Guestbook of Mark Jaycox

My Guestbook

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

663 days ago

Ruth joy posted a note for Mark that says:

Congratulations on your five year anniversary !!!

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

1402 days ago

Cathryn Howard posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi Mark, I see that you had your surgery at Swedish in Seattle. Hello fellow Washingtonian! I will be bringing my 82 year old mother to Swedish for surgery ...Read more

Hi Mark, I see that you had your surgery at Swedish in Seattle. Hello fellow Washingtonian! I will be bringing my 82 year old mother to Swedish for surgery with Dr. Eric Lehr December 30, from Ellensburg. We go over the pass next Tuesday for her pre-op ultrasound, angiogram, ekg/labs etc etc. We are both very nervous and worried. Can you share any tips for what to expect at Swedish? They come highly recommended and seem like a good place. thanks in advance! Cathy :)

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

1404 days ago

Andrew Dial posted a note for Mark that says:

Hey Mark, I’m from Puyallup , Wa. I know how you are feeling about having a dark cloud over your head all the time. I was born with aortic stenosis/bicuspid. ...Read more

Hey Mark, I’m from Puyallup , Wa. I know how you are feeling about having a dark cloud over your head all the time. I was born with aortic stenosis/bicuspid. I will be needing valve replacement in the next 12 months or so. Not having much of any symptoms. But ascending aorta is starting to get Into a size range where we wanna replace the valve. Anytime you wanna chat, shoot me a message. Ps, I just found this website. Still trying to figure it out.

Mark Jaycox Hi Andrew, you sound just like me 4 1/2 years ago when I received a call at work that I hade severe a ... Read more

Mark Jaycox Hi Andrew, you sound just like me 4 1/2 years ago when I received a call at work that I hade severe aortic stenosis. I didn't even know whet that was and it floored me. I had to leave work because I couldn't concentrate at all. I did my own research for many months before finding this website. It was nice to read about others going through the same thing I was. Anytime you want to talk let me know because I know personally what your going through.

Andrew Dial I appreciate that Mark. Sounds like you are doing very well after your surgery. I’m not super nervo ... Read more

Andrew Dial I appreciate that Mark. Sounds like you are doing very well after your surgery. I’m not super nervous about the actual surgery, it’s more-so what life is like AFTER the surgery …

Mark Jaycox I received a Edward's Resilia heart valve. I chose this valve because I did not want to be on blood t ... Read more

Mark Jaycox I received a Edward's Resilia heart valve. I chose this valve because I did not want to be on blood thinners the rest of my life. I'm on no medication at all and enjoy the same life style I did as before the surgery. Talk to your cardiologist about what valve you should get. The first cardiologist I saw was trying to tell me to go mechanical but after switching to another doctor he said it was up to me. The valve I got is a cow tissue valve and is supposed to last 20-25 years. I f I ever need it replaced I can have the TAVR procedure. I know the anxiety your going through so just go with your gut and you'll be OK. Like I said if you ever want to talk let me know. I know I sopke with another patient that went through it and it helped me a lot.

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

2134 days ago

Adam Pick reacted to this

Edward Kokkelenberg posted a note for Mark that says:

You look great. Are you 35 or younger?

Mark Jaycox Thank You!! 58 years young

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

2466 days ago

Civita Fahey posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi Mark, I just noticed you posted a question on my journal regarding which valve I chose. I chose a tissue valve, but the surgeon is the one that chooses the ...Read more

Hi Mark, I just noticed you posted a question on my journal regarding which valve I chose. I chose a tissue valve, but the surgeon is the one that chooses the type. Its an Edwards Magna Ease valve 23mm. I was told shelf life between 10-15 years maybe more. Let's pray its on the longer side. its been 21 months and I feel great ( knock on wood). No problems with the valve at all. Let me know if you have any questions.

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

2487 days ago

Bob Fessler posted a note for Mark that says:

Mark, just out of curiosity did you get Barnhart for your surgeon? He sent me a letter announcing he was retiring after this year so I wondered if he squeezed ...Read more

Mark, just out of curiosity did you get Barnhart for your surgeon? He sent me a letter announcing he was retiring after this year so I wondered if he squeezed you in. 1-1/2 years after surgery I am doing great. You'll feel much better at about 3 weeks after surgery. Lots of deep breathing and walking is the key. Good luck.

Mark Jaycox I was his last patient! He and his team did a great job. My recovery has gone better than I could of ... Read more

Mark Jaycox I was his last patient! He and his team did a great job. My recovery has gone better than I could of ever asked. Tomorrow marks two weeks post op. I’m going to see my cardiologist to see if I can start driving again. I’m very lucky because the bicuspid aortic valve they removed was so calcified he said I was real lucky. I’m glad I did it when I did.

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

2491 days ago

Dan Baltazor reacted to this

Gerald Poulton posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi Mark, I read your post and I understand your feelings. I was also asymptomatic right up to day of my surgery but the doctor thought that was because one, ...Read more

Hi Mark, I read your post and I understand your feelings. I was also asymptomatic right up to day of my surgery but the doctor thought that was because one, I drink so much water and two, because I was and am in good physical condition. If you don't already do so, take the time to get out and walk a lot and get those lungs in good shape. The operation takes a large toll on your lungs. My story was a very successful one, if you want, take the time to read my journal. And you are much younger than I was, you got this ! take care and all the best.

