William Fix  Thanks Lucinda
I hope to be able to at least attend the BPA and would love to be able to sing You Raise Me Up. That song has a special meaning to me now because of all the love and support I have been receiving from friends and family.
Bill

William Fix  Thank you. You are right we face unknown dangers every day. I think having more than a month to think about the surgery gives me too much time to dwell on it. I think it will become easier as I get closer to the date.
Bill Fix

William Fix  Thanks Lily. I know that when it comes time for the surgery and everyone else responsible for the procedure takes over it will be easier to let go and relax.
Bill Fix

William Fix  Thanks Kate in the future just put your name at the end of your messages the web site does not show me who posted the message. But I knew who posted this,I am so blessed to have you, Mike and Nell be a part of my life. I will overcome this problem and be a better person for it like another friend said to me "Vietnam couldn't kill you and this won't either".
Love you
Bill

William Fix  Thanks Adam. Your book and web site has taken the mystery and fear out of my upcoming surgery. My 81 year old brother had triple bypass surgery last September and is already cutting his own lawn. If he can get to that point at age 82 I know that I can do it at age 66.
Bill

William Fix  Thanks Robert, I am glad to hear from someone who has the ON-X valve and also that it can be installed with the mini. You mentioned some changes in diet I am diabetic and wonder how that will affect the diet. I am used to testing my blood so using a home meter would be natural for me. Have a Happy Easter and many many more.
Bill Fix

William Fix  Thanks Ann it's great to hear from you. I am a little concerned about having to take coumadin but people have told me it's not really too bad. They now have a home meter to check levels similiar to the meter I use for my diabetes. This will definitely be a life changing event, hopefully for the better. Feeling tired and having shortness of breath is not the way I want to live. hope to see you soon.
Bill

William Fix  Thanks Cindy. This site and Adam's book have been a God send. I have known for a few years that the valve might have to be replaced. I thought it would be many years from now. Obviously the valve has other ideas, I was stunned at how rapidily it deteriated. My surgeon didn't mention the Ross procedure probably because I am 65 and the conventional wisdom is if you are over 65 a tissue valve is the best choice. I would still like to go with the ON-X mechanical valve unless he can convince me otherwise. It sounds like the Ross procedure has worked well for Adam I hope it works well for you also and helps you to live a long and healthy life.
Bill fix

William Fix  Thanks Jack. My surgeon seemed to favor a stentless tissue valve so he may try to talk me out of a mechanical valve. I will make my case and let him make his and then make a final decision. Good luck with your surgery I understand that the Cleveland Clinic is one of the best places to have it done.
Bill Fix

William Fix  Thank you although I am not sure who posted this, please sign your name as the web site does not show who left the comment.

William Fix  I am glad to hear from someone who has had the ON-X installed. Were they able to implant it with the minimally invasive surgery. I am considering it for my aortic valve replacement. Did your surgeon recommend it? I am encouraged by your success thanks for posting your experience.

William Fix  Thanks Nancy. My wife is recovering nicely but didn't need this extra stress. I guess I will put this experience in my sense memory bank, you never know when it might be needed in a play. Some of my friends and fellow actors think I am nuts for delaying my surgery just to finish a show, but I knew that this late in rehearsal 3 weeks from opening it would be a hardship on the director and cast to drop out. I wonder if a pig valve would be more appropriate for a HAM.
Bill

William Fix  Hi Nancy. Glad to hear that you are doing well. Did you have the minimally invasive surgery or the full incision? I am not sure which I will have it depends on which valve I choose. The surgeon reccomended a stentless tissue valve but it would require a full incision. I haven't talked to him about the ON-X valve yet but he did leave the decision to me although I am sure he will tell me if he doesn't agree. I think this is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make. I hate the stress this is causing my wife she has just recovered from surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid. Thanks for caring enough to respond to my post. I guess the reference to The Mousetrap might have seemed confusing I am the president of ACT II Community Theater in St Peters and was already in rehearsal for the play when I found out that the valve had gotten to the point where it needed to be replaced. I got the surgeon to agree to let me finish the show before operating. Thanks again my phone number is 636-940-1298. GO CARDS!

William Fix  Thanks Chuck. Which mechanical valve did you get? I am looking at the ON-X valve, from the research I have done I have learned that the FDA has since 2006 been conducting clinical trials to see if this valve can be used without coumadin and so far the results have been very good. It would be great to have a valve with a long operating life and no coumadin.
Bill Fix

William Fix  Thanks Jimmy. I read your journal and was encouraged by your speedy recovery. I am glad that you are back to work and life is returning to normal.
Bill