Daniel's Guestbook

Daniel Salzer  Hi Priya - I haven't been doing a good job of posting updates on this site but I just posted one to my journal with news from the past several months. My A-Fib episodes in August were worrisome but, as the doctor's predicted, the problems went away over time. I'm no longer having any issues and I'm phasing off all of my heart rhythm medications. I've returned to regular running and feeling great.

I am thrilled that I was able to get the Ross Procedure to fix my severe aortic stenosis and could not be happier with that decision. Dr. El-Hamamsy is one of the top Ross Procedure surgeons in the country so that is an excellent treatment option. Let me know if you have any questions about my Ross Procedure surgery or A-Fib issues. Best wishes, Dan

Priya A  I am really glad everything is well with you &you are back to running. Thank you for your prompt and detailed reply 

Daniel Salzer  Thank you Mike & Karen. I am confident that I'll get on the other side of my AFib issues and get back to running. I feel so fortunate to have received the Ross procedure at age 61.

Daniel Salzer  Hi Andy!  I am doing well - really enjoying being at home.  I was able to completely drop off the pain meds after getting home.  I have a wonderful flat loop trail right next to my house that is great for short, slow, walks. Two loops around the trail is 0.5 miles.  Yesterday, I did 5 walks spread throughout the day for a total of 2.5 miles. Unfortunately, I am still having A-fib issues - I had a scary episode on my first day home where I was recording HR data using my Garmin chest strap device while simply sitting in a comfortable chair.  For half an hour, the HR stayed flat but then started fluctuating all over the place rising to 156bpm. When I would go into A-fib in the hospital, my HR would instantly jump up by 20 or so but never as high as the peak on day one at home. My very first walk (single loop) was a disaster with my HR swinging wildly and peaking over 130.  I stopped to rest 5 times and it took me 40 minutes to walk 0.3 miles.  I concluded afterwards that the whole walk took place in the middle of an A-fib episode.  Every walk since has had a stable HR in the mid-70's.

The UW cardiology team is shipping a HR monitor that I'll wear for 7 days to see what percent of the time I'm in normal sinus rhythm vs. A-fib.  I also ordered a Kardia device that will allow me to record heart wave data (my Garmin device is only heartrate).  I'm still on heavy doses of amiodarone and metoprolol that are helping keep me in sinus rhythm most of the time. I'm still going with the assumption that the A-fib will clear up in the days/weeks ahead and that I'll taper off and eventually be able to discontinue the heart rhythm drugs.

Andrew Dial  Well I’m sorry to hear that darn afib is hanging around… it will clear up. Just keep pushing and keep a positive attitude and outlook, and keep your stress level down. Everything is going to be OK. 

The fact you are already walking 2.5mi a day is so good! Looks like your pace and mine are almost exact- I just did 1 mi at 23min. 

Klara Čičić  Wow Daniel! It's so early, your heart is healing... As you know, Afibs should subside and I hope soon! :) I am following your recovery with similar Afibs-scenario on my mind after my surgery...

All the best!

Rose Madura  Oh gosh does that story bring back mem6. Be encouraged that your episodes sound just like mine and I was of the 90 plus percent whose afib/aflutter went away in about six weeks.  

Daniel Salzer  Thanks Rose for these reassuring words.  I have a Kardia device now (see Journal) and am documenting multiple A-fib episodes.  I'm still on hardcore heart rhythm meds and it's discouraging to be having these episodes.  I am counting on A-fib fading away over time along with a tapering to zero of the heart rhythm meds.

Ted Niedziela  Looking good Dan....kudos on getting out and exercising. Seeing your post here,  I started follow you on Strava. I'm 7 months post-OHS for AVR and back cycling. Amazing how it <slowly> comes back!

Daniel Salzer  Hi Andy, thanks for checking in. Still have two chest tubes in place. Catheter came out yesterday. The big issue has been a really wacko AFib where my heart rate would come in and out of getting back to the normal sinus wave then back to very erratic AFib. I got a PICC line installed yesterday evening to administer a 24 hour Amiodarone drip. Last night was rough because I wasn't seeing any improvement in the AFib for most of the night but they say I converted back to normal sinus wave at 4:00 this morning. I'll feel better after more time has elapsed without flipping back to AFib

Andrew Dial  Well I’m sorry to hear that… I have total faith your heart will return and STAY at normal sinus rhythm.  Keep your head up brother, we are all here for you. 

