Matthew's Guestbook

Hi Matthew. I am from Perth too! Small world!

I am one year post mitral valve repair op and my heart seems to be going well. I hope you have a swift recovery. Which hospital are you in? 

Hello Mathew and great wishes for your speedy recovery! 12 years ago as an active handball player, I fac d and h decision to do mechanical/Coumadin or a bio aortic valve and aortic replacement procedure with no long-term medical meds.  I’m doing by well, happy, active, still 

playing handball and pickle ball and frequent aerobic and medium weight lifting. My cardiologist says I will eventually need another bio valve, TCAV, but not for awhile.   I also requested this larger valve as possible as I realize I continue to be active. Live your dream and take care of yourself and keep getting your questions answered! This is a great site for learning! John K

Matthew, congratulations on the successful outcome on your surgery. I too, at age 47, had pretty much the same thing you had going on. BAV with and ascending aortic aneurysm and also mine was caught by chance before the inevitable happened. I was 48 when I finally had my repair and replacement tho I opted for an Onyx carbon mechanical valve. I would rather deal with Warfarin than a redo later. I went back to full duty at the fire Department in November 2009 and retired in May of 2020. Gave it up after 37 years of service. Not because of the heart valve but because it’s a young person’s game.  A lot of people counted me out when this all happened but I was too determined to give up.  I just had my post surgery 15th anniversary this past July and am still clicking along. I stay active but try and stay cautious. Sometimes it works and sometimes not though nothing significant. Looking forward to the realization of the threat of being able to get off Warfarin and just take low dose ASA. I’ll believe it when I see it.  Good luck and God’s speed with your recovery. 

Hi Matthew, my name is Carel and i am from South Africa.  3 Years ago i had the same procedure as you, Aortic valve Repair(tissue valve and AortaRoot Repair. I am now 67 yr and still cycle a lot. I mostly do long endurance gravel races and mtb stage races.  I would like to know from you if you are carrying on with your cycling programme like in the past(FlatOut) or are you holding back for some or other reason?