Guestbook of Ben Hyman

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1764 days ago

Steven Kantor posted a note for Ben that says:

Ben I enjoyed reading your story! Thanks for sharing. Wishing you continued health. It seems you did an amazing job of surrounding yourself with a perfect ...Read more

Ben I enjoyed reading your story! Thanks for sharing. Wishing you continued health. It seems you did an amazing job of surrounding yourself with a perfect medical team. Stay well. Steve

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2994 days ago

Kathy Blank, Phyllis Petersen reacted to this

Candas Jones posted a note for Ben that says:

Hi there, how are you doing? I have been healing well.

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3018 days ago

Valerie Archual posted a note for Ben that says:

Ben- I am curious about this orthostatic hypotension and your stroke. I am battling dizziness and more severe migraines since my mitral valve /ASD repair ...Read more

Ben- I am curious about this orthostatic hypotension and your stroke. I am battling dizziness and more severe migraines since my mitral valve /ASD repair but pvcs too. They released me from hospital last night but I had a weird episode of blurred vision. Called doctors and they said to keep an eye on it as they aren't sure if it's the pvcs making me dizzy or something else. A ct scan of my head was also done yesterday and was fine. My email is valerie@valeriearchual.com

Ben Hyman Hello Valerie:

Just found yout note this morning. Since my last entry, my Orthostatic Hypotension ha ... Read more

Ben Hyman Hello Valerie:

Just found yout note this morning. Since my last entry, my Orthostatic Hypotension has mostly subsided. Part of my problem was that I wasn't drinking enough water. I started upping my fluid intake to at least 2 liters per day. My heart was still healing and was not increasing my HR to compensate for the drop in blood pressure upon standing. My heart may have overcome that hurdle as well. The lessons learned and my advice to you is , make sure you are well hydrated during the healing process by drinking at least 2 liters of water per day (the equivalent of 2 large plastic soda bottles) and let the healing process take its course. With regards to my stroke, that's still a mystery. The universal consensus is that the valve tbrew a clot. There is no evidence of another clot but there is no way to be sure. I'll be pn blood thinners as a precaution for at least 6 months, possibly longer and then lifetime Aspirin therapy. If you're put on Coumadin, make sure you take it exactly as prescribed and for as long as necessary. You do mot want to have the same experience that I had. They may have pulled me off blood thinners too soon. Fortunately I made a full tecovery. I was back to work the following Monday.

Hope this helps

Ben

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3032 days ago

Kathy Blank posted a note for Ben that says:

Ben- so thankful you are ok after your stroke. Hope you are getting back on track with your recovery. It is hard to fathom the medical advances today that are ...Read more

Ben- so thankful you are ok after your stroke. Hope you are getting back on track with your recovery. It is hard to fathom the medical advances today that are saving lives of us all on this site! Not sure us elective robotic folks on this site expected the ups and downs from our surgeries! Hope you are feeling much better and that you are back to 100% soon!

Ben Hyman Thank you Kathy! I'm pretty much back to "normal" (whatever that means) Physically I feel fine wih n ... Read more

Ben Hyman Thank you Kathy! I'm pretty much back to "normal" (whatever that means) Physically I feel fine wih no perceptible neurogical deficits. It could have been much worse. I could be in a wheel chair or worse. I'm now back on Warfarin and also taking Lovenox until my INR gets to therapeutic levels. This type of thing forever changes you. Hopefully I can move on and get back to a normal healthy life

Lise Bowles Ben, I have been following you and your healing and workouts for a bit of time. I heard from Amy that ... Read more

Lise Bowles Ben, I have been following you and your healing and workouts for a bit of time. I heard from Amy that she had had a stroke and then found out the next day you had too! I am so sorry and I was just thinking, do you think working out with the kettle bells could have caused the strain to loosen the clot? I have had terrible problems with pericarditus and I recently read and checked with my doc that exercise can trigger the pericarditus. I have since slowed down and I am on meds for it and my exercise routine is riding the stationary bike for 45 minutes with a couple more light reps on machines. I feel better for now, Amy asked her doc and he didn't feel it could cause a stroke, did you Ask your doc?
Also do you have to take 81 mg of aspirin a day? I have been since my surgery, but after reading about the micro bleeds I am definitely going to check with my doc again!
Hope you are feeling much better, Lise

