Adam's Heart Valve Surgery Blog – Page 75
Pssst… Don’t Forget About The 24 Hour Pharmacy
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: November 7, 2023
The incision on my chest was throbbing.
It was two weeks after my aortic valve operation and I had taken my last Vicodin several hours earlier. While we had a refill, it was late at night (around 9pm) and our local Rite-Aid was closed.
Robyn (my wife) frantically searched Rite-Aid’s website to find a 24 hour pharmacy. Luckily, there was an all-night pharmacy about twenty-five minutes away. In a split-second, she kissed me good-bye and was out the door.
She returned about an hour later with my pain medication. (Robyn is my guardian angel.)
My point of this little story? Be prepared. If possible, find out (in advance of your heart valve surgery) where a local 24 hour pharmacy is. You may need it for pain medication, severe constipation, etc.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
At 83 Years Young, John DeFalco Is “Bored” With His Recovery
By Adam Pick on March 25, 2008
Given my recent blog about heart valve surgery in patients over eighty, I thought you might like to read about John DeFalco from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
His daughter, Coreen writes to me:
My father, John DeFalco, is 83 years old. Due to his age, our doctors told us he was at high risk for aortic valve replacement surgery. (Click here to learn about AVR.)
Aortic Aneurysm & Ross Operation Does Not Stop John Turan!
By Adam Pick on March 24, 2008
This is the courageous, patient story of John Turan. As you will read, John had a triple-whammy heart surgery – a Ross Operation (aortic and pulmonary valve replacements) AND his ascending aorta was replaced due to an aneurysm.
I could go on-and-on about John, Mercy (his wonderful mother) and Dr. Bleiweis (his incredible surgeon), however, I think it’s best to hear his side of the story.
Homecoming Question – What About Walking Up And Down Stairs?
By Adam Pick on March 24, 2008
I met Carolyn, a heart valve surgery patient, last Tuesday. We chatted on the phone about her bicuspid aortic valve and her upcoming surgery. Carolyn is currently doing her diligence on surgeons. That said, we talked alot about the process of how to find the right surgeon and how to interview your surgeon.
A few minutes after we hung up the phone, I received a follow-up email from Carolyn.
“Adam, I forgot to ask you something. We live in a two-story home. There is no bedroom on the first floor. Will I have trouble walking up and down the stairs after surgery? I imagine I will have to stay upstairs for a while? After my back surgery (a few years ago), I came down in the morning and went up at night for a while. Any thoughts?”
Pig Heart Valve Replacement Longevity – How Long Do They Last?
By Adam Pick on March 24, 2008
As a follow-up to my post about pig valve transplants, I received a specific question, “Do you know exactly how long a pig valve might last in the human heart?”
It’s a good question for patients to consider as they determine which is the best valve type for them – biological (pig valve, cow valve) or mechanical.
According to Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, “Pig heart valves do not last as long as mechanical valves and for that reason are not usually implanted in patients much younger than 60 years.”
Dr. Rosenfeld continues, “Although recent reports from The Cleveland Clinic (whose surgeons have a great deal of experience replacing heart valves) suggest that the newer biological valves often last 17 years or longer, they frequently must be replaced after 15 years. So, except in unusual circumstances, younger patients still are given a mechanical valve.”
I hope that helps explain more about how long pig heart valves last in the human heart.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
What About Bicuspid Aortic Valves In Newborns?
By Adam Pick on March 24, 2008
Like many heart valve surgery patients, I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve. However, unlike many of you, I was not diagnosed with the bicuspid aortic valve defect as a newborn baby. It wasn’t until I was five years old that my family doctor heard my heart murmur. After that, diagnosis of the bicuspid valve was formally issued following my first visit to the cardiologist.
After I had an aortic valve replaced, I was curious to know, “How do bicuspid aortic valves impact newborns?” and “What other problems can bicuspid valves cause in newborns and children?”
I knew that the bicuspid aortic valve occurs when the aortic valve does not develop normally while the baby is in the womb. However, I wanted to know more.
Pig Valve Transplants For Patients Needing Heart Valve Replacement Surgery
By Adam Pick on March 24, 2008
I just received a question that reads, “Adam, can you tell me more about pig valve transplants? My surgeon thinks that is the best valve choice for me.”
Sure thing. However, I want to make sure you know there are other options for tissue (also called biological) valve replacements besides pig valve transplants. The four key types of biological valve replacements are:
Heart Valve Disorders And Treatment
By Adam Pick on March 24, 2008
I just received a question that reads, “Can you tell me all the different heart valve disorders, treatment and surgical procedures to fix heart valve disease?”
