Cassandra Billings posted a note for Chris that says:
Wow Chris, just saw this! I am so sorry you are going through all those problems and getting a heart attack after your big surgery. I will keep you in my prayers. ...Read more
Wow Chris, just saw this! I am so sorry you are going through all those problems and getting a heart attack after your big surgery. I will keep you in my prayers. Take care of yourself Chris
Hey Chris, i saw your update on your heart rhythm issues and I hope everything is ok now. I would love to hear how your open heart surgery went and how your ...Read more
Hey Chris, i saw your update on your heart rhythm issues and I hope everything is ok now. I would love to hear how your open heart surgery went and how your life has changed since then. I myself have gone threw a OHS just a month ago.
Hi Chris,
Checking to see how you are doing. I am praying that you are on your road to recovery. Are you going thru rehab?
May you and your family have ...Read more
Hi Chris,
Checking to see how you are doing. I am praying that you are on your road to recovery. Are you going thru rehab?
May you and your family have a very blessed Thanksgiving.
God bless.
Chris Purvis Hey Debbie always good to hear from you! I’m still kind of in a holding pattern until these antibio ... Read more
Chris Purvis Hey Debbie always good to hear from you! I’m still kind of in a holding pattern until these antibiotics are done. After that TEE to check on valve. It was performing well when I left the hospital so I’m thinking it’s all going to be ok. I’ve done 3 sessions of rehab and have 33 more to go. I’ve been back to my normal place but taking it a little easy these days. Hope all is well!
Rob Sparling Good to hear, Chris! Keep,up the good work and keep us posted.
Hello Chris! Just wanted to check on you and see how you’ve been. This fall has been a hard ride for you, but always know you’ve got the support of us at ...Read more
Hello Chris! Just wanted to check on you and see how you’ve been. This fall has been a hard ride for you, but always know you’ve got the support of us at the heart valve blog. Thinking of you!
Chris Purvis Hey Shannon! I’m doing better I guess although I never really felt bad. The stroke was a weird out ... Read more
Chris Purvis Hey Shannon! I’m doing better I guess although I never really felt bad. The stroke was a weird out of body kind of experience. I’m taking my meds twice a day thru my picc line that’s no big deal. Getting back into fitness slowly. I’m thinking about next steps and my mind is in a place that these antibiotics will do the job and I won’t need my new valve replaced. Hope your well!
Judy S Now that would be a great thing to be thankful for!
Shannon Gray Prayers that it will be exactly the case... positive thinking, and you are doing so well with that. T ... Read more
Shannon Gray Prayers that it will be exactly the case... positive thinking, and you are doing so well with that. Thinking of you!
GOOD MORNING CHRIS ,, CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT SIGNS YOU WERE HAVING ?
THANKS
MARGERITE
Chris Purvis Hi!
I was having numbness in my face and my body just felt so strange so hard to describe. During my ... Read more
Chris Purvis Hi!
I was having numbness in my face and my body just felt so strange so hard to describe. During my heart attack I had no symptoms at all.
So very sorry to hear this! I hope by now you are well on your way to a full recovery.
Thank you for sharing this harrowing experience! A lesson learned ...Read more
So very sorry to hear this! I hope by now you are well on your way to a full recovery.
Thank you for sharing this harrowing experience! A lesson learned for all of us.
Hi Chris! Been thinking of you and just checking in after your post a couple of weeks ago. Any updates? How’re you feeling? Sending my best and hope all is ...Read more
Hi Chris! Been thinking of you and just checking in after your post a couple of weeks ago. Any updates? How’re you feeling? Sending my best and hope all is well.
