Hi Jim, glad you survived your surgery and hope you\'re doing well now. You certainly had a mess of complications to deal with!
I\'m 33 years old and had ...Read more
Hi Jim, glad you survived your surgery and hope you\'re doing well now. You certainly had a mess of complications to deal with!
I\'m 33 years old and had my aortic valve replaced in Nov 2011. I went into the ER in severe heart failure, actually passed out in the waiting room of the ER, and woke up 3 days later learning I had endocarditis and a heart valve replaced. It was all quite a shock to say the least. Also had pneumonia, fluid in lungs and surrounding the heart, Afib, and vegetation on the heart. So not the same complications as you, but i certainly had my own to deal with. Endocarditis is such a horrible disease especially when caught in late stages. I been feeling well lately, but unfortunately have been transferred to stanford for a second surgery to remove the vegetation and slight regurtitation i\'ve experienced following the surgery. Jeez as if going thru this once wasn\'t enough. I hope for you at least they took care of everything the first time, and it will be many years before you ever have to go through another surgery!
Jim Thomas Hi...Good luck on youre upcoming surgery. Hopefully youre much stronger now and will tolerate the Sur ... Read more
Jim Thomas Hi...Good luck on youre upcoming surgery. Hopefully youre much stronger now and will tolerate the Surgery. I am back in Brain Rehab. Due to the numerous Strokes I had, according to Mayo Clinic, my Brain has been 'shutting my body down'. Sort of like a Traumatic Brain Injury like Veterans deal with. Its a bummer because I made such an amazing recovery. I should be grateful just to be here though...Which I am! Hope all goes well...Keep the Faith!!!!!
Dear Jim...uh...I don\'t think you\'re going to find anyone that has had your experience!! Bless your heart (pun intended) you went through the ringer, and ...Read more
Dear Jim...uh...I don\'t think you\'re going to find anyone that has had your experience!! Bless your heart (pun intended) you went through the ringer, and as a retired Medical Laboratory Technologist who was supervisor of the microbiology section of the laboratory...
I think you are just blessed to be here! Staph aureus is nobody\'s friend! Especially in your heart! I\'m thinking we can all learn from YOU!
I can say you have made me feel a little better, I am scheduled to have my aortic valve replaced on March 13th along with possible dilated aorta repair. Wow, you survived all of that...the only way to go from that is up!
Thanks for your note, keep us updated on how you feel and once my surgery is done, I probably will turn to YOU for advice!
Linda Dixon
Jim Thomas Hi Linda, Good luck on your surgery. I would have to say that the valve replacement part of my ordeal ... Read more
Jim Thomas Hi Linda, Good luck on your surgery. I would have to say that the valve replacement part of my ordeal was just a sidebar. lol. Getting a valve replacement these days is like going for an oil change.Seriously though, it is a major surgery, but outcomes on these procedures are phenomenal. Again, good luck on your surgery...I'm sure all will turn out well...
Jim Thomas