Dan's Guestbook

William Fults  Just a heads up Mitchell, My surgeon, Dr. Svensson did the Commence Trial for the Inspiris Resilia valve and stated to me that it is a little different from the older model, due to a smaller sewing ring that makes it a little tougher to get a good fit. I haven't had my surgery yet (feb 26th), but he wasn't able to promise the resilia for me, because he has to see the condition of the aortic annulus. Apparently, the smaller sewing ring could be an issue if there is a lot calcification in the aorta where it gets sewn in, resulting in bleeding post op. There's a really good video of Dr. Svensson putting one of these valves in on Youtube, and he makes a comment about the sewing ring making it a tougher procedure, it's worth a look. I'm really hoping he can get this valve into place for me, it looks promising for a longer term fix.

Dan Vechiola  Hi Mitchell (and William.) Thanks for your guest book post. This is a big surgery and a significant one because it involves your life. It is very important that you do it at a great hospital using a great surgeon. I'm glad to see you are at Mayo and that William is at the Cleveland Clinic. The surgeion I I selected, Dr. Patrick McCarthy at Northwestern Memorial, said he would use the Edwards Inspiris Resilia, He was also part of the trial and had been using it for years. He has over 10,000 open heart surgeries and over 6,000 heart valve surgeries so I have a lot of confidence in him so I put my fate in my hands. As Dr. McCarthy has said in interviews, this is a difficult surgery so make sure you choose a surgeon who has done a lot of these surgeries and is very familiar with this valve. He also told me that the Edwards Inspiris Resilia is projected to last 20 to 25 years and is made for a TAVR valve to fit inside for the next surgery which takes me out 30 to 35 years. Dr. Svensson is also a great surgeon so I respect his opinion as well. My experience has been a great one. My life was pretty much back to normal at 3 months. Now I am at 5 months and I feel 20 years ago great. These surgeries and surgeons have come a long way so visualize I successful surgery, hospital stay and recovery and keep a positive mind and you will be on your way. So this is my recommendation to both of you. Select a great surgeon, place your fate in their hands, make the trust fall into their arms, and let go. Best wishes as you march forward!

Dan Vechiola  Yep you are right Rob. I was discharged on opening day/night against the Packers and I was able to see the game at home because it was on Sunday Night Football! This loss today hurts because it was such a fun Bears season and the Bears season was with me as I marched through recovery. However. just like cardiac rehab being over it's time that I man up and keep marching on my own and find new challenges going forward atleast until the Cubs start spring training! 🤣🤣🤣

Dan Vechiola  Haha! It really is a catchy song. I really believe people stay the entire game even in extra innings so they can sing that song if they win lol.

Dan Vechiola  Haha! It really is a catchy song. I really believe people stay the entire game even in extra innings so they can sing that song if they win lol.

Dan Vechiola  Thank you Cheryl and David. I am glad my words helped you. We are very strong together and I couldn't have done it without the support of this great network of friends. Happy New Year and lets make it a happy and healthy 2019!!!

Dan Vechiola  So glad you were able to get your dad out on Thanksgiving. Must have been a special day and hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Your Lions gave us a very nice gift yesterday Rob! I don't know how Da Bears won that one but we are very grateful. We are starting to get very excited here with their 8 and 3 record. They have a nice rhythm going and playing with confidence.

Dan Vechiola  Thanks for the message Adrianne! I am doing great and much better than expected. Actually surgery and recovery for me went much better than I had envisioned. I am 9.5 weeks post op, 1/3 of the way through cardiac rehab, pain free medicine/Tylenol free and 100%. I give all the credit to Dr. Patrick McCarthy, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the wonderful heart warriors on this site!

Adrianne Lane  Well I’m so glad to hear that you’re doing really well. I’m really scared about this whole thing.

Dan Vechiola  Thanks Fay. I appreciate the note. This community helped me through one of the most difficult obstacles of my life and will always be special to me. Thanks again for the kind words!

Dan Vechiola  Hi Maryann! Thanks for your post to my guestbook.
Periodontal surgery/dental clearance needs to be done prior to heart surgery. I ran into problems because my cumadin/lovanox anti coagulant treatment was mismanaged which led to the problems I had. If there is not any blood thinning going on the periodontal surgery shouldn't be a problem. If you think you need to have some periodontal work than you should address that first so when valve surgery becomes imminent you can move forward without delays. Looking back my valve surgery was nowhere near as hard as I thought it would be. The breathing tube was out before I knew it and is definately not worth fretting about. It is just there to help you breath as you wake up from a deep sleep. Heart surgery is very terrifying to think about but as you move forward in the process you will find ways to deal with your fears and this community is a great resource for that. As far as which tyoe of procedure is best, I recomend finding the best surgeon/hospital in your area. A surgeon who has done 1000s of these surgeries and listen to their recommendations. This is a chance to correct your heart and get your life expectancy back so I would not sacrifice the quality of the operation due to what may seem to be more physically appealing or easier to deal with. Fixing our hearts correctly should be the primary goal. You will find that the best surgeons use procedures in the best interest of the patient. Good luck and remember knowledge is power and you need to be the engineer of your journey train!

