Tony's Posts

I know that some people have posted on my guest book asking how I was doing. Back in October a day after reporting that I won't need surgery, my cardiologist called me and told me she thought I still needed surgery and we needed to get another opinion. I had just told everyone I wasn't going to need surgery and I was very frustrated to find out that now surgery seemed likely again. I have been waiting for a long time to get the opinion from the Stanford Surgeon. I decided to wait until we had our plan until I posted again. I apologize for the delay but the ups and downs were upsetting and I wanted to wait until we had an absolute plan to post again. Finally we have a plan. I started an oral antibiotic regimen today and we will follow me closely for the near future in hopes that my infection does not return. Because my infection was suppressed so well with the IV antibiotics they think I should try this and hopefully I won't ever need to replace the valve again. I am very relieved and just really excited to finally have a plan. The last 4 months or so have been crazy and uncertain. I have not been able to work since August. I have been wearing my back pack with the IV antibiotics and pump in it. I have been asked if I was wearing a parachute! haha My little back pack can rest in peace! I will not miss it at all!! My docs say I am released to go back to work on January 1st. I am very excited to get back to my normal life and I just hope this infection doesn't return. The blessing in disguise has been that I have been able to spend everyday with my wife and my son. I have enjoyed being able to be around AJ as he has grown from a little baby into a baby that is almost walking! I have laughed and smiled so much and I cherish this time that I have had with them. I hope that I won't be needing to post on here anytime soon!! I appreciate everyones support and I have the greatest group of family and friends! I am also very grateful for the doctors that have been helping me. Although I was very anxious and frustrated at times, I realize that the doctors just want to make sure that they get everything right and sometimes that takes time. I hope that everyone on this site can gain perspective and support from fellow patients as I have. I thank everyone on here that has wished me well. I wish everyone the best of luck in their surgeries to come. Stay confident and positive. Open heart surgery is scary and it hurts, but it can also be very rewarding and positive if you let it be. Prayers and positive thoughts to everyone on here! Peace out again!!!

I went in for my pre op yesterday. I had a CT scan to see where my infection was. It turns out that they can't find any infection in the scan! My surgeon said that "I continue to amaze him"! He couldn't believe what he was seeing on my scan in August. He then said he couldn't believe what he was seeing on my scan yesterday. It doesn't mean that it is gone but it definitely a good sign. They never even thought that this would be an option but they want to hold off on surgery! I can't believe it. I am in a little bit of shock because I was mentally prepared to attack this. He said that we aren't out of the woods. I will need to be on IV antibiotics for another 8-12 weeks and the infectious disease doctor is coming up with an antibiotic regimen moving forward. So I don't know a lot about what we are going to do moving forward but I do know that on Tuesday October 29th I won't be going under the knife and that pumps me up! I am very fortunate for all the prayers and good thoughts! They have definitely helped! I really hope that this infection doesn't return. They said I need to be very aware of how I am feeling and don't try to be the tough guy if I start to not feel well. I am so lucky. Ok I don't know what else to say. I just wanted to update everyone that has been saying prayers for me and have been sending good thoughts. They have been answered and I am so grateful! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!! Tony