Ben Hyman Hi Lise;

I haven't touched a Kettlebell since my surgery. I've lost quite a bit of weight since sur ... Read more

Ben Hyman Hi Lise;

I haven't touched a Kettlebell since my surgery. I've lost quite a bit of weight since surgery and then the stroke, much of it the muscle I gained from Kettlebell. Still not sure where the clot came from. My significant other reminded me that I have sugnificant sleep apnea which is a known cause of stroke and heart issues. Looks like I'll be doing a sleep study. I have appts scheduled with a neurologist, cardiologist and my internist in the coming weeks. Hopefully I'll get some answers soon

Kathy Blank Ben- Thinking of you especially as you continue on your journey to full healing! I know all these com ... Read more

Kathy Blank Ben- Thinking of you especially as you continue on your journey to full healing! I know all these complications can be life changing but your body and medical advances will keep you in good health!!!

Matt Sheffield Ben, I'm new to the site. I just read up on your recent ordeal, sorry to hear about all you've gone ... Read more

Matt Sheffield Ben, I'm new to the site. I just read up on your recent ordeal, sorry to hear about all you've gone through over the past few days, but I so glad your doing better.

Matt Sheffield Ben, I'm new to the site. I just read up on your recent ordeal, sorry to hear about all you've gone ... Read more

Matt Sheffield Ben, I'm new to the site. I just read up on your recent ordeal, sorry to hear about all you've gone through over the past few days, but I so glad your doing better.

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3100 days ago

Shar posted a note for Ben that says:

Ben -- so glad to hear the good news that you are doing so well! Hope to see you soon. Shar

Ben Hyman Hope to return to work on the 17th

duane butterfield Ben I haven't been in contact for awhile. I am doing great physically but had a bought with depressio ... Read more

duane butterfield Ben I haven't been in contact for awhile. I am doing great physically but had a bought with depression I been taking depression meds for sometime and they have did wonders 10 days ago had appt with family doctor and she upped meds , The last couple of days have been great. I feel like doing things again putting in big garden and playing golf. Told my daughters I just couldn't force myself to play After the meds started working I consider myself completely healed. Praise God.
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3105 days ago

duane butterfield posted a note for Ben that says:

Ben I had robotic surgery on Jan 11. Dr Maltais and Dr Daly. The only side effect I had was fatigue for the first couple weeks. Some depression that I think ...Read more

Ben I had robotic surgery on Jan 11. Dr Maltais and Dr Daly. The only side effect I had was fatigue for the first couple weeks. Some depression that I think is from new blood pressure meds. Where do you live I m in Iowa Cedar Rapids area. I back playing golf and doing everything I did before. We to were impressed by Mayo my wife had valve replacement there in Aug 16. Surprising what they can do. Keep in touch Duane

Ben Hyman Hello Duane. I live in Minneapolis. Today is the 2 week anniversary of my surgery. I'm taking 4 we ... Read more

Ben Hyman Hello Duane. I live in Minneapolis. Today is the 2 week anniversary of my surgery. I'm taking 4 weeks off from work. For me, the pain levels from the 3" Thoracotomy are higher than I expected. Drs Dearani and Maltaise were my surgeons and they are excellent. My only regret is not looking into Minimally invasive. Another person on this site had that done at Mayo by Dr Maltaise and she only had 1 incision as compared to the 5 that I endured. She had much less pain than I believe I'm experiencing. I'm hoping to get back to work in a few more weeks.

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3105 days ago

Joseph Freeman posted a note for Ben that says:

Ben, So good to see you up and about! Thanks for keeping us up to date. I promise to do the same. What did you do to keep from running off the rails prior ...Read more

Ben, So good to see you up and about! Thanks for keeping us up to date. I promise to do the same. What did you do to keep from running off the rails prior to surgery? Less than a week for me, and having waves of occasional anxiety. Continued good health and recovery. Joe

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3109 days ago

Jeff T. posted a note for Ben that says:

Glad your surgery was successful. You can wait a day but get it ASAP so your dose can be adjusted if needed. I went on Coumadin for several months after ...Read more

Glad your surgery was successful. You can wait a day but get it ASAP so your dose can be adjusted if needed. I went on Coumadin for several months after my combined mitral valve repair and MAZE procedure. It is a pain to have to keep testing blood and to monitor your diet so you don't spike your levels up or down. But after valve repair Coumadin is the proper thinner.