Bradley Dunn  I don't remember my breathing tube at all. However, I was told I was a perfect patient and never fought it.

I do remember other things like the drainage tubes, catheter and electrical wire being removed. The electrical wire was on a nerve and didn't feel well.

The stitches from the drainage tubes were the worst. Tightening those tight didn't feel well.

The urine catheter was a non event.

Maryann Gomez  I hadn’t thought of those things and the pain associated but thanks for telling me. I don’t like dutprises!

Robert Bach  I felt very little pain post-op and didn't need pain meds when I went home. They told me I struggled with the breathing tube when I woke up, but I don't remember that. I'm in week 7 of recovery and just completed my first week of cardiac rehab. It has helped a lot. I have more energy and feel better mentally. Recovery is a long road, and everyone moves ahead at their own pace.

Debbie Moriarty  I’m glad you mentioned dental work. I have been considering getting two leaking crowns redone and wondered if before or after surgery was better. Questioned answered!

Maryann Gomez  Debbie M, my surgeon insisted that I have an y kind of mouth infection cleaned up prior to the surgery. He told me to ask my dentist if there was any infection active in my mouth. There was. I had two lower crowns that I had for years. They needed to be redone. He advised me to pull them and have a very deep cleaning prior to surgery. I did all that work 3 days ago and my surgery is tomorrow. It is cutting it close and I am on amoxicillin. The reason why all of this was done so quickly is because my stenosis is very bad. The aortic opening is apparently closing fast and the surgeon said I could not wait. So tomorrow morning is D-Day! I have some sutures in my mouth but it is healing ok. At least there is no infection left that will effect the valve.
At New York Prsbyterian-Cornell where I am going, dental clearance is required. So go to your dentist ASAP and if there is any chance of infection, see if your surgeon wants it done now or later. Good luck to you. I pray that everyone going through this has a positive experience.

Debbie Moriarty  Anxious to hear how you are feeling post surgery!! Hoping you feel like a million bucks!!
Thank you so much for taking time to explain about dental work!! This gets more and more complicated every day!!!

Dan Vechiola  Hi Maryann. Thanks for your post. Today is 1 week from surgery. Surgery was a success. I am not in alot of pain. I have been taking 5 mg of Norco twice during the night and 2-Tylenol Extra Strength after each mail. My pain level ranges from 1 - 3 throughout the day. Its not really pain but a delicate feeling in my chest from the incision. Feel free to ask me qny questions Maryann and I will do my best to answer.

Maryann Gomez  Dan, thank you for your words of encouragement. I will be seeing the surgeon , Dr Leonsrd Gerrardi at New York Presbyterian this coming Monday. I’ve had a cardiac cath done last week and now I’m on a quest for information. You have been very helpful. I am hoping that the perio surgery is fast and heals fast. I get more nervous by the day and it’s hard to not get carried away by fear. I hardly sleep at night from worry.
Thank you sgain. I hope that you grow stronger and stronger day by day. You look great. I’m happy for you! Maryann

Dan Vechiola  Hey Ronnie! You are going to do great. Think positive and visualize a successful surgery and hospital stay. Also, place your fate in your surgeon and hospital's hands and let go. During those days leading up to your surgery DISTRACT DISTRACT and DISTRACT your mind. On the way to the hospital I envisioned myself in a professional fight and walking into the hospital was like entering the arena where the fight was. When you get to pre op there is no turning back so make the most of it and talk to the pre op workers and anesthesiologists and enjoy the conversation. One of the best moments of this entire journey was waking up after surgery. I thought I waking up from this pleasant colorful dream and I saw the clock in ICU and I then realized I was done with surgery. Both my daughters came running in with big smiles and thumbs up and I then knew everything was ok. You will be great. Our thoughts will be with you. Please try to keep us posted on how you are doing.

Jean Jackson  I agree- I was terrified of the sternotomy but the recovery was not nearly so bad as imagined. Back doing my usual strength routine within a few months!

Dan Vechiola  Thanks for the guestbook post Mark! I think I am more prepared for this than anything I have ever done lol. Feeling good and I have a lot of trust with my surgical team and hospital and I'm ready to get this going.

Rob Sparling  Dan, count me among the group of people wishing you the very best for the surgery itself as well as a smooth recovery! We will be thinking of you and your family tomorrow! Since you are a Cubbies fan you already know God is watching. ;)

Dan Vechiola  Thanks Rob! Your words mean a lot! Would love for God to watch over me like the Cubs and a Cubs win the night before my surgery would be fantastic!

Louanna Miller  Dan, you are in great hands with Dr. McCarthy and his surgical team. I’ll be praying for a successful surgery, smooth transition off the respirator and very low to no pain. Keep us posted when you are up to it.

