Guestbook of Doran Herritt

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Doran Herrittgot a new guestbook post

2971 days ago

Mark Wilbur, Meredith Bray reacted to this

Jason posted a note for Doran that says:

I had my aortic valve replaced in 2013 and had an ascending aorta aneurysm fixed with a composite graft... they initially estimated me needing another heart ...Read more

I had my aortic valve replaced in 2013 and had an ascending aorta aneurysm fixed with a composite graft... they initially estimated me needing another heart surgery around 10 years but since I started eating vegetarian now they estimate two decades... the Thoracic Surgeons were shocked at how clear my arteries were when they looked at the MRIa...

Leslie Bakos Nice Doran....I just had a butternut squash - red lentil soup in your dedication!!!!

Doran Herritt thx!

Doran Herrittgot a new guestbook post

3366 days ago

Christine Claar posted a note for Doran that says:

Thank you for your supporting thoughts! Christine

Doran Herrittgot a new guestbook post

3687 days ago

Adrianne Colatosti posted a note for Doran that says:

Good Morning Doran, I am off to the hospital for my procedure this morning... thank you for all your well wishes! I am positive that I will be on the healing ...Read more

Good Morning Doran, I am off to the hospital for my procedure this morning... thank you for all your well wishes! I am positive that I will be on the healing end of things sooner than later!! <3

Doran Herritt Haven't been on in a while....sorry. Hope you r doing well.

Doran Herrittgot a new guestbook post

3693 days ago

Adrianne Colatosti posted a note for Doran that says:

Sounds like you are doing great! Did you have minimally invasive or did they do the full sternum?

Doran Herritt Wide open! Plan A was a repair and my surgeon thought best chance to repair back to 100% was to be ab ... Read more

Doran Herritt Wide open! Plan A was a repair and my surgeon thought best chance to repair back to 100% was to be able to get in there. I ended up replacing when he was unhappy with the repair. Anyway because of my plan....try to repair, then replace if needed, it forced me kind of, one way. Plus I really liked my surgeon. Dr. Bavaria from u of penn. Thx, drn

Doran Herritt Hey I just went back and read your story again. This time next week you will be on your way healing. ... Read more

Doran Herritt Hey I just went back and read your story again. This time next week you will be on your way healing. Another side note, your surgery date is my b-day. So I will drink a beer in your honor that day. Anyway I know you are anxious, so I will pray for your peace heading into surgery. I know you will do great! Get on with your week and enjoy each moment. Take care. Drn

Adrianne Colatosti Hello Doran, thank you! Happy Early birthday! I am anxious and ready to be home healing. They plan to ... Read more

Adrianne Colatosti Hello Doran, thank you! Happy Early birthday! I am anxious and ready to be home healing. They plan to try to repair mine too... but I am ready for a full replacement as I am almost sure they will need to. They are still going to attempt to keep it minimally invasive even if it is a full replacement. We shall see.... only time will tell! How long were you in the hospital?

Doran Herritt I was in seven days. Went in on a wed. Left on a wed. Was released on day 5 but went into a-fib befor ... Read more

Doran Herritt I was in seven days. Went in on a wed. Left on a wed. Was released on day 5 but went into a-fib before I left the room. They adjusted my oral beta blockers and held me two more days. Hoping your journey is more uneventful. Take care. Drn

Doran Herritt Ps. Thx for the bday wishes. And don't forget to keep a positive attitude. It's going to go swimmingl ... Read more

Doran Herritt Ps. Thx for the bday wishes. And don't forget to keep a positive attitude. It's going to go swimmingly! Take care. Drn

Doran Herrittgot a new guestbook post

3696 days ago

Cheryl in NJ posted a note for Doran that says:

THANK YOU, Doran, for the very kind words of wisdom you posted on my page. GOOD ADVICE! Take care, and BE WELL! ~ Cheryl in NJ

Doran Herrittgot a new guestbook post

3697 days ago

Lynee Casper posted a note for Doran that says:

Happy Thanksgiving, and great to hear about your progress. You have been very open, offering information and inspiration to us all. Thank you! I appreciate ...Read more

Happy Thanksgiving, and great to hear about your progress. You have been very open, offering information and inspiration to us all. Thank you! I appreciate it!