I have to admit, that is a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE question. As you probably know, there are many different forms of heart valve disorders and their are many different types of valvular treatment.
That said, to answer this question about heart valve disorders, treatment and operations would take the rest of the week (and it’s Monday morning).
However, I have created the Heart Valve Learning Center to help you get started answering this question about heart valve disorders, treatment.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
Weightlifting After Open Heart Valve Surgery
By Adam Pick on March 24, 2008
I was recently asked by Doug, a patient preparing for heart valve replacement, “Have you been weightlifting after open heart surgery?”
My answer was a definitive and delightful, “Yes. I have lifted weights after open heart surgery.”
However, I DID NOT rush back into the weight room after heart valve replacement surgery. It took several months before I was lifting weights again. You should also know that I never lift to bulk-up.
Doctor Vaughn Starnes, my heart surgeon, told me that lifting heavy weights puts additional strain on the heart valves. Over time, the strain on the heart valves can become problematic – both before and after surgery. That said, Dr. Starnes told me to lift for tone (repetition) not for muscle build-up. To learn more about my surgeon, click here.
I’ve taken his advice to heart (pun intended) and really focused on aerobic exercises I learned to really enjoy during cardiac rehabilitation.
Remember, heart valve surgery SHOULD NOT be the end of your active lifestyle. However, to be incredibly safe, I suggest you contact your surgeon to discuss weightlifting after open heart surgery. As you probably are aware, every patient is unique.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
The Patient Need To Communicate After Heart Surgery
By Adam Pick on March 21, 2008
It was my third day in the hospital. I just had my aortic valve replaced.
Even though my surgery was deemed a complete success, I was experiencing significant respiratory pain due to a common heart surgery complication. There was fluid in my lungs.
It hurt to breathe – like a little pinch or cramp in my left side after every inhale and every exhale. My medical team started me on respiratory therapy. So, throughout the night, I did fifteen minute breathing exercises at 11pm, 2am and 5am.
I was ab-sooooooo-lutely exhausted.
Then, my wonderful family began to arrive at USC Medical Center. It was Saturday morning. The “Adam Pick Family Support Machine” was in full force. First, my wife (Robyn) arrived. Then, my parents, my brother, my sister, her husband and their children trickled in.
Room 550 had turned into a zoo.
Smoking, Children And Open Heart Valve Surgery
By Adam Pick on March 21, 2008
I think it’s called a coincidence, or maybe serendipity, or even deja vu.
Regardless of the official terminology, I just received two, back-to-back email questions about cigarette smoke and heart valve surgery. That’s pretty strange because I have never received any questions about cigarettes during the past 18 months I’ve been writing this blog about heart valve replacement and heart valve repair. Quite odd, right?
Anyways, the first smoke-related question I received was from Michelle, a concerned mother and caregiver. She writes…
“Hi Adam – I have an 8 year old daughter who had open heart surgery when she was 4 years old. She had a mitral valve repair. Long story short, she is doing wonderful. My problem is, my fiancé does not understand me how dangerous it is for my daughter to go to his mothers house to visit. My fiance’s mother and her husband are smokers. They smoke inside their house. Can you help me with some facts that I can bring to my boyfriend’s attention to help him realize the truth about second hand smoke and heart patients.”
What Do Normal Heart Valves Look Like?
By Adam Pick on March 21, 2008
Ever wonder, “What does a normal heart valve look like?”
I did.
So, I thought you might want to know what I learned before I went into my aortic valve replacement surgery.
First, you have to know that all heart valves do not look the same. As you can see in the diagram of the heart below, heart valves differ in size. The aortic valve and the pulmonary valve are smaller than the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve. And, you can also see that the mitral valve is the only valve that is naturally bicuspid. A bicuspid valve only has two leaflets while all the other valves have three leaflets.
Mitral Valve Leakage And Stress
By Adam Pick on March 21, 2008
My inbox is filling up with some very interesting questions. I just received a question that reads, “Is stress a symptom of mitral valve leakage?”
As I’ve written before, there are several leaking heart valve symptoms identified by leading heart care facilities including The Cleveland Clinic and The Mayo Clinic. (Please click here to view those symptoms.)
However, from my own research, I have not seen any clinical studies which suggest that mitral valve leakage is directly related to stress (as a symptom). However, as a former patient, I could very easily see how being diagnosed with mitral valve leakage creates stress.
If you have any, extra information on this topic of stress and mitral valve leakage, please help out and leave a reply below.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
“My Momma Always Said… Valve Surgery Is Like A Box Of Chocolates.”
