Enrique's Guestbook

Hi Enrique, I forgot to mention in my other post--great outfit! Looking good! Nice scenery, too. After your surgery, you will really feel as if you are on top of the world! I wish you all good things and a speedy recovery.

Hey Enrique I’m going to see Dr. Lamelas. Pre op the 19th-surgey the 21st. I’m 41 like you at your time of surgery... How long until you went back to work? I also saw your headache/ER trip was that because of your reaction the medicines? Hope all is well man..

Hi there! I just came across your post on another person's page. I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Lamelas on Friday- 6 days! I've never met him and my surgical consult will be the day before. We're traveling at great expense & difficulty to Houston- our 4 yr old & very old cat are coming. Please let me know if there is anything that you can share about him, the surgery itself that would help. It seems most people on here have a full sternotomy and I'm seeing him specifically because I wanted a minimally invasive approach. I've read a few things that have scared me where people said that the pain and Recovery was worse than a sternotomy, but then a few people said that they did just fine. I know it's very subjective. It's going to be a very rough week have to stop taking all over-the-counter meds and supplements. On top of being very symptomatic, struggling to breathe and having a lot of chest pain, I already have severe chronic pain & digestive issues, and being without Tylenol and Advil, especially when there's a long three or four hour road trip involved as well as packing for a 4 year old and myself is really daunting. Do you happen to know why you can't take anything other than prescription medications?

Thanks, Enrique for answerig my question about the beta blocker...I love it that I may have to tolerate that kind of med for only one month!! and may be able to manage with Tylenol for discomfort...Bless you💟

Hi Enrique, i was following your story about keeping your teeth clean ect., and i have been using listerine as well, but where do you get act/mouthwash, and is this used in addition to the listerine ? Interesting discussion from Cathleen about getting endocarditis and the bacteria that possibly causes it. The bacteria that caused my two episodes of endocarditis, it's true we all have it and it harbours itself in our mouths mostly. It is called ""streptococcus viridan's"" and it is found only if your doctor or cardiologist orders ""blood cultures"" and this test generally can take up two to three days to find out the results. But careful, make sure that your system is antibiotic free for at least a week, otherwise, if it's not, the antibiotic in your system, could very well mask the results. All the best to you.......

Hi Enrique, It is very comforting to read stories like yours since I will be going through it at some point. I wanted to ask you about your valve decision. My surgeon has highly recommended the On-X mechanical valve based on my age (44). I haven't completely decided yet and I have read all the pros and cons. I just like to hear the decision process of other people in similar situations. Any information/advice is greatly appreciated. Steve