Doran Herritt Thx Lynee and happy thx giving to you. Hoping you have a great holiday season with the family, especi ... Read more

Doran Herritt Thx Lynee and happy thx giving to you. Hoping you have a great holiday season with the family, especially those grand children. Take care, Drn

Doran Herrittgot a new guestbook post

3715 days ago

Clare Auten posted a note for Doran that says:

Thought I would answer your question about vitamin e. It didn’t do much for me but then again, my scar has issues. The plastic surgeon did seem to think ...Read more

Thought I would answer your question about vitamin e. It didn’t do much for me but then again, my scar has issues. The plastic surgeon did seem to think the scar strips (silicone strips you stick on the scar up to 12 hours a day) get better results. She said something about the pressure. Anyway, I found them at Walgreens in "long" right by the Mederma. Thought it was worth a shot. Not sure they would work though if you had a hairy chest. Yes, I think your incision needs to be healed but the plastic surgeon also said people get better results from anything in the first six months. Good luck.

Doran Herritt Thx

Elaine Cutri But be careful if it's less than 2 months post op. My surgeon did'nt want me to use any lotions for a ... Read more

Elaine Cutri But be careful if it's less than 2 months post op. My surgeon did'nt want me to use any lotions for at least 6 weeks.

Doran Herritt Roger that. I am thinking after it is free of scabs and completely closed but before 6 months. I'm go ... Read more

Doran Herritt Roger that. I am thinking after it is free of scabs and completely closed but before 6 months. I'm going to check out those strips your doctor mentioned. Not real worried about it but if I can diminish it then why not. Thx for the help. Drn

Doran Herrittgot a new guestbook post

3728 days ago

Enrique K posted a note for Doran that says:

Hey Doran, how is your recovery going? Hope all is good on the other side!

Doran Herritt Good so far. Wrestling with a couple of bouts of a fib. (See above post). Sounds like your recovery i ... Read more

Doran Herritt Good so far. Wrestling with a couple of bouts of a fib. (See above post). Sounds like your recovery is going well too except for the fluid. Take care. When are you hoping to be cleared for skiing? I can't wait to get back on my bike. But know the single track (given I crash a lot) is probably not until spring. I don't like biking in the cold anyway.

Jean Knappik Doran, I know when I get palpitations if I cough it relieves me of them...not sure if it would do the ... Read more

Jean Knappik Doran, I know when I get palpitations if I cough it relieves me of them...not sure if it would do the same for a-fib. Best wishes on a smooth recovery!

Enrique K Hey Doran, not sure but I can't wait to get in the slopes. Good luck with your Fib as well. Hopefully ... Read more

Enrique K Hey Doran, not sure but I can't wait to get in the slopes. Good luck with your Fib as well. Hopefully this liquid will go away with my medications as Its very minimal.

Doran Herrittgot a new guestbook post

3734 days ago

Terrie Syvertsen posted a note for Doran that says:

Doran- Wishing you the best tomorrow on your Big Day! Looking forward to hearing your updates of how it went and how you and your family are doing going into ...Read more

Doran- Wishing you the best tomorrow on your Big Day! Looking forward to hearing your updates of how it went and how you and your family are doing going into your recovery process! You can do this heart Brother! Many prayers going out for you! Be Well!

Elaine Cutri Best wishes for a successful outcome tomorrow.

Ruth Valenzuela My prayers are with you.

MaryAnne Jardis You will do great! Positive thoughts.

Doran Herrittgot a new guestbook post

3734 days ago

Enrique K posted a note for Doran that says:

Doran, good luck with your upcoming surgery! I wish you the best of luck.

Doran Herrittgot a new guestbook post

3734 days ago

Gerald Schaffer posted a note for Doran that says:

Doran, best wishes for your surgery on Wednesday. They take good care of you at Penn. I don't remember too much about my time in the ICU but the nurses in the ...Read more

Doran, best wishes for your surgery on Wednesday. They take good care of you at Penn. I don't remember too much about my time in the ICU but the nurses in the step down floor, Silverstein 10, are great. Unfortunately like any hospital they wake you at 11pm and 3am for vitals and it's kind of noisey, so get your sleep whenever you can. The food is not the best so that will push you to get home. You're in great hands with Dr Bavaria and his team. Get your walks in and you'll be going home before you know it.

Charles Haas Actually I found the food fine -- be sure to get the menu of what is offered everytime and select off ... Read more

Charles Haas Actually I found the food fine -- be sure to get the menu of what is offered everytime and select off that if you are allowed to. James, who was the night nurse in ICU was wonderful.

