Alex's Guestbook

Alex
Thank You for leaving such a kind message on my guestbook.  First off, Hooray for you, your open heart surgery is behind you! You are actually the first person besides myself that I have met who has gone through both Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and open heart surgery to replace the damaged valves. I was living in Ohio at the time of my cancer in 1995, and treatment was very intense because my cancer came back after two years.  Now, I have a dual pacemaker with upper and lower leads.  I am not a medical specialist, just a patient, but as I understand, the pacemaker only regulates for slow heartrate, not fast heartrate.  Lately I've had to double-up on Metoprolol dosage, for racing heartrate.  I don't go back to see  the Dr. until April.  When I said I died on the table twice, I did. I was gone, they had to resuscitate me.  They had to go back in and open me back up twice to repair leaks.  Personally, these are extremely difficult memories.  My wife was left quite traumatized through the entire experiences, both the Hodgkin's and the heart surgeries.  I think in many ways, it has been rougher on her than for me.  God Bless our Care Givers!!!  But we are both still here for a reason.  Alex, may God's tender mercy be great on both you and your family. Heal Well.

Happy Birthday, Alex!  

I hope you are feeling well.  I know it's slow going at first but every week more healing is complete and by your next birthday, you'll be doing a happy dance!  Here's to a marvelous birthday today and so many more to come!  Cheers! 🕺🏻

Hi Alex I'm new to the group so I'm not sure how all this works still learning. Just wanted to say congratulations I don't really know what an aortic regurgitation is I have stenosis of the aortic valve which I am going to have the tavern method performed on March 6th. I would love to hear a little bit more about your surgery if it's not triggering for you

Alex, only one more sleep! You're going to pop those eyes open in the morning and your heart team is going to be readying themselves to perform a miracle on you. Sending lots of prayers your way for a successful surgery. So thankful you're having it done at Cleveland and that they're up on their toes with your situation. I'm excited to hear another chapter of your story. You've got this, Alex! 

Hi Alex,

I can tell you that you are in great hands at Cleveland Clinic.  The surgical teams run like a fine tuned orchestra, each person involved in your surgery is extremely experienced and they are quite focused before surgery and plan for its success.  The nursing staff is really attentive and kind, also extremely experienced.  Please look at George Gardopee's profile on this site for in depth reporting on his surgery at Cleveland Clinic.  Ginny Turner and I also have had OHS there and in my case I had my mitral valved replaced ( pig tissue ) my tricuspid repaired as well.  You'll have a great outcome, try not to worry.  You'll wake up tomorrow in a small, curtained space in ICU and in a day or two be back in your room and go for that first walk down the hall with the nurse walking with you.  The nurses will do anything for you, you'll see!  My surgery was in Feb so I'll soon have my one year anniversary and in October I went to my 50th High School reunion and guess what?  I danced ALL night.  I'm so happy that I chose CC, you will be too, I assure you.  👍🏼

Hi Alex! I really hope that everything goes as planned tomorrow.  As you know, these surgeries are amazing miracles, yours will be too!  I am sure you will be great! I am here, if you want to chat. Have a great day!