Hey Chris I just found out on February 12th that I have the exact same thing that you have. Been living in a state of fear for something bad to happen and ...Read more
Hey Chris I just found out on February 12th that I have the exact same thing that you have. Been living in a state of fear for something bad to happen and also fear of surgery. I am hoping to get in and have surgery in a April or May. I meet with the surgeon at the Mayo Clinic here in Minnesota on 4/4. Any pre and post thoughts you can share with me. I am stuck in my head all day long and seem to not be able to get off the internet. I am going on vacation here 3/19-4/2 so hopefully I will keep busy and not be looking things up. I was worried about flying but that seems to be ok to do since it seems you and others had so many travels on planes. I want to so bad be on the other side of this and as far as you have gotten. I am scared of dying in surgery and during the wait for this but I also know that chances of that are very slim. I have two little kids at home and I just want to live for them and my beautiful wife. I just want to get back to living my life as I was a month ago where I was so happy and unafraid. #showstopper. Thanks for reading just looking for some sense of normalcy
rich monoson Mike, you just expressed the exact same concerns and thoughts that I've have constantly. The part abo ... Read more
rich monoson Mike, you just expressed the exact same concerns and thoughts that I've have constantly. The part about two young kids and a beautiful wife touched me to the core. I'm so concerned because my family needs me and I love them more than anything in the world. My day has become so heart centric where I'm thinking so often of my condition compounded by a sudden career change and needing to move very soon. Some days the symptoms are minimal (especially during my hockey games) and other times I'm reminded that something is very dysfunctional with the heart. I've accepted what must be done and I'm grateful there is this amazing technology to resume life again in better condition than presently exists....but the anxiety when I think of my kids beautiful faces and my absolute desire to be there for them is enormous. Mike, your experience so coincided with my daily thoughts I wanted to reach out to you and this incredible community that I'm with you and you are not alone in your thoughts or concerns. I'm ready to take this on and I want to thank each and every member of the HVS community for their compassion, empathy and incredible support! Stay strong Mike!
Louanna Miller Mike and Rich, your concerns are so valid and overwhelming. Take time to think through all aspects o ... Read more
Louanna Miller Mike and Rich, your concerns are so valid and overwhelming. Take time to think through all aspects of this and find the very best surgeons in your area. Take care of yourselves now and you will be better able to take care of your families. They love you and will support you through this journey. Praying for both of you. Peace be with you.
Mike Roskowinski Thanks Rich and Louanna. Yeah the process has so many ups and downs in the feelings spectrum. Also be ... Read more
Mike Roskowinski Thanks Rich and Louanna. Yeah the process has so many ups and downs in the feelings spectrum. Also being buried in snow and nothing to do just makes your mind sit and think. It’s at least nice that I can still go and do some exercises as that makes me feel better and my mind of it.
rich monoson Louanna, that was incredibly kind of you and so appreciated. Mike, I've come to realize that this pro ... Read more
rich monoson Louanna, that was incredibly kind of you and so appreciated. Mike, I've come to realize that this procedure is going to allow me to be able to do things I love for a long time. I'm grateful to the new technology out there and the beautiful HVS community we are a part of. I'm ready to rock and roll when the doc taps me on the shoulder. Look forward to staying connected.
Hi Chris, Just to let you know that Dr. Lamales is back practicing in Miami. I am in Houston and will be having my angiogram soon. It’s time for my surgery, ...Read more
Hi Chris, Just to let you know that Dr. Lamales is back practicing in Miami. I am in Houston and will be having my angiogram soon. It’s time for my surgery, and now, I don’t know my next step😅.
I hope you and your family have a great 2019!
Hi Chris,
I have to get mitral valve repair surgery 11/26. I'm 49 and like you, work out a lot. I'm in very good shape. I'm nervous about this surgery. ...Read more
Hi Chris,
I have to get mitral valve repair surgery 11/26. I'm 49 and like you, work out a lot. I'm in very good shape. I'm nervous about this surgery. I'm sure everyone is but is there anything you can tell me about how to get through it? I'm gonna show up, they will put me out and hopefully I wake up feeling good. What's it like waking up? Was it painful? I also am having a minimally invasive procedure like yours. How long does it take to get back to where I can work out again and do normal stuff? Appreciate your feedback.
Chris Purvis Hey man-know this you will do just fine. I’ll be honest the breathing tube and the 30 minutes I wai ... Read more
Chris Purvis Hey man-know this you will do just fine. I’ll be honest the breathing tube and the 30 minutes I waited for it to be removed was the worst part of it all. Pain was minimal and controlled. I had 1 chest tube and it only hurt when the pulled on it to measure the level of fluid that was draining out. When they pulled it out it just felt weird...didn’t hurt. I was walking 4-5 miles within 5 days and was back at the gym on light duty around 5 weeks. I’d be happy to talk more if you would like via phone..I’m sure you have lots of questions...I know I did. My email iscpurvisst@icloud.com if you want to chat shoot me a note and I’ll give you my phone number
Chris Purvis Sorry man that’s weird. Im in the car with my kids so I’ll call you once I’m home and they are ... Read more
Chris Purvis Sorry man that’s weird. Im in the car with my kids so I’ll call you once I’m home and they are screaming in the back ground. Within hour and half..
