Steven
Remember each day will get better and once all over you will not remember the pain you feel now. This comes from someone that has had 4 c-sections and gall bladder surgery to old way with the large cut. Remember we love you and when you get better you need to come visit us here in KY
Love your Aunt Dawn

Hi Gloria-
Glad to hear Steve is now out of ICU. Hopefully things will continue to progress and he will get stronger each day.
Please keep the posts coming.
I go in at 5:30 am tomorrow for my 7:30 surgery. Hope to repair, if not, replace, the mitral valve. Karen

Hey Steve! Glad to hear all the good updates from Gloria, and so relieved for you that they were able to do the repair rather than the mechanical replacement. Alex and I are thinking about you and hope to see you soon!

Sarah

Steven, sooo happy to hear everything went well. You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. We wish you continued success in your recovery. Love and Kisses, The Takemoto's

Steve, I was so happy to hear that they were able to do the repair. That is great news! I hope you have a smooth and speedy recovery. We miss you around here. I am heading off to Ohio tonight for the holiday weekend to celebrate my mother-in-law's 90th birthday. It should be a lot of fun; all of my husband's family will be there. Get well soon! Dorothy

Steven
This is pretty cool how you can have a site detaling your progress I am so proud of you and you courage. I have to mention nothing was said about your oral hygiene. :). Don't make me fly out there and brush your teeth. Seriously I am glad your doing great. You take care and stay strong. We are all cheering for you.
Linda Tincher and family

So glad to hear things went well! Best of luck on the recovery!

-May T.

Stevwn, it sounds as though you are being taken good care of by everyone, your mom, dad, Gloria, doctors, nurses and all the staff in the hospital. Are you not sure they are not spoiling you?
I am still praying for you and everyone envolved. Take care!!! LOve you.
grandma Dean

Steve,

I'm glad to hear that you're doing so well after your surgery. I wish you the speediest of recoveries! It sounds like you're in very good hands, so I know you'll be back on your feet soon.

Megan

So glad to hear that Steven is doing well and they were able to repair rather than replace. He is in my prayers . Denise K

So glad it went well and he's recovering already. Please let me know if I can help in ANY WAY this week.

-Christina

So glad they were able to repair the valve, and that he is breathing on his own! Yes those ice chips are wonderful!!! Keep taking those deep breaths, the next day will be hard, but you can do it!!! Stay strong and determined.
Holly P

Great news!

My wishes are for as speedy recovery for you!

Jerry Vernhout

Steve and Gloria,

That's exciting and awesome news!! Glad to hear everything is going well!!! :) :) :)

-

Rushab

thanks for all the updates I am so glad things are going well. We love you all and I wish we could be there. This is a great way for family and friends to stay informed.

Love
Aunt Dawn

We're thinking of you, Steve!
Great news on the repair.

Gloria, thanks for keeping us updated

- Allison + Jason

Great news! Thanks for the updates!
Kerry T

Excellent news!
Way to go, Steven!

Nancy B

Very glad that the operation went well. This doesn't convince me that you are not a robot. The boy who couldn't cry...

Andy

Incredibly glad to read all is going well and that you're moving toward a speedy recovery. Looking forward to sharing book, movie and TV recommendations with you while you're resting! Joe and I have a running list already!

And thank you, Gloria, for keeping us all updated!

Best,

Rebecca

Great news! Hope you will be able to see him soon and by this time tomorrow he will be up and about on his road to recovery.

Great News!! Healing prayers coming you way now! COme back to work soon - the office is too quiet without you!

Alice

So excited to hear that everything went well! I was thinking about you all morning. This is my not funny guest book message.

- KK

Awesome news Gloria! That was quick! Can't wait to hear more positive updates. Congrats and will be sending more good thoughts Steven's way.

-Thomas H.

So glad to hear the doc was able to repair! Three cheers for Steve! Relieved and looking forward to your speedy recovery.

k

Steve,
I feel sure this fixed heart valve thing will turn the tide on our string of losses in the Turkey Bowl! Thanks for taking one for the team!

Patrick Maier

Gloria, hang in there -- it's tough for those on the other side of the OR doors, too. And Steve, good luck today! I was first of the day, too.
Selma Kaplan

Have you all in my thoughts and prayers today, knowing everything will go just fine. Go get 'em Steven! Climb your mountain, much better view from the other side!!!

Linda Dixon, AVR 3/13/12

Good luck, and just ride the train... (I hope I can keep my own advice when is my turn). Everyone here will be thinking of you, so keep us updated.

Trent V

I will be thinking of you and your family and will say a prayer for all. I look forward to reading your updates after surgery.

Debbie A
AVR 4/2/12

Good luck tomorrow. I know you will do just fine.

We'll check in with you on the other side!

I am scheduled for AVR on the 31st and you will be home by then.

