Guestbook of Mark Alafita

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3671 days ago

Kristin Perry posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi, Mark, Thank you very much for the discussions with my husband, John, during our journey to accept my diagnosis and set the date for surgery. Your story ...Read more

Hi, Mark, Thank you very much for the discussions with my husband, John, during our journey to accept my diagnosis and set the date for surgery. Your story and experience has provided comfort, encouragement, and hope as we approach THE BIG DAY. I FINALLY got the courage to update my profile---better late than never, I guess! Looking forward to following your journey toward your 1-year anniversary! Very Sincerely, Kristin Perry

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3805 days ago

Steven A Husted posted a note for Mark that says:

I AGREE WITH ALL THE POSTS I HAD A FEELING OF HEARING MY HEART BEATING HARDER AND LOUDER AFTER SURGERY IT LASTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND THEN I DID NOT FEEL OR HEAR ...Read more

I AGREE WITH ALL THE POSTS I HAD A FEELING OF HEARING MY HEART BEATING HARDER AND LOUDER AFTER SURGERY IT LASTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND THEN I DID NOT FEEL OR HEAR IT ANY MORE I AM 6 MONTHS OUT I THINK IT IS YOUR NEW HEART VALVE AND YOUR BODY GETTING USED TO EACH OTHER HOPE THIS HELPS YOUR HEART BROTHER STEVE (POPEYE)

Mark Alafita Steven, thanks so much for the note. And yes, it helps to hear how others have had the same thing. ... Read more

Mark Alafita Steven, thanks so much for the note. And yes, it helps to hear how others have had the same thing. 2 months, eh? That's quite a bit of time! I guess that's why they say to be patient with recovery. Glad to hear all is well after 6 months!

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3805 days ago

Lilly Black posted a note for Mark that says:

Mark, I just read your story and you mention you elected a tissue valve and are participating in a trial type of tissue valve that is hopefully going to last ...Read more

Mark, I just read your story and you mention you elected a tissue valve and are participating in a trial type of tissue valve that is hopefully going to last slightly longer. Interesting! would you mind sharing that information? can I read about it on line? My tissue valve is Bovine, and it is the Edwards LifeSciences Magna Ease 23mm. It is supposed to last 17-18 years for people in their 60s :o)

Mark Alafita Mine is a Medtronic Perigon Pivotal valve. I was able to find very little online about it. The only ... Read more

Mark Alafita Mine is a Medtronic Perigon Pivotal valve. I was able to find very little online about it. The only thing I could find were government documents approving the trial. Hope that helps.

Lilly Black Yes, thank you, it certainly helps. I wish you great success with your new valve. I hope that you co ... Read more

Lilly Black Yes, thank you, it certainly helps. I wish you great success with your new valve. I hope that you continue to progress with your recovery! :o)

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3805 days ago

Clay Rowe posted a note for Mark that says:

Hey...how's it going? Is your sleep getting better?

Mark Alafita Clay, great to hear from you. Sleep is going wonderfully. As of last Friday, I migrated from reclin ... Read more

Mark Alafita Clay, great to hear from you. Sleep is going wonderfully. As of last Friday, I migrated from recliner (which was getting uncomfortable) back to the bed (which is still slightly uncomfortable, but I can live with it), and that has made a world of difference. In summary, all has been going well (with the exception of a randomly pronounced heartrate, which I wrote about and asked the group for followup). Tomorrow will be my first full day with no one else home, just me and my dog. I live in Michigan, so the only maddening part is not being able to go outside since I was release on Feb 5...getting a little home stir crazy, but oh well. The healing is coming along, and that's most important. I hope you continue to recover extraordinarily well!

Clay Rowe Excellent. Don't worry about the beating...it sounds common.
I had to sleep on an incline of pillows ... Read more

Clay Rowe Excellent. Don't worry about the beating...it sounds common.
I had to sleep on an incline of pillows for a while. Michigan...God bless you. It's 21 and sleeting in Raleigh NC right now and I'm ready to move to the equator. You'll be glad to get out of the house. I'd have gone crazy if it had not been for the mall walking. Be careful if you walk the beast. My old girlfriend's fur baby (bout his size) used to snatch me away on squirrel hunts because he knew I didn't want squirrels just running rampant either.

