Hey Kevin!
How are you doing? I’m having a hard time with some collateral side effects from surgery & feel like I’m not doing as well as I wanted to ...Read more
Hey Kevin!
How are you doing? I’m having a hard time with some collateral side effects from surgery & feel like I’m not doing as well as I wanted to be! I know everyone is different but since are same day surgery buddies I was wondering how you are doing!
CKB
Kevin Bradley Hey buddy, I’m doing pretty good. See my response from your post! We’ve come this far so keep you ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Hey buddy, I’m doing pretty good. See my response from your post! We’ve come this far so keep you head up! 😉😁
Kevin you look great and it's fantastic seeing you out walking. Just passing on some info my cardiologist gave me after surgery. Almost all of us can't wait ...Read more
Kevin you look great and it's fantastic seeing you out walking. Just passing on some info my cardiologist gave me after surgery. Almost all of us can't wait for the day we can sleep on our sides. Doctor warned me not to do it for at least 6 weeks. He said the wires could bend under the weight of our top shoulder and arm pulling down especially in a deep sleep. He also said some people have lifelong arthritic type pain because of it. Be sure to get an ok from your doctor. When it's ok to sleep on our sides, a firm pillow next to the body is a good place to rest the top arm and keep the shoulder from rolling forward and placing all that weight on sternum. Best of luck to you.
Kevin Bradley Patricia, thanks for the heads up. I asked my surgeon when I went for my follow up and he told me as ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Patricia, thanks for the heads up. I asked my surgeon when I went for my follow up and he told me as long as I was comfortable I could do it. You have a good point and instead of doing it all the time I should probably take it easy doing it until I am completely recovered.
Kevin Bradley Hey Claire, how are you my friend? I’m doing lol. Pain comes and goes. I was going pretty good but ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Hey Claire, how are you my friend? I’m doing lol. Pain comes and goes. I was going pretty good but today my chest feels more stiff than prior days. I just take Advil and it helps somewhat. Lol. Still haven’t gotten into a good sleep pattern yet and it’s driving me crazy because I get tired throughout the day. I don’t want to sound like I am complaining because I’ve been pretty fortunate with my recovery. How are you doing?
Claire Kreger-Boaz I’m doing ok. Feeling good today but yesterday was rough. I guess that’s how it goes? I rested on ... Read more
Claire Kreger-Boaz I’m doing ok. Feeling good today but yesterday was rough. I guess that’s how it goes? I rested on my left side for a few minutes this morning but I’m definitely not ready for side sleeping! You seem like you’re doing great!! I have that dang clot in my jugular vein & still have fluid retention but hoping all of that resolved soon. 💪🏼❤️🐄
Hey Kevin, how are you doing? I hope you’re adjusting well a little more every day. Take good care of you!
Kevin Bradley Diane, thank you for the kind post. I feel I am getting stronger each day. I will definitely take it ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Diane, thank you for the kind post. I feel I am getting stronger each day. I will definitely take it easy for a while until my body fully heals.
Diane Esposito I’m so glad you’re doing better, that’s great news.
WOW Kevin! Your description of how you feel is probably textbook (everyone is different, I understand), but everything you wrote was my experience. It will ...Read more
WOW Kevin! Your description of how you feel is probably textbook (everyone is different, I understand), but everything you wrote was my experience. It will be up and down for awhile, but you are young and will feel better each week. I remember hanging onto my walker just to go into the kitchen. I wasn't going to cook, but it gave me a rush of happiness to make it that far and stand at my sink again. I live in CA and yesterday we went to the grocery store and stopped to take pictures of us in the beautiful wildflowers along the walking trail in our neighborhood. What a difference ! Didn't think I'd be here so quickly. The months have flown by. I am on warfarin for another month and still get cold easily, feel a little prick in chest now and then and am still a little hesitant to push myself. But, I am slowly putting thoughts of surgery behind. You WILL be much better as you gain strength. If this 73 yr old lady can do it, you can too. It just takes time, rehab and moving as you feel better. Always wishing you and others the very best in surgery and recovery.