Jerry Vernhout

I will be thinking of you in the morning and saying a prayer. Going at 5am is the BEST because you don't have time to think about it...just get up and go. Best of luck and post as soon as you can!
Kerry T

Steven, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I willl be going through my pre-op testing while you are in surgery. God bless you! Denise K

You will be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. It's a strange feeling, being wheeled into that OR, but it's the last thing you remember before you wake up on the other side and breathe that sigh of relief! You will do fine, remember to take deep breaths and keep the ice chips close by.
Holly P

God bless tomorrow Steven, I will keep you in my prayers, I know you will do great! Go climb your mountain and I look forward to hearing how great the other side is!
Linda Dixon, AVR 3/13/12

Best of luck to you Steven. Will be following your progress and hope you breeze through.

Nancy B

SteveDean!

Will be thinking about you tomorrow and sending serious healing vibes your way. We're on hand for all the things the surgeon can't do-- company, games, recovery food, books, movies, laffs... you know, the important stuff. I know you'll be back to your old spidey self again in no time.

-Kay

Hey Steven,

Thinking great, big, healthy, heart-pumping thoughts for you.

Keep on tickin!

Adam Pick

Hi, Steven -- Sounds like you are ready for lift-off. Feeling the "eerie calm" yet?? :-)
Good luck and Godspeed -- I look forward to hearing your post surgery reports.
Selma Kaplan

Good luck Steven! 5 days out and I can already see the light at the end of the tunnel. Given your age, you will probably recover faster than all the rest of us. Will say a prayer and keep an eye out for your post-surgery updates.

Thomas H

Steven we are praying for you and I am sure things will go well. I always thought I would have to have my valve replaced but so far so good. I have mitral valve prolaspe..at my age I guess I should not worry.
Tell Joey to call me and let me know how things go tomorrow and we love you

Dawn

Steven,
Good luck, please keep us posted on your progress, I'll keep you in my prayers.

Don L

Steven - you will be in my thoughts and prayers - take care and God bless you and your surgeon, Denise K

Steven, you are a vewy strong guy. God is with you always. through good times and bad times. Just rely on Him for added strength as you go through this surgery. I am praying for you along with our church. I love you. Take care.Love you,. grandma Dean

Hi Steven,

I had the same thing..I was stuffed and I actually started to get a sore throat. I went to my primary care doc and he gave me some antibiotics to take as a precaution. When I had my pre-op apps they just wanted to check my airway to make sure it was open. I was stuff right up to the day of the surgery but when I woke up from the surgery I was fine.

Jimmy Johnson

Drink lots of water, orange juice and take some vitamins! Don't be afraid to call the doctor and let them know what is going on. They want you to be 100% healthy when you go into surgery!
Thinking of you, I know this is a stressful time, the waiting! You will do fine.
Holly P

Hi Steven, I think you should call your doctor. I had a "cold" 2 weeks ago, that overnight turned into bronchial pneumonia. You might need some antibiotics prior to surgery. Just to be on safe side. Good luck!
Linda Dixon, AVR 3/13/12

Steven

I am 36 years old and I had my Mitral Valve replaced with a St Judes Mechanical valve about 6 months ago. I will echo what everyone else has said previously. I haven't really changed my lifestyle at all, I'm just more cautious when doing things that could possibly make me bleed. I use a regular razor to shave, I have a few drinks every now and then and I still eat green leafy veggies, but I just try to be consitant with them. The biggest inconvience with the coumadin is probably going to the lab and getting the blood test, but the home monitoring kit would probably help with that...im looking into getting one. The coumadin is really not that big of a deal, you will get used to it. And hopefully there will be better drugs approved soon. I can hear my vavle clicking, but as time has gone its begining to fade...I sometimes stop and listen for it as I miss hearing it! Good Luck to you!!

Jamie McGuire

Hey Steven,

I had my aortic valve replaced 2/6/12 with the On-X mechanical valve. It takes some adjustments to mostly your eating habits. You will be shown how to regulate your INR levels and you will do fine. I now check my own INR Range with a home test kit and submit it by phone. Your young,active,lifestyle probably won't change very much. As far as choice of mechanical valves,check out www.onxlti.com if you have not already done so. My surgeon preferred this mechanical valve. I hope the study has good results.Take care and as Adam says "Keep on Tickin!"

Steven,

I had a mechanical AVR On 9/20/2011. I tried an electric razor and hated it. I blade shave and have no problems. I now take a baby aspirin and coumadin. I bled more before my surgery when I took a full strength aspirin only. I probably have a beer or two 4-5 nights per week. Again, no problems. If you take Coumadin, I would recommend a home INR monitor. Coumadin is not a big deal and you will adapt to it. I eat and drink whatever I want except for cooked greens like spinach, kale, etc. your diet needs to be consistent for sure. Within a few years new drugs like pradaxa and xarelta will be approved for valves. The ticking is not a big deal either, you get used to it.

Jim Davis
AVR and aortic root replacement 9/20/2011