Mark's Guestbook

I just reread your 8 week post op comments. My surgery won't be for awhile yet, but my mind is whirling since I was told that I need open heart surgery. I want to thank you for sharing so much helpful information...things I would not know otherwise. You have been a great encouragement. Glad that you are doing well. Edie

Mark, oh my goodness! I'm so sorry you are having such a difficult time! Are you still in the hospital? What kind of medication were you on? I had such a different experience and hoped yours would be like mine. I'll keep you in my prayers heart brother!

Mark and your beautiful Family-- May Peaceful confident thoughts fill your heart tonight of all of the things yet to do together once that heart of yours is on the mend from the miracle work your "Team" is going to do on you tomorrow! You will be surprised as you find each day that the surgery is not as bad as you might have once imagined and that each day knowing you are on the other side of it brings tears to your eyes and a wider and wider smile appearing coming straight from the "heart". It looks as though you have quite a team in your Family that is sure to make the road to recovery a lively and healthy one. With all that love surrounding you, you are blessed specially among Men!...... Our heart community will be thinking and praying for you as well!

Mark, I hope everything is going well today and you have a peaceful night tonight. I'll be saying a prayer for you tomorrow as I have already today. You are in a great place and have an amazing surgeon and team so I know you're going to be very well taken care of! Oh and I hope your family had fun last night at downtown Disney! That's one of my favorite places to go! All the best from your heart sister, Tammy

Mark, I'm one week post-surgery (aortic valve replacement) and wanted to let you know surgery is not as bad as we imagine it. Yes, recovery will have its own challenges, BUT, it will be a huge load off your mind when you're looking at the surgery in the rear-view mirror. I remember the shock it was to hear the phrase "open heart surgery" for the first time just 6 weeks ago. My imagination went to town on me. None of it came true. LOL. I guess I just want to let you know that surrendering yourself is the most peaceful route through this whole process. Your family (and friends) will be your greatest blessing (in addition to your keeping a positive attitude). You'll be fine. You've got all the strength you need to go through that threatening event we call"open heart surgery" — even if you don't believe it! That strength is innate within us, and it's times like this that we discover just how strong we really can be. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Ken

Hi Mark, I don't know if you found the comment I left you on the post you made to my guestbook last night. But, I forgot to ask you if Dr.Accola will do the hemi? I know you were hoping it would be possible. I wanted to thank you for letting me know how your appointment went also. I left you some other info on my comment last night too. Best wishes and Happy Thanksgiving, Tammy

Hi Mark, I saw your question for Melinda and thought I would try to help too. I had a bicuspid aortic valve replaced with a bovine tissue valve. I also had an aortic root enlargement with a Dacron patch. My surgeon did a hemisternotomy and my incision is 4 inches. I'm doing great! I'll answer any more questions too.

Hey mark just to let you know i had the cow valve put in 6 weeks ago now , the opening was around 6-7 inches and healing not to bad. feel free to ask anything.