi All Well after a long wait I finally got my date it is Jan 10th 2011,what a great Xmas present.I will be having my surgery in Blackrock Clinic by a Dr Tolan,who specialises in heart valve replacement. Having read so many of your journals,it give me a great insight to whats ahead.Some of you have had a clear path of recovery where others have had there ups and downs. But knowing that I can log onto this site and talk to you all,will help me on my journey of recovery.I am so looking forward to Xmas and will enjoy it all the more knowing whats ahead. I want to wish all you guys out there who are Pre op or Post op a Very Happy Xmas and New Year and most importantly to Dr Adam Pick for setting up this wonderful site.If any one wants to give me any info from there experence please send to My Guestbook. My your God be with you. Alan

Hi Guys I was onto my surgeon and it nearly time for my surgery in about 2 weeks.Iknow I havent been on much,but I have been reading all the journals.My daughter is getting married on October 23 2010 and I just want to ask you guys if I have my surery in 2 weeks that gives me about 6 weeks recovery time ,what shape do you think I will be in,as I want to walk her down the aisle and enjoy the day. I also suffer from ulcerative colitis and worried that the meds may cause a flare up and set me back on the road to recovery. Its knowing the last 5 years that I will need surgery but when the time is near is starts playing on your mind a lot.I have noticed in the last few months that my enegry levels are not what they used to be,but hay thats what the surgery is for. Well thanks for being there and the support we all give each other pre and post op.Will keep updating as things happen until my big day. God bless you all.Alan.

Hi all Had my pre-admission today,went through the normal run of the mill that was ECG,chest X-ray,blood samples,and swabs taken for MRSA.So every thing went well,the only thing is no date.In Ireland we have a public health and a private health system.If your public health there is no cost ,but the down side is your on a waiting list.I went on the waiting list in Feb 2010 and the waiting time is 6 months time frame, so my surgery may take place in July/August. Private health is when you pay into a private health insurance,this way you are looked after in a private hospital/clinic so your surgery waiting in much shorter and the cost is paid by the insurance company.So I have a bit of a wait.But having found all you guys on this site and following your journals the time will pass quickly. Wishing anyone due there surgery the best of look and anyone who has had there\'s a speedy recovery. Regards Alan.

Hi well this is my first entry in my journal.I have meet with my surgeon and have been told that it is a streight forward heart valve replacement. I am attending a pre-admission clinic on the 27th April 2010,I will meet with the Nurse Practitoner who will guide me through the clinic and meet the members of the mulit-disciplinary team who will be caring for me throughout my stay in hospital.In the afternoon I will meet with the Physiotherapist,Dietician,Cardiac Rehab Co-ordinator,and social worker.I have not got an exect date for my surgery ,but have been told it may take place in or around July/August,so hears keeping fingers crossed.Will keep you updeted how I get on .