My Guestbook

On September 22, 2016...

Phil Gerber posted a note for Rob that says:

Hey Rob. Came across your journal and realized we have a lot in common as i also had my BAV repaired by Dr. David. I'm 5 months post op and have some question about your recovery and participation in sports after the fact.

cheers,
Phil

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On October 26, 2014...

Joseph Ballett posted a note for Rob that says:

Hey how are you doing feeling better

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Rob Broley Hey Joseph- I haven't been able to reply to any of these. Doing well still a little stiff in the chest but also have been doing stupid stuff like helping out ... Read more

Rob Broley Hey Joseph- I haven't been able to reply to any of these. Doing well still a little stiff in the chest but also have been doing stupid stuff like helping out putting snows on the cars, and helping put flooring in the basement and lifting my 1.5 year old. Have to be smarter but life takes over at times and how can you say no to a beautiful little baby girl, I know I cant

On October 17, 2014...

Joseph Ballett posted a note for Rob that says:

Hey how you doing

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On September 29, 2014...

Gabrielle Stinson posted a note for Rob that says:

Thinking of you today Rob, wishing you all the very best for your surgery and recovery. Gabi x

Like | John Noriega and 1 other likes this

Joseph Ballett Hey Rob best of luck today see you at rehab soon enough

John Noriega Hello Rob. I willraying for your surgery as well today. That the hands of your surgeon work as they have been trained and your recovery goes well. Looking forward ... Read more

John Noriega Hello Rob. I willraying for your surgery as well today. That the hands of your surgeon work as they have been trained and your recovery goes well. Looking forward to your next posts of success as well? Onward & Upward!

Eleanor R Rob I hope you are doing well and that your surgery goes smoothly. Soon you will be telling us your own experience. Eleanor

Joan Napier Thoughts and prayers remain with you today for a successful surgery, and throughout your recovery. Look ing forward to hearing your positive news!

On September 28, 2014...

Linda Crawford posted a note for Rob that says:

Hi Rob, Thanks for being a great role model -- love your attitude. Hope tomorrow is smooth sailing for you.

Like | Joan Napier likes this

On September 28, 2014...

Kenny Knox posted a note for Rob that says:

Rob, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow as you do your thing! Good luck on a speedy recovery!

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On September 28, 2014...

Joan Napier posted a note for Rob that says:

Hi Rob, Thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through surgery tomorrow, and then recovery. Wishing you all the best. Joan

Like | John Noriega and 3 others like this

On September 28, 2014...

Eleanor R posted a note for Rob that says:

Rob, like Christine, tomorrow is the surgery date for you. I am sending thoughts and prayers to you for a smooth surgery and speedy recovery. You are ready and have the right attitude and I expect to hear from you soon telling us all of your experience. Take good care of yourself, and be a little patient with yourself to give your body time to catch up with your active mind and energy! I am about 12 weeks post surgery, in cardiac rehab and pretty much back to doing much of what I did before, driving, gardening, walking, and enjoying family and friends. I wish the same for you, a smooth rebound. Best wishes, Eleanor

Like | Gabrielle Stinson and 2 others like this

On September 5, 2014...

Jason posted a note for Rob that says:

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the message in my guestbook. Good to see that I'm not the only Canuck who is playing the waiting game. Did you figure out which type of valve you're going to get? My Dr. said that he was going to try and repair mine - that was his first and best option. Replacing with a mechanical valve was his second option. I'm 39 so it seems like the mechanical valve is my only real option for long term - aside from the blood thinner issues - I agree and think that's a good solution. Just curious what your surgeon was thinking?

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Jason Leber sorry, didn't realize I wasn't logged in when I left you the message. ~Jason

Rob Broley Hey jason. Yeah I am 41. Long story short my first surgeon was pushing mechanical. He said that he could almost guarantee me being back in10 years if I went ... Read more

