Guestbook of Don Brown

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Don Browngot a new guestbook post

2402 days ago

1 person reacted to this

Susan Lynn posted a note for Don that says:

Don and Lisa - I was thinking of you both and wondering how you're doing. If you have a moment, please give us an update. ❤

Don Browngot a new guestbook post

2442 days ago

Gregory Ballard posted a note for Don that says:

Hey there my fellow heart warrior! Many of us are thinking of you and hoping you have found some answers to your medical situation so you can get the help ...Read more

Hey there my fellow heart warrior! Many of us are thinking of you and hoping you have found some answers to your medical situation so you can get the help you need. Sending more prayers and well wishes your way.

Adam Pick Healthy thoughts and prayers going out to Don!!!

Susan Lynn Prayers are with you and your wife Don! Hope you're on the road to recovery! ❤

Don Browngot a new guestbook post

2466 days ago

Tim Saint posted a note for Don that says:

I hope you are prevailing Don!! Stay strong and fight through. All the best 💪👊❤

Don Browngot a new guestbook post

2467 days ago

Tim Saint reacted to this

Gregory Ballard posted a note for Don that says:

Don how are you doing? Hope you have found some much needed answers and the doctors can help you get that valve repaired so you can start recovering. Please ...Read more

Don how are you doing? Hope you have found some much needed answers and the doctors can help you get that valve repaired so you can start recovering. Please let us all know if / when you have a date set. We are all here for you and are sending prayers your way.

Don Browngot a new guestbook post

2487 days ago

Catie B posted a note for Don that says:

Wondering how you're doing this week, Don. I hope you are on the mend and feeling stronger and that some encouragement has come your way.

Don Brown Thanks for the words and thoights for me in this struggle. Since my valveplat.(spelling wrong sorry) ... Read more

Don Brown Thanks for the words and thoights for me in this struggle. Since my valveplat.(spelling wrong sorry) when they tried to strech my bovime valve that i got in Feb of 2016. But it did not work sorry to say. Now we been discussing opitions and quality of life to have. The same surgeon that did my second OHS jas declined to do my needed 3rd sugery due to the many problems i had when trying to revive me when then couldnt get me to breath on my own and had total heart blockage. Then the pacemaker that they did for emergence got.my heart working again and after 4 days on a ventilator i finally came back. But had no memory issues or dates and times or even know my kids names. So after 4 days in icu it was 2:57 am(i just remeber seeing the clock first weird) i got all my senses back.. So now with my valve being grainalated its too small to do anymore procedures too. My cardiology team is trying to fine a surgeon that is confident to do my 3rd OHC at my age of only 47 there would be a 4th OHS later in my life if needed be... So im battling with water weight gaining,breathing issues and constraint exhusted. Been in er room twice last week... Sorry to make this so long but im trying so hard to find tjhe positive in all this and if i posted all this on here i dont want someone to be scared or let down in thier personal struggles they have or will have in their life.. So i saw ur message and thought i would let u know my struggles.. Thanks for listening. Do u tjink i should post all this in the community or just wait awhile till im more sure and positive? Whats ur opinion? Thanks and God Bless...ty

Catie B Don, I'm so sorry! If I understand you correctly, the procedure you just had a few days ago didn't wo ... Read more

Catie B Don, I'm so sorry! If I understand you correctly, the procedure you just had a few days ago didn't work! That is rough, rough news. If it was me and if it was possible, I would really research to try to find the very most experienced surgeon possible, even if it meant going out of state. I don't know whether that is something you could consider or not. I don't know whether your insurer limits you, for example. But there might be a much more experienced surgeon, say, in NY than NJ. I don't know. Just a thought, Don, since you are needing a rarer and complex surgery and the last surgery left you with real health struggles.
I hope you won't hesitate to share what is going on with you with the group as a whole. That is what we are here for, is to support each other. And I'm sure you could use additional support.
Again, I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through! May the Lord help bring about just the right team to help you in the next part of your journey! God bless you, too!