Take it a day at a time and listen to your body. You will know what you need.

Valerie Altman  Dan....an inspiration for us all and now a switch...we r your cheerleaders! Prayers and more prayers!

Dan Vechiola  Thanks Louanna, Valerie and Linda. Trying not to think too much about it which is difficult. My new mindset is to just go and get my heart valve replaced for the future of me and my family. Even though I don't have any symptoms due to its severity it can't last too much longer. I will try to do an update as soon as I can following surgery.

Valerie Altman  I'm on the same boat as you, been feeling fine.. obviously a trick to test our bravery lol. We are all praying for you and your family

Marjorie Murphy  Dan
You have been such an inspiration to me and many others. Praying all goes well and this time next week we will be on our smooth road to recovery.

Marjorie Murphy  Dan
You have been such an inspiration to me and many others. Praying all goes well and this time next week we will be on our smooth road to recovery.

Marjorie Murphy  Dan
You have been such an inspiration to me and many others. Praying all goes well and this time next week we will be on our smooth road to recovery.

Marjorie Murphy  Dan
You have been such an inspiration to me and many others. Praying all goes well and this time next week we will be on our smooth road to recovery.

Marjorie Murphy  Dan
You have been such an inspiration to me and many others. Praying all goes well and this time next week we will be on our smooth road to recovery.

Dan Vechiola  Thanks Shirley. I appreciate your words. This site is very informative and because the Edward's Inspiris Resilia valve was just formally approved by the FDA it might be available by you too. Hang in there and know we are all in this together.

Barbara Maw  Hi Shirley. I had AVR with Edward's Inspiris valve on 7/12/18. I live in NH, I went to the Edwards web site under " contact us "sent an email. I asked for a list of hospitals that had it in stock. They replied immediately asking how far I would travel. I wrote back with my home state and border state. They sent a list and a hospital just 20 min from home had it. Wishing you a successful journey.

Barbara Maw  Dan, thinking of you, with positive thoughts for a successful surgery and recovery! You are blessed with a loving family, you will be well cared
for I am sure!

Judy S  I freaked when I first saw my name on the “list” but there is also the relief that comes from knowing that soon you can focus on recovery. I’m three weeks out since surgery, and your birthday was in fact a lucky day for me!

Marjorie Murphy  Dan.
You are in my prayers for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery. I want to thNk you for your encouraging words. I will be right behind you on th 7 th. God Bless

Dan Vechiola  Thank you everybody! I try to be positive for everybody and for myself. It can be hard but is the right frame of mind. I and am visualizing a successful surgery, hospital stay and recovery. Everybody on this site and all the information I have attained has brought me to the place I am in. I am thinking about my surgery date as like an opening day for a football season. I think about it but am not dwelling on it. I am sure I will have butterflies on the days leading up to it and morning of and am going to embrace it as part of the process. Thanks for being so supportive. We all can do this!

Marjorie Murphy  You can do this. This is just a bump in the road Can’t wait to hear from you after surgery. Your positive comments have certainly made a difference in my mental state🙏🙏

Thomas Brusstar  Dan, you've got a week to get things done around the house. A week before surgery I realized I'd be out of commission for basically the rest of the summer on lifting, so I did things like painted an exterior door and did garden work. It helped to keep me busy. Once your surgery day starts, you'll be good. The time will go very quickly in the hospital. Trust me, the nurses will treat you like a king in there.

Dan Vechiola  Thanks Thomas! I am staying busy and distracting myself daily. Friends and family are having us over or taking us out for dinner the next few days which is very nice. All will help taking my mind off things. I appreciate your words and am following you as my lead. Thanks so much!

Dan Vechiola  Thanks for your message Robert. Yeah that disappointed me about Rush too. The cardiologist that I was working with said ' we share a team of cardiac surgeons with Advocate Christ and so far it has gone well." Advocate Christ Hospital has a good cardiac program and my wife works for Advocate but after researching and being on this site I learned alot and wanted Northwestern and Dr. McCarthy. I am so glad you are doing well. Hearing that you are makes me feel good as well and more confident. Thanks so much again and I will follow your progress and will try to report on mine as well.

Thomas Brusstar  I’m 5 1/2 weeks post mitral valve repair by McCarthy, and yesterday I walked the 1.7 miles to and from Wrigley Field to attend a Cubs game with friends. Totally easy. I don’t want to mess with my Coumadin levels by drinking alcohol right now, so no beer for me. As a result, I learned what it’s like to watch a Cubs game WITHOUT having to go to the bathroom! Kind of nice to avoid that crowd!

Dan Vechiola  LOLOL that's hysterical! I know that feeling. The new bathrooms don't do as a good a job on crowd control as the old trough days. You saw a great game. Hopefully, you stayed for the end. Bote's walkoff was very exciting. Great job Thomas! 1.7 is a good hike outside and its so great you have reached that level. I appreciate your comments. Nice to hear your progress and experiences after having the same experience as me just with a different valve. Thanks again!