Kent,
Reading your story was like reading my own. It amazes me how natural the feelings are. I'm very excited for you to get your "upgrade" and will eagerly await your future posts. It may be stressful waiting for the date, but its also stressful wondering when it will be. My "broken" heart is with you, as are a lot of others. My you find peace this next week knowing that your life-long problem is about to be fix. Good luck and much love~M

Hi Kent,
You asked a lot of questions, some had to do with cath day so I'm too late to answer those but I did tell about the body shave that is probably coming (sorry I forgot the groin shave warm up...). As far as operating rooms, every one I've been in was pretty cold. YOu won't have to deal with it for long and generally you will be feeling pretty good by the time you get there. As I recall, I got situated on the table, the anesthisiologist introduced himself and pretty much the next thing I knew, I was in ICU so the procedure is real easy from your side :)

I've been taking coumadin/warfarin for almost 27 years. I still use a bladed razor and it hasn't been too much of an issue...except for the day I nicked my carotid artery, boy you know when that happ...kidding... Yes everything will bleed a little longer but it shouldn't be a problem and if it is, you need to get your level checked/adjusted.

I'm sure they will talk to you about waking up in ICU and what that will be like. The biggest thing for me was waking up with the breathing tube in my throat. Probably would have freaked me out but I had been told it would be there so that helped a lot. They actually took Cindy and I down the night before the surgery so we both would know where I was and what it wuold be like.
I pray for you the comfort that I have been comroted with as you go through this exprience.
Don

Kent,
I was sad when I heard about your heart porblem and wanted to let you know that you are in my prayers. I have always appreciated your support and prayers. When I had my recent surgery I really sensed the presence of the Lord because of the prayers of you and many others. I know you will have the same experience. I will keep updated by your journal.

Reno

Go Kent! With the new iHeart device I am sure that Kent 2.0 will deliver solid results in no time.

Steven in Calgary

Dad and I, senior members of the K-Team, are looking forward to Kent 2.0. Steve Jobs, get ready!

Mom

Will the Kent 2.0 version be able to play Flash videos yet?

Glad to hear you got it scheduled. I remember feeling the same way - it's for real now. But I also had a sense of urgency too. It was Game On for me.

I suggest spending the next week getting organized. Get your paperwork together, get the K-Team on deck to take care of your affairs, and spend some quality time with loved ones.

I can't tell you how great my new valve is making me feel. You're gonna love it - eventually.

David Fanson

Well clearly, Steve values your loyalty, given the rapidity of his response. I just ordered an iPad, and it's not going to get her until sometime in mid-July. I guess it pays to be dedicated.

You're in our prayers.
Adam

Kent Ade and I are in Ontario CA visiting for a few days. Read the prayer request yesterday and am praying for you and Terry and your folks. Will keep praying. Love and prayers and to your mom and dad. We love you all. Anne and Adeajef

Kent,
Hey, freind in-law! You know Frank & I are praying for you! Of course praying for Teri and the kids, and your mom & dad! Know it must be hard on them as well. You are strong, Kent and our Lord is faithful, as you well know! Blessings to you, Cathy

I'm glad that your cath is over and between now and the completion of recovery you will have so many questions. Ask away. The question that you don't ask may be the one that will really change everything.

The use of cardioplegia in the surgery process is very common. It helps slow and stop the heart giving the doctors longer time to work on whatever they find once they get inside. Usually it is a combination of ice and some other chemicals that control the entire process. The use of cooling the body during surgery is very common in other types of procedures because it can also help control bleeding--I think.They reverse the process when they are finished with the procedure.

All of us here at HVJ had some of the same questions. It is the only way we learn and become our best advocates.

Tim
Greensboro NC

Kent, Bob and I will be praying for you and following your progress toward recovery. I've heard good reports about your Dr. Wassenmiller. God bless and give you peace and comfort as you wait for this surgery.

Rita and Bob Wright

Dr. K:

"If I had a nickel...." lol. Interestingly enough, if I had a nickel for every time I heard that, I'd have a nickel. Long story, I'll share it with you some time.

Thanks for these updates and snippets into what's happening with this procedure. Traci and I will continue to pray and it's nice to be able to pray specifically for what's going on. We admire your courage as you face this and of course will do whatever we can for you and Terri pre/post surgery. Love you guys!

Pj

Dr. Kersey,
Wow, just saw this and will be praying for you! You are in good hands. I am sure by now you have answers to some of the questions you posted in your journal but I will throw this out anyway. I work on a cardiac floor so we deal with this all the time.

