Kurt's Guestbook

Kurt, hello from Texas. I have gtreat heart all valves work fine. When I graduated fro college in I963’ I needed a job, thus joki the USAF. At recruiting they hear some thing in my heart, two doctors gathered around, took a picture etc. said I had a dilation,on my ascending aortic root. I begged to become a Air Force Officer during the draft even though I had wife and child., as I was for 5 years. at 81 I have a dialatiom to 5.3 near danger limit. I am in good hands with Baylor heart . Think this is a chest split. I in good shape and shortness of breath seeming to get worse. Just wondering if you have any unofficial thoughts or know of anyome with similar situation. I wish they would it tonight but COVID has slowed process. I called Cleveland Clinic to be informed they Baylor is great facility. Thakmyoumfornyou,time

Hi Kurt, you sound like you are in great shape, so that is a big advantage going in for surgery. You also wondered about the need for help. A daily visit from a nurse will certainly help monitor your vitals, meds etc. If you live alone right now, you would benefit greatly from having someone stay with you for at least the first week. Or you're staying with someone. It's important to your safety and functionality. You will be beyond exhausted, particularly if you have a sternotomy. You're ability to use your upper body, literally your arms, to get in and out of the bed, shower, etc is limited to minor movements, very little pressure because of the incision. If you are having minimally invasive surgery, then others can chime-in, better than me, as to the need for help.