Adam, I had surgery in April and still have a great deal of pain - especially if I use my arms a lot or get too tired. Unfortunately, I cannot take pain meds. ...Read more
Adam, I had surgery in April and still have a great deal of pain - especially if I use my arms a lot or get too tired. Unfortunately, I cannot take pain meds. I use a heating pad for a while at night which helps a little. My best to you for a complete recovery. Ruth Howell
Hi Adam, I was told to is part of the healing process those sharp pains next to my scar.. It will be 2 months on Aug 24th since my surgery and I still get ...Read more
Hi Adam, I was told to is part of the healing process those sharp pains next to my scar.. It will be 2 months on Aug 24th since my surgery and I still get weirded out by the feeling.
Take Care Bill
Hi Adam, thanks for reaching out to me earlier today on one of my posts.
I am wishing you all the best in your recovery and praying for you too.
Matt Fountain ...Read more
Hi Adam, thanks for reaching out to me earlier today on one of my posts.
I am wishing you all the best in your recovery and praying for you too.
Matt Fountain
Adam,
I just read your last post and while I am not sure what type of valve you went with I have the same vision issue. I didn\'t have it before the surgery. ...Read more
Adam,
I just read your last post and while I am not sure what type of valve you went with I have the same vision issue. I didn\'t have it before the surgery. Basically the eye doctors and my cardio told me they were occular migranes. Annoying but harmless unless they come with pain. As for tingling I had that also not far out from the surgery.
I am 9 months out from an AVR which replaced my bicuspid valve which was damaged by endocarditis. Anyways just a heads up that some weird stuff happens and it shouldn\'t worry you.
Good Luck
Jerry H
Louisville, KY
Thank you for your insight as this has helped with my anxiety about the situation. The surgery I had was an ascending aortic aneurysm repair. Wish you the best in your recovery as sometimes these "mental things" are the hardest part of our recovery.
Adam, I just found your journal. I\'m glad your surgery went well and your recovery is under way. I am having surgery on June 2. I was wondering where you had ...Read more
Adam, I just found your journal. I\'m glad your surgery went well and your recovery is under way. I am having surgery on June 2. I was wondering where you had your procedure. Thanks, Jon Farmer
Hey Adam,
I don\'t know if there is an easier way to chat besides this guestbook thing. My recovery has been slow. I am also wanting to strat jogging again, ...Read more
Hey Adam,
I don\'t know if there is an easier way to chat besides this guestbook thing. My recovery has been slow. I am also wanting to strat jogging again, but can only go for a min or two at 6mph then have to slow and walk at 4 mph for a min or two. Pretty brutal, since 6mph used to be my warmup or steady pace for a long time. I also needed a pacemaker post-op so I am still dealing with those challenges or getting the settings right. Like you, I can\'t complain about much, happy to be here!
Adam Howell Did you every get any brief blurred vision after your surgery? I have had some episodes of that abou ... Read more
Adam Howell Did you every get any brief blurred vision after your surgery? I have had some episodes of that about every 5 days since surgery that last about 3-10 minutes.
Hey Adam, I had valve sparing aortic root replacement in July 2010. I am 30 yrs old also with a small child. My ascending aorta aneurysm was 6.7cm when it was ...Read more
Hey Adam, I had valve sparing aortic root replacement in July 2010. I am 30 yrs old also with a small child. My ascending aorta aneurysm was 6.7cm when it was found. I am lucky. Glad you are progressing well. It is a slow go, and I am still nowhere near post-op fitness levels. Give me a shout if you want.
Cam
WOW you are lucky. My ascending aneurysm was around 5 cm and the surgeon told my family after the surgery that I was lucky bc the wall became very thin. Just now starting to feel like I am getting back to normal a little bit. God willing I hope to be able to start running and getting back to some sort of physical fitness soon, as that is one of my passion's in life.
Adam,
My thoughts exactly on Tractor Traylor. News like that has a tendency to gnaw at you. On a much lighter note (I hope), how is your recovery coming. ...Read more
Adam,
My thoughts exactly on Tractor Traylor. News like that has a tendency to gnaw at you. On a much lighter note (I hope), how is your recovery coming. I really hope all is well with you and your family. I am headed to Cleveland on May 25th and will update when I know more. Keeping you in my prayers.
