Mark's Guestbook

Hey Mark, jusy wanted to check in and see how you are doing? I am still working through mechanical valve questions. Can I speak to you via email? Eichhorn33@gmail.com Thank you!!

Hi Mark, I am very happy that you are getting better by the day! While trying to learn more about the Ross procedure, I happened upon your journal. My six year old granddaughter is having it done tomorrow at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Her first heart surgery was just days after birth to replace her bicuspid aortic valve with a new tricuspid valve. And now we are going through this again! It's difficult because I cannot be there. I have to have faith in the doctors and I believe she's in good hands! Continue your journey of healing!! Thank you for sharing your experience. Nona Harrisburg, NC

Thank you for sharing your journey and detailing the experiences. It’s helped me who will be helping a love one go through a heart valve replacement surgery. I wish you a speedy recovery and good health Everyday.

Hi Mark, Good to see you are feeling better. I'm in Tualatin and have a mitral valve repair/replace and MAZE scheduled Apr 9 at St. Vin's. Would like to meet you some day and compare notes. Hope to see more positive news from you as your recovery progresses. I'm in the past-denial-but-anxious stage myself as my countdown continues... Jim

Hi Mark, 6 1/2 months post op and life is great 👍 I had the same genetic heart condition but found out about it a long time ago Although older at 65 I was also i n good physical condition, working out and jogging. For me the worry was the biggest part of it, the surgery went great and recovery is not so bad either. One week post op I was having a picnic lunch with my wife on the beach and it got easier and better every day. It is very important to keep the lungs healthy, walking or jogging and stay super hydrated as that helps with any symptoms, although I had none. You may find some of my research, preperation for surgery and recovery in my journal to be helpful. You should do great, just accept the inevitable operation that will save and give you a better life and look forward to recovery and your new life ahead. You can do this 👍

Hi Mark...read your story and somewhat similar to mine, re: murmur discovery and later BAVD...I am just over a year from OHS/AV replacement and all went well. Maybe you can read my story and find some comfort. Hang in there and wishing you a successful journey. Will check back after your OHS.

Mark I read your story. I’m very new to this forum I just made my first post a few minutes ago. It sounds like our stories are nearly identical. We are both active and enjoy weight lifting. My surgeon recommendation (who was a weight lifter himself) adviced me to use light weights with more reps. He told me no weights so heavy as to cause me to hold my breadth in order to lift. I am 63 years old an had the valve for over 13 years with very little issues or lifestyle changes. The actual surgery and recovery is not bad. I was in the hospital for about 5 days and went home. At the three week mark I felt completely recovered but still did exactly as the drs recommended. I’m not sure exactly how long I was off work I’m thinking about three months. But overall the surgery and recovery was way easier than I had perceived in my own mind. If you ever want to talk or share any concerns you have feel free to message me.

Hi Neighbor Mike (I live "just up the road" in Centralia, WA), I read your story and I can certainly understand the anxiety and mind-racing you're going through. So I wanted to help ease that if I can. (If you read my own story, you'll see I had the major deal--and I feel TERRIFIC.) Okay, No. 1: The mortality rate for these kinds of operations (and they do thousands of them each year) is between 1 and 2 percent. And most of those are due to being elderly and/or having other health issues. No. 2: The recovery: Everyone's different, but for me (and Barbara Walters too!), the pain was minimal. What got us both was incredible fatigue for the first couple of weeks thereafter. But we got over that. So just relax and let your body heal itself without your worrying it. You sound like you're in very good health, so that'll count for a lot in your "comeback." No. 3: The very worst thing I experienced--and it was awful!--was . . . constipation. So here's a tip. During your hospital stay, if you haven't had a solid bowel movement in two days max, get the nurse to give you a laxative. No. 4: You should be able to get back to your lifting activities without a hitch. Just give it time. It may take a few to several weeks before you get to your original activities. Honor your recovery! No. 5: Weeks before my operation, I was anxious too. I certainly didn't want to be "cut down the middle." (Not a big deal, I found afterwards.) But a few days before my operation, I suddenly changed my focus. Instead of thinking about what "they" were going to do to "me," I started talking to my heart. I said, "You've been my best and most loyal friend all my life [I was 70 at that point]. You've always been there for me when I needed you. Now YOU need something--and I'm going to get it for you. I won't let you down, my friend." You've no idea how much power that gave me. I sailed into my operation, completely confident and at peace. May the same peace be yours before your operation, and eventual joy after your operation. Every good wish, Artie Rubin

Hi Mark, How fortunate that your new primary discovered the murmur. You are in my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and an uneventful recovery!

Welcome aboard Mark! I hope the educational information and wonderful people in this community will help you along your journey to a healthy heart!!! Adam (patient & website founder guy)

Hey Mark, Fellow AAA/AI here. Got the Edwards Bovine valve and the dryer vent installed this past Aug. Know what you're feeling like you're a walking time bomb. I even ate lots of fiber just to make sure I didn't even strain going to the bathroom. Just know that you have been blessed to have this discovered now instead of after it tore or on the autopsy. You will get to lift weights again, just not for a while. For now just walk a lot. You will be on the recovery side of this before you even realize it. Praying.

Hi Mark, I can relate to your story. I also found out heart valve news very suddenly- which was a shock because- like you, I am otherwise very healthy and fit. I had a bit of difficulty getting a second opinion, but after seeing Adam Picks trusted surgeon locator, I made the leap of faith as I was also not sure about the surgeon/hospital I had available to me. The added research helped me with the anxiety and fear- but I want you to know something I have since learned - that it is very normal to have this reaction to such big news, and you are not alone. I wish you well along this journey- and hope you find good information and support here on this site. I'm new here as well, and have already made some good connections with folks who have offered strength and hope through their own experiences.

Hi Mark, Welcome. I can relate wholeheartedly to your post today, having had a similar experience of discovery last summer. I was quietly going about my business having a mid-life crisis when I got the news about my heart....lol. I, too am in the queue for surgery very soon as well. The anxiety and panic was very overwhelming and none I am told that that's normal- although at first I felt sure I was going crazy. After I did more research about this valve problem and option for repair (and finding this support group / meeting other folks who have gone through this), it is feeling a bit more manageable. I hope it will for you too. I love your plan to go dancing with your wife. Everyday is a dance! I am wishing you well along this journey and hoping for the very best outcome- for both of us, and everyone else who is reading this and facing valve surgery soon.