Don Browngot a new guestbook post

2492 days ago

Diane Esposito reacted to this

Darren Ketchley posted a note for Don that says:

Hi Don i hope you are doing ok after a major surgery. I had my OHS in june 2018 and nothing can prepare you for it. It is very scary and post op can be very ...Read more

Hi Don i hope you are doing ok after a major surgery. I had my OHS in june 2018 and nothing can prepare you for it. It is very scary and post op can be very emotional which is something i was not prepared for. I found the first month very tough and despite a successful mitral valve repair my complications that occured because of surgery has impacted on my recovery. Dresslers syndrome as a result of inflammation lead to atrial fibrillation. Some left ventricle dysfuction.and severley enlarged left atrium. Thease things can improve over time with the help of meds. I was thoroghly pissed off and angry about having got through the big part being the surgery only to whacked with complications. What i have had to learn is to be more patient.not easy when you are an active physical person and were told you were going to sail through surgery. I hope all goes well with youre recovery. If you feel very low at times it is very normal. And if you are unlucky enough to have complications a lot of them will resolve over time. I am doing a lot better but will need another ablation to get rid of some transient atrial fibrillation. Im probably about 75% back to my old self but still room for improvement. Take care. All the best.Darren.

Don Browngot a new guestbook post

2493 days ago

1 person reacted to this

Diane Maher posted a note for Don that says:

Very happy to hear your doc say it went well. Great news. While in hospital, it might be helpful to have your team development a plan and goals to help you ...Read more

Very happy to hear your doc say it went well. Great news. While in hospital, it might be helpful to have your team development a plan and goals to help you monitor your positive progress going forward. All the very best, Don❣️

Don Browngot a new guestbook post

2504 days ago

Tim Saint reacted to this

Tim from Australia posted a note for Don that says:

👍all the best bro!! Stay strong.

Don Brown Thanks. I needed that..also u too my friend

Don Browngot a new guestbook post

2506 days ago

Tim from Australia posted a note for Don that says:

G'day Don, thanks for your reply, for some reason I can't read more of your reply. Sounds like you are having a tough time of it unfortunately. Ohs is tough ...Read more

G'day Don, thanks for your reply, for some reason I can't read more of your reply. Sounds like you are having a tough time of it unfortunately. Ohs is tough enough physically and emotionally with out compilations. I see my new surgeon Monday April 1st (fools day) as my surgeon who did my 1st op aortaectomy in 1978 aged 10 & subsequent surgery 2006 & another 18 months later 2007 to replace my diseased bicuspid aortic valve has retired. My st jude medical heart valve started leaking through the stitching as my vessel is so calcified they had to redo procedure 18 months later. Unfortunately I didn't get the best result 2nd time round either as it leaked considerably as well due to either blood clot on valve or scar tissue but I've managed to plug along for 12 years with it. Annual check up in February's ultrasound showed my leak as servere and half blood flow through aorta is regurgitating back into the heart. Was told back in 06 in my late 30s that mechanical was the only way to go as they lasted indefinitely but I have had nothing but leaks. Have lived my whole life with a leaking aortic valve so would love to know what it is like to live with out one!! Hopefully technology has improved and I can get a better outcome as I am a beef cattle farmer with a wife and 2 young boys I need to provide for. Work is becoming difficult so we will see what my new surgeon has to say Monday. All the best.

Don Browngot a new guestbook post

2515 days ago

Patricia posted a note for Don that says:

Don, Please talk with the nurse again or your doctor. I was recovering from valve replacement and making progress until the 3rd month. I felt terribly fatigued, ...Read more

Don, Please talk with the nurse again or your doctor. I was recovering from valve replacement and making progress until the 3rd month. I felt terribly fatigued, confused, depressed and suffered from ocular migraines. I waited a few weeks thinking it was a normal reaction to the surgery then finally had phone appt. with dr. He knew right away that I had a bladder infection even though I had none of the usual symptoms. Antibiotics cleared it up. I was so messed up before, I thought I was slipping into some kind of dementia. Many things can be affected by these surgeries, please get advice.

Don Brown Thank you very much. I will definitely talk to them.today soon.. I will update u when i know.more..Go ... Read more

Don Brown Thank you very much. I will definitely talk to them.today soon.. I will update u when i know.more..God bless and ty