Mike's Guestbook

Mike Dotson  Marshall, yes, I had a mini-thoracotomy. It's definitely accelerated my recovery. If your are interested in this procedure, the only caveat is to make sure the surgeon is super experienced with it. My surgeon had over 3000 under his belt with excellent results so that's why I chose him.

David Smith  They weren’t that bad like I said. Felt like a pinch. I was still under fentanyl then as well. The worst part of this whole process is not being able to drive for six weeks 😡

Mike Dotson  Thanks Mike. I’m one part “ready to get this over with” and one part “scared as heck”. I so want to get to the other side of thiis.

Mike Dotson  Hi Kathleen. I’m going with a mechanical valve (On-X). This whole thing has been so stressful for my family and I so I want to do what I can to minimize a chance for a re-operation. The price for this is a lifetime of Coumadin, but it’s a trade off that seems right for me.

Mike Dotson  Yeah, the forecast is looking nastier and nastier for us. Wishing you and your family a safe trip.

Mike Dotson  Thank you Martin (and Lynn). I am going to do my level best to follow that advice. I generally consider myself more logical than emotional. This experience has flipped that for me. Time to right the ship.

Mike Dotson  Thank’s so much for the encouraging words, Lynn. I am trying to keep my focus on my recovery and goals afterwards to keep the black cloud at bay. Hearing about experiences like yours helps tremendously.

rich monoson  Mike, I had aortic valve replacement almost two years ago and its been great. I was also involved in heavy training, running and played in a ball hockey league. The result of surgery has been great. Just like you said I was so focused on aggressive rehab and determined to get back to my normal training routine. Let the doc do his thing and you take over from there. I resisted the idea of surgery at first but heavy deadlifts or barbell rowing caused such a shortness of breath that I could not recover from in the usual time. Anything heavy caused this and I knew it was time. I read your bio and rest assured you will be back to pre-surgical (better) performance levels in gym. My only impatience was allowing the sternum to heal. Anything I can do to help please feel free. I was back on the elliptical and doing light leg work 10 days after surgery. You will do great. Good luck Mike. Just know it is such a highly successful procedure.

Mike Dotson  Wow Rich. I can't tell you how encouraging it is to read your comment and your recovery story. It truly gives me hope. I'm coming to terms with not having control of my OHS but of my recovery. That's where my focus needs to be. If I can come through this one half as successfully as you I will overjoyed. I definitely will be reaching out.

Herb Greenberg  Mike, what Rich said! My surgery was 11 months and two weeks ago when I was 67. I have a fading 9" scar. Thankfully, I never had much sternum pain. (A week or two of back pain post-surgery - that's another story!) I had four things done inside. I would never know today. I was sitting at my desk working 11 days post-surgery - actually writing reports - and did, at my pace, every day since then. You are about to embark on one of the most amazing journeys as you get a first-hand look at how remarkable and resilient the human body is. Just go with it, pal. Follow the protocol. Realize it's not always a straight line, and the first few days might not seem like your idea of fun. But you will likely be back to your old self sooner than you can imagine. And remember, while this is a big deal for you and your family - scary as hell - your surgeon does it every day. It's their day job. Cheers.

rich monoson  Mike, you will do great. The surgery is 99% successful and like Herb said the human body is amazing. Herb, glad you also had a great experience. I never thought I'd say that open heart surgery has been one of the most positive and incredible experiences of my life. The doctors, nurses and support staff were like angels from heaven. Your will and determination will make this a complete success.

Mike Dotson  Thanks guys. I can't tell you how much I just want to return to my normal life and not worry about this every waking (and non waking) moment. I still want to do big things, but also to go back to enjoying the little things with out all the internal noise, anxiety and distraction. You all have been through it and are give me the inspiration that there is a great life on the other side of this.

Mike Dotson  Martin, Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out and offer support. I can't express how it helps to receive support from people who have been through what I'm going through. I can't imagine doing this all on my own. Your story inspires me and give me some much needed hope. Yesterday, I was feeling more confident after my cardiologist told me that my prognosis was excellent. Then, I woke up at 3 am, fully of doubt.
You are so right about the conversations with family and friends. These have been some of the most real conversations that I've ever had to a degree that I don't think would have occurred if I wasn't diagnosed. Thank you aortic stenosis. I've never shared my feelings easily, but I"m not holding back anymore. Not with my friends and family and not with the forum, because you all know what I'm going through.

