Guestbook of Neil Collins

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Neil Collinsgot a new guestbook post

3724 days ago

Greg Anslow posted a note for Neil that says:

Hi Neil, Your guestbook intrigued me enough to write you. I just had a bicuspid aortic valve replacement at St Pauls in Vanvouver BC on Dec 8. I am 58, and ...Read more

Hi Neil, Your guestbook intrigued me enough to write you. I just had a bicuspid aortic valve replacement at St Pauls in Vanvouver BC on Dec 8. I am 58, and love to exercise. In fact I ran a 5k on the track the night before my surgery. I also routinely ran 6-10 miles and biked 50-80km in the summer and fall. I kept my HR below 130 to keep my body healthy, and not to damage the heart. I did the Whistler Gran Fondo for fun! I already knew I was just in early stages of heart enlargement, and my aorta was fine. This was key to decided to keep up the exercise. When my valve was removed, it was shredded and calcified. I was in the hospital for 4 days, and lost 8 pounds upon arriving home. I choose a tissue valve, one of the hardest decisions in my life to make. Just made sense to me and also think the TAVR technology will advance for future possibilities. I'm still taking 3 tylenols a day. Peeing a lot at night! I suggest taking it real easy at the beginning to reboot yourself. Think like you're breaking in a new car engine. My walks are only 2x20 min a day. I could do more, but will resist. I hope the best for you in 2016!

pino correale Hi Greg, speedy recovery by the way. One thing puzzled me in your story, how were you able to keep ... Read more

pino correale Hi Greg, speedy recovery by the way. One thing puzzled me in your story, how were you able to keep your heart beat at 130, was that pre-op or post-op.I think you said you were running ? that is great to have kept it at 130 bpm, I have tried it , but definitely don't get 130. Thanks

Emily Rowley What was you're heart rate Post-Op Pino?

pino correale Hi Emily, post-op i always keep it where it should be. It's in the booklet that the hospital gives y ... Read more

pino correale Hi Emily, post-op i always keep it where it should be. It's in the booklet that the hospital gives you upon your discharge. No, i was just puzzled how Greg would keep it at 130 running pre-op i imagine. That's the clarification that i was looking for.

Emily Rowley Okay. I don't remember receiving a booklet when discharged, what does it contain? I remember a Nurse ... Read more

Emily Rowley Okay. I don't remember receiving a booklet when discharged, what does it contain? I remember a Nurse providing me with verbal instructions for my recovery. Post-Op (during my Hospital stay) I had a rapid heart rate, so they gave me beta-blockers.

pino correale Hi Emily, i am quoting from the booklet.""Your exercise pulse should not be more than 20 beats per 1 ... Read more

pino correale Hi Emily, i am quoting from the booklet.""Your exercise pulse should not be more than 20 beats per 10 seconds.........or 120bpm for the 4 to 6 weeks after surgery"" I hope that helps.

Emily Rowley Oh wow, that does help. Thanks. Is it hard to keep your heart rate at or below that and what happens ... Read more

Emily Rowley Oh wow, that does help. Thanks. Is it hard to keep your heart rate at or below that and what happens if it goes above?

Doran Herritt Suggest all of you look into cardio rehab. They will monitor you during exercise and work with your c ... Read more

Doran Herritt Suggest all of you look into cardio rehab. They will monitor you during exercise and work with your cardiologist to allow higher heart rates. I am two months post op aortic replacement. I am cleared for 128 bum and they have asked for an increase. I started interval running on the treadmill this week.. Cardio rehab allows you to have a controlled plan in sync with your medical team..

Doran Herritt Bpm not bum

Emily Rowley I will be looking into Cardiac Rehab. Despite my Cardiologist+Surgeon saying I don't need it and don' ... Read more

Emily Rowley I will be looking into Cardiac Rehab. Despite my Cardiologist+Surgeon saying I don't need it and don't worry about it. When I go in for Pre-Admission Testing I can discuss with the Nurses about rehab. Might do it closer to home though. Also is there a specific heart rate to stay within prior to Surgery?

