Brian
Glad you are home and on the road to recovery. May God bless you and your family, and I know your going to have a great Christmas. Keep us updated.
Chuck

Gotta love getting those drainage tubes out huh? Or atleast getting attached to a portable drainage plastic container, than atleast you can walk.

My personal favorite was having to urinate into a measuring cup the whole time, that was fun! I'll probably continue to do that at home just for kicks!

Hope you are enjoying the heart surgery experience as much as I did!

All sarcasm aside, you are in my prayers buddy.

Scott in Florida.

This is so amazing how well you are doing, Brian! Praise God!! You are blessed to have Him and your Wife and Mom right by your side. Triple the healing power :)
Lydia Haunz

its awesome to see you are able to write and are slowly getting back to normal!!! keep up the good work :) you will be bakc up and running in no time at all!! with the support structure you have built around yourself there are no hurdles you cant overcome!!!

wth regards,
John Levitt

Congratulations Brian!!

You made it and it's all uphill from now on! Set yourself some goals and look forward to them. You'll be reaching them before you know it! Take care and good luck!

Pat

Hi Brian!

Keep up the good work brother!

Godspeed,

Chris Dixon

Hey Brian,

Glad to hear you're walking, wow that's a great sign.

Keep it up buddy.

God Bless,
Scott

Praising God with you for His great mercies to you and your family. GOD is GOOD
Ellen Ridsdale
Cambridge, Ontario

God is great

Great News on the surgery, Brian.!!...wishing you a very speedy recovery!!
Connie T

Hey Brian,

It's Scott, your fellow Jesus disciple and HVJer in Florida.

WELCOME!...... to the other side of the mountain my friend. You made it.

A family member is probably reading this to you as lay in a horrible mess of cords and tubes in a room with a million beeping sounds that is always either too hot or too cold, or at times, a strange combination of both!. If you're like I was, you are not quite ready yet to take a peak under your gown, nope, you can feel pain, bandages and cords all over your chest and that's all you need to know at this point. Maybe tomorrow you'll take a peak but for now if you are like I was, you don't want to see it yet. Yup, I've been there, don't worry buddy, it's all downhere from here. And even though there will be times when the minutes seem like hours as a nurse is fiddling with some line in your arm and you just want it to all be over, you will be walking out to the car with the shinning sun on your face before you know it, realizing that it actually all went by pretty quickly. In fact you will blink and be at Day 23 like me and ask yourself "did that all really just happen?"

I also had the same early wake up for my surgery, I was equally as unexcited as you about that. Waking up for heart surgery is hard enough, but throw in a 5:30am start and somehow that just doesn't make it any rosier!

Praying for a speedy recovery for you,
Scott

P.S. - One nice little perk you will enjoy is the one inch gap of air conditioning in the lower back region of your gown as you motor around the ICU halls at the pace of a snail. A design flaw in the gowns? or a sick joke by the manufacturer? For gosh sakes we can put a man on the moon but we can't invent a gown that covers all our rear end!! Yes, that open inch of freedom that, in the past, would have embarrased you and all those with you, now can be proudly bore as a badge of honor. It's a new found freedom that only those who have traveled this journey can understand. Welcome to the club my friend....bear that inch of shamelessness and bear it proud!!!

We are the Brotherhood of the Gap!

Wishing you the very best and prayers for your strong recovery.

Anthony & Stephanie Pecoraro

Hi Brian I wish you all the luck in the world waiting to hear from you once the operation is over and successful .

bless you and yours
Biagio

Hello Brian,
I am praying for you and for you to have His peace and His courage as you go through the surgery. Jesus will be holding your right hand through this. I am 42 and was just diagnosed in October. Sounds like the same thing as yours. I was also born with it, but just found out. My husband, daughters and I have been praying for direction and we will meet with Dr. Adams on January 9th. The best thing is that a friend of mine connected me with a friend who is a physician who also went to Dr. Adams for his MV repair. I spoke with him and he told me that he feels not just a million times better, but "a trillion" times better than before the surgery. He didn't realize how tired he was. So I wanted to share that encouragement with you.
Later, I would love to know the lodging plans for your family and if you would recommend it. You are in our prayers.
God Bless you and your family!

Sophie Marsh

Hi Brian.
Wanted to drop you a few lines and thank you for providing me the link to this Blog. I think it's an awesome way for folks to keep up with your progress and recovery.
God Bless and we'll stay in touch.

Angel Santiago

So happy to hear you are ready for this journey. Your Dad and I are ready too! We will be there for both you and Shea and the boys also. Everyone at work sends their regards and prayers and Dr. A said you will be fine and a healthier heart. I am so happy I read your book about Heart Valve Surgery because I understand what now will be done. It is a truly insiteful book to read. Every patient and their family should read it.My prayers are with you always. Love you.

Mom

Sorry Brian

Forgot to sign my note above about my husband awaiting Mitral Valve replacement. Appreciate so much websites like these where we can share our fears and thoughts as we face some pretty major stuff!

Blessings to you and your family,
Elaine

Hello Brian.