Kevin Bradley Patricia, glad to know everything I am experiencing is pretty common. Yes I got this!! Thank you for ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Patricia, glad to know everything I am experiencing is pretty common. Yes I got this!! Thank you for the kind and positive words.
My best and prayers for you. Cleveland Clinic , from what I have read, is top of the line. Sounds like they do this all the time with great results!!
Kevin Bradley Doug, thank you for the kind words. It definitely helps easing my mind knowing you all are praying fo ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Doug, thank you for the kind words. It definitely helps easing my mind knowing you all are praying for me. Yes, CC is a great facility and a few cardiologists that I’ve seen over the last few months say my surgeon is one of the best and specializes in what I need done with my aortic valve.
Cindi Waldrop Good luck Kevin. You will do great! I am 15 months out from AVR surgery and LIFE is great! You got ... Read more
Cindi Waldrop Good luck Kevin. You will do great! I am 15 months out from AVR surgery and LIFE is great! You got this!
Kevin Bradley Thank you Cindi. It’s you guys who keep me strong!
my brother was 40yrs old and had a valve replacement and they wrapped his aorta with a dacron wrap. he is now 55 and doing very well. It came out of nowhere ...Read more
my brother was 40yrs old and had a valve replacement and they wrapped his aorta with a dacron wrap. he is now 55 and doing very well. It came out of nowhere and we learned he has a weak connective tissue disorder. Initially they determined it to be Marfans syndrome but i believe it was later learned to be a genetic deficiency. Something related to callagen and elasticity which causes the aorta to dissect. A dissected Aorta is typically lights out. God spared him to raise his family. Best of luck to you and God Bless.
Kevin Bradley Mike, thanks for the post. As much as it scares me to go into surgery tomorrow, I know that I am gett ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Mike, thanks for the post. As much as it scares me to go into surgery tomorrow, I know that I am getting a second chance to really enjoy life. My heart condition went undetected for a while and it was the grace of god and good doctors that now I am getting it fixed.
Hi Kevin. Your last words posted were, "it needs to be done". You have a choice to accept that and do it the easy (well, easier) way or get a big case of ...Read more
Hi Kevin. Your last words posted were, "it needs to be done". You have a choice to accept that and do it the easy (well, easier) way or get a big case of the "what if's". It's OK, we all got anxious. When it was over most of us wish we hadn't put ourselves through so much worry and stress. Your body needs the calm, energy producing chemicals to help heal. The mind is a crazy thing. We sabotage the calm and grateful mind with worry when the opposite will bring the best results and we can't seem to stop. You might try sitting down and writing 2 or 3 reasons why worry and anxiety will give you better results with your surgery. Don't just think about it. WRITE IT. On paper write the following questions and answer them after thoughtful consideration: 1. Will continued worry and stress increase my chance of the best possible surgery? 2. Can I think of 2 good reasons why I want to continue thinking like this? Then write and answer this : How would I be feeling if I dropped those thoughts causing anxiety? I hope you feel some relief. Praying for the best possible outcome for you.
Kevin Bradley Patricia, thank you for the post and yes stressing does slow down the healing process. I am ready to ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Patricia, thank you for the post and yes stressing does slow down the healing process. I am ready to take this head on and get the best results. Can’t wait until I am on the recovery side tomorrow afternoon
Diane Esposito You got this Kevin and tomorrow afternoon in recovery you’ll be so happy that the surgery is done! ... Read more
Diane Esposito You got this Kevin and tomorrow afternoon in recovery you’ll be so happy that the surgery is done!
Kevin! Your surgery is on the same day as mine?! We are forever heart buddies, you're right! How are you holding up? I feel like I would lose my sh*t if mine ...Read more
Kevin! Your surgery is on the same day as mine?! We are forever heart buddies, you're right! How are you holding up? I feel like I would lose my sh*t if mine was postponed. You're in San Francisco, is that right? Not too far! We should do a family meet up in like 6 months to compare war stories.
Claire Kreger-Boaz Oh wait, you're having surgery at Cleveland Clinic. I don't know why I thought you were in SF!
