Joe,

My prayers are with you and your faith will see you through this trial. God is great and your protector!

Your friend,

Michael Ragon

Joe, please look after yourself - no one else will - remember old guys have to stick togather.

We have all the knowledge and have to pass it on to others.

Your friend,

Dave Beacham

Hi Joseph!

I'm glad you liked the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Gillinov. As far as I'm concerned, it's the best place to go for this surgery.

As you get closer to your surgery, please let us know if you have questions. The CC will send you lots of information (unless they gave it to you when you were there) but there are things only the patients know!!!

Take care!!
Ricki Shine

Talk about the universe sending you a reminder that life is short and precious. She could have been a little subtler . . .

You will be stronger for the experience. As you move through it, know that you are loved and that our prayers are with you, dear one.

Hang in there kiddo!

Dawn

Joseph,

Glad that your visit to CC went well, and you had such a comfort level with Dr. Gillinov. I am biassed, but you will have the world's best valve guy doing your surgery. I know I felt I really had the deck stacked in my favor because of that.

The facility is incredible, and as I shared earlier, this is what they do day in and day out. You are in the best of hands. Read Adam's book a copule more times. The actual process at CC is much like as described in the book, but easier and a little more personal.

Best of luck. Let me know if I can help any further.

Mark,

Keller, TX

Hi Joseph, great news a date and now you can plan. I am sure you feel very relieved and sounds like you have great confidence in your surgeon and the decisions, which is half the battle. I wish you the best keep the faith
Susan V NC

Hi Joseph,
I just read your story. I know you are probably in a crazy place right now. A lot of decisions and testing ahead. I can tell you that you have come to the right place here. I have never had so many people that didn't even know me be so caring, concerned and supportive. I have not had the easiest journey but I am not the standard:) Never have been I guess. This site or should I say the people on this site are half of what got me through and continue to. I wish you the very best!
Prayers and thoughts,
Kimberly

Joe,

I've been cleared by my insurance co.
My surgery is set for Friday the 15th. I hope you get your date soon. Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery.
Gary V

Welcome Joseph,

Isn't this site and the people who make it up simply amazing? I found it extremely helpful to read as many journals as I could before surgery... everyone has so much great advice to offer, from what to expect to what to take with you to the hospital to any post-surgery recovery speed bumps they've encountered. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask as there is a great chance you will find the answer readily available here. Best wishes!
Kellie

Hi Joseph
Welcome to HVJ and the amazing folks that will be here for your journey. I am a fellow cheesehead grew up in Fox Point River Hills area. It is very helpful to read the stories and journeys. I am a 3 X open heart with the most recent 9 wk mitral valve mechanical OnX valve replacement. Post questions, concerns and anything any of the dedicated fellow tickers may help you with. Take care
Susan VandenBussche North Carolina

I'l keep you in my prayers Bro, hopefully you will decide the best choice to overcome your problem... we are all here to give you support... good luck bro... andro d.

Hi again Joseph,
It is my pleasure to be of any help to you as you go through your own journey. I found Adams book to really helpful for me as well as my family, because they are going through it, as well.
There were a few bumps along the way, which is expected and quite normal, but as with Ricki, I found my journey to be pretty much uneventful and a positive experience.
We are all here to help in any way that we can.
Diana

Hi Joseph,

Welcome to HVJ. I had AVR surgery on May 5 of this year at The Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Marc Gillinov at 49. I had years to prepare for my emminent surgey and did a lot of research. I do think you can find very good hospitals and surgeons locally ( I think Bob Uecker had his at Froedert). Based on my research I picked CC several years ago.

I had excellent choices local in Dallas, and close in Houston but chose to travel to Cleveland because the facility is excellent, the surgeons are world class and they do my surgery every day, several times a day. I will have my future valve replacements there as well, as I chose a bovine valve that will last 20 +/- years.

After you finally decide on your hospital, the valve choice is next. When you go to CC you will find they are very pro tissue valve there. I had already decided tissue, but they confirmed it in their direction for many reasons.

Each is very personal choice and I wish you the very best in deciding where and what is going to work best for you.

Good luck,

Mark

Keller, TX

Hi Joe,
I'm Gary and we are about in the same place on our journey. I met with my surgeon today in Las Vegas. My aortic valve will be replaced with a bovine valve as soon as we get the go ahead from my insurance company.
Best wishes to the two of us.
Gary Vice

Hi Joseph. Welcome to HVJ. My aortic valve was replaced July 21st here in Austin, TX with a tissue valve plus additional surgery to correct a narrowed aorta. Many others on this site have had their surgeries done at the Cleveland Clinic & speak very highly of it so you've chosen well. The journals on this site are a good source of information from people who have actually been through the experience, so my recommendation is to read as many as you can. Best of luck to you with your surgery & recovery. Joy Vera

Hi Joseph,

I had my aortic valve replaced at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Joseph Sabik on May 20th. Not that anyone ever wants to have open heart surgery, but my experience there was terrific. I can't say enough about how fabulous everyone there is.

I got a bovine valve and I'm very happy that I don't have to be on coumadin. My recovery has been quite smooth - some bumps in the road are to be expected. I went back to work at 11 weeks although, to be honest, I could have gone back at 8 weeks. But I figured, what's the rush??!!

If you have any questions about the Cleveland Clinic or the surgery, please ask!

Ricki Shine

Hi Joseph,
Welcome to HVJ, the best place to get loads of information from people who have been through what your about to.
I myself had my aorta valve replaced June 2nd, and was a piece of cake. I honestly did not have pain to speak of, discomfort, but not what I would call pain. I spent 6 days in the hospital and everything went smoothly. I had more discomfort once I got home, but that is to be expected.
If there is anything I can help you with, questions or anything else, please feel free to ask me, or anybody else on here. Everybody here are gems and wonderful. I suggest if you haven't already, to get Adam's book. It answered a lot of question and helps you to prepare what will be ahead. An excellent book for you and your family.
Keep us up to date.
Diana