My husband is on a waiting list for a Mitral Valve replacement. This was only discovered in June--a bit lax on Dr's visits....sound familiar?! My husband has no symptoms but definitely severe regurgition. We have no set date--he is on call. Emergency and urgent patients are taken first...This is a very stressful time.

Just wanted to say I am so encouraged by your attitude. We are believers and prayer has been such a life-line. We keep reminding ourselves that we are not ultimately in control, but He is! Praying for you as you go into surgery this week...All the best.

Wishing you the very best! I am scheduled for January, and still have to go through Cath. Keep us posted!

Hi Brian.

It's been 1 year and 9months since my mitral repair at Mt Sinai with Dr Adams and Dr Any. Best decision I ever made going there for my surgery. I live in south Florida now (born and raised in Brooklyn) worth the trip. I knew he was the man for the job. Your in great hands. God Bless you.

Michelle Peterson

My prayers will be with you!
. It is almost 4 years since my mitral valve repair at U. of Pa. Hopital. It was an amazing experience.
We have more in common: I love to run, and I live in Nazareth. Hope to see you on Memorial Day at my race: Tortoise and Hare 5k.in Wind Gap. Free entry for you!

Brian,

Chris and I will be praying for you and your wife. You will be better than ever before you know it.

Niki Dixon

Hi Brian I wish you much luck and will be following your blog,as I am scheduled for the same type of operation as you January 18 2013. So wish you my best and I will be reading. God bless.

Always, always, praying for you (& Shea with her headaches). If God brings you to it, He will see you thru it. Thanks so much for the update!! Much love to you always!
Love,
Aunt Kathleen

Brian
New to the journal. Found out this week that I'll need surgery in March. I enjoyed you postings. The sense of peace that you have is inspiring. Since this all new to me I along with my wife are still having our moments. I find myself at times tearing up at a moments notice mostly when think of my 3 young daughters. May God continue to bless you on this journey and I will continue to follow your postings.
Chuck

Brian,

You are in great hands with Dr. Adams. December 13 will be a great day.

My thoughts are with you!

Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick

Briian, your Dad and I are very thankful for you and also that Dr. Adams is your surgeon. Know that we will be there for you every step of the way. I am telling work today that Dec. 6th, will be the start of my leave with an open return date, probably after the first of the year. What ever you, Shea and the boys need we will always be there. We love you
And Shea and the boys and want you with us always. So grateful the surgery is soon.
Love you, Mom

Your story is incredible. So very touching. What a great thing for you to share your story with evrryone! I wrote in your journal yesterday but it didn't go thru. Dr. Adams must be a great man. He seems so nice from what you wrote. That hospital is the BEST!!! If there's anything we can do for you or your family please let us know. Uncle Bill & I love you, kiddo!!!
Love,
Aunt Kathleen

Brian, Had we only known the beginning of ur sr. year, we could have milked it w the colleges! (Kidding, of course, maybe)
Sam & I wish you only the best & know you are in our thoughts. God bless!
Barbara

Thanks for sharing your journey with us cuz. Sending you and your family much love and prayers. Kimberly

Hi there little brother.... I am inspired by your journey. I too am looking into starting a running g routine and have also neglected my MVP. Due to what you are facing I am taking this as a clear sign to get my mvp checked out before I start any new routines. Just know that I love you and support you and your family as best I can. You are on my thoughts and prayers everyday xoxo -Kerri

Hi Brian -

Welcome to HVJ. I am a little slow in checking this site lately so sorry for my delay in welcoming you. I am guessing that is you who signed my guestbook recently? Thanks for that.

I am just over 7 months post op and feeling great. I was not a big runner pre-op (4-5 miles max at a time) and am planning to run my first half on 10/7. So there is a data point for you. I thought I was asymptomatic pre-op but feel so much better post op. Pre-op I had no limitations and worked out 6x per week (3 runs, 3 with a personal trainer) right until surgery. Then I took it easy for recovery, did cardiac rehab and have never looked back.

Not sure where in PA Easton is, but you may want to look up Steve Kantor, he is in Cherry HIl and did his surgery at U Penn. So that might be another option. Or, if you want to see other surgeons when you are in NYC, I have some great names for you (I used Dr. Len Girardi at New York Presbyterian - Cornell). Bottom line, I am here to help you in anyway I can. Feel free to email me directly at mfspenceny@yahoo.com if you like.

This is a crappy club to join, but the members are great. Good luck with it all. It ain't easy, but you can do it.

-Mitch Friedman

Hi Brian,

It's Mom. You are always on my mind. I feel like I should have kept after you to get those echos, but you are an adult and don't need Mom butting in. I pray everyday for you especially since yor cardiac arrest over three years ago. I relive that day all the time. So thankful you are my son and pray the Lord will watch over you on your next journey. I know you will be in good hands because the same recommendation came from your former cardiologist and your current cardiologist. I know alot of people go through this, Dr. A tells me all the time, that you will do fine but I can't help but worry. I promise I will not be a basket case when you are operated on, just a loving Mom supporting her son and my wonderful daughter-in-law and my three wonderful grandsons. Your Dad and I will always be here for you and your family no matter how far away we are. We love you Brian and know that rhe Lord will watch over you.