Jim D
Things are progressing well. One thing is for sure is you have to take things slow for a while. Mentally you feel like you can do certain things but physically you just can't yet. A few times I have gotten those wake up calls. I met with my Surgeon yesterday and he let me know that everything looked great on the scans and chest xray so that was good news. Also, he cleared me to go back to work on June 1st (never been so excited to get back to work before!). Yesterday I was chatting with one of my neighboor's and he told me that a few years ago his father had an ascending aortic aneurysm that ruptured. So again how blessed are we that we know about it and are getting it treated! Anxious to hear what your Surgeon say's on the 25th. Let me know as I will be praying for you as well.
Adam,
I would love to know how things are going. When you get a chance, give me an update. Keep praying for you and your family! I still don\'t know much. ...Read more
Adam,
I would love to know how things are going. When you get a chance, give me an update. Keep praying for you and your family! I still don\'t know much. Cleveland is supposed to call on Monday to schedule my battery of testing and visit with the cardiologist and surgeon.
Jim D.
Things are starting to progress. Each day I seem to get better both mentally and physically. The feeling after surgery can be confusing and it seems like one problem pops up after another. After the surgery I felt just "out of it" for about a week. Mentally I was confused and even felt light-headed/dizzy at times. That has just about gone away and seems to be fairly common after such a surgery. Physically, I feel stronger and stronger each day. The first week it was very hard and exhausting to get around. Now I am taking walks (mostly in the house bc of this great weather) of about 15-20 minute increments 3 times a day. The pain is getting less and less each day and I feel like I can be almost off my pain meds. One thing that is kind of strange is I have a numbness/heavy feeling in my lower right arm and fingers. Overall, though I honestly feel great and feel that God gave me a new lease on life. I keep Proverbs 3: 5-6 in my mind at all times and that seems to help so much.
How are you holding up? I think about your situation a lot and feel like I am here to kind of be your "Ginny Pig" and help you get though this. You are going through what I feel is the toughest stage mentally (even after the surgery). The unknown and anticipation can sometimes be the worst. However, you are going to the best of the best up in Cleveland and Lars Stevensen is probably the best in the World at the surgery you are going to have. Let me know if you have any question or if anything pops in your mind. I will be here for you man to help you get though this.
I guess the ball is officially rolling. Cleveland called today. I need to have pulmonary function tests, an ECHO, CT Scan, Holter monitor, and a cardiology ...Read more
I guess the ball is officially rolling. Cleveland called today. I need to have pulmonary function tests, an ECHO, CT Scan, Holter monitor, and a cardiology evaluation, then meet with the surgeon to discuss timing. I feel a sense of relief now. Just have to be patient and wait for the story to unfold. I hope Ll is well with you and your recovery.
Praying for you,
Jim D
Glad to hear you\'re home. Glad to hear things seem to be going well. Hope your recovery is a quick one. Haven\'t heard from Cleveland yet. Like Tom Petty ...Read more
Glad to hear you\'re home. Glad to hear things seem to be going well. Hope your recovery is a quick one. Haven\'t heard from Cleveland yet. Like Tom Petty said, the waiting is the hardest part.
God Bless
Jim
Adam,
No updates as of yet. I called yesterday and the doctor has not reviewed by case as yet. Hope to hear something early next week. BTW, were they able ...Read more
Adam,
No updates as of yet. I called yesterday and the doctor has not reviewed by case as yet. Hope to hear something early next week. BTW, were they able to repair your valve or did they have to replace it? Keep gettin\' better.
Jim D
Adam Howell They were able to repair it. Just got home today as it feels good to be around the kids all the time ... Read more
Adam Howell They were able to repair it. Just got home today as it feels good to be around the kids all the time. Have had a slight temperature and pain but I guess that can be normal.
Recovery is tough considering this is my first surgery. I think I underestimated the amount of pain I would be in. The nurses and doctors say I am recovering well and on pace to be home by Sat. Or Sun. The Surgeon felt the operation was a success and I should recover very well. Any update on your end from Cleveland?
I will be thinking of you on Tuesday. Best of luck and God speed. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
God Bless
Jim D
Adam Howell Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers Jim!! I will have my wife update you on my progress from ... Read more
Adam Howell Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers Jim!! I will have my wife update you on my progress from here.