Sophia Ridley Best check with cardiologist. I was told to continue as normal pre surgery, but then again my only ex ... Read more

Sophia Ridley Best check with cardiologist. I was told to continue as normal pre surgery, but then again my only exercise was my commute!

Mary K I agree with Doran about Cardiac Rehab. They increased our exercise intensity over time, all the time ... Read more

Mary K I agree with Doran about Cardiac Rehab. They increased our exercise intensity over time, all the time keeping the heart rate within thirty beats of the resting rate.

pino correale I am definetily in agreement with participating in the cardiac rehabilitation. I am 5 weeks post oper ... Read more

pino correale I am definetily in agreement with participating in the cardiac rehabilitation. I am 5 weeks post operative (AVR) and i am starting mine on Jan. 11/16. In my case the Holiday brake got in the middle. But i am going to do the full program !

Emily Rowley I over done my exercising (collapsed several times) because I was so keen to recover, getting back to ... Read more

Emily Rowley I over done my exercising (collapsed several times) because I was so keen to recover, getting back to running.

Neil Collinsgot a new guestbook post

3829 days ago

Bradley Lum posted a note for Neil that says:

Neil - I'm just seeing your note to me. Who is doing your Ross? It was definitely the way to go for me. I'm thankful this was an option. My doc says that I ...Read more

Neil - I'm just seeing your note to me. Who is doing your Ross? It was definitely the way to go for me. I'm thankful this was an option. My doc says that I can do a half ironman by early spring. I'm 11 weeks out and am just starting to get back in the pool. Email me- bradleylum43@yahoo.com if you want to chat about the procedure etc. BL

Neil Collins Thanks Bradley. It's great to hear success stories about the Ross. I'll send you an email. I have a t ... Read more

Neil Collins Thanks Bradley. It's great to hear success stories about the Ross. I'll send you an email. I have a ton of questions....

Neil Collinsgot a new guestbook post

3878 days ago

Mary K reacted to this

Terrie Syvertsen posted a note for Neil that says:

Hello Neil. My name is Terrie and I just read your story and want to tell you to please look up Anthony Copeland- Parker's Journal on our site here as well ...Read more

Hello Neil. My name is Terrie and I just read your story and want to tell you to please look up Anthony Copeland- Parker's Journal on our site here as well as take one long look at his Photo section as this is a Man who had surgery when I did and is running marathons all over the world "sporting" his mechanical valve and an wonderful example for you to read about is you care to. I think if you contact him through his guestbook he will be of great help and inspiration to you. I am sure others will be contacting you as well and wish you the best of luck on your journey. Have a great day!

Neil Collins Yes, thanks for responding. I did contact him a while ago and it truly is amazing what he has been ab ... Read more

Neil Collins Yes, thanks for responding. I did contact him a while ago and it truly is amazing what he has been able to do. I only wish! I am leaning towards the Ross Procedure but I haven't met the surgeon yet so there are many unanswered questions...

Neil Collinsgot a new guestbook post

4159 days ago

Anthony Copeland-Parker posted a note for Neil that says:

Neil I would suggest that you post something to the site so others can follow along and provide support along the way. Also it is very theraputic to put in ...Read more

Neil I would suggest that you post something to the site so others can follow along and provide support along the way. Also it is very theraputic to put in writing what is going on with you along the way. Tony

Neil Collinsgot a new guestbook post

4160 days ago

Adam Pick posted a note for Neil that says:

Hi Neil, Great to meet you and welcome to our community! I hope the information and the people at our website will help you along the way. If you need anything, ...Read more

Hi Neil, Great to meet you and welcome to our community! I hope the information and the people at our website will help you along the way. If you need anything, please let me know. Keep on tickin! Adam (patient & website founder)