Mike's Guestbook

Mike - Great to hear your back on this side and on your way to a speedy recovery! I know your pain with the drain tubes. I had four of those + the cath tube. Honestly, they stung a little coming out but boy oh boy I felt 1000% better as well. Honestly, I had more pain after I had both my knees scoped a few years back that lasted for days. My heart surgery was less painful than my knee surgeries. Enjoy your time off!

Hi Mike this is Kathleen Hector's wife feel better soon before you know it you will be back out doing all the things you like to do God bless you and many years to you

Hello Mike - David here from Ohio. I am happy I found a website like this one so I can share my story and hopefully inspire and lessen any fears or anxiety’s people may be having prior to or after surgery. I am still in recovery at home and will be for another 8 weeks. Surgery was 2 weeks ago and I feel great! I’ve been home for 5 days and have a great support group with my wife and adult kiddos. I am a very active man with many outdoor activities. Watching the snow melt away for the next couple months only inspires me to get better. I’ve been following all after care instructions and can’t wait to golf,fish, and hunt again. I feel like I have been blessed once again. I thought to myself pre-op, if that little 7 year old kid living inside of me can do that, I could as a 52 yo man. That thought inspires me every day. God bless you and take good care of yourself. David Smith

My name is kathleen my husband was diagnosed with aortic regurgitation as well what kind of valve are you going with my husband is probably going with tissue let me know how everything goes for you

Mike, although it’s been a long time, I still remember when my Cardiologist told me that I needed to have my Aortic Valve replaced. It was a bad time then, and I am sure that it was a bad experience when you were told. However, it was 1968, and there were only three Doctors in the US that were willing and equipped to do my Surgery. (TX, CA, and AL.) I chose Birmingham, and made a trip down there from my home in Nashville. Dr Kirkland, in Birmingham, told me I should put the Surgery off for a few years, because my condition was not so severe at that time. I did have Surgery later, in 1974. I had a Mechanical Valve, and it is still ticking. I have been on Blood Thinners since then, but I check my own INR, so it has not been bad. I have been able to travel around the world, both for business and pleasure. Things will go well with you. Think happy thoughts, and God be with you and your Surgeons!