Adam
Adam Howell Hi Jim, Adam wanted me to keep you updated on his recovery. He had his surgery yesterday am about 11 ... Read more
Adam Howell Hi Jim, Adam wanted me to keep you updated on his recovery. He had his surgery yesterday am about 11am it lasted till about 2:30ish. Everything went really really well. He was out of ICU by 11am this morning. He's doing great and I will continue to update you on his recovery.
I think that we need to avoid isometric type exercise like weight lifting, heavy lifting, etc. I have to stay active. Running is how I found out about my ...Read more
I think that we need to avoid isometric type exercise like weight lifting, heavy lifting, etc. I have to stay active. Running is how I found out about my problem, remember, I said I flipped into a fib. That was after a run. If I hadn\'t flipped into a fib I would never have known. I would have one of those \"idiots\" who dropped dead during a marathon.
Jim
Adam Howell Just like you I have remained active. It has been a part of my entire life and is something that I ca ... Read more
Adam Howell Just like you I have remained active. It has been a part of my entire life and is something that I can't just all of a sudden stop. The doctor did say no basketball and weight lifting but jogging is alright. That has always been an important part of my life. It seems very common that a lot of folks that have our condition are very active as well. When you flipped into a fib that was the Man Up Stairs giving you that "heads up" that I was telling you about.
Adam,
I have been dealing with this since 9/2009 when I flipped into a fib. My \"routine\" ECHO turned into a transespophageal ECHO and the a CT coronary angiogram ...Read more
Adam,
I have been dealing with this since 9/2009 when I flipped into a fib. My \"routine\" ECHO turned into a transespophageal ECHO and the a CT coronary angiogram showing my dilated root. Then it was on to the beta blockers and the time bomb in my chest. Finally, I just told my cardiologist that I wanted a referral to a CT surgeon skilled in valve preservation. My thinking is that elective repair has about a 1.5% mortality. That goes up 10 fold for repair of a dissection. Also if you dissect, you are more likely to dissect after your repair. I know that you are doing the right thing. Neither one of us wants to, but I think that we have to. I have two little girls, ages 12 and (almost) 8. They still don\'t know much about this although my 12 year old is beginning to figure it out. I should hear something back from Cleveland (hopefully) next week. My work schedule is pretty hectic so I need a little time to allow my office to juggle my schedule. Nothing like an unexpected 6 weeks off to lift morale around the office or around home! I will praying for you on Tuesday. I am finally beginning to come to grips with this as I am sure that you are as well.
\"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me...\" Phillipians 4:13
\"Let not your heart be troubled, have faith in God, have faith also in me...\" John 14:1
\"Don\'t give the prick the satisfaction...\"
Clint Eastwood as Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Highway in Heartbreak Ridge.
God Bless you and your family. Keep us posted please.
Jim D
I hear you brother as I have a daughter that is 3 and a son that is 1. I know that God gave us both a "heads up" about this as he wants us around to be great role models to our children. I agree with you that the mortality rate seems to be higher at the rate we are currently going vs. surgery/repair. I wonder why your cardiologist did not give you a referral to a surgeon? If you would like a second opinion with Dr. Watson at Riverside let me know and I can set something up for you. Thank you for the prayers and will keep you and your family in my prayers.
What are you doing from an exercise standpoint currently? Just wondering because I have heard different opinions on the subject whether it is good or not at this point.
Just out of curiosity, where are you having hour Surgery and who is your surgeon? I am also considering the David\'s Re-implantation procedure.
Jim D
Adam Howell Dr. Dan Watson at Riverside. What are your next steps?
Adam Howell Sometimes I find myself second-guessing the decision to do it so soon without a second opinion from a ... Read more
Adam Howell Sometimes I find myself second-guessing the decision to do it so soon without a second opinion from another surgeon. However Dr. Watson is experienced in this procedure and feels very very confident in a great outcome.
Hey Adam,
I live just down I-71 from you in Cincinnati. You and I have the exact same problem, with it looks like the exact same aortic dimensions. I am ...Read more
Hey Adam,
I live just down I-71 from you in Cincinnati. You and I have the exact same problem, with it looks like the exact same aortic dimensions. I am still waiting on hearing back from the Cleveland Clinic about my referral. I hope and pray that all goes well for you. Keep me posted.
God Bless
Jim Davis
I am from: Columbus, Ohio