Kevin Bradley Claire, I live in Florida! Hahaha, but you never know a trip to San Diego could some day be in the wo ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Claire, I live in Florida! Hahaha, but you never know a trip to San Diego could some day be in the works. Never been and have heard it is a beautiful place to visit. Postponing my surgery has given me some anxiety because I was totally ready but I will get back into that mind set again before surgery. Trip or not we will still compare war stories during our recovery.
Claire Kreger-Boaz Sounds good!! I don't know why I thought you were in San Francisco. I am wishing you rest, friend! I ... Read more
Claire Kreger-Boaz Sounds good!! I don't know why I thought you were in San Francisco. I am wishing you rest, friend! I have been plagued by insomnia!
Kevin Bradley Yeah, my sleep is all messed up I try to do the best I can. Insomnia does suck! Hopefully it gets bet ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Yeah, my sleep is all messed up I try to do the best I can. Insomnia does suck! Hopefully it gets better during recovery.
Claire Kreger-Boaz Kevin, what kind of valve are you getting? I am now freaked out about the failing bovine valve posts. ... Read more
Claire Kreger-Boaz Kevin, what kind of valve are you getting? I am now freaked out about the failing bovine valve posts. :-(
Kevin Bradley Claire, at the moment I’m not sure If I am getting a valve. My surgeon’s first method will be to ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Claire, at the moment I’m not sure If I am getting a valve. My surgeon’s first method will be to patch the hole in the valve. If that is not an option then he will put in a mechanical valve. He said he won’t 100% know until he opens me up because my case is uncommon and unique(go figure!) . Please don’t freak out you need to be strong for yourself first and fore most and then for your family. Here is my email since I tend to respond quicker on there lol....abs0lutekevin@aol.com
Kevin! Thank you for your support and encouragement. You are so brave!! I am impressed.
What are you doing to get ready? I will be rooting for you. Six days ...Read more
Kevin! Thank you for your support and encouragement. You are so brave!! I am impressed.
What are you doing to get ready? I will be rooting for you. Six days to go. You are getting close!
Kevin Bradley Claire, you are most welcome! Thank you! I try for the most part to be strong, but there are days tha ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Claire, you are most welcome! Thank you! I try for the most part to be strong, but there are days that get the best of me. I know you will do great and we will be smiling and amazed at what we overcame very soon! I believe we were brought here to lift each other up! I tend to listen to music to calm my nerves. Not sure what you listen to, but one of my favorite bands is Pearl Jam. A lot of the their music is uplifting for me. My two favorite songs are “I am mine” and “Given to fly.” If you get a few minutes check them out. I am trying to stay somewhat busy to keep my mind from stressing, but at the same time I am more comfortable with going in knowing that I if I don’t go for surgery my condition with worsen and cause more damage. I can’t wait until I am on the recovery side. Keep with the postings as I enjoy reading them and wish you continued blessings. Stay strong and keep in touch.
Rob Sparling Adam Pick, it is this ^^^^^^^ that you created! I just love that we all can do this with/for each o ... Read more
Rob Sparling Adam Pick, it is this ^^^^^^^ that you created! I just love that we all can do this with/for each other. Thank you! Kevin’s and Claire, from what I’ve read, we are stronger with support and more likely to do well. Keep rolling down the road together! ❤️💪
Hi Kevin
I live in Northern California and have a similar situation. I am 61 Surgery is next Monday the 25th. Be at peace with our situation. We are lucky ...Read more
Hi Kevin
I live in Northern California and have a similar situation. I am 61 Surgery is next Monday the 25th. Be at peace with our situation. We are lucky to be living in the times that we are with all the medical advances. We will both be up and running in a couple weeks. Lets chat when we get home.
Kevin Bradley Mark, yes, technology is definitely in our favor. It will be interesting to compare surgeries after a ... Read more
Kevin Bradley Mark, yes, technology is definitely in our favor. It will be interesting to compare surgeries after all is said and done. Good luck to you on Monday. We got this!