Bill's Guestbook

July 1, 2016 Bill, Once one begins all the testing process, the conveyor belt seems to just keep moving one to the surgery day. I found out in mid-April I would need my aortic valve replaced (severe aortic stenosis). We decided to not tell our kids/grandkids because of a full spring of proms, high school graduations, and an 8th grade continuation process. We did not want to put a shadow on their good times. They all live near us. How many times a day does someone greet you with a "Hello, how are you?" ALL THE TIME. It became easy for me to say, "I'm doing well. I'm fine." I was going to go home from our grandson's high school graduation party and send the kids an email . . . yes, an email. I had it all typed. Instead, it was so easy to talk to our daughter/son that evening as the party was coming to a close. It was a perfect time. I had my aortic valve replaced on June 16th with an artificial valve. I had open heart surgery. I came home from the hospital on the 22nd, and I started walking 5 minutes about 4 times a day. Now, I can walk 20 minutes and even did 30 minutes one morning . . . not 4 times a day. (Perhaps I was a little too ambitious with the 30 minute walk.) I am hampered by lack of energy and feel it in my muscles, and if I walk too fast, I have to stop. Time will be my friend. I had open heart surgery 29 years ago and have an artificial mitral valve, too. My problems are a result of rheumatic fever when I was 16. Age 46 . . mitral valve replaced Age 74 . . aortic valve replaced Bill, I am active and was in excellent health for this surgery. I ski, ride my bike, hike, and I fly fish with my husband. We play competitive duplicate bridge, and we always travel with our cribbage board. (When Bruce retired from his real job, he became a fly fishing guide.) I had my surgery done at the Cardiac Center . St. Joseph Hospital . Denver, Colorado. I have the same respect and admiration for ALL involved in my care that one reads about all the time on this website. I have rambled. I wish you well on July 5th. Judy Spinney

Hey Bill, I had an aortic root aneurysm replacement on May 23, 2016 at UVA. Dr. Kern was not my surgeon. Mine was Dr.Ghanta-who did consult wit Kern about me.An amazing nurse that worked with Dr.Kern for 15 years is a family friend ( and has taken care of me since discharge) has the most respect and admiration for him.That team of doctors is amazing.The staff on 4 west was great.I was amazed at how monitered I was.When there you wear a monitor constantly and I found out that not only on the floor you're being monitored, but there are people in a building down the street that monitor your monitor.I found it all facinating.They cover everything. Best wishes.I still consider myself in the early stages of recovery because I still have a lot of pain and am constantly tired..I had my follow up at UVA last Friday.My doctor told me the best thing I can do is put the surgery behind me and start moving forward...So I guess that would be my positive encouraging thoughts for you..