Ben Hymangot a new guestbook post

3109 days ago

Pattie Schott. Pschottr227@gmail.com posted a note for Ben that says:

I was on Coumadin after I had a Mitral Valve replacement , i managed my levels and after 6 months , my doctor said I didn't need it anymore. ❤❤❤❤

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3109 days ago

Larry Jacobs posted a note for Ben that says:

Glad to hear your surgery went well. I was on Coumadin for 3 months before my cardiologist took me off. I had to get tested twice weekly and went to a lab not ...Read more

Glad to hear your surgery went well. I was on Coumadin for 3 months before my cardiologist took me off. I had to get tested twice weekly and went to a lab not far from my house. Skipping one day will not have much of an impact, especially since the Coumadin takes 3 days to register. Good luck.

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3110 days ago

Penny Piston posted a note for Ben that says:

Hey Ben, 1 day shouldn't hurt as long as you don't have any bleeding, etc. 1 had 3 valves replaced with mechanical ones so I'm on Coumadin every day ...Read more

Hey Ben, 1 day shouldn't hurt as long as you don't have any bleeding, etc. 1 had 3 valves replaced with mechanical ones so I'm on Coumadin every day for the rest of my life, which means blood testing weekly! It can be a pain but beats the alternative. You'll be off of it before you know it. Glad your surgery went well. Penny Piston

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3110 days ago

Steve M posted a note for Ben that says:

Ben, congrats on a successful surgery! I received a St. Judes mechanical aortic valve in April 2010. I have been on coumadin since then. I have been lucky in ...Read more

Ben, congrats on a successful surgery! I received a St. Judes mechanical aortic valve in April 2010. I have been on coumadin since then. I have been lucky in that my INR is really consistent. I have not noticed any side effects except I get cold from the thinner blood I guess. It has not altered my life style. still go fishing, hunting, biking, golfing etc. No bleeding issues. Everyone is different but I would say if the MDs recommend it try it.

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3110 days ago

Artie Rubin posted a note for Ben that says:

Hi Ben, First, congrats on getting through the op! I had a mitral valve repair and an aortic valve replacement (cow). I was put on Coumadin straightaway, ...Read more

Hi Ben, First, congrats on getting through the op! I had a mitral valve repair and an aortic valve replacement (cow). I was put on Coumadin straightaway, and I think they do that with everyone. I had to go to the local anticoagulation clinic once a week to get my INR monitored and adjusted. It wasn't difficult for me. Four months after my op, my cardiologist took me off Coumadin for good. Hope this helps. Best, Artie

Ben Hyman Thanks Artie. I'll be on Coumadin till the end of April. Hate being on the stuff with all the blood ... Read more

Ben Hyman Thanks Artie. I'll be on Coumadin till the end of April. Hate being on the stuff with all the blood tests. Also makes me lightheaded, especially after getting up from a chair or from lying down. The joys of heart valve issues

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3110 days ago

Jeffrey Jacobs posted a note for Ben that says:

God bless you Ben! I am going in for valve replacement #1 procedure this summer. Knowing about others' experiences really helps. How wonderful and fortunate ...Read more

God bless you Ben! I am going in for valve replacement #1 procedure this summer. Knowing about others' experiences really helps. How wonderful and fortunate to be here in the US with the world's best surgeons and health care. JW Jacobs, Alexandria VA

Ben Hyman Hey Jeffrey...thanks for commenting in my journal. Best of luck in your upcoming procedure

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3111 days ago

Joe Freeman posted a note for Ben that says:

Hi, Ben Thank you so much for sharing your story and your words of encouragement with me. I was never much interested in blogs or social media until now. I've ...Read more

Hi, Ben Thank you so much for sharing your story and your words of encouragement with me. I was never much interested in blogs or social media until now. I've come to realize what invaluable tools they can be! Yours and others responses to my pending OHS Guestbook has been a blessing. Like you, I promise to pay it forward. God Bless you Ben on your rehab and future endeavors.

