Joe's Guestbook

Joe Stockton  Thanks Marc! I appreciate the kind words. I'm on week 4 of recovery and it's going much better than I expected. If I read correctly it looks like your scheduled for surgery tomorrow?! Take satisfaction in knowing from someone that has already gone through the heart surgery that the pain is manageable (and short term) and everything will be just fine. It can be very anxious before for sure, but the best way to look at it is that you want start day one of recovery so more days will continue to follow and it will keep getting easier. Let me know how it goes and I am happy to answer any questions I can about recovery.

Joe Stockton  Thanks Dave. On week 4 of recovery and it's been going great. Much better than I expected. How about you?

Joe Stockton  Thanks Susan! I appreciate the kind words. I'm on week 4 of recovery and it's going much better than I expected. If I read correctly it looks like your scheduled for surgery tomorrow?! Take satisfaction in knowing from someone that has already gone through the heart surgery that the pain is manageable (and short term) and everything will be just fine. It can be very anxious before for sure, but the best way to look at it is that you want start day one of recovery so more days will continue to follow and it will keep getting easier. Let me know how it goes and I am happy to answer any questions I can about recovery.

Helen Daw  Joe, Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way. All the best to you on your upcoming surgery. I just had mine and if I can do it, you can too. All the best!

Joe Stockton  I am on week 4 of recovery and doing great. I should have jumped back on here sooner. Everything is going great and much better than expected. I'm all over following up on my thank yous right now and look forward to replying to some people's questions. We all need each other and this blog has been so helpful.

Joe Stockton  Thanks Bonnie. I'm on week 4 of recovery and everything is going great. Much better than I expected :)

Joe Stockton  Hey Aaron! Thanks for the message. I really appreciate it. I am long over due on getting back on this blog but glad I signed in. I'm on week 4 of recovery and it's going fan freaking tastic. I say it that way only because I heard horror stories from my parents about my dads surgery 20 years ago and my recovery was nothing compared to his. Take satisfaction in knowing the recovery is much better at our age. But enough about me. I feel like the focus on this blog should be aimed at the people that haven't had the surgery yet. And just so you know if you ever want to talk i can gladly make myself available via a call or text and can provide my cell number. Totally up to you.

I went with the tissue valve and I'm not looking back. I was worried about waking up and immediately worrying about the fact I didn't go with the mechanical because of our age and since they were recommending it. I spoke with a lot of professionals in the medical field and happy about where the future of tissue valves are going and the replacements in the future are much less invasive than open chest surgery. Plus i heard a bunch of negative effects of long term blood thinners like Warafin and have a similar active life style like yourself.

Let me know if you have any specific questions and if you would rather type or talk. There is too much for me to say as i could type for several more hours.

Joe Stockton  Hey Aaron! Thanks for the message. I really appreciate it. I am long over due on getting back on this blog but glad I signed in. I'm on week 4 of recovery and it's going fan freaking tastic. I say it that way only because I heard horror stories from my parents about my dads surgery 20 years ago and my recovery was nothing compared to his. Take satisfaction in knowing the recovery is much better at our age. But enough about me. I feel like the focus on this blog should be aimed at the people that haven't had the surgery yet. And just so you know if you ever want to talk i can gladly make myself available via a call or text and can provide my cell number. Totally up to you.

I went with the tissue valve and I'm not looking back. I was worried about waking up and immediately worrying about the fact I didn't go with the mechanical because of our age and since they were recommending it. I spoke with a lot of professionals in the medical field and happy about where the future of tissue valves are going and the replacements in the future are much less invasive than open chest surgery. Plus i heard a bunch of negative effects of long term blood thinners like Warafin and have a similar active life style like yourself.

Let me know if you have any specific questions and if you would rather type or talk. There is too much for me to say as i could type for several more hours.

Aaron Morgan  Joe, I am so glad to hear that you are doing well. I have been told that having a positive attitude is huge during recovery. Keep up the good work. I would like to chat offline some time just to learn a little more from your experience. I am traveling to another state for a second opinion from a doctor at the U of U at the end of the month. Right now my cardiologist and surgeon are both recommending that i do not have surgery. How large was your aneurysm?

Joe Stockton  My cell phone is 314-599-5544. Feel free to text me so we can schedule a call. And when I say “schedule” that sounds a little formal. I’m riding the recliner life and off work another 4 weeks so I’m as free as they come and happy to accommodate your schedule.

I can’t speak to your regurgitation but the rest I went through. My aneurism was at 5.4 cm. From strictly an aneurism perspective I feel like you’re sitting pretty (for now of course) at 4.5 cm. That is what mine was at in high school 18 years ago. My experience over the years is that your average surgeon wants to wait until the aneurism is 5 to 5.5 cm in size. These little bastards can take their sweet time to grow so hopefully that is the case with you. And as far as your valve is concerned that is another story as well. They saw my calcium build up on my valve with testing before my aneurism surgery so they had expectations to replace that once they got inside me and it was confirmed once they saw it. We can discuss the valves more over the call.

Joe Stockton  I went with the tissue valve and I'm not looking back. I was worried about waking up and immediately regretting the fact I didn't go with the mechanical because of our age and since they were recommending it. I spoke with a lot of professionals in the medical field and happy about where the future of tissue valves are going and the current replacements in the future are much less invasive than open chest surgery. Plus i heard a bunch of negative effects of long term blood thinners like Warafin. It definitely is personal preference like you mention and I can say with confidence I’m happy with what I chose. How about you?

Joe Stockton  Hey Lise. I'm on week 4 of recovery and everything is going great! Much better than I expected. How are things with you?

Joe Stockton  It’s a great feeling knowing we are post surgery and can rid our minds of all the anxiety, nervousness and fear.

Dave Dionne  I'm 29 days post surgery! I feel great, walking 2 miles every day. Eating well, sleeping well.... Glad to be alive!!!!

Joe Stockton  Marc - thanks for the kind words! I'm very much routing for you too. The valve decision has been tough. Weighing the worse of two evils - another open heart operation in 10-12 years or a lifetime of blood thinners. People that have been through the surgery tell me mechanical but there's a wealth of others suggesting biological so here I am still contemplating...

Marc Marelich  I am hopeful someday they will produce a better blood thinner that is easier to take and maintain proper levels with. Whatever you decide, it will be the best choice for you Joe!

Noreen Kitchen  I had surgery almost one year ago and left the decision of which valve up to my surgeon who is also a friend. He said the mechanical was the best option considering my age. He feels that it should last my lifetime and seen as I’m younger and was healthy it was best for me. I know others say that there is TAVR available but he said because they don’t take the old valve out eventually they would run out of room and replacing it while I’m younger was better than having to do it at an older age. I completely trusted him and am happy with my decision. The blood thinners are a pain but I would of been on them anyways for a blood clotting issue I have. Warfarin is trickier than others I’ve used but once you get it figured out it’s not a huge deal. I’m still very active and eat pretty much what I want being mindful of a few foods that spike my inr. The valve itself at first bothered me with the clicking but now I’m used to it and barely notice it. This is what I feel anyways it’s a tough decision but you’ll do what’s right for you. Good luck with everything. Waiting for sure is the most difficult part of this whole journey.

Troy Ainsworth  Hey Joe, I’m an active 47 yr old. I’m going to choose the On X valve and am having surgery on March 26th. I’m hoping the inr levels they recommend keep coming down and that it will last me the rest of my life