Peter's Guestbook

Christopher Cozzi  Hi Peter. Congrats on your anniversary. I am 4 weeks post surgery that was similar to yours. Every day, I seem to be slowly recovering, but patience is required. Still feel my heart jumping in my chest occasionally, and I'm probably about 65% from normal me.

Peter Eglinton  Best wishes for your recovery, Christopher! I found patience, incremental steps, and cardiac rehab helpful. 

Peter Eglinton  Hi, Kathy. Hang in there. I, too, was overcome with thoughts of a "ticking time bomb." After about 6 months of wrestling with the information -- and searching too much on the Internet -- I met with a co-author on guidance for when to operate on aortic aneurysms. He immediately put my mind at ease. Granted, mine was about 4.8 cm at the time, but the threshold then was 5 cm. He said that they tend to grow slowly and, if monitored regularly, can often be caught before an emergency. He said I would have about 5-7 years before needing surgery. He was right - - it was about 7 years later that I had it (and my root and valve) repaired. That gave me time to develop a regular meditation practice (which really helped me) and to gain perspective. By the time I was told I should probably get it done, the threshold had shifted to 5.5 cm - although still around 5 cm for folks with some family history or other risk factors. I was ready to get it over with. Once I made the decision, I joined this support group and also talked to folks nearby who had similar open heart surgeries for valves and/or aneurysms. Talking to people who had survived was huge. They could honestly talked about their fears before surgery and the challenges of recovery. Most of all, they shared their relief and ability to move on with their lives. After surgery, I found cardiac rehab quite valuable -- allowing me to build endurance, strength, and, most important, confidence for my recovery. I'll be thinking of you. You got this.

Peter Eglinton  It was at 5 cm. Given that my Dad has an enlarged aorta and I had a bicudpid valve, the doctor suggested surgery when it was convenient to schedule (rather than wait until the more recent guideline of 5.5 cm). I decided to get it over with. Seven years ago it was 4.8, so it grew slowly.

Mike Roskowinski  Ron I also had the same as Peter but mine was 5.3. I found out about it in February of this year and had it fixed in May. Getting it done is better than waiting and worrying. If you are bicuspid they want you to get it done early.

Herb Greenberg  Ron, CC uses 5.0. They claim b/c of their low mortality - and their studies - that in many if not most cases (normal body) at Five-Oh they go! If you search their website or just Google on aneurysm and size and surgical and Cleveland you can find a ton written AND videos. They actually have one study that shows mortality of having the aneurysm fixed with valve surgery. All of this is statistics, of course, and we all hope (fingers, toes, legs, arms crossed) not to be the exception😬

Ron Weaver  Thank you Herb. I’m definitely convinced CC is where I would feel the safest. I’m currently doing all the research and trying to get all the information I can about the surgeons there.

Peter Eglinton  No answers yet. The fever tends to hit between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. I did another round of blood tests yesterday afternoon. We'll see what happens...

Reghu Madathil  Sorry to bother you Peter. I was just thinking about you. Could it be due to a medicine that you are taking because its during a definite time.

Peter Eglinton  Past 24 hours have been better. Most recent round of blood work shows elevated white blood cells (i.e., an infection somewhere) and liver numbers. No significant other symptoms. This morning is the last of most of my meds. I'll only be on a few vitamins I used to take plus a beta blocker. I've cut out acetaminophen. Here's hoping to an uneventful few days!

Peter Eglinton  Past 24 hours have been better. Most recent round of blood work shows elevated white blood cells (i.e., an infection somewhere) and liver numbers. No significant other symptoms. This morning is the last of most of my meds. I'll only be on a few vitamins I used to take plus a beta blocker. I've cut out acetaminophen. Here's hoping to an uneventful few days!

Peter Eglinton  Past 24 hours have been better. Most recent round of blood work shows elevated white blood cells (i.e., an infection somewhere) and liver numbers. No significant other symptoms. This morning is the last of most of my meds. I'll only be on a few vitamins I used to take plus a beta blocker. I've cut out acetaminophen. Here's hoping to an uneventful few days!

Reghu Madathil  Praying for your speedy recovery. My boys and my husband knows all you guys and they keep asking me updates. How is your wife? I am do nervous