Daniel's Guestbook

What is your Story Daniel? Why did you have 6 surgeries? I've had 3 open heart surgeries, 2 pacemakers, 2 attempted ablations, 1 successful ablation. My last surgery(which was my 3rd) included a mechanical mitral valve, a biological tricuspid valve, a new pacemaker, and new wires. I was born with a hold in my heart that never closed up, and a mitral valve that needed repair. They closed up the hole (which was bigger then a 50 cent piece) with teflon, and repaired the valve. This was at age 17. At age 40, I had a band put around the tricuspid and mitral valves. And of course the 3rd as I talked about being my 3rd surgery. As you get older, the more surgeries you have; and the trauma to the body (opening up the chest) gets to be harder on a person, but I'm grateful to be alive. I've been able to see my son graduate from high school, and I just saw my daughter get married about 3 months ago. I'm thankful, although there are days when I do not feel well, and I believe it is due to having so much done. I'm thankful that God has seen fit to allow me to witness different events in my family and continue to live my life. I always try to be an encouragement to others, because I've been blessed enough to see so much considering what I've been thru. God is Good.......

Helo Daniel, pleasure to meet you in this community. Can you let me know if you had the David Procedure done? My surgeon informed me today that I might be a candidate since my tricuspid valve doesn't have any damage. If you have any information to share I would gladly appreciate it very much. Great to see hat you are doing very well.

Hi Daniel, I have enjoyed reading your story I have bicuspid valve and aneurysm. Just wondering at what size was your aneurysm when you had it repaired. I was very fit and active cycling, running etc but have had to stop it all and finding it very hard to take! My aneurysm is at 4.2 and I just want it fixed and to get on with my life but my consultant says not until it reaches 4.5. Thank's.

Hi Daniel- It is me, Terrie from California! I don't know if you remember me telling you I was going to sketch your "Bike Activity" photo and do a block print for you but I still intend to do one soon as a friend of mine, Vicky dropped by last week and handed off 8 new blank blocks with a nudge to get going on my artwork again. My first will be one of your photos and after I print it I will send you copies thereafter as your photos come from places from the "heart" and each and every photo is filled with your love for what you are doing and inspire us all to get out in these great outdoors and enjoy life and heal ourselves from the inside out! Sorry it took so long to get moving on the "project" but I have developed cataracts and have been careful not to abuse or overuse my "eyes". I will eventually get them "fixed" so I will go slow and see what time brings. I hope this post finds you well. I am at 11 months today....yes this very day! How is this weather affecting your bike riding. I am still doing mostly neighborhood jaunts but happier than hell to be able to do even this! As we get into cooler weather I intend to find some bike paths to take as we have one path that goes through our town that ends in another city that for me would be a challenge! Hope this finds you well and planning your next adventure! Ride on little Heart Brother. (no offense meant but being 66yrs old you are "little" to me! Take care! I will write when finished with the print and find out where to send it! Still enjoying your photos. Terrie

Hi Daniel, Thanks very much for sharing your experience and your kind words. I'm getting more comfortable with what lies ahead. I hope your recovery continues to be speedy and uneventful.

Hi Daniel, my son Cole (age 37) had aortic valve and mitral valve repair on Jan 7. Since the surgery he is experiencing migraine auras every day. I saw you mentioned you had the auras too. How long did those last for you? Thanks, Terri

Daniel, hi-- we named our new son Daniel! Curious about the chest protector you referenced in a post--what it looks like and how it works? Would love to have as quite a recovery as you but will not push it--are you also following with HR monitor and did mess affect getting HR up? You seem to be back cycling pretty quick and I hope to do same.

Thank you for the comment and insight on your aneurysm. I feel like I have the same mentality as you do.... "GET IT OUT... NOW!!!!!!" I have a bicuspid aortic valve that does not need repair or replacement at this point but the aneurysm is terrifying me. I, too, have been reading and doing my research and see that new guidelines are showing it should be repaired much sooner than the suggested 5.0 cm... especially for someone as small as I am. What size was your aneurysm when it was found? And when it was operated on? How many doctors did you have to confer with before you found one that would agree with you? I am 100% in agreement with what you did would like to do the same myself.

Thanks Daniel for your thoughts on the aorta replacement. My CT scan said the enlargement is 3.4 so just beginning. I'll discuss this again when we meet Dec29th. with the team. I have lots to think about and it doesn't seem to get any easier. I just wish it was all over. Lynne

Daniel, received your request for weather change-up. Your wish is my command heart brother and I hereby place all emphasis on your snowshoeing experiences!!!!!! My husband Gary just phoned from the top of the Altamont pass where he just inherited a large tumbleweed flat out on his front window which shattered the weed itself into a zillion tiny stick weeds! It is blowing pretty well already but no rain yet! I haven't gotten on my outdoor bike yet but instead chose the past two weeks to slowly and methodically hand paint our front room walls which are now also decorated with the several outdoor Christmas creatures that light up(One large green frog, one larger reindeer dressed in a golfers outfit hitting away next to our tiny Christmas tree. I am putting together a bright pink pig that is decorated in an elf's outfit. All had to come in due to the winds due up in the next 24 hrs. from the front yard! My exercise today will probably include returning flying things to other neighbors yards! Have a good one everyone and I hope all are warm and dry also having good healing times out there! Happy Holidays!

Good morning Daniel- First off I hope you are having a continuation of good healing with recovery and that you are not doing things where your wife has to continue "rattling" on you! My husband found that comment hilarious as after 37 yrs. of marriage and at my age of 65 he still found time to "rattle" on me with my cardiologist as well over my wanting to get back on my bike outdoors. I am only able to use my recumbent bike for now but I don't want to miss these autumn days cycling the bike path near our home which is calling to me and my neighbor Tobi who rides with me. I wasn't able to ride the path due to the heart issues and restrictions and I am excited to ride the path with my friend for the first time as it takes you on a path through 3 cities and will be a lot of fun since we just moved into this area less than 2 yrs. now. I am going to take photos of my bike along the way as I am very much motivated to see what my bike will look like with the backdrop of some of the orchards and fruit stands along the landscape of the area where I live! One area in particular is down a long city road that is lined with beautiful almond trees that seem to go on forever. Does your wife ride with you , are you with a group or are you the "Lone Rider" which your photos seem to imply? I am working on your bike sketch in between one I am doing using the heart as it's centerpiece. When it is done I will send you and your wife some of the prints. I appreciate your photography and find it a tool for all of us at the site to take a brief time to contemplate the beauty and peace we all can share as many of the photos I find I am imagining me riding up on where you parked your bike, helmet on with my husband on his bike telling me it is time to coast downhill and find the nearest ice cream shop!!! You have a nice day now and by the way. How long was it after surgery(and getting past your wife, ha ha) were you able to lean forward and ride your bike? Any recommendations since I am still dealing with a little chest discomfort from the full sternotomy? My cardiologist said to wait a few weeks which was a time ago and I am now into week 12. Thanks and Good Day!

Hi Daniel, thank you for the note. I will have a Dacron aorta soon (ascending aorta aneurysm) and a bicuspid valve repair. Nice that you were joking in the operating room. How were you feeling the first few days after surgery? How are you doing now?