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3814 days ago

Mark Alafita reacted to this

Basia posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi Mark, Not sleeping is a fairly common complaint. I couldn't sleep well for 6-8 weeks after my surgery. I would doze off and wake up all night long, usually ...Read more

Hi Mark, Not sleeping is a fairly common complaint. I couldn't sleep well for 6-8 weeks after my surgery. I would doze off and wake up all night long, usually getting up to walk about and then doze off again. I switched from trying sleeping pills to anti-anxiety pills. Nothing worked 100%, but did help. Eventually, I was able to sleep okay. To tell the truth, though, one and half years after my surgery, I don't need anywhere as much sleep as I once used to -- and I still feel great. BTW: the lack of sleep didn't hurt my healing. At my one-year exam, by doc told me my valve looks and sounds excellent, so don't stress over the lack of sleep. It's really annoying, but just part of the process.

Mark Alafita Thanks, Basia. Glad to hear I may not need as much sleep.

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3818 days ago

Gary posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi mark I'm nine months out and feeling better all the time. My retriever Pal has helped me me get back in shape by making me walk further then I thought I ...Read more

Hi mark I'm nine months out and feeling better all the time. My retriever Pal has helped me me get back in shape by making me walk further then I thought I could, he's only a year old so has boundless energy.glad to hear your surgery went well.

Mark Alafita Gary, thank you! I just arrived home today, and we had a whole procedure worked out. 1. My wife ent ... Read more

Mark Alafita Gary, thank you! I just arrived home today, and we had a whole procedure worked out. 1. My wife entered the house and got my golden in the bedroom with a leash. 2. she then came back and got me into the recliner. 3. Lastly, when went back to retrieve the dog and slowly brought him over to me, so that he couldn't jump. Dogs are so smart, he could tell I was hurting, so he calmed down quickly, and he has been wonderful ever since!

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3820 days ago

Clay Rowe posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi Mark, got you in mind for your big day tomorrow...which will be my 3 week mark. You'll be relieved to get on the road to recovery. You've done all you ...Read more

Hi Mark, got you in mind for your big day tomorrow...which will be my 3 week mark. You'll be relieved to get on the road to recovery. You've done all you can, now God and your med team will handle the rest. We're all supporting you.

Adam Pick Clay, It's amazing that you are already 3 weeks post-op. So you know, our Facebook feature of your IC ... Read more

Adam Pick Clay, It's amazing that you are already 3 weeks post-op. So you know, our Facebook feature of your ICU picture was one of the most 'Liked' pictures of all time. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with all of us! Very, very inspiring!

Mark Alafita Clay, you are THE MAN. I wasn't kidding when I said earlier that you are my benchmark on how to do r ... Read more

Mark Alafita Clay, you are THE MAN. I wasn't kidding when I said earlier that you are my benchmark on how to do recovery right. I appreciate the note and look forward to showing you that I learned from the best!

Clay Rowe Wow...I didn't know about FB. Just excellent. I'm blessed if anyone here is encouraged or comforted ... Read more

Clay Rowe Wow...I didn't know about FB. Just excellent. I'm blessed if anyone here is encouraged or comforted by anything I contribute. Mark will be doing the same soon enough. looking forward to hearing from you as soon as you're able.

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3821 days ago

Tammy Pilcher posted a note for Mark that says:

Mark, prayers and best wishes for Monday! You are going to do great and will have this behind you soon! Isaiah 41:13

Mark Alafita Tammy, thank you so much! And I'm so happy to hear that you are bouncing back after 3 months post-su ... Read more

Mark Alafita Tammy, thank you so much! And I'm so happy to hear that you are bouncing back after 3 months post-surgery. As you can imagine, I'm trying to keep my mind off tomorrow without much success. It's surreal to think that, in less than 24 hours from now, my life will take such an incredible detour. Let the adventure begin!

Peter Duplin Good luck and prayers to you mark

Bob M I pray that your surgery and recovery will be peaceful. God bless and rise up! Tomorrow will be a new ... Read more

Bob M I pray that your surgery and recovery will be peaceful. God bless and rise up! Tomorrow will be a new day with your fixed heart. And you, others here and me are betting on the valve in valve procedure for the second round

Edith Dim Will be praying for you tomorrow, Mark.

Mark Alafita Peter, Bob, and Edith, thanks so much for the kind words. With so much positive energy and prayers b ... Read more

Mark Alafita Peter, Bob, and Edith, thanks so much for the kind words. With so much positive energy and prayers behind me, I've got this!!

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3821 days ago

Patricia Garcia posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi Mark...you are almost there and will be on the recovery side before you know it. I pray that you have a successful surgery and fast recovery. Look forward ...Read more

Hi Mark...you are almost there and will be on the recovery side before you know it. I pray that you have a successful surgery and fast recovery. Look forward to hearing from you when you are feeling up to it.

