Rick's Guestbook

Rick, it will all go great! You will have the care of people who do this daily, because they care, and will do everything in their power to repair your heart!

Good luck tomorrow Rick!

Sleep well knowing your surgeon, the surgical team, and all the folks in your recovery future are ready to get you back on your feet!

Hi Rick, you have a slew of heart warriors thinking and praying for a successful surgery. You already know that the odds are so very, very in your favor. I will include you in my prayers tonight. It is almost over and by tomorrow you will be in recovery. Ask for whatever you want after the surgery; no need to hesitate. You literally will have one nurse around the clock only taking care of you in the ICU.  

Thinking of you, Rick. I know what it's like to be in countdown mode. At some point, you want to just get on with it! It helped me to constantly remind myself how safe the surgery is now-a-days. I still remember the stories from my parents' era, when it took so much more out of you and the success rates were not as stellar. Know you will get through it, not feel that much pain and will be better for it. You will be tired, depleted of energy, but okay. Godspeed.

I went through the same diagnosis, and ended up having Open Heart Surgery to replace this valve, and to have a bypass for a clogged right coronary artery. Surgery went well. The anticipation is worse than the surgery, and I'm so glad I had it--now I'm at home recovering. It's great to breathe again!  Good luck on your heart journey!  - Bob

Rick, all will be ok, make sure your valve has pig leaflets,my bovine leaflets failed after six years and last June i had my Aortic valve replaced with a pig leaflets valve which last much longer.

Rick, My name is Leslie.  I am now 80 years old this year.   I am a woman.  I live iMaryland. I had my aortic valve replaced  June 7 2018.. My doctor was Rawn Salenger. (Wonderful Dr.)    I was 21 when my Dr said I had a aortic valve problem. Didn,t  bother me at all.. Through the years I was fine.  In 2007 I had a stroke. As a result I had to stop work because as a result I have  aphasia. I was a Marketing Director, forget work..  In May  2018 I had problems with my heart. Time to do something. Surgery!! OK..  I was scared but I spoke with the surgeon, spoke with many people. I decided it  had to be done. I did NOT FEEL WELL!!  I  Please DONOT BE SCARED!!!!!!! I was 1 and 1/2 days in hospital. Went home and have never looked back.. Thank God  We  have 2 great grandchildren.  I will pray for you every day.. you will be OK.

Leslie Testani

Hi Rick I had an aortic bio valve replacement, aneurysm repair and maze procedure last year in August 2021.  My advice is to just do what the doctors/specialist and nurses tell you to do and you will be fine.  I feel so much better since having the valve replacement and definitely feel like it was worth it. I experienced highs and lows emotionally but they told me it's just normal but I try to concentrate on the good days.  It took about 2 to 3 months before I started feeling like I could live life in a normal fashion and at 6 months started working out like I did prior to surgery.  Cardiac rehab was a great help in getting back into good condition.  They guide you into improving without fear of pushing too much as your heart will be monitored during exercise.   Another point the sternum took about 6 months to stop feeling like I had an operation and now after a year I only get an occasional pain when I move the wrong way but the pain is not severe.  Your gonna do great.  I tried not to think about the operation prior to the day in order to keep anxiety at bay.  I will tell you that the first day and night after the operation was a little ruff but they have the right stuff to minimize the pain.  My main fear was catching covid as that was quite the scare at the time but that didn't happen.  I hope everything works out for you.