John's Guestbook

John, Just reading your post now from February as it was very pertinent to my experience. I've been out now 4 days from the Hospital . Spent 3 days there, so celebrating my eighth day since the procedure. I too had the same. AVR with Bio Prosthetic Bovine. I too had the "Mini T". My Cardiologist and Surgeon worked seemlessly up until the Cath of the heart the night before, to ensure no surprises, and to minimize the amount of trauma I would endure. Thanks Buddy! I appreciate the insight and the positive vibes. The latest picture of you speaks volumes. Keep Tickin'!

Yay! All's going well post- surgery for you....and I still await my fate on Feb 25. - I hope to be alive after "it". I survived the full sternotomy 30 years ago; thankfully. in year 2019 there's "another way". TAVR which after tests and measurements, on Feb 5 - Drs. gave us the 'green light' as in TAVR can be done on me.....waiting's the worst; however, the same Dr. who did my heart-cath's on the TAVR team.....now that I'm post-heart-cath with this Dr. - the Feb 25 TAVR hopefully will go well for all (me and the Drs.) Glad you're on the other side of open-heart surgery.

Super Bowl Sunday! Rams or Patriots? We are getting a lot of rain here (for So Cal) so no walking for a day or two. I'm doing great since I started getting quality sleep. Amazing what a difference that made. I start cardio rehab in a week. I hope you are doing great and keep us updated on your 3 week check up. Positive thoughts from the West Coast Vern

Hi, John! Cudos to you for your recovery! My name is Dave Millard and I am 67 years old. I had a triple bypass and aortic valve replacement (I also have the bovine valve) the end of March 2018. Mine was done in Mayo Hospital in Phoenix, Az. I, too, had an outstanding team that performed my surgery. My surgery was a little longer than yours, and experienced little pain. They had me up walking 12 hours after surgery. I was released five days after surgery and began walking right away. I returned to the gym on limited exercises a week after surgery. Two weeks after surgery I was walking a mile per day. At four weeks I was walking a 5k everyday. I completed cardiac rehabilitation as well as going to the gym daily. I was able to work back into my daily routine at the gym of muscle toning, weight lifting and cardio workouts. Over the last ten years after retirement I got back into shape running 5k's, half marathons and thirty mile relays. I never knew I had any blockages but was well-aware of the aortic valve problem, but never suffered any side effects with all my activity. Since surgery I have done four 5k events and still continue my daily workout at the gym and feeling the best that I have ever felt in my life! I live in Lake Havasu City, AZ, so fortunately cold weather is not a problem for me.

Good morning John! Glad you are getting well. I'm curious, I live in Watertown NY and wondering if this is the same John Isham from here? You mention the cold! Even if you are not the John I know, I wanted to say your message was "deja vu" for me, I had mitral valve repair in Cleveland 4/5/17. I remember all those tubes and hoses, but like you, none were really all that bothersome. I'm approaching two years and feel great, so glad I had that surgery as it was a "heavy" on my mind for 3 years, knowing it was coming - just one day I said - "I'm ready - lets do it" and called my contacts at the Cleveland Clinic. Thanks for sharing and continue to get well.

It has been 7 years since I had my aortic valve surgery with a brand new pig valve. I am forever grateful for my e tended life and thank God on a daily basis for all those extremely talented folks that had a part of my recovery. My only regret is not choosing the mechanical valve.

I had the exact same surgery by Dr. Gaca in Jan. 2018. He was able to do the mini-thoracotomy on me too. HE IS GREAT! I have the same valve and I have had no problems at all with it. Good luck.

John I had my OHS.done Feb. 2010 with a bovine valve.I was 67 yrs old and now 76 I work out 6 days a week.I hope the valve last a long time.I read 5. 10. 15 Years but who knows good luck to you.