Get up and walk as soon as they tell you to!

Doran Herrittgot a new guestbook post

3767 days ago

Terrie Syvertsen posted a note for Doran that says:

Hello there Doran. It is me-Terrie from California---the long winded typist, chuckle that you responded with a funny post today! I will keep this short but ...Read more

Hello there Doran. It is me-Terrie from California---the long winded typist, chuckle that you responded with a funny post today! I will keep this short but say that I really wish you the best on the 21st. with your repair/replacement. I had one at the age of 66, same valve. I also bike but not serious outdoor mountain type more like 15 times around the neighborhood park! I also have a bovine tissue valve which seems to be working well and I am back on my bike but mostly indoor recumbent now as we have so many fires going here in California along with the continued drought and 100 degree heat that outdoor biking is out for me until it passes(pray this will be soon). It won't be long now until you and your newly mended heart are back on your bike and riding the mountains again. That is a great vision to give yourself as you roll off into surgery...one of the beautiful scenes you have seen while out in the mountains biking. It gives a great sense of calm and is the best thing to do for yourself as you present yourself to your surgeon with a happy heart! Be confident and enjoy the days prior to surgery! Remember you are in the thoughts and hearts of this great community of Heart Brothers and Sisters.

Doran Herritt I was hoping I would make someone smile. I really appreciate the note. Best wishes, thoughts and pray ... Read more

Doran Herritt I was hoping I would make someone smile. I really appreciate the note. Best wishes, thoughts and prayers to you as well as you continue to recover.
Doran

Terrie Syvertsen Thank you Doran. My role here is to type until people put their heads through the sheet rock. Beats w ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen Thank you Doran. My role here is to type until people put their heads through the sheet rock. Beats worrying about an upcoming surgery!! Just kidding! (I took your post light heartedly! Definitely a big SMILE! You take care Heart Brother!

Doran Herrittgot a new guestbook post

3768 days ago

Tapan Mehta posted a note for Doran that says:

Hi Doran. Just curious if your surgeon indicated if they can do the repair, how long it will last? My surgeon (Dr.Miller at Stanford Hospital) indicated that ...Read more

Hi Doran. Just curious if your surgeon indicated if they can do the repair, how long it will last? My surgeon (Dr.Miller at Stanford Hospital) indicated that he could repair my valve (David procedure), but it may last only 8-10 years and I will need another re-op after that. I have severe AR so not sure if that has anything to do with that. Since I did not want a re-op, especially that soon, I have opted for valve replacement + aneurysm repair. My surgery is on Sept. 23rd.

Doran Herritt Tapan,
My e consult with Cleveland Clinic (Svenson) said he thought I had a 70% chance of repairing, ... Read more

Doran Herritt Tapan,
My e consult with Cleveland Clinic (Svenson) said he thought I had a 70% chance of repairing, but never said how long it would last.

For Dr. Bavaria, there is a post on this site by him talking about repair. Search his name and you should find it. It is old and general, but it basically states that repair has become more and more viable, but you have to find a surgeon who does a lot of them. I don't remember if he states how long repairs will last in the video. At my appointment he said he will not repair unless he can make it perfect and he will not patch with external tissue. He believes at that point you are better off with a replacement. So no guarantees here but from that conversation and from what I have read around the internet, a repair IF done well and IF repaired to near perfect, can last longer than valve replacement, possibly your lifetime.

Lot's of IFs and you know by now that everyone's condition is different.

If it were me I would ask if the surgeon you are scheduled with has done a lot of repairs, if so talk to him about how long he thinks it will last. If he has done a lot why not trust him. If he says the repair will last longer than a replacement, have that as plan A. Use the replacement as plan B. For me the doctor is making the choice once he opens me up. He's done 1000s. I trust he knows better than I, even if I stayed at Holiday Inn the night before ;).

Let me know if that answers it or if you need something else.

Best wishes,
Doran

Doran Herrittgot a new guestbook post

3768 days ago

steven a husted posted a note for Doran that says:

hi doran i am happy you chose a tissue valve i also chose a bovine valve and i am glad i did because i did not want to mess with the coumadin the rest of my ...Read more

hi doran i am happy you chose a tissue valve i also chose a bovine valve and i am glad i did because i did not want to mess with the coumadin the rest of my life and who knowes what they will come up with in 20 + years and i am also looking for the plus years amen your heart brother steve (popeye)