Mark Alafita Hi, Patricia. Thanks for the kindness, and I'm glad to hear the mech valve is working out for you. ... Read more

Mark Alafita Hi, Patricia. Thanks for the kindness, and I'm glad to hear the mech valve is working out for you. I'm going with tissue valve, but was very close to choosing a mech. Hopefully all works out!

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3824 days ago

Emily Shively posted a note for Mark that says:

Mark, I just wanted to say good luck on Friday! I know exactly how you're feeling at the moment, but trust in your surgeon and his team. You're going to ...Read more

Mark, I just wanted to say good luck on Friday! I know exactly how you're feeling at the moment, but trust in your surgeon and his team. You're going to do great!

Mark Alafita Thanks, Emily. Funny thing (actually not that funny) is I just got informed by the hospital that my ... Read more

Mark Alafita Thanks, Emily. Funny thing (actually not that funny) is I just got informed by the hospital that my surgery has been postponed until Monday. I can't believe I am saying this, but I'm a little disappointed. I was "in the zone" and ready for it, and frankly I just want it over with so I can move on. Oh well, three days is no big deal.

What is a big deal is how well you have been doing post-surgery. So happy to read of your progress. Keep it up, and congrats!

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3827 days ago

Damian Kudelka posted a note for Mark that says:

Mark I hope the surgery goes smoothly as with your recovery. I"m curious whether you considered Ross procedure? also, what are your thoughts on the pros/cons ...Read more

Mark I hope the surgery goes smoothly as with your recovery. I"m curious whether you considered Ross procedure? also, what are your thoughts on the pros/cons with tissue. My understanding is as follows: pros 1) minimally invasive procedure (do you know how many hours under?) 2) no medicine needed cons 1) 20 year durability so reop needed am i missing anything?

Peter Duplin Mark don't really know much about the Ross procedure but god luck and our prayers are with you. peter ... Read more

Peter Duplin Mark don't really know much about the Ross procedure but god luck and our prayers are with you. peter and Sandra.

Mark Alafita Damian, my surgeon did not offer Ross procedure for me. It sounded interesting in Adam's book.

Mark Alafita Peter, thank you!

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3847 days ago

Steven A Husted posted a note for Mark that says:

yes clay it has been mentioned that tavr is a very positive procedure for the near future and that and a valve in valve is also is a very close to being something ...Read more

yes clay it has been mentioned that tavr is a very positive procedure for the near future and that and a valve in valve is also is a very close to being something to be concidered so my having already had ohs and it was not that bad i think i can have a redo with out that much trouble hope this helps of course every body is different in how they view a redo for me it would not be that bad your heart brother steve (popeye)

Bob M I have a bovine aortic valve as of Dec 10. I am betting on a valve in valve procedure in 15 years.

Rob Wigley My view, in 10-15 years the state of the art in these procedures will be light-years ahead of what is ... Read more

Rob Wigley My view, in 10-15 years the state of the art in these procedures will be light-years ahead of what is done now, which is why I'm comfortable with my "horse tissue valve", and the possibility of having to replace it then. Shouldn't be open-heart at that point, and won't have to have my ascending aorta replaced again either!

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3848 days ago

Steven A Husted posted a note for Mark that says:

hi mark and clay valve choice well mech. noise and inr testing and blood clots and bleed outs and tissue will not last as long maybe and a redo but after having ...Read more

hi mark and clay valve choice well mech. noise and inr testing and blood clots and bleed outs and tissue will not last as long maybe and a redo but after having ohs i am glad i chose a bovine because a redo will not be that bad its a personal choice best of luck and pray about it you will do fine with either your heart brother steve (popeye)

Mark Alafita Steven, thanks for the insight. I think I'm headed in the same direction with my choice.

Clay Rowe Thanks Steve. I'm giving more consideration to the tissue valve. Has TAVR been mentioned to either ... Read more

Clay Rowe Thanks Steve. I'm giving more consideration to the tissue valve. Has TAVR been mentioned to either of you as a foreseeable future option for redo?

Bob M I have a bovine aortic valve as of Dec 10. I am betting on a valve in valve procedure in 15 years.

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3848 days ago

Mark Alafita reacted to this

Steven A Husted posted a note for Mark that says:

hi mark i hope this will help i checked out ebay and found one pretty cheap it is a power lift recliner i has a remote that lets you go to a laid back sleep ...Read more

hi mark i hope this will help i checked out ebay and found one pretty cheap it is a power lift recliner i has a remote that lets you go to a laid back sleep position or a reclin position for watching tv or it will stand you up or any where in between you may want to rent one from a rent a center or medical supply i bought mine because i may need it a little longer than most because i cant sleep on my stomach any more and i sleep pretty well in the recliner hope this helps steve (popeye)

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3853 days ago

Clay Rowe posted a note for Mark that says:

Hey...how are you doing? You getting any closer to a valve decision?