  Sorry about your latest issue Daniel, but I’m glad your medical team is keeping up with it. It’s good that this is happening while you are there. Praying and keeping the faith you will be just fine. You have all of us here for you. God bless you 🙏❤️

Rose Madura  So sorry for your afib complication.  I had afib/aflutter for about six weeks post surgery and each time it landed me back in the hospital.  Hope yours doesn't last that long.  Be careful with the Amiodadrone.  It has some terrible side effects but it does what it's supposed to do.  Godspeed. 

Daniel Salzer  Thanks everyone for really nice encouragement. I have stayed converted to a normal sinus wave since 4:00 a.m. this morning, so, at least for the time being, things are going much better for me today

Daniel Salzer  After 26 hours with normal sinus, A-fib returned this morning. I am back on the plan A treatment, Metoprolol, which isn't a fix for A-fib (unlike the Amiodarone, which delivered a chemical jolt designed to reset to the normal sinus wave). Metoprolol treats the symptoms, to force a more normal heartbeat with the hope the heart actually fixes itself and goes back to normal. It's possible that I will be discharged without the A-fib fixed but instead managed to see if my  AFib problem goes away on its own. I look forward to talking to someone on Dr. Burke's team today about the electrical cardioversion option

Rose Madura  God bless you Daniel. Two steps forward and three steps back. Hopefully they will be able to get it under control soon. Brings back memories of my "episodes" and I feel for you. I will be praying for you.

Deena Z  WTG, Daniel.  Already a able to text!! That’s really good!!! Thxs for the update.  Exhale…. The hardest part is over. 

Deena Z  thinking of you, Daniel!  Almost to recovery. We will be waiting for you and so will your All Star medical team!

Daniel Salzer  Hi Tim - thank you for the message and for all the helpful information you have shared on this site.  I'm ready and so glad the day has finally arrived.

Rose Madura  God bless you Daniel. You are in great shape so all is in your favor. You did your research. Now, we'll hear all about when you are in recovery.

Daniel Salzer  Thanks so much Andy!  I really enjoyed our phone call last night - thank you so much for all the helpful, generous sharing you've done for the rest of us!

  Daniel, I agree with Deena. You are in much better physical condition than me and I’m still here by the Grace of God. Am having now aneurysm issues but not from the surgery. You will do great. Let us know how it went and I will pray for your surgery and recovery. God bless you 

  Thank you Daniel, got the scan and results but have to wait until Monday to talk to the cardiologist and see what’s the next step. A little freak out but trusting in God for a good outcome. God bless you 

Daniel Salzer  thanks Martin!  I have not met many Ross patients on this site and it's great to meet another person in their 60's who was deemed eligible for the Ross and who is doing well almost 2 years post-op.  I also feel fortunate to have connected with an excellent, Ross-experienced surgeon, Dr. Christopher Burke at the U of Washington.  In my case, having 5 years of cardiac running fitness data for 1,000 runs and 5,500 miles, with a noticeable change in HR and pace 2 years ago, helped prioritize me for treatment.  I wish we had health care coverage like you do in Canada but I have good Aetna coverage through my employer and pre-op procedures quickly used up my annual deductible so I won't be out financially for what I'm sure will be very expensive surgery.  I'm very much at peace with the treatment plan and can't wait to get to the other side.  Thanks again for the message!

Timothy Andre  Also, I am sure your aware but just in case you are not, Adam Pick is also a Ross Procedure brother. He is a wonderful person and is always willing to answer questions and help in any way he can. We all hold him close to our hearts for creating a beautiful community of such supportive people.

Daniel Salzer  Thank you Timothy!  I've learned so much from your posts - glad that the swollen throat issue from intubation cleared up and that your 21-day post check-up went well.  Congrats for the work you did to connect with Dr. Paul Stelzer - he is clearly one of country's top heart valve surgeons.  

I've watched many of the excellent interviews that Adam has done with leading heart valve experts (including Dr. Stelzer) so learned of Adam's Ross Procedure experience through those interviews.  I really appreciate Adam's initiative and dedication to create and maintain this online learning forum.