First: Coumadin...you do want to get a electric razor because a nick can cause lots of bleeding. Our patients are told that on coumadin they can't use a regular razor. Also you have to watch how much vit k you get (spinach etc). It is not that you have to lessen it, but you have to stay cosistent. So if you don't eat much, you stick with that. If you eat a lot you stick with that. Because Vit k affects the clotting time and therefore variances in amount will effect the medicine.

Shortness of breath: It is not uncommon to "feel healthy." but then have some symptoms. This is probably not in your head it is probably real. My cousin went through this and said "I was hiking mountains, and they told me my aortic valves needed to be replaced. I felt fine." However, after his surgery, he says now looking back, he was more symptomatic than he realized. He just handled his symptoms well, and they came on so gradually that he didn't notice the change until after.

You will do great with surgery. They will have you dangle that night possibly, and have you sitting up the next day.

I will be praying for you! God has you in His hands!

SaraJane Campbell
Class 2002

Hi Kent, It's me again, apparently I can't type, it should say "Corban" not Corbna...

Carol K.

Hi Kent, it's your friendly Corbna Mail Lady.
Wow, you sure do know how to spend your summer don't you, a trip to Endland then an Aorta Valve procedure!!
I pray that everything will go fine and God will send speedy recovery to you!. You are very fortunate to have such and extended church/work /family network, I'm sure you will have tons of prayers sent your way.
Maybe I should take this as a sign to get my heart mummer checked out also!
Blessing to you and your family!!

Hi Kent,

As David said, going on bypass for heart surgery requires cooling your body. Despite that, I didn't feel the least bit cool when I woke up from surgery. You'll never know they did it.

Glad your cath went well and they've finalized what your surgery will include.

Ricki Shine

Kent, I had part of my ascending aorta replaced as well but it wasn't part of the plan. The surgeon called an audible once he had me open. I heard that I was put on ice, so to speak, to cool everything down. I think they do this as part of the surgery to begin with since they have to put you on bypass.

But the Aorta replacement is very common. There is dispute in the medical community (read an article on this) about what causes the aortic swelling. Could be due to the increase pressure the blood makes against the aorta as it shoots through the narrow valve opening. Or it could be dilated due the missing protein that caused the valve problem to begin with. My surgeon blames the protein.

I reached the end of my knowledge on this but suffice to say that a jacked up valve often comes with a jacked up aorta.

David Fanson

Hi Kent, just poking around on here and saw your questions. I had my AVR on August 31 last year.

Regarding what to do while you are laying with a sand bag on your leg...not much. After the cath was finished I watched TV, The time goes pretty fast. As for the razor question I am on coumadin and still use a regular razor.

Unless you just started shaving last week I wouldn't worry about it. Just pay attention to using a dull blade. I have cut myself once and it wasn't that bad and stopped after I put some pressure on it for 30 seconds or so. Best of luck to you and if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Jerry H
Louisville, KY

Re caths....there's no nerve endings where the cath goes, so I told 'em I wanted to be awake during the two I had so I could watch. At the time of the 2nd one I was in the middle of the heart unit of my excercise science university class and had recently taken Anatomy and Physiology, so that time I asked the doc if he would talk outloud all his thoughts as he did the procedure and treat me like a student, which he did. It was neat, and I knew when he told me what normal pressure ranges were that he gave me the right data as I had just had to learn it. It was very interesting. After, both times I just napped. Be sure that we abide by the instructions regarding activity and weight lifting restrictions. I sorta bent the rule the first cath and paid for it dearly...Good Luck...Barry on the mtn in NM

Well I'm sure that by now you have figured out what happens after the cath. I can tell you though that if you have another one at a different facility it will probably be totally different.

My first cath, in Greensboro, I was totally knocked out and had to stay in recovery for about an hour or two. I got to watch television and eat breakfast, etc. other than getting up. My second cath at Duke, I was wide awake and went straight to a regular room on 7th floor to spend the night before my AVR the next morning. They put me in the bed at an odd angle and told me not to even lift my head up off of the bed. Family had to feed me supper.

As far as the razor is concerned--I think its up to the patient. You know how sensitive your skin is to electric razors. My skin gets burnt just looking at one. I do have a new one that is seeming to work better--it's a wet/dry and I can use shaving cream and that helps alot. Most of the time I just use a regular razor. I read somewhere that if you do cut yourself shaving you treat it just like any other cut and the chances of you bleeding to death is very slim even though there is a chance.

