Susan's Guestbook

Good morning Susan, I’ve been thinking about you the last couple days as you yiur surgery approaches but mind you this whole week post op has been a blur.  It’s gone very well though and so thankful, but I just wanted to share few things I’ve learned in the last month about this surgery.  
I was diagnosed a little over two years ago and I was told I had to have surgery in the next few months have an aortic valve replacement with moderate to severe aortic regurgitation with ascending aortic aneurysm repair.  I immediately got a 2nd opinion and got on this website where I have learned a ton of info from Adam, the surgeons and all the encouraging patients that had already been through this before me.  I sought out a third opinion on another surgeon I had heard about and I’m still glad for that process  my point is I shouldn’t have waited so long to get this done!  I got bumped and canceled once I finally decided to do this which was August 2025.  My surgeon just post op  said I was a lucky man that my Aortic aneurysm was so close to bursting. 



After going through this last week I made it out to be a way bigger deal than it needed to be, I didn’t feel a thing or remember a thing as soon as the anesthesiologist put that mask on the first few breaths, next thing I remember was the nurse in ICU which felt like the next minute not 4 hours later telling me my surgery was all done and went well.  The hardest part for me post op this week was managing pain meds and just waiting too long to ask for them. 



 I had heard people say this on this site before but ignored it, they were right, you got this, we’ve all done it, you will do great!  I also heard this from someone on this site this last week and I heard people say it before was “this is a very safe surgery now but more importantly it will be life saving!” 



 I’m glad I got 2nd opinions and gathered lots of info but I feel like I put myself through so much worry about the what if’s and also put my wife and teenage kids through a lot the last two years having to think about it. 

I will be praying this for you as God gave me a peace from speaking his promises from Philippians 4:6-7 6.”Don’t be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make your requests known to God.” 7.”And the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding,  will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”
As I was wheeled into the operating room and said I’ll see you soon to my Wife, the head nurse said to me “you look so relaxed”. I just said Praise God for that peace! 


You got this Susan Wylie!!

Welcome Susan and Happy New Year, 2026 is going to be a great year for us with new aortic valves!  You’ve come to the right place as there is so much information available about our condition thanks to Adam Pick.  Thanks for sharing your story as it’s extremely similar to mine.  I was always telling my wife I wonder if the bad experience with Covid I had contributed to my aortic regurgitation.  I feel that it did as it went from mild to now severe in November with dizziness and feeling like I’m going to faint
I’m having my open heart surgery  this Tuesday in Toronto Canada replacing my aortic valve and replacing my ascending aorta to fix an aneurysm.  I’m ready to get this over with, be more active and feel good again!  Feel free to ask any questions on here as patients are happy to share information and encouragement!  You got this! 

take care,

Angus