rich's Guestbook

rich monoson  Dear Lisa, thank you so much for you kind message! It's been a fun journey and one of deep gratitude (especially to the HVS community).

rich monoson  Thank you very much Felix. Sorry for the late response but I'm embarrassed to admit I'm still not certain how to navigate this website. I'm a tech dinosaur. Much appreciation Felix!

rich monoson  Hi Liz, doing incredible. The surgery is a miraculous procedure. How are you? Sorry for the late response. I still haven't figured out navigating this site!

rich monoson  Hi Kathleen, please forgive my late response. I still dont know how to navigate HVS website. How is your husband? Ironically the scar was the least of my concerns going in but glad it healed pretty well.

rich monoson  Mike, I'm so sorry for the delayed response. IT and technology are not my specialties. The post surgical experience has been amazing. There are no cardiovascular limitations with post op training. I'm limited orthopedically (two shoulder surgeries, elbow and both knee surgeries etc). I cannot recommend strength training enough. The eliptical machine has been a great running replacement (bilateral achilles tendonopathy). Please let me know how you are doing at at least I know how to respond now!

rich monoson  No Odell and No soap opera. He's amazing but became such a distraction. It will be a great football season knowing all this heart stuff is behind us. Take care Mike.

rich monoson  Hi Tim. I went with the ON X valve. Dr. recommended highly and it's supposed to lessen the coumadin dosage required.

Tim Saint   👍thanks for the response Rich, I am leaning towards the same decision. Continued strong recovery to you & a long healthy life ahead. All the best.

rich monoson  Joey, Thank you. I'm doing beyond incredible. I can almost say I enjoyed the experience. Had some post surgical Afib but doing amazing! Thank you Joey!

rich monoson  Joey, Thank you. I'm doing beyond incredible. I can almost say I enjoyed the experience. Had some post surgical Afib but doing amazing! Thank you Joey!

rich monoson  Joey, with a 99% plus success rate and the chance to have a long and quality life.....it's a miracle that we have available to us. Go in strong and hard which I get the feeling you will do.

Joey Hardee  Thanks Rich! I am following your lead, as well as many others that have been through and will go through before me. I am sure the anxiety will build a bit as the date approaches but I have set a lot of goals for recovery and I am focused on getting to those and starting to work toward them now, as if the surgery is a step in the process. It is certainly amazing what can be done now and we should all feel blessed to be living in this time.

rich monoson  Joey, great attitude and perfect approach. Concern yourself with what you can control. Let the surgical team do their thing while you're taking a nap. When you wake up the balls in your court. Just like with Minnesota Mike youre going to do great. Joey, in a crazy way I almost enjoyed this experience/challenge. Where can you to a surgery with 99+ success rate, know your life will improve dramatically, have lovely caring nurses and hospital staff attending to your every need. They make it easy for you to be successful. Your attitude= a no doubt situation.

rich monoson  Joey, great attitude and perfect approach. Concern yourself with what you can control. Let the surgical team do their thing while you're taking a nap. When you wake up the balls in your court. Just like with Minnesota Mike youre going to do great. Joey, in a crazy way I almost enjoyed this experience/challenge. Where can you to a surgery with 99+ success rate, know your life will improve dramatically, have lovely caring nurses and hospital staff attending to your every need. They make it easy for you to be successful. Your attitude= a no doubt situation.

rich monoson  Mike, I know you're up to bat soon. It was an amazing experience that I can honestly say was incredibly pleasant. A bit of discomfort for an amazing life restoring procedure I'll take anytime. Being a fitness guy you'll be amazed how your grinding in gym over the years will be a wind beneath your wings in your upcoming 4/5 day hospital vacation. Best to you Mike and I'm here if you have anything you want to know from an enthused patient perspective.

rich monoson  Adam, thank you so much for the kind thoughts and words. I'm on La Maida St and Sepulveda right across from the Sherman Oaks galleria. Adam, you've done a masterful service by creating this community allowing people to communicate, share and offer great support to each other. You have positively impacted numerous lives with your work. I'm excited and completely prepared mentally for the surgery coming up. There is complete peace of mind and you have provided an invaluable resource to prepare me for this challenge.

rich monoson  Tee, thank you for reaching out with this. May I ask during the three years did your symptoms progress? What brought you back to the cardiologist? That must have been a shock to hear that two additional valves needed to be addressed. Tee, my November cardio exam and testing revealed my condition had worsened. When the doctor told me this I was in disbelief. I expected the Dr. to walk in and say it's the same as last year and it hit me like a sledgehammer when the findings were relayed to me. A month later I noticed my first ever bout of shortness of breath right after a good three strong palpitations. Then it really hit home. I'm contemplating a surgical consult with the Dr. my cardio referred me to. My cardio thinks it's too early but I would like to see his opinion. I'm really in no rush to get it done but I rather be on the early side. My running and aerobic exercise I feel great. Sometimes rapidly changing position or certain weight lifting exercises starts the symptoms. I'm definitely going to do 6 month follow ups instead of a year. I want to absorb all the great advice my HVS brothers and sisters are offering and embrace their kindness. In a crazy kind of way I'd like to get this done a put it behind me but I have the sense that this condition will dictate when it is time to jump in. Thanks for sharing Tee!

Gregory Ballard  Rich, having been through this a few times now with 3 different surgeons, I can tell you first hand that not all surgeons have the same skill level. It may cost you some $, but have as many consults as you need to, and choose a skilled surgeon that you feel comfortable with. Life after surgery is not the same for everyone, it will be what you make of it. Best of luck with your search.