Chris - This is Cheryl, David's wife. How did you find your surgeon? Did you have a local cardiologist here in Atlanta? Did they coordinate? How did you ...Read more
Chris - This is Cheryl, David's wife. How did you find your surgeon? Did you have a local cardiologist here in Atlanta? Did they coordinate? How did you get to the hospital? Fly? Drive? How did you handle post-op visits? I am super upset about this and I'm trying to research everything I can. Did you check Emory as well as Piedmont for the minimal procedure? David is beginning to be symptomatic, where he wasn't until he found out about his issue (makes me wonder if it is mental manifesting as physical). He goes tomorrow for a heart cath and I guess we will see if anything else is going on. He is super healthy so we are believing not. Please let me know what I need to do now. My faith is strong but my spirit is weak right now as I look for answers. Praying God opens doors for us to walk thru. Praising Him for your fabulous results.
Hi, sorry for late response. I ended get mechanical valve to avoid repeat surgery. I’m not a candidate for TAVR since my heart is too small. I hope you ...Read more
Hi, sorry for late response. I ended get mechanical valve to avoid repeat surgery. I’m not a candidate for TAVR since my heart is too small. I hope you are doing well. I had a stroke when I had my second son so that made me worry about the blood thinner but it was from a clot traveling up to my brain and not from an bleed out. Luckily I recovered from that with no residual problem. My recovery was text book with little complications. I hear the ticking from the valve but it doesn’t bother me. I’m back to normal. Recently went back to golfing and had my first roller coasters ride with the family. Being on Coumadin isn’t so bad. Now they test me every 2 month and it has been in range.
Hi Chris,
Totally off topic, but did you see the news report of the Cardiologist (who treated President Bush) who was shot and killed on Main Street just ...Read more
Hi Chris,
Totally off topic, but did you see the news report of the Cardiologist (who treated President Bush) who was shot and killed on Main Street just outside of our hospitals this week? It has upset me.
Chris Purvis I did. I can’t believe someone took his life for no reason at all. Devastating for sure! This world ... Read more
Chris Purvis I did. I can’t believe someone took his life for no reason at all. Devastating for sure! This world is so unfair at times...
Susan Lynn Getting lots of local coverage in PA. He graduated from a high school that's about 20 miles away fro ... Read more
Susan Lynn Getting lots of local coverage in PA. He graduated from a high school that's about 20 miles away from me. What a tragedy.
I'm sorry to read you are back in A-fib. Sending prayers and best wishes for a rapid return to sinus rhythm and that you stay there.
Chris Purvis Thanks Anna. Glad you are doing better and found a great cardiologist to take care of you.
Dan Vechiola Hey Chris! Hang in there man. Stupid AFib seems to be a frustrating part of the recovery. Keep doi ... Read more
Dan Vechiola Hey Chris! Hang in there man. Stupid AFib seems to be a frustrating part of the recovery. Keep doing what you are doing and soon this will be all in the rear view mirror!
Chris Purvis Thanks Dan. That has been the only frustrating thing for me. I realize it’s recovery but I was 2 we ... Read more
Chris Purvis Thanks Dan. That has been the only frustrating thing for me. I realize it’s recovery but I was 2 weeks away from the previous A Fib visit so I was a little suprised. Good news is I think I converted around 1015 this morning so I wasn’t even in it but 20hous total. Praying and hoping it stays away...far far away.
Mark Wilbur This too, will pass! Something I finally learned in life is that very few things ever go as expected ... Read more
Mark Wilbur This too, will pass! Something I finally learned in life is that very few things ever go as expected. But, most problems are just challenges that we can meet and overcome. You will overcome this one, too, Chris. Here's to a healthy, active life!
Rose Madura Sorry about the Afib, You will get through it. Remember the video on this site. I believe it says ... Read more
Rose Madura Sorry about the Afib, You will get through it. Remember the video on this site. I believe it says 99 percent of the people who have Afib after OHS, will have it go away within 6 weeks. I had three bouts of it. The last one was about 6 weeks out. Been fine ever since. Be thankful you are not symptomatic. Two of my Afib setbacks were extremely scary. I hope you stay in sinus rhythm from here on out.
Chris Purvis Thanks Mark-I appreciate the kind words and your right ....this to shall pass.
Rose thanks for the r ... Read more
Chris Purvis Thanks Mark-I appreciate the kind words and your right ....this to shall pass.
