All your friends of the STCC continue to send their best get well wishes and hope to see you at Long Beach shows.
You sound like things have gone well and ...Read more
All your friends of the STCC continue to send their best get well wishes and hope to see you at Long Beach shows.
You sound like things have gone well and that is wonderful.
Love from us all.
The Scottish Terrier Club of California
Mark LaBonte Thank you so much for the kind words!!! I too look forward to returning to the show ring in June!!!
Mark I was 67 and a bovine valve where they open my chest up what kind of operation did you have.Mark you said the valve last 8 years or longer so why did you ...Read more
Mark I was 67 and a bovine valve where they open my chest up what kind of operation did you have.Mark you said the valve last 8 years or longer so why did you not get a mech.valve at your age.I know you would have to be on blood thiners but the valves last longer.i'm now 71 and hope I don't have to do this again.
Mark LaBonte Hi Peter, well I am 54 and decided on the bovine valve because I hate the idea of taking medication t ... Read more
Mark LaBonte Hi Peter, well I am 54 and decided on the bovine valve because I hate the idea of taking medication the rest of my life. Additionally, I am still pretty active so changing my lifestyle just didn't seem like a good choice for me. I understand the biological valves have a shelf life of 8 years but most people have been tolerating them for 15-20 years. With any luck mine will last this long and then hopefully the technology will be better so I don't have to have the full sternotomy (of course assuming I live long enough) haha. I had a less invasive procedure since I had no other health issues so they broke a rib and went in that way to replace the valve,,,,, I'm with you on not having to repeat the surgery but I think we all have our preferences....I simply didn't want to be on blood thinners for the next 30 years or so.....just thinking of the damage the meds would do to me when they are supposed to be helping......
It sounds like all is going GREAT from your 3/19 posting. I'll bet your physicians are going to be extremely pleased with how your recovery is proceeding. ...Read more
It sounds like all is going GREAT from your 3/19 posting. I'll bet your physicians are going to be extremely pleased with how your recovery is proceeding. I am so happy for you, Mark. Keep up the good work - physically & mentally!!!!!!!!!!
Your journal is very inspiring to me and I am not even a heart patient. I attempt to become informed since a niece will be u dergoing heart valve repair for ...Read more
Your journal is very inspiring to me and I am not even a heart patient. I attempt to become informed since a niece will be u dergoing heart valve repair for mitral valve prolapse. Thank you for showing all of us your determination and giving us the strength and positive attitude to carry on.
Mark LaBonte Thank you Amy......I can only share my experience which I hope others can gather strength from.....go ... Read more
Mark LaBonte Thank you Amy......I can only share my experience which I hope others can gather strength from.....good luck to your niece...I am sure she will be ok..prayers and good thoughts!!!!
Namele and Steve posted a note for Mark that says:
Good Morning Mark!
So glad things continue to go smoothly... or let's say... as smoothly as possible. But do take the "Hawaiian" approach to this and lay back ...Read more
Good Morning Mark!
So glad things continue to go smoothly... or let's say... as smoothly as possible. But do take the "Hawaiian" approach to this and lay back a bit, smell the plumeria and say "Life is good... Life is good." The way things are going, you're bouncing back sooner than anticipated anyway.
You continue to be in our daily prayers. Take care Mark. *giving you hugs from afar*
Hi Mark,
It is all so awful to go through but better than the alternative. I went thru a mitral valve replacement and then had a pacemaker put in at age 77. ...Read more
Hi Mark,
It is all so awful to go through but better than the alternative. I went thru a mitral valve replacement and then had a pacemaker put in at age 77. I lost my job over it because I couldn't work for two months. It is almost two years later and I still can't find a job. It is he-- to get old, but I am still tickin, so I have a lot to be thankful for. Hope you will be okay soon, try to be patient even though it is most difficult. Prayers are with you.
Mark LaBonte Thank you Betty for your kind words! My recovery is going amazingly well but I have to keep remindin ... Read more
Mark LaBonte Thank you Betty for your kind words! My recovery is going amazingly well but I have to keep reminding myself to slow down and smell the coffee. I feel enormously blessed by all the support and the wonderful team of doctors and nurses....now I just need to allow time to pass so my recovery can continue and then I can get on with my life......
Glad to hear your doing better. Your journal is very helpful and insightful as we prepare for our son to eventually have Aortic replacement. He is 8 and will ...Read more
Glad to hear your doing better. Your journal is very helpful and insightful as we prepare for our son to eventually have Aortic replacement. He is 8 and will be getting his first ballooning at Northwestern on the 24th of this month .
Again thanks for your journal and a speedy recovery.
Mark LaBonte Mike, thank you for your kind message and I send you my deepest best wishes for a successful surgery ... Read more
Mark LaBonte Mike, thank you for your kind message and I send you my deepest best wishes for a successful surgery for your son. I found this site so helpful in taming some of my fears and not feeling so alone has been the greatest blessing. I appreciate your kind words and am happy my sharing has been of some help to you and your family. I will keep your son and your family in my prayers and wish you the very best!!!!
Mark
I'm glad you are feeling better.I had a bovine aorta valve in 2010 what did you have done and how did they do it?How long will the valve last? ...Read more
Mark
I'm glad you are feeling better.I had a bovine aorta valve in 2010 what did you have done and how did they do it?How long will the valve last?
Pete
Mark LaBonte Hi Peter, I have joined the bovine crowd (mooooo)....hahaha.....I was fortunate to have had the less ... Read more
Mark LaBonte Hi Peter, I have joined the bovine crowd (mooooo)....hahaha.....I was fortunate to have had the less invasive procedure, breaking the rib in lieu of the sternotomy procedure. I was told the valves have a shelf life of 8 years but most people have been tolerating them for 15-20 years....so I am hopeful mine will give me the longer run.....8 years seems like just around the corner.....wishing you continued good health!
Sounds like you are doing well. It is almost three years post op. Fully monty with bovine and dacron patch done by Dr. Madani at UCSD. Great guy. Like you, ...Read more
Sounds like you are doing well. It is almost three years post op. Fully monty with bovine and dacron patch done by Dr. Madani at UCSD. Great guy. Like you, out in three days. So glad to get out. Things will get much better. Where did you have the procedure done? Dan Kenney
Mark LaBonte Hi Dan, nice to read your story and your successful recovery. I had my surgery at Scripps Hillcrest ... Read more
Mark LaBonte Hi Dan, nice to read your story and your successful recovery. I had my surgery at Scripps Hillcrest with Dr. James Hemp.....I was fortunate to have the less invasive procedure so I am amazed you went home so quickly with the full monty!!!! Wishing you best of health and thank you for the kind words.....
I am from: San Diego, California