Marie Myers Amen to that Joe! This is my first foray into the world of social media also. It has been extremely h ... Read more

Marie Myers Amen to that Joe! This is my first foray into the world of social media also. It has been extremely helpful to me in both accepting my experience and decreasing the fear factor. Hopefully I can help someone else as much as others have helped me!!

Ben Hyman Hey Joe, glad to help. If you ever want to chat, just let me know. For me, speaking to other patien ... Read more

Ben Hyman Hey Joe, glad to help. If you ever want to chat, just let me know. For me, speaking to other patients that went through this was very cathartic. It's not everyone's cup of tea, so I'll leave that up to you. You'll do great

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3113 days ago

Ben Hyman reacted to this

Mark posted a note for Ben that says:

Hey Ben, Great to hear all went well. Be a good patient! See you soon. :)

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3114 days ago

Anita Ibarra posted a note for Ben that says:

Congrats, Ben, My doctor from Mayo also put me on Coumadin for three months. When I left the hospital, my INR was 2.3. The normal range for Coumadin patients ...Read more

Congrats, Ben, My doctor from Mayo also put me on Coumadin for three months. When I left the hospital, my INR was 2.3. The normal range for Coumadin patients I believe is 2-3. I was taking 5mg tablet. I had my first INR one week after I was discharge. And my INR went up to 2.7, still in normal range. Then when I went to Mayo for a follow-up after a week, I had my INR tested and it was really low, just 1.3, which was a blessing because I had an emergency thoracentesis that same day because of pleural effusion. After two week of that procedure, I will be going back on Wednesday to have another one because my pleural cavity is filling up with fluid again. I hope you will have a normal and quick recovery...not like mine. God be with you always.

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3116 days ago

Shar posted a note for Ben that says:

Such great news, Ben! SO glad you are progressing so well! Thinking of you! Shar

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3116 days ago

Terry S posted a note for Ben that says:

I relate to all the tube stories! That last drainage tube is a real relief.

Ben Hyman Removing that tube will be soooo liberating!

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3117 days ago

charlie.southwick@abilitynetwork.com posted a note for Ben that says:

Ben good to see it went well. I think you should wear the blue hair cover on your first day back :) It is awfully quiet around here... Charlie

Ben Hyman Thanks Charlie. I'll be back before you know it

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3118 days ago

Garry posted a note for Ben that says:

I'm so glad to hear things went smoothly, Ben!

Ben Hyman I'm too ornery to let something like Open Heart Surgery get me down..., I learned that from you

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3118 days ago

Shar posted a note for Ben that says:

Praying last night and today for you, Ben -- sounds like it went well -- so relieved! Will be continuing to pray for your very fast recovery! You'll do GREAT! ...Read more

Praying last night and today for you, Ben -- sounds like it went well -- so relieved! Will be continuing to pray for your very fast recovery! You'll do GREAT!

MARIE PICUN Amen

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3120 days ago

Larry Ring posted a note for Ben that says:

Prayers and blessings going out to you and your entire healthcare team... See you soon on the recovery side of this journey!

Ben Hyman Thank you Larry!

Matthew Russo All best for a successful surgery Ben - I know you will do great!

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3122 days ago

Ben Hyman and 1 other reacted to this

Deborah Uher posted a note for Ben that says:

I'll be thinking about you.

Ben Hyman Thanks Cuz!

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3145 days ago

Tracy Simmons posted a note for Ben that says:

Hi Ben. I just ran across your post and the "Mayo" caught my attention. I had mitral valve repair at the Mayo in Rochester on March 7, 2016. I think you'll ...Read more

Hi Ben. I just ran across your post and the "Mayo" caught my attention. I had mitral valve repair at the Mayo in Rochester on March 7, 2016. I think you'll be in very good hands and you will be so relieved when you wake up after your surgery. If you have any questions, please let me know and I wish you the very, very best. I'll actually be headed up to the Mayo in March for my annual appointment / echo - very excited about the echo since it's been a year (and honestly a bit apprehensive too even though I'm back to my old self). Good luck -