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