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

2493 days ago

Candace Sheehan posted a note for Mark that says:

Hello, Mark, and you had asked if I had my surgery at Swedish...I had my valve replacement surgery at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue with an incredible surgeon, ...Read more

Hello, Mark, and you had asked if I had my surgery at Swedish...I had my valve replacement surgery at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue with an incredible surgeon, Dr. David Nelson, and his most excellent team. I hope you are doing well and feeling better each day. This is going into my 5th week and each day I am a wee bit stronger. Good luck to you!

Mark Jaycox Thanks Candace, I really never researched Surgeons that much so I just went with Adam’s recommendat ... Read more

Mark Jaycox Thanks Candace, I really never researched Surgeons that much so I just went with Adam’s recommendations from his website. I really happy with my choice other than I would have preferred Bellevue vs Seattle. I’m one week post and feel pretty good.

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

2520 days ago

Fay Kozas posted a note for Mark that says:

Great news, Mark. In a few weeks the risk will be over and you will be on the road to recovery!

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

2531 days ago

Adrianne Lane posted a note for Mark that says:

I thought Dr. Barnhart retired so you have him for your surgery.

Mark Jaycox He's retiring in early December. I have an MRI tomorrow that will determine if my stenosis is critica ... Read more

Mark Jaycox He's retiring in early December. I have an MRI tomorrow that will determine if my stenosis is critical or not so if it is I might be able to schedule before he retires. If not I'll have to schedule with another surgeon he recommends.

Adrianne Lane I see well hope everything goes well for you.

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

2533 days ago

Fay Kozas posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi Mark, sorry I misunderstood. Please keep us posted. Good luck!

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

2534 days ago

Fay Kozas posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi Mark, so glad to hear you have a date for your surgery. Smart move--better to go into the surgery before the symptoms rather than afterward. Just remember--when ...Read more

Hi Mark, so glad to hear you have a date for your surgery. Smart move--better to go into the surgery before the symptoms rather than afterward. Just remember--when you wake up the risk will be over. Please keep us posted.

Mark Jaycox Thanks' but I don't have a date yet. I'm told after my MRI on 11/6 my surgeon should definitely know ... Read more

Mark Jaycox Thanks' but I don't have a date yet. I'm told after my MRI on 11/6 my surgeon should definitely know if my stenosis is critical or not. If it is well get the surgery scheduled.

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

2561 days ago

Bradley Dunn reacted to this

Fay Kozas posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi Mark, just a little detail--the aortic valve closes off the lower left chamber in the heart that holds oxygen-rich blood. It opens to allow the blood to ...Read more

Hi Mark, just a little detail--the aortic valve closes off the lower left chamber in the heart that holds oxygen-rich blood. It opens to allow the blood to move onward to the aorta and then to the rest of the body. With stenosis, the blood flow is decreased. I think that the sooner you have the surgery, the better. Be strong! You can do this! You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Mark Jaycox Hi Fay, I agree and want to have the surgery but my surgeon wants to make absolutely sure my stenosis ... Read more

Mark Jaycox Hi Fay, I agree and want to have the surgery but my surgeon wants to make absolutely sure my stenosis is critical before doing he surgery. I'm waiting for my insurance to approve the MRI and then I'll do that and they can tell where I'm at. My surgeon is one of the best in the Seattle area so I have to trust his judgement. Oh, by the way did I tell you I'm still asymptomatic.

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

2562 days ago

Fay Kozas posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi Mark, it is better to go into surgery with a healthy heart before the symptoms appear. Recovery will be easier. And you will recover sooner. Just keep ...Read more

Hi Mark, it is better to go into surgery with a healthy heart before the symptoms appear. Recovery will be easier. And you will recover sooner. Just keep thinking positive!

Mark Jaycox Thanks' Fay, that's exactly how I feel but the surgeon I want to do the surgery needs to wait and con ... Read more

Mark Jaycox Thanks' Fay, that's exactly how I feel but the surgeon I want to do the surgery needs to wait and confirm I'm serious and critical before he will operate on me. It might be a moot point because he retires in December so as soon as I have my MRI I will know if I can schedule or not.

Mark Jaycoxgot a new guestbook post

2571 days ago

Fay Kozas posted a note for Mark that says:

Hi Mark, sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I can understand your being "blown away" but don't be scared. After all this is over, it will seem so surreal, ...Read more

Hi Mark, sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I can understand your being "blown away" but don't be scared. After all this is over, it will seem so surreal, like a dream. One advantage of the mechanical valve is its durability. But you may have to take anti-coagulants for the rest of your life. A tissue valve, on the other hand, can last about 15 years and you may not have to take anti-coagulants. It would be great if you could consult with Dr. David Adams and Dr. Paul Stelzer, both in Mount Sinai Hospital in NY. Dr. Adams is world famous for mitral valve repair and Dr. Stelzer is world famous for aortic valve surgery. Good luck!

Upcoming Surgeries

Chris Germano
Aortic Stenosis
October 27, 2025

Janet Gaffney
Aortic Stenosis
October 28, 2025

Donavan Colwell
Aortic Stenosis
October 29, 2025

HOME

ABOUT US

COMMUNITY

LEARNING CENTER

DOCTOR FINDER

HEART HOSPITALS

VIDEOS

ADAM'S BLOG

NEWSLETTER

STORE

CONTACT

JOIN US

SIGN IN

Mark's Guestbook

Mark's Guestbook

Upcoming Surgeries

Heart Valve Hospitals

Surgeon Spotlight