Joe's Posts

Hello all. I am posting this for all the people considering, or having to consider, heart surgery including a valve replacement. This is an anxious time, I know, this is a major life decision. I had to make this decision myself two years ago. I have posted my story on this blog during my "adventure." But this post is not about me, it is about Brent and Carolyn, who are friends of my sister who lives in Ogden, UT. Brent was very sick but the specter of major surgery was so daunting that he continually put it off. (Does this sound familiar?) As you can imagine his fear was immense, as was mine at one time. My sister and I talked on the phone about Brent's position and his concerns, which were major. I advised my sister to have Brent or his wife check out this website and the support it offers. Action reduces fear. Know as much as you can. See what other people went through and what they are saying. Read my journal and everyone else's that seem to apply to your situation. Eventually, Brent and Carolyn did visit this site and read a lot of what everyone was saying. Brent decided to have the surgery that was advised by his surgeon. A bit of his post-surgery story is recorded below. I hope that Brent or Carolyn will start a journal of their own and share their story more thoroughly. As you know, part what this site does is to help reduce your fear. Brent and Carolyn, thank you for your courage. Gerrine, thank you for sharing this story on their behalf. ========================================== Joe We had lunch with our friends, Brent and Carolyn last week, so I thought I would update you on the results of his surgery. I think I told you before that after seeing the website you had sent regarding the minimally invasive aortic replacement surgery, Brent did call a surgeon in Salt Lake listed on the website as performing that surgery. He already knew he needed the aortic value replaced, but had been worried about doing it. He made an apt for Tuesday, 4 weeks ago. He was sent out for tests the next day. We test results in, the surgeon told him that he needed four bypasses and that one of them was on the back side of his heart. That would mean the minimally invasive surgery would not work for him, they would need to do the full chest open, open heart surgery to be able to reach the bypass behind the heart. The surgeon leaned forward and said to Brent, "I know that you've known for a long time that you are in need of this surgery and you've put it off now as long as you possibly can". Brent agreed. The surgeon then spent some time putting fears to rest and informing them of what he would do, what they should expect from the process…and he told Brent he would have little or no pain in his chest after surgery. Then he offered Brent a spot on the following Monday, and Brent took it. Tests had shown that both of Brent's carotid arteries were at least 85% blocked, and they would clear the worst one along with the aortic valve replacement and the 4 bypasses on that Monday. The surgery lasted for 10 hours, a lot of the time being spent on the carotid artery which I think was actually 95% blocked. Brent had been told to expect 3 days in the ICU, and the first night there Brent was gotten up to walk. He walked to a recliner where he was more comfortable. The next day they actually moved him to a regular room. He was at home again by Saturday morning. Brent looked absolutely great at lunch. His complexion is pink and healthy. And he told us he has not had any pain in his chest. He has been in physical therapy, and will have the other carotid artery unblocked in his 6th week. Carolyn has read your journal. They would like for you to publish Brent's story so that other people can see that he was a person who did not want to have surgery in a very big way. He waited a long time. The surgeon told him he needed even more done than he had thought (carotid arteries). But he also took time to give Brent encouragement of what he could expect and what he wouldn't have to live with any more. And he relieved his fear of pain from the chest incision. So, Brent went from insurmountable heart health problems a month ago, to walking around the block, physical therapy and Christmas shopping. Next summer his physical therapy will consist additionally of golf and lots of it. He looks like a happy camper to me. Gerrine

Fifteen months after surgery, AVR. I am healthy and happy. I've just been to a Dr Fuhrman's Seminar on healthy eating. Stopped at McDonald's on the way home (Just kidding). Got some good information there. Anyway, the number one positive result I have had is that I am not dead. That, all by itself is enough and I am happy for it. But on top of this, I still feel better, physically and mentally, than I have in a long time. By a long time I mean decades. Anything negative? Well, yes, but it is a trade off that is well worth it in my opinion. I still have visual anomalies. I still see shooting stars from time to time and have learned to ignore them. It looks funny if you don't. There is also, from time to time, an electric looking orange blob that crosses my vision. It lasts for about two minutes and then is gone. I still get, from time to time, an odd feeling in my chest when I drink something real hot of cold, mostly cold. It does not last long. At one point the esophagus runs right past the aortic valve and I'm probably giving it a "brain freeze". Since my surgery, and going through what I have, I do not suffer fools as easily as I did in the past. I will not put up with this and will tell them so. Hey, I am on, not borrowed but special time. Extra time that I was not originally allotted and I mean not to waste it. My analogy is from "The Lord of the Rings" when Gandalf wakes up after defeating the Balrog. He is now Gandalf the White and will not put up with a "Fool of a Took"! I seem to be a lot more philosophical now too, and more emotional. At least emotions come on quicker and with less motivation. Like getting all misty eyed at movies, "No I was not crying" See ya, Joe