Rose thanks for the reminder about the A Fib. Your also right it’s just something that happens to us but man it can be frustrating when your coasting along so well in recovery. I’m sure you had the same feeling especially at 6 weeks out....
Hi Chris. I’ve really enjoyed reading your journal. I have the same problem you had with the ascending aortic aneurysm and bicuspid aortic valve. I currently ...Read more
Hi Chris. I’ve really enjoyed reading your journal. I have the same problem you had with the ascending aortic aneurysm and bicuspid aortic valve. I currently have Kaiser Permanente health insurance which I’ve had for 35 years and have been very happy with it. The bad thing is they don’t do the minimaly invasive surgery. Full sternotomy. So I’m going to look into going to your surgeon. I live in San Francisco so it will be a long trip. My aneurysm was at 4.7 last year and I’m getting rechecked this summer. My bicuspid valve is functioning normally so I don’t know if that needs replacing or not. I guess when open enrollment happens I will check into a different insurance. I hope they will insure me with a pre existing condition or I’ll have to spend my 401k to get the surgery. I’m really up in the air about how I’m going to get this done. Your story is very inspiring to me and I really appreciate you sharing your experience. I’m so glad you are feeling better.
Chris Purvis Hey Ron and thanks for the note! If you research Dr. Lamelas I promise you’ll see what I left Atlan ... Read more
Chris Purvis Hey Ron and thanks for the note! If you research Dr. Lamelas I promise you’ll see what I left Atlanta and drove to Houston. My aneurysm was the scariest part so I was really ready to get that out of me. If you want to connect and discuss anything let me know-I would be happy too talk via phone and answer all of your questions. I hope you get what you want out of your journey=a surgeon that has done tons and tons of successful surgeries and a top ranked hospital...and hopefully that’s Dr. Lamelas 😂.
Susan Lynn Ron - I believe a provision of the Affordable Care Act prevents insurers from discriminating based on ... Read more
Susan Lynn Ron - I believe a provision of the Affordable Care Act prevents insurers from discriminating based on a preexisting condition. If you're going to another group plan through an employer, it's definitely prohibited under HIPAA. Best of luck to you.
Chris Purvis Doing much better Anna thanks for asking! Was released yesterday about noon and I hope this medicine ... Read more
Chris Purvis Doing much better Anna thanks for asking! Was released yesterday about noon and I hope this medicine will control it. Got to walk outside today and walked 3.56 miles. How are you doing? Hope your infection is gone?
Muhammad Riyaz Good to hear your recovery. I will have an open heart on 5th of July. Aorta Valve replacement, Aneury ... Read more
Muhammad Riyaz Good to hear your recovery. I will have an open heart on 5th of July. Aorta Valve replacement, Aneurysm, and 4 by passes all at the same time.
Chris Purvis Thanks Muhammad. Blesses for sure that things are going well. I had the same surgey minus the blockag ... Read more
Chris Purvis Thanks Muhammad. Blesses for sure that things are going well. I had the same surgey minus the blockages. You’ll do great and feel so much better once it’s over.
Anna Jones Hi Chris, great news that you were released yesterday. I hope the medication controls your rhythm to ... Read more
Anna Jones Hi Chris, great news that you were released yesterday. I hope the medication controls your rhythm too. Yes, my infection is gone. We are working on my anemia, low blood pressure, and high pulse now. If it isn't one thing it is another.
Chris Purvis Metropol I think is the spelling 25mg 3 times daily. That’s what converted me in the hospital.
Marianne Charters Metoprolol. Great! If they had given you amiodarone....well they didn’t 😀I’ve been on a low ... Read more
Marianne Charters Metoprolol. Great! If they had given you amiodarone....well they didn’t 😀I’ve been on a low dose of atenolol for years because of pvcs. Another beta blocker. Metoprolol before and after was a standard protocol for ohs patients where I worked.
Hi Chris. Congrats on your successful surgery, and wish you a speedy recovery. I too am looking at Dr Lamelas as a surgeon. Sounds like he is gifted surgeon. ...Read more
Hi Chris. Congrats on your successful surgery, and wish you a speedy recovery. I too am looking at Dr Lamelas as a surgeon. Sounds like he is gifted surgeon. Would you mind telling me what type of bioprosthetic valve he put in? Edwards or St Jude? Take care, wishing you the best.