I've been on coumadin since May 2010 and not had any problems shaving. Of course, I don't shave everyday either.

Hope things continue to go well for you. I know what you are going through and it can be scary on this side but it does get better.

Tim
Greensboro NC

Kent,

I'm sure your cath went well today. By now you probably have answered your own question. Afterwards you kind of nap and occasionally drink something. The poke in the groin isn't fun, but all in all it isn't so bad.

Keep On Tickin
Jeff R

Sorry, last post was from me, David Fanson. By the way, if you feel you would benefit from talking to someone, let me know. Talking to others on the phone was helpfull. Just email me at citizazen@yahoo.com

David Fanson - 12 weeks post op.

Heart Cath was a non event for me. I slept through the whole procedure and for an hour after ward. When I woke up I pigged out on beef tips and pasta. I spent the rest of the time surfing the web and talking to my wife. It was a good day.

Hi Kent!

A cardiac cath isn't a big deal . . . I slept through most of mine althugh I did wake up in time for them to shoot the dye which was interesting to watch - there's a big screen showing your arteries and your heart. Very cool! Mine was scheduled at 7am so not eating before it wasn't a problem. The whole thing took about an hour and then I was back in a room for 5 hours. They fed me pretty soon after I got back to my room. I napped and watched tv. I might have been able to read but I didn't think to bring a book.

Good luck with your cath!
Ricki Shine

Never had a problem with coumadin and shaving, but then, I found if you get one of those beard trimmers with the adjustable settings from one to whatever, if you just run it over the face every 4 to 6 days or so, it leaves a convenient length, no trouble beard, something that is fairly common in this area.

Kent, I had the same condition as you and am now 12 weeks post op. I too was confused by symptoms since I was hyper sensitive to everything that was going on in my body. I started to question whether it was really time to have the surgery.

It's also common for patients to be asymptomatic. Given that your doctors say you are critical then it doesn't matter whether you are symptomatic or not. It is time for surgery.

As for the surgery and recovery I can tell you that for me it was not nearly as bad as my imagination made it. The surgery itself is routine. Lots of work for the surgeon but not alien technology.

My only word of advice at this point for you is do exacly what they tell you. No shortcuts, no bravado. Get lots of rest and exercise everyday.

You'll do great!

David Fanson

Hi Kent I had aortic vavle replacement at the cleveland clinic. Everything went fine. I do have a mild leak, but that is normal for a tissue valve. I now have another valve in poor condition and am working on getting paper work together for what ever has to be done. Are you getting a mechanical valve or a tissue one? Best of luck to you!

Kent, Symptoms are weird, for sure. I happen to have a cardiologist because of a PA's referral because of hypertension. On a 100 mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe I had ever so light of sensation in the left chest areas each time I pushed down on the pedal while climbing a pass about 3 years ago, forgot about it after got over the pass, had it again about a week or so later during a mountain ride, called the doc's nurse and said do you want to know about this. They did. I had an apt for the next day and a couple days later an angiogram complete with angioplasty and a stent. I had no idea! Last Aug 28th couldn't complete a 1.2 mi swim in a VT lake cuz of breathing issue and a kayak towed me from the lake about 50 yards short of the finish. Mid Oct lost steam at about mi 9 of a Half Marathon. Nov 22nd at a routine cardiology follow-up they did and echocardiogram...damn if the ultra sound didn't show my since discovery in 1978 mitral valve murmer had become serious regurgitation with about 1/3rd of the blood backwashing on each heart beat. I had no idea I had a problem and not 'til then realizded the poor swim and half Marathon had been symptoms. Who would have thought. I have better stories about others. That's my experience...lesson is to let the docs know and make sure they listen. Good luck! You look young and healthy and should have good recovery. Check out www.ironheartracing.com to see a bunch of super recovered cardiac patients. ....Barry on the mtn in NM

Kent,

Looks like we're going to be travelling a similar path, although yours might be quicker. I'm pulling for you... make sure you get a comfy recliner, I slept in one for a few weeks due to my shoulder and it has me on the lookout for a GOOD one! All the best.

Steven (Calgary)

Wishing you the best Kent I will have mine done on the 24th of June. From what I have read in the journals is get a recliner so you can sleep. I will keep you posted and take care!