Rob Broley Hey jason. Yeah I am 41. Long story short my first surgeon was pushing mechanical. He said that he could almost guarantee me being back in10 years if I went with tissue. I searched out dr David to see if I was a candidate for the Ross procedure. We never even talked about replacing. He said he could repair my valve so I hope we don't have to go down that road. The repairing is from what everyone has said the best option. My surgeon said that it should do me for 20-30 years and the. We go from there after that. To this day I still waiver if I had to decide which one to get. I always say if I was a single dude I would definitely get a tissue and take a chance. But seeing how I have a wife a one point five year old and another on the way having only one operation planned would probably be the way to go but it's just the darn thinners that spook me. That's why I was wanting to check the Ross procedure out just to cover all my options. All are great options for our oil changes (as I like to call this) but in my case I think I would be option 1 repair. Option 2 ross(if I'm a candidate) 3/4tie between mechanical and tissue. Heh but I always look at it as the outcome of not getting this done sucks so let's all stay on this side of the turf for a while. It's definitely a life changer no matter what we do. And the waiting is horrible but what do you do. I can't remember if you had an aneurism to go along with it but that's the scary part for me walking around on pins and needles. It's crazy but part of the experience. I know the waiting lets you get your money's worth for this ride. Lol. Keep in touch it's always nice to here from someone in the same age bracket as me. Heh you sick of people saying to you "what are you doing here!" When you are doing the tests and preops. It's like I entered the wrong washroom or something

On August 20, 2014...

Sandy Wummer posted a note for Rob that says:

Hi Rob. I am also very active. Im 58 and had a Bovine then a human valve. just celebrated 1 year post op. There is no right or wrong decision. I opted to NOT take the mechanical because coumadin forever (not my thing.) I opted for tissue so if the valve needs redo, in enough years i may be a candidate for the TAVR, the much less invasive procedure. right now its only used on high risk but in years to come those of us who may need additional surgery may want to think about prepositioning ourselves for the evolution of medicine. One suggestion. Turn yourself over to a surgeon you trust and dont look back. whatever decision you make. Oh and keep a sense of humor. it helps a lot.

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Rob Broley Thanks sandy. Yeah everyone around me is how are you so calm and it's that I have found a kick a$$ surgeon who I have complete faith in so my work is done. ... Read more

Rob Broley Thanks sandy. Yeah everyone around me is how are you so calm and it's that I have found a kick a$$ surgeon who I have complete faith in so my work is done. Meaning the worrying and the researching. Anyways the sense of humor does wonders. My thought is that I broke so many hearts in my younger years that karma is just getting her licks back on me! Hehehehe- my posse appreciated the joke. Don't know if any of my ex girlfriends or wife would!

On August 17, 2014...

Eleanor posted a note for Rob that says:

Wow, that is really moving fast, but apparently in the direction you want to go, so I am happy you found the surgeon and the procedure you hoped for. Good luck on your surgery and recovery, I am hoping for the best for you, and for all of us. Another patient,

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Rob Broley Thanks Eleanor. The journey continues. Surgery slowed a bit and pushed back to late sept.

On August 4, 2014...

Julia Hsu posted a note for Rob that says:

Rob,

I don't know anything about surgeons at Ontario. I am 50 had Ross done by Dr. William Ryan on 5/15. I did a lot of reading of medical journals before making my decision & talked to as many people as I could. First of all, I want to say that the choice is personal. There is no right or wrong. It's true that mechanical valve will most likely last longer than tissue valve. However, there are research showing that mechanical valves are not forever. In addition, there is risk associated w/ stroke or internal bleeding. So something else might cause you problems before the valve.

I chose Ross because I am otherwise healthy, have > 25 yr life expectancy, don't have regurgitation (if you do, Ross is not for you), no aneurysm, no blockage, no aortic dilation, my pulmonary valve size matches my aortic valve size, etc. so I am a candidate for Ross. They are pretty picky about who they would do Ross. I don't know about Canada, but you want to find out whether you are candidate first.

It took me longer to recover than some people who have just valve replacement. But I only take a baby aspirin & 12.5 mg of metoprolol a day. I am looking forward to getting back to the exercise regimen I did a year ago.

Good luck to you on the decision & surgery.

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On August 3, 2014...

Peter W. posted a note for Rob that says:

I recall seeing Dr. Tirone David from Toronto mentioned on a couple of videos that my surgeon, Dr. Stelzer, did.

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On August 3, 2014...

travis brown posted a note for Rob that says:

I was told that it would last the rest of my life. I'm guessing that mean 40+ years. I have no plans on bailing out before that...

Like | Cheryl Bass likes this

Rob Broley Hahahahaha. Thanks for that Travis. First time I have laughed out there since my wife told me she was expecting in march on top of all this. Still smiling. ... Read more

Rob Broley Hahahahaha. Thanks for that Travis. First time I have laughed out there since my wife told me she was expecting in march on top of all this. Still smiling. Once again thanks for that. And me neither.

On August 3, 2014...