Mark Alafita Clay, thanks for the note. Funny you should ask that question. Over the course of the last week, I ha ... Read more

Mark Alafita Clay, thanks for the note. Funny you should ask that question. Over the course of the last week, I have finalize my decision… Three different times! Three different answers! This hasbecome quite a roller coaster decision. At first, I was going to go with tissue valve, because I did not want to go on blood thinners for the rest of my life. But then, after reading some of the journal entries of folks here, I decided maybe Coumadin would not be that bad and it would be great to not have to go through the surgery again. But after a bit more discovery, I'm not sure I want to be on blood thinners permanently. The third option is for an experimental valve that the University of Michigan hospital is looking for candidates for. It is a tissue valve, but it is supposed to be longer-lasting. Then again it's still an experiment. So that's why am right now, but I'm sure of my decision will change multiple times until my surgery on Jan 30. Any thoughts?

Gary Peluso Hi I struggled with the same questions- I finally decided to go with mechanical and have no regrets. ... Read more

Gary Peluso Hi I struggled with the same questions- I finally decided to go with mechanical and have no regrets. I have finally gotten my cumidan stabilized and have no side effects. I am 8 months out and feeling great.

Clay Rowe Hi guys. I keep going back n forth too. Wish my brain was settled like Gary's. Gary, how are you d ... Read more

Clay Rowe Hi guys. I keep going back n forth too. Wish my brain was settled like Gary's. Gary, how are you doing with the noise and coumadin ritual? I'm between the Onx or a bovine. If I go tissue...I'm COUNTING on TAVR redo by the time I need one...even though it isn't prescribed for that now. I'm gonna talk to my surgeon one more time this week. Exhausting

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3863 days ago

tina fluhrer posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi Mark, my brother Joe Cresswell, just had his heart valve replacement, due to bicuspid valve, on Monday December 15th. We found this site on December 13th. ...Read more

Hi Mark, my brother Joe Cresswell, just had his heart valve replacement, due to bicuspid valve, on Monday December 15th. We found this site on December 13th. In just those two days, Joe was encouraged and helped by so many on this site that reached out to give support. The comfort of this support lifted us up so much. It is pure natural medicine.~ He is doing well. As you read through the journals of others you will gain the knowledge you need to confidently walk the road to recovery. Welcome to the best of the best here!

tina fluhrer My brother was born with his bicuspid and no doctor every noticed it, even though my mom took him to ... Read more

tina fluhrer My brother was born with his bicuspid and no doctor every noticed it, even though my mom took him to the doctor every year for routine physicals. He is 48 and just last year at his routine physical, they noticed his genetic bicuspid. He has walked a courageous road to his surgery date. He did say it was as if he carried a 600 pound weight with him everyday. He trusted, lived to the fullest (that guy did not slow down) He could not believe he had to actually have heart surgery.

Bob M Ditto. Welcome to our awesome Community. Many are the doorkeepers who are already on the other side o ... Read more

Bob M Ditto. Welcome to our awesome Community. Many are the doorkeepers who are already on the other side of open heart surgery (my was on Dec 10). We are here to pray, share our experiences and answer direct questions.

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3863 days ago

Robin posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi Mark! Welcome to the site. You will find a wealth of information and support here. I received my new tissue aortic valve 22 months ago. I also had a bicuspib ...Read more

Hi Mark! Welcome to the site. You will find a wealth of information and support here. I received my new tissue aortic valve 22 months ago. I also had a bicuspib valve. I pray you and your family will do well on this journey as it is one that they will take with you. Let us know how we can be of help. And once again welcome!

Mark Alafita Robin, thank you so much. As you already know, it doesn't take long for the reality of surgery/recov ... Read more

Mark Alafita Robin, thank you so much. As you already know, it doesn't take long for the reality of surgery/recovery/the unknown to take up every waking moment. I have to remember to breathe, take things one step at a time!

I'm sure I will be posting more questions shortly...this site has already been such a blessing. Thanks again for the note.

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3876 days ago

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Tammy Pilcher posted a note for Mark that says:

Welcome Mark! I too was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and had it replaced 5 weeks ago. You are welcome to read my surgery experience in my journal. I ...Read more

Welcome Mark! I too was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and had it replaced 5 weeks ago. You are welcome to read my surgery experience in my journal. I found a lot of support and helpful information on this site and you will too. Best wishes!