William Keefer

Just want you to know I love you guys and will be praying for you 'daily'! Kent, I am so thankful that you have such an amazing support system... and that wonderful wife:-)!!! Thank you for sharing your journey and letting me part of your prayer team! Love You, Beth

Kent,
I loved your list of positives. I'm not sure about the balance--being hit by a truck sounds pretty severe--but love the attitude! You are certainly in my thoughts and prayers. I'm glad you are able to have the surgery before you experienced major problems. You are one of my favorite people! --- Nancy

Kent and Terri,
We are praying and trusting God to do amazing things!
Love, Leigh Ann Stark

Hi Kent,

I'm Roni's & Kevin's friend, Keri, from Philadelphia. I will be praying for you every day. Praise G-d that He will carry you and your family through this.

Grace and peace,
Keri (Rosen)

I love you cuz. I will keep you in my thoughts and will be sending positive energy your way. Blessed be. - Bryon

Praying for you and Terri, my friend. Let me know if there's anything we can do to be of help!
Lori Schilling

I will be happy to pray for you as you go through these time of interruption in your life. You know I love you all, and I have signed up to be kept informed. I will be remembering who is Shepherding you through this valley and will be calling on Him on your behalf. Thanks for letting us know what is going on. May God give you courage and peace in the days ahead. Cheryl

Uncle Kent,

I will be praying for you and Aunt Terri continually this summer. Let me know if there is anything else I can do.

Stepfunny

Hey friend,
Got your back in prayer. Please let me know if you need me to help with summer outside work of any kind. Like that's a priority right now. Anyway, I love you and will be expecting God's best for you and Terri.
Steven

Kent-

Will be thinking of and praying for you. I write from the hospital where my mom is in for some fairly serious surgery as well.

If they allow observers at the surgery, I would be happy to come in and drop a Junior Mint (ala Kramer)...or do I want to avoid dropping a Junior Mint... Maybe I will just forgo the Junior Mints altogether. If you have never seen that Seinfeld episode, well...just forget this last paragraph.

Trusting the Providential Hand of God with you and your family.

Kevin

I know exactly what you will be experiencing as I've gone through quadruple bypass twice (1995 & 2006). We'll be remembering you in prayer. You'll do fine. Just do everything your doctors tell you and your recovery will go quickly.

I will be praying for you and your family. I appreciate your positive attitude regarding this situation. I'll pray for God's blessing on you for strength and speedy recovery.

“Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. We give thanks to Him who alone does great wonders; His love endures forever. We give thanks to the One who remembered us in our low estate; His love endures forever. We give thanks to the One who freed us from our enemies; His love endures forever. We give thanks to the One who gives food to every creature; His love endures forever. We give thanks to the God of heaven; His love endures forever (Psalm 136:3, 4, 23-26). Amen.
Terri Davis

Woot! Let's get 'er done. So much to be thankful for. We are all here for you and Terri. The Bethany meal train will be stopping at Juntura Ct as soon as you let us know the dates. Love you guys! God's got this!
Sandy E.

Been thinking about you and praying for you since I got the email yesterday. I'm already proud of the eay you are facing this. Continue to summon your inner soldier, Kersey man. You are going to come through this great with the war stories and battle scars to prove your valor. And the divine intervention stories to show how God has walked before you and with you every step of the way. And the best part is, you get to be asleep for the actual surgery, so focus on the recovery afterwards -- getting stronger everyday and bouncing back faster than expected. However I can help, you only have to ask.

Kent and Terri, Brian and I will be praying! My mom just had open heart surgery quadruple by-pass. She is doing great~Know your family is in our prayers! We love you guys!!

I love you, and am very proud of you! You are going to do so well through all of this. I will always be here for you. :-) Terri

Hi Kent, welcome to HVJ. Your story is so similar to mine. I had my heavily calcified bicuspid aortic valve replaced along with the Bentall procedure to take care of an aneurysm of the ascending aorta on May 10th in Montreal. Quebec. I am 56 years of age and recovering well. Feel free to visit my Heart Valve Journal, Guestbook, Photos and Story and ask any questions that may help to put you at ease. You will be fine and you are absolutely right; your immediate support group will play a key role in a speedy and full recovery. Please continue to post your progress. Take care... Eric Brenie...

Good luck Kent, it sounds funny but being young and healthy is a blessing when facing the recovery. Trust me there will be times in those first few weeks that you wont feel young or healthy, but everyday definitely is better than the one before it.