Mike Dotson  Thank you so much Elyse. So kind of you to reach out and offers support when you are dealing with the lead up to your own surgery in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, by then I will be in a better place mentally and be able to return the favor. I’ will be following your progress and recovery. We gym rats need to stick together :-)

Marie Myers  Mike- I just want to say I totally understand the “blindsided” feeling of overwhelm. I found out at age 63 that I had developed an aneurysm on my ascending aorta, and that I needed surgery in short order. I was busy living my life, working, playing tennis, riding horse ect. It takes a bit of time to come to the understanding and acceptance that you need heart surgery. That being said, I did well, and am now again living my life. You can, and will get through this event ! Just be patient with yourself and the emotional journey that you will go through. Wishing you all the best!

Mike Dotson  Thank you Marie. I hope to be able to follow your lead. If you don't mind a few questions, what did you find to be the most difficult part of the process?..both pre op and recovery. Do you feel like you're back to "normal" now or do you feel limited in doing what you used to do.

Marie Myers  i found that emotionally, pre op was the hardest time. I was so blindsided with the whole diagnosis, that it took me weeks to accept that this was going to happen. Also, I had to choose between a tissue valve or a mechanical valve. That was the hardest choice for me to make. I went back and forth for months before deciding on a tissue valve. My choice was primarily to avoid taking Coumadin.
So physically, post op was challenging due to the exhaustion I felt coming home. Sleeping in the hospital was nearly impossible. Someone was always in my room doing something, and the overhead pager went nonstop. When i was discharged, I was surprised that I felt weak as a kitten. It is normal to be anemic post op, and that combined with the effects of the surgery just surprised me. I needed a shower chair to sit down while taking a shower for a couple weeks. My first walk outside was just down the driveway, and that was followed by a nap. Pain was never a big problem for me. I left the hospital with 10 Percocet, and I still have 7 of them left. Tylenol was sufficient, which really surprised me. It has been almost 4 years now, and I am feeling back to normal. I do a bit of worrying about how long my tissue valve will last, but other than eating right and staying in shape, there is little I can do about it. I check my BP a few times a week, and take a statin to keep my LDL around 60. Sometimes, if I did not see my scar, I would never know it all happened, It is like it was another lifetime for me. I was lucky to have an uncomplicated surgery and recovery. I did go back to work part time at 8 weeks, and I went back to playing tennis occasionally. (My right shoulder can’t take too much play.) so overall, I was surprised that the whole experience was NOT as bad as my worrying mind had made it out to be Keep in mind that these surgeons literally perform miracles every day in their work, and that the surgery I had (Bentall procedure) is actually considered a routine surgery.
I hope that answered your question, but if not let me know what I can tell you about my experience.

Civita Fahey  Marie. you nailed it. I felt exactly the same as you.. mostly fatigue and little to no pain, except maybe shoulders for a while. But otherwise, it was just taking it day by day.. some days I overdid and felt it the next day but being exhausted. I too had dreams of terror and that I would be an invalid in a chair and not be able to do anything I was used to doing. its not easy, but, definitiely doable. Mike we have all been blind sided in one way or another by this diagnosis. Never in my life did I think I would be a heart patient until the age of 50 when they told me I had a murmur that was a bicuspid valve. Like Marie I try to eat well and keep in shape and I too chose a tissue and have the same worry as she does as to when it will give out, (Marie and I had surgery a month apart), but I figured, when it does, I know what to expect and I can do it again. Hopefully I will get the 10 years or more that they expect it to last, if not, I will make my decision then on what to do. We can only control what we can control. I've been trying to make myself understand that for a long time. Have faith in your doctors, they really do know what they are doing . My best to you and you will be on the other side soon and be able to share your experience with others.

Mike Dotson  Since I'm still so new to this I'm sure I'll go back and forth but I'm leaning toward a mechanical replacement. I don't think taking Coumadin will be a huge issue for me and I want something that will last so I (or my family) won't have to go through this again. The potential for loud clicking does give me pause though. You guys are all great to take the time to share your experiences and if I make it to the other side of this, I will be paying it forward.

Chris Hall  Start saying - when I make it to the other side. That's where it starts. 45 days ago I felt the exact way you do. We all have. Start thinking about recovery. It helped me

Civita Fahey  exactly, WHEN I'm on the other side.. positivity has been researched and people that have a positive attitude during surgery, do better and heal faster. Its scary.. no doubt, but, be as positive as you can and you will do great!