Chris Purvis Hey Chris I’m not exactly sure. It was written and told to me but I forgot. But I wouldn’t go any ... Read more
Chris Purvis Hey Chris I’m not exactly sure. It was written and told to me but I forgot. But I wouldn’t go anywhere else except Houston to see him. If you want to chat shoot me an email cpurvisst@icloud.com
Hello Chris,
Sorry to hear about your AFib. As I am sure you are aware, it is very common after cardiac surgery. Makes perfect sense to me that the heart ...Read more
Hello Chris,
Sorry to hear about your AFib. As I am sure you are aware, it is very common after cardiac surgery. Makes perfect sense to me that the heart might react after such a procedure.
There is a great video on this site which talks about AFib, and the fact that in a very high % of patients, it is resolved in about 6 weeks.
Chris Purvis Thank you Bonnie. I appreciate you reaching out and sharing some information with me. I’ll take a l ... Read more
Chris Purvis Thank you Bonnie. I appreciate you reaching out and sharing some information with me. I’ll take a look at it for sure. Hope your doing well!
If you look under "videos", titled "Atrial Fibrillation", and the specialist is Dr. Gillanov. Key message is AFib is "temporary" (yeah) and 94% of patients who develop AFib following surgery, recover from it within 6 weeks.
I developed AFib after my surgery while still in the hospital. It was quite funny, actually, as the RN ran into my room, looking quite distressed, saying "You have AFib" as she could see on one of the many monitors I was attached to.
I said "News to me!" as I had no sensation at all!
Stephen Bertalli posted a note for Chris that says:
Hang in there, Chris and try and be patient. It's not easy when you're used to being active but it really takes a full year to feel 100% normal again, yet you ...Read more
Hang in there, Chris and try and be patient. It's not easy when you're used to being active but it really takes a full year to feel 100% normal again, yet you will see progress every three months until then. Make sure to get lots of exercise! Good luck!
Chris Purvis Thanks Stephen. Your spot on-it is very hard when your used to being very active. I think I’ve come ... Read more
Chris Purvis Thanks Stephen. Your spot on-it is very hard when your used to being very active. I think I’ve come to the conclusion I’m not skipping the naps because I’m just tired but I can still walk 3 miles daily until I build back up to the gym rat I was a few months ago. Thanks for the note man!
Hang in there. Same for me four years ago (atrial valve replacement June 17, 2014). Hardest thing was getting used to the forced idleness, and the overcoming ...Read more
Hang in there. Same for me four years ago (atrial valve replacement June 17, 2014). Hardest thing was getting used to the forced idleness, and the overcoming that habit once I was all healed. Do the work - which it sounds like you are - and all it takes is some time. All that pretty much just a vague memory and a scar now.
Chris Purvis Thanks Bob. It is hard but like you said do the work which I plan on doing so that I can continue to ... Read more
Chris Purvis Thanks Bob. It is hard but like you said do the work which I plan on doing so that I can continue to ease back into a normal life.
Feel better Chris. Recovery is certainly not easy!
Chris Purvis Thanks Anna! I’m soooo tired of hospitals at this point. Hope your doing good and your recovery is ... Read more
Chris Purvis Thanks Anna! I’m soooo tired of hospitals at this point. Hope your doing good and your recovery is getting better.
Debbie Chatzky Chris, Sorry to hear of your afib. I went into it while still in the hospital the first time. After t ... Read more
Debbie Chatzky Chris, Sorry to hear of your afib. I went into it while still in the hospital the first time. After they controlled it with IV meds,
They sent me home taking Amiodorane. Still on it. Hope your home again soon!
Marianne Charters Wow. Sorry to hear about the afib. I was also sent home on amiodarone( had a drip started during sur ... Read more
Marianne Charters Wow. Sorry to hear about the afib. I was also sent home on amiodarone( had a drip started during surgery). I had afib before surgery and during. Hopefully a good med team in your home town
Catie B Unfortunately, I was on the afib train and the lung-draining train also. Hope these struggles are soo ... Read more
Catie B Unfortunately, I was on the afib train and the lung-draining train also. Hope these struggles are soon behind you, Chris.
Chris, you've just taken part in a miracle. Acknowledge your not-so-good feelings rather than trying to repress them--but at the same time, practice feeling ...Read more
Chris, you've just taken part in a miracle. Acknowledge your not-so-good feelings rather than trying to repress them--but at the same time, practice feeling awe at where you now are. It worked for me even at my lowest point. Blessings to you and your family, Artie