Ellen's Guestbook

Dear Jim, I apologize for not address the fact that this is a second surgery for you. I have great empathy for what that means in mental and physical upset. I am so sorry it's necessary.  I just wanted you to know that many people older than 70 or 75 have successfully gone through open heart surgery and that you are a young pup in your fifties. Jim, no one but you can fight for your life. The doctors can help and loved ones can care and encourage, but you are the one who will do it. Our bodies are made to keep us out of danger and those emotions are brought up each time we face something like this. Your last surgery is in the past. Your new lease on life is on the other side of the next one. With deepest respect for your strength and bravery facing this, I wish you the very best. 

Hello Ellen and Jim. Please don't be worrying about age in OHS for valve replacement if Jim is healthy. I was 74, in good health and normal weight and was being monitored and told I would have surgery within 6 months as my fatigue increased. I won't lie, I was scared spitless. One day, I offered to watch 2 young grandchildren for 8 hours during a family emergency and had a mild heart attack. I had planned a little in my head, but did not know which hospital, what kind of replacement, met my doctor for the first time the night before OHS surgery, etc. All went well - walking the next day and on only Tylenol by the third morning. Went to rehab and met an 87 yr old OHS-AVR patient.  I will be 77 and do my own housework and have cooked all but 3 of our meals since covid began. My little Piggy valve and I are getting along just fine. I can't stop you from being concerned, but I can encourage you to be hopeful. Sending prayers for peace and comfort. You've got this Jim. PS. My mother had her OHS-AVR at age 70 and lived 16 more active years. 

Hello Ellen, I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and in 2016 I had severe stenosis and heart failure.  Open heart surgery in 2016 was performed and my valve was replaced with a 25 bovine valve, and I also needed a pacemaker after surgery.  The valve failed this year (less than 5 years), I was in severe heart failure again and this time I went to Cedars Sinai and had another one put in.  This time I was able to get the TAVR procedure and they had to put a 29 bovine valve in.  If he needs a second valve replacement  operation look into a very good hospital & DR. that can evaluate him and see if he is able to have this procedure.  Sending healing thoughts. 

https://www.broadcastmed.com/cardiology/3593/videos/bicuspid-aortic-valve-patients-what-are-your-options

Please watch this video in it's entirety.I am sure you will gain some knowledge about  re-operations that you may not be aware of .The collective experience between these two surgeons is perhaps unparalleled.Good Luck! 

Thinking about you guys and also keeping you both in my prayers for the best outcome possible after all the tests and necessary interventions. Keep your spirits up, knowing that you are living in a time in which we have so many medical advances
related to heart conditions.

Good luck on the CT tests, hopefully they can treat the valve rather than replace. But even so, there are so many options out there for those of us who had AVRs

Ellen, some doctors suggest that the Mediterranean-food diet is a good choice for heart valve patients.  I really like the fresh olive oil and balsamic vinegar salad dressing that is a staple of the diet.  My next goal is to eliminate most, if not all of my current dairy intake.  Also, I have an  X2 daily elixir of apple cider vinegar (2 tbsp); pomegranate juice (1 tbsp); in a glass of orange juice (10-12 oz) which is a healthier and refreshing change to dairy. 

I am so sorry to hear this.  I will keep both of you in my prayers.  My bovine has lasted 6 years so far with no problems.  As one messenger noted it all depends on each individual's body chemistry as to how your body will react.  Please keep us posted. 

Ellen

Hang in there.  All of us who've gone through valve surgery are pulling for you.  One point: the Doc who diagnosed my infective endocarditis made a very strong point to me.  Never apologize for a second (or third) opinion.  Be an active patient (or patient-supporter -- you seem to be doing that already), and ask questions till you have a sense that you understand.  Take your time, at your pace.

pulling for you and your husband

I’m so sorry to hear this. I was faced with a similar situation 3 years ago. I had a bovine replacement in 2015 and started feeling out of breath January 2019. I did have to go through another open heart surgery and chose to get an artificial valve which has been working even better than my first one. I have to take Coumadin but haven’t had any side effects. I got the ON-X valve which is newer and needs less caumadin. I’m 58 and working full time. Best wishes to you and your husband, I think it’s scarier for the spouse sometimes!