Travis Brown posted a note for Rob that says:

I did look into the Ross procedure and wanted to get a consultation at USC with Vaughn Starnes. However, my insurance would not cover it. USC wouldn't even let me pay cash to go and talk to the man. I was told by my cardiologist that I didn't have the time to fight with insurance companies. I had maybe another month before my condition would deteriorate to far. So the Dr I ended up going to told me that the Ross procedure isn't ready for prime time yet. He felt that there is possibility of having to many complications. He said that the mechanical valve would last the rest of my life. I am 44. As I am sure you read the Ross Procedure should only be done by the best of the best and there is only like 3 guys worthy of that distinction. There is a guy in New York, one in Texas, and the guy I wanted to see at USC. If you can't get them I wouldn't have the Ross done.

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Rob Broley Wow. I am looking into it up here in ontario canada. Yeah the healthcare system is cheaper but I had to wait close to three months to see a good surgeon who ... Read more

Rob Broley Wow. I am looking into it up here in ontario canada. Yeah the healthcare system is cheaper but I had to wait close to three months to see a good surgeon who doesn't do the Ross. He said he could refer me but I don't know how long that would take. I was put on a waiting list that could take 2-3 months to have the actual mechanical done after this. Scared to wait that long. Kinda of going out of my mind waiting around. The mind is a wonderful thing. I hope your recovery continues to go well. I also like the biking. Used to ride to work when we didn't have snow up here. What restrictions did your dr give you regarding the blood thinner. How long did they say the valve should last. Are we talking 20 years or 40 years. All I got was decades. But that was it?

On August 2, 2014...

Travis Brown posted a note for Rob that says:

I wanted a tissue valve too. They told me the same thing that I was to active and that a tissue valve wouldn't work for me. I am 1 month post op and I got the mechanical valve. I am feeling great. I have done a lot more than I am supposed to. I was walking alot and since my knees started bugging me I have been back on my bicycle. Not advised but I never follow Dr's orders...lol The coumadin thing has been a bit of a pain to get the right levels.. They have been all over with that. It seems pretty stable now. You will do fine if you are an active person before you go in.

Good Luck

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Rob Broley Thanks for the response Travis. Did you ever look at the Ross procedure? I have a few questions regarding that surgery? Did your doctor give you any time ... Read more

Rob Broley Thanks for the response Travis. Did you ever look at the Ross procedure? I have a few questions regarding that surgery? Did your doctor give you any time lines for the mechanical life expectancy.

On July 31, 2014...

Kimberly posted a note for Rob that says:

Hi Rob..my husband had mitral valve surgery 3 weeks ago..after TEE, cardiac cath, surgeon determined he needed valve replacement..so we had decided on a cow valve..imagine my shock when 2 hours into surgery, a tech came from surgery to tell me the valve was totally shot..a second surgeon was called in to confer..and a metal valve would be needed..the last thikng my husband said to me before surgery was "remember, I DON'T want a metal valve."..Of course I said to do what was best for my husband...I was dreading telling him..felt like I had let him down..but in the end he accepted it for what it was...he will be on Warfarin for rest of life, but once the dose is figured out, it will be a once a month lab check..diet is not as tricky as I had been fearing..in fact I really haven't had to do much adjustment..I would like to add..we are Christians and consider the Lord as the Great Physician..we had prayed for talented, wise people to guide hands of surgeon..we had prayed "Thy will be done."..we can truely now say the worst is over, the future is bright...Good Luck!

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Rob Broley Thank you Kimberly for the response. That must have been a tough decision to make but the other option isn't even one I guess. I will be thinking of all the ... Read more

Rob Broley Thank you Kimberly for the response. That must have been a tough decision to make but the other option isn't even one I guess. I will be thinking of all the awesome people who have responded to me when I finally make mine. Keep praying for me I need all the help I can get.

On July 31, 2014...

eleanor.rebollar@gmail.com posted a note for Rob that says:

Hello, Rob. You are right, the type of valve is a big decision. There are pros and cons for both mechanical and tissue valves, and you will find people on this website who have a variety of valves, and are doing well. My surgeon's advice was "whichever you choose is infinity better than the one you have", since my aortic valve had severe calcification and stenosis. He also said "whichever one you choose, will be the right one for you, and you will make it work". Good luck to you, do you research, there are a lot of good videos on this site, as well as on www.valvereplacement.com.

Best wishes, Eleanor

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Rob Broley Thank you Eleanor. It really does help the soul just talking about it and I appreciate it.