By Adam Pick on March 12, 2008
Yes, Forrest Gump is one of my favorite movies.
That said, I had to borrow that famous line for this very rare patient story about Brad Mueller. In case you can’t remember the complete movie quote, Forrest Gump said in the movie, “My momma always said life was a like a box of chocolates. Ya never know what you’re gonna get.”
Brad and I started emailing each other a few months ago. Brad had read my book and had some additional questions about stamina after heart valve replacement.
On February 29, Brad went in for an aortic valve replacement. Brad’s surgeon was Dr. John Oswalt from Austin, Texas. Like me, Brad had a bicuspid aortic valve with an erosion due to endocarditis. Over time, the endocarditis had severely compromised the integrity of the aortic valve.
Heart Valve Replacement Surgery – How Successful Is It?
By Adam Pick on March 10, 2008
I just received a great question via email. In fact, this particular question brought back memories to when I was first diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and told that I needed heart valve replacement surgery.
The question reads, “Adam – Do you have any statistics about the success or failure rates of heart valve replacement surgery?” Interestingly enough, I have collected some statistics about how successful heart valve replacement surgery is.
Sergio’s Mitral Valve Surgery Story – Pictures Are Worth Thousands And Thousands Of Words
By Adam Pick on March 7, 2008
So you know… I never expected this.
I never expected to be so connected to the stories of fellow patients and caregivers experiencing heart valve surgery. But, the more I work on this blog, the more I work on this website and the more I work on my book, the more I feel lucky to have had aortic and pulmonary valve replacement surgery.
Yes, I did just say I was “lucky” to have heart valve surgery. How ridiculous and ironic does that sound?
Case in point… Sergio and Maribel Garzon from Cancun, Mexico.
I first learned of Sergio’s defective mitral valve when his wife and caregiver, Maribel, emailed me a few months ago. Maribel wrote to thank me for writing my book. After that, we continued to email each other as Sergio prepared to travel to Mexico City for his mitral valve replacement surgery. Sergio had severe mitral valve regurgitation. (To learn more about regurgitant mitral valves, click here.)
60 Minutes – Trasylol Exposed For Deadly Side Effects (Video)
By Adam Pick on March 2, 2008
One of my favorite television shows is 60 Minutes on CBS. I love the stories. I love the reporters. And, I love the way they tackle subjects that really make you think. (I even find Andy Rooney pretty darn funny.)
Yesterday, however, I was watching a very troubling 60 Minutes story about Trasylol. As you may know, Trasylol is a drug used during cardiac bypass surgery (including heart valve repair and heart valve replacement) to prevent blood clotting. The drug is manufactured by Bayer and its generic name is Aprotinin.
Guest Blog: Doug Atkins – Eight Days After Aortic Valve Replacement
By Adam Pick on March 1, 2008
Doug Atkins and his regurgitating bicuspid aortic valve appeared on my radar about three months ago. (To learn more about bicuspid valves, click here.)
I was eating sushi in Tokyo when I received an email from his wife, Heather. Like most caregivers, Heather peppered me with a series of questions about heart valve surgery. In fact, Heather ended her first email with, “Sorry for all the questions, but I am doing everything I can to keep my husband alive.”
Now, three months later, Doug is returning home from the hospital with a new set of heart valves. Like me, Doug opted for the Ross Procedure operation, a special form of aortic valve replacement. I received the following email from Doug – just eight days after Dr. William Ryan operated on him. I thought you might like to read it to gain further insight to the patient experience relative to heart valve surgery.
Heart Valve Manufacturing Tour at Edwards Lifesciences in Irvine, California
By Adam Pick on February 26, 2008
Hey everybody,
As you may know, I’m currently interviewing several leading heart valve replacement manufacturers for the next edition of my book. I’m trying to learn more facts about heart valve replacements to help future patients and caregivers better understand their options.
That said, last week I visited Edwards Lifesciences headquarters in Irvine, California. It was amazing! The company has an incredible heart valve museum that really illustrates the development of heart valve technology and heart valve surgery.
Our Own, Leslie Lafayette, Becomes A TV Star After Mitral Valve Repair (VIDEO)
By Adam Pick on February 25, 2008
As many of you have read in past blogs, Leslie Lafayette had mitral valve repair using the Da Vinci Surgical Robot a few weeks ago. Doctor Richard Shemin from UCLA was her cardiac surgeon.
While her surgery had some complications, Leslie’s great attitude is accelerating her recovery. Now… For the fun news!
Leslie’s heart surgery story was documented by Lifetime Television. The story aired on Sunday, February 24th and has already been posted on the Internet.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