Hi Brian,

I have moderate-severe mitral regurgitation which has been watched for most of my life. I also run. A year and a half ago I was told the regurgitation was getting worse and I should have my valve repaired ASAP. For some reason, things stabilized and I'm still in the waiting mode. I have an apt. with my cardiologist in a week so we'll know if that still holds. I run a lot of 5ks and I always have to stop running a few points in the race. I'm guessing it's because of my prolapse. I think the running actually is good for me though. My cardiologist was blown away at my stress test. She couldn't believe the amount of leakage but also couldn't believe how fast my heart recovered from excercise. She remarked what an incredible athlete I would be if I had a normal valve. Not sure what to make of that. Anyway, I know the waiting part is not fun. It's good that you are dealing with this now. I bet you'll be a stronger faster runner on the other side of this surgery. If you ever want to talk, feel free to e-mail me. Good luck with your appointments!

Christine Ohannessian

Hi Brian,
You have already been through a lot! I'm kind of surprised that the docs didn't attribute your afib to the mitral leak. I had pretty bad palpitations and "a fib runs" before my surgery, and I was told it was due to the severe regurgitation. The heart enlarges, can't pump all the blood out and starts beating faster to catch up. Yours must be something different. So glad you made it through that ordeal!
I am almost a year out of surgery, and while the surgery went well, I still have a lot of palpitations and weird heart beats. Guess that is not uncommon. I also went into afib 4 days after surgery, which is also not uncommon. As my doctor put it, "It's not a problem ......just a nuisance." They cleared it up with some meds pretty quickly.
I asked about working out before my surgery and was told I could do as much as I could tolerate in terms of aerobic activity. Since I didn't have any shortness of breath, I ran or worked out for an hour a day right up to my surgery. I was told NOT to do any heavy lifting, pulling or pushing though. I really think exercise is good for your recovery. I would also suggest you read Dave Van Buren's posts on his journal. He did ALOT of research and has provided a great deal of information about valve surgery. It's pretty technical, but well worth reading.
As everyone else has said, the waiting truly is the worst part. The surgery and the pain were not nearly as bad as I was imagining. It's scary, but definitely doable.
Godspeed and good luck!
Deb Z

Hi, Brian -- I had mitral/tricuspid valve repair with Dr. Adams on May 11 and occasionally find myself thinking, "WHAT open heart surgery?" Until I look at the scar, I find it hard to imagine that several people were rooting around in my heart.

It's not a cakewalk, but it really is pretty matter-of-fact for the people on the other end of the scalpel. Feel free to review my journal, ask any questions you might have.

While I'm neither a young man nor a runner, I do understand the plethora of feelings you must be having. And several wonderful folks here ARE runners. Mitch Friedman (you can search for his journal) was a real inspiration. He's a runner and Dr. Adams did his repair. Also, my heart surgery "brother" Robert Spath (Bob) who was at Mt. Sinai at the same time as me
is a marathoner. I'm sure you'll be hearing from folks.

I look forward to hearing about your meeting with the crew at Mt. Sinai. Good people!

Selma Kaplan

I am addicted to this site . Had my MVR in Islamabad Pakistan dec 2011. Was obviously scared to death . I did not go around getting opinions from other doctors. Though I was visiting my children in London before. I could not afford to get it done abroad. Had all left to my physician who had decided I get it done after had heart failure. Also on God . That he will look after me.i did not ask lots of questions queries from them either. It went immensely well. The doctors were amazed . Was on my feet so very quickly. I am a workholic . Very active. Which have returned . I am 56 years old. My illness was diagnosed 7 years before. The hospital the doctors just every thing was excellent . I am indebted to all of them. Yes , have got a depression with my family issues. As I said since was not questioning them so all what I see on this site bewilders me. You will be fine. You are in safe hands. The more you ask the more agonising it becomes. My doctors told me we were worried why she does not come up with questions. May be she does not know. Told then I knew it was a big thing but had no way to avert that. I love my hospital . Love going back . Chatting with every one. Since need to get the INR checked.
We will get to learn good news from you. I have not read the book. But I am reading all what people like me are getting thru or yet to get it .
Best wishes .
Prayers
Rukhsana

Brian,

Welcome and this is the place to ask anything that you can think of regarding this process.

I had the same thing (mine was a bi-leaflet mitral valve prolapse). I went many years with an annual cardiologist appt and a simple "you feel ok? Yup, ok then we will see you next year". In March of this year the appt went a little differently, then a stress echo, a TEE, an angiogram, and the mitral valve repair on June 18th of this year.

I had the right thoracotomy "minimaly invasive" approach with mitral valve repair at Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano, TX. Was in the hospital about 5 days, and the removing of the IV tape was the worst part by far. I have completed cardiac rehab and forget that it ever happened on a regular basis.

So ask your questions and understand that everyone on the site has been in your shoes.

Good luck, and as many will tell you, "waiting really is the worst part".

Trent V

Hey Brian,

Welcome to the HVJ community!

Glad you found us!

If you need anything, please let me know.

Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick