News Feed For Patients With Heart Valve Disease

Home > Community > Patient News Feed

Uploading your photo!
Please wait a minute!

Gregory Thayerposted a journal

6 hours ago

Hi All, I hope everyone is doing well..

Well, my aorta valve replacement surgery is getting real, gery real. From my last journal posting 18 days ago ...Read more

Hi All, I hope everyone is doing well..

Well, my aorta valve replacement surgery is getting real, gery real. From my last journal posting 18 days ago on 24 March 2026.

I was not having any heart problems, just diagnosed with the Bicuspid Aorta valve with stenosis and regurgitation. But 3/4 weeks prior, I developed shortness of breath and my blood pressure and cholesterol was at good levels.

So, Dr. Robertello here in Rutland at Rutland Regional Medical Center in Vermont order a Echo Cardiogram and EEG. My bicuspid aorta valve was leaking, swallowed, and my Squeeze rate was at 35%, the normal rate is between 50 to 75%.

He looked at me and said, you need to do aorta vales replacement, this cannot wait Gregory. I agreed, and Tammy and I were off to the University of Vermont Cardiology Unit in a week +. On 2 April I was doung a Cardiac Catherization, x-rays, and other test. My valves and arteries showed no blockage nor obstructions. Great news!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, 8 April 2026, I go back to UVM Medical for a CT scan and Neck/Thorat scans, and a consultation with Cardio Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Monica McDonald at UVM Med.

Currently, surgery is scheduled for Wed, 15 April 2026, but I'm hoping to reschedule a week to 10 days our to prepared for and Pray on. I'm a practicing Catholic, staunch really, and I need Prayer.

Thank you all, God bless you and your family. I'll keep you updated.

Gregory M. Thayer
Rutland, Vermont

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Hey Gregory, I join you in your prayers. Here guys of this HVW have quite experience in the journey ... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Hey Gregory, I join you in your prayers. Here guys of this HVW have quite experience in the journey on aortic replacement and give you good advices. Godspeed in your surgery

Free Patient Newsletter

Get the latest medical insights and patient updates from our award-winning newsletter.

Upcoming Patient Surgeries

Jason Godfrey
Aortic Regurgitation
April 8, 2026

Melissa Favela
Aortic Regurgitation
April 9, 2026

Timothy Alexander
Aortic Stenosis
April 10, 2026

Timothy Schaberjust updated his profile

6 hours ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Wishing you good luck and advice from our community to have a solution

Michael Chaistyposted an update

7 hours ago

Fidel Martínez Ruiz reacted to this

Passing by to say hello folks. It’s my 6th month rebuilt heart anniversary’. Hope you are all well.

Wayne Shieldsgot a new guestbook post

7 hours ago

Rose Madura writes, "Wayne, welcome. I had similar surgery at age 59 and went with a tissue valve. He put in a large enough one to have TAVR if need be. I was told that ...Read more

Rose Madura writes, "Wayne, welcome. I had similar surgery at age 59 and went with a tissue valve. He put in a large enough one to have TAVR if need be. I was told that the tissue valve may last up to 20 years so we will see. It will be 9 years at the end of May. The valve seems to be doing great. I don't know how old you are but the Ross procedure is something to discuss with your cardiologist and/or surgeon. And I always recommend getting at least a second opinion. Please keep us posted. Godspeed."

Bill Fergusonjust updated his profile

17 hours ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Edgewood, KY - Sponsored

Gary Fabre

“I just went in for an annual check-up. After listening to my heart, my doctor told me I had a heart murmur. I never knew I had a heart murmur, and I didn’t know much about them. The images ... Read more.

We made the decision, at the time, to keep an eye on it for a year because I had no symptoms. Based on my second echocardiogram, it was determined that my mitral valve prolapse had progressed, and it was time for surgery. Now, I am ecstatic to say that my wife and I just returned from a 10-day holiday in Saint Lucia which included four scuba dives.

Dr. Castillo-Sang gave me the confidence that I would be able to dive again, and he was 100% correct."

-- Gary Fabre, heart valve patient

Sue Lambkingot a new guestbook post

17 hours ago

Joyce Jent writes, "Looking good sue I had an

anuryesym on my aorta & I had a surgeon that was wonderful what is stenosis im a 3 year survivor so im

congratulating ...Read more

Joyce Jent writes, "Looking good sue I had an

anuryesym on my aorta & I had a surgeon that was wonderful what is stenosis im a 3 year survivor so im

congratulating you keep on

ticking ! "

Sue Lambkin @Joyce Jent...the picture below describes Aortic Stenosis, in my case it was severe. I also found one ... Read more

Sue Lambkin @Joyce Jent...the picture below describes Aortic Stenosis, in my case it was severe. I also found one of the best ..pillows, surround chest/back with straps so I was hands free, gave me a lot of confidence to protect my heart yet keep on ticking. Thank you for your kind words. Wishing you well. I am doing great. ❤️

Ana Brussoposted an update

1 day ago

Kimberly Eisenhut, Fidel Martínez Ruiz, Pamela Gregory reacted to this

Keeping in prayer Mitral, Jason and Melissa for a successful surgery and recovery 🙏❤️

Wayne Shieldsgot a new guestbook post

1 day ago

Jeffrey Woodward writes, "Wayne, I had the same choice and went with a bovine, but it was not easy. I am 60, and certainly not an expert, my surgeon recommended bio, but left it ...Read more

Jeffrey Woodward writes, "Wayne, I had the same choice and went with a bovine, but it was not easy. I am 60, and certainly not an expert, my surgeon recommended bio, but left it up to me. Not convinced, I went back to my friend, a doc who works with older veterans, doing post op inhouse rehabs up to 30 days. This requires a lot of med management for older vets. She told me one of the things you avoid by going bio, is any procedure in the future with warfarin requires reducing the med for any procedures. I accepted that as the tie breaker. With the bio valve, I still have to take Metropolol, and a low dose aspirin for life. I don't know much about Warfarin, but it has to be trickier to manage. Hoping to be a good candidate for a TAVR 10-15 (or never) years from now, which would make surgery easier. "

Fidel Martínez Ruiz In aortic valve I would take a biovalve, as far as the re-replacement TAVR IS very succesful nowaday ... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz In aortic valve I would take a biovalve, as far as the re-replacement TAVR IS very succesful nowadays.

Kimberly Eisenhutgot a new guestbook post

1 day ago

Deena Z, Rose Madura, Fidel Martínez Ruiz and 1 other reacted to this

Grace Mason writes, "Kim, I love my new ❤️warrior keychain with the heart charm and my "second birthday" surgery date stamped on the penny😀. It looks and feels great!

Thanks ...Read more

Grace Mason writes, "Kim, I love my new ❤️warrior keychain with the heart charm and my "second birthday" surgery date stamped on the penny😀. It looks and feels great!

Thanks for creating these❤️"

Kimberly Eisenhut Thank you Grace, it means a lot to me🫶🙏❤️‍🩹

Richard Munson Very nice. I still cherish my Cassie key ring.

Educational Video About Aortic Stenosis

6 Expert Tips for Women With Aortic Stenosis

Doctor Interviewed:
Dr. Katie Berlacher

6 Expert Tips for Women With Aortic Stenosis

Shaun Bloodworthgot a new guestbook post

1 day ago

Jeffrey Woodward reacted to this

Deena Z writes, "Saw your post re: the latent effects of surgery. I think we all have it at varying degrees. I refer to it as my PTSD. The first year i was ...Read more

Deena Z writes, "Saw your post re: the latent effects of surgery. I think we all have it at varying degrees. I refer to it as my PTSD. The first year i was just so relieved to have the surgery over and happy it was successful. Then the enormity set-in. I realized how much my mortality was tested, as well as who knows, I might have to go through it again. It gets easier with time, yet for me it is always there, but not on the surface on a daily basis. Staying busy helps, as well as pushing yourself to do new and harder things. "

Jeffrey Woodward I having very similar feelings along the same timeline. First year glad to be alive, along with impr ... Read more

Jeffrey Woodward I having very similar feelings along the same timeline. First year glad to be alive, along with improving in strength and endurance gave me a lot of positives to focus on. Second year I am feeling the gravity of taking my body through this extreme near terminal event (if there were a few failures in the process). I shutter sometimes when I imagine the surgury, and have yet to have the guts to watch an Aortic replacement procedure in a video. My imagination is enough. There is some trauma processing going on, two years since surgery in May 2026. Surgery was a success, nurses and doctors were great, appartently this is part of the process that was not in any of the booklets they gave us. Shaun, thanks for comment, I was just thinking about writing something, and saw your post.

Wayne Shieldsjust updated his profile

1 day ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Marie Myers The valve choice is one of the hardest decisions I had to ever make..

Richard Munson I bet richard was an easy choice

Marie Myers And yet, after almost 45 years, there are still consequences…😂

Richard Munson Nancy still celebrates the day she met me.

Jean Sabharwalgot a new guestbook post

2 days ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

Ruth joy writes, "Hi Jean ,
Welcome

Wishing you good luck for your surgery . "

Debra Greenejust updated her profile

2 days ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Ready to Join Our Community?

It’s Free!

Click Here to Get Started!

Already have an account?
Log in now

Jason Godfreygot a new guestbook post

2 days ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

Marie Myers writes, "Godspeed in your heart journey! Hope everything goes smoothly for you this week."

William Dillonjust updated his profile

2 days ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Richard Munsonposted an update

2 days ago

Peggy Bennett reacted to this

Post easter exhaustion.

Ana Brusso Talk about tired. Still our cutest mascot
❤️💜

Richard Munson They're all cute

Pamela Gregory I love the tongue!

Richard Munson I know. He is so cute. When he woke up, there was a little saliva dribble on the couch cover.

Matthew Boyerposted an update

2 days ago

Geoff Curtis reacted to this

Came home from the hospital yesterday. My Surgery was April 1st. Feeling pretty good. Some pain in the chest from surgery. The nerve block is still working ...Read more

Came home from the hospital yesterday. My Surgery was April 1st. Feeling pretty good. Some pain in the chest from surgery. The nerve block is still working so we will see how it feels when it wears off. Walked around the block. I had to stop twice and rest but otherwise felt ok.

John Cook That’s amazing. Congratulations. It was a few days before I could get off my street.

Richard Munson Now eat some ham

Ana Brusso Welcome to recovery. Continued good health and God bless you 🙏❤️

Peggy Bennett Congrats and good luck with your recovery! Patience is not easy, but it's important (as I'm still lea ... Read more

Peggy Bennett Congrats and good luck with your recovery! Patience is not easy, but it's important (as I'm still learning 2 months post op).

Peggy Bennett I just saw that you also had Dr. Chikwe — she's the best!! (And Vivian ❤️) Did you have robotic ... Read more

Peggy Bennett I just saw that you also had Dr. Chikwe — she's the best!! (And Vivian ❤️) Did you have robotic surgery? Mine was Feb. 4. I'm finally feeling really good now. Wishing you all the best!

New Posts About Aortic Valve Replacement

Cathleen Can Breathe Again After TAVR-in-TAVR-in-SAVR

The lifetime management of heart valve disease continues to be a critical topic in... Read More.

Ask The Expert: TAVR For Aortic Valve Regurgitation with Dr. Aakriti Gupta

Patients with aortic regurgitation have been waiting a long time for less-invasive treatment options.... Read More.

Steve Skwarloposted an update

2 days ago

Details to my providers
https://www.hoag.org/institute/heart-vascular

Steve Skwarloposted an update

2 days ago

I'm scheduled for TAVR Tuesday April 10 with HOAG Heart and Vascular Institute, Newport Beach, CA. My diagnosis is severe aortic stenosis, gradient 51 mm Hg. ...Read more

I'm scheduled for TAVR Tuesday April 10 with HOAG Heart and Vascular Institute, Newport Beach, CA. My diagnosis is severe aortic stenosis, gradient 51 mm Hg. Pre-op testing includes Echo, CTA (Angiography), Cardiac Catheterisation. I'm feeling tired but otherwise OK. My condition is progressing quickly. It's TAVR time for sure!!

Matthew Boyer Thank you for your comments. I hope everything goes smoothly.

Peggy Bennett Wishing you the very best!

James Beauvaisjust updated his profile

2 days ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

clifford Favajust updated his profile

3 days ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Free Patient Newsletter

Get the latest medical insights and patient updates from our award-winning newsletter.

Lori Grayjust updated her profile

3 days ago

Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.

Lori Grayposted an update

3 days ago

I had severe mitral regurgitation repair with open heart and an annuloplasty ring 7 years ago in Colorado. I now live in rural Kansas. Echo with cardiologist ...Read more

I had severe mitral regurgitation repair with open heart and an annuloplasty ring 7 years ago in Colorado. I now live in rural Kansas. Echo with cardiologist here now shows moderate jet regurgitation. Where do I go for evaluation of the possibility of re repair surgery, so unsettling. Do I need a re repair specialist?

Richard Munson I would say yes.