T.C.'s Guestbook

Holy OHS Batman!!! You are a true warrior!!! Hats off my man! Ok, so yes, there is little feedback on the tissue Resilia valves, but here's what I know and what I trust and why I believe my Dr went wtih tissue for me when finding out he couldn't do the Ross Procedure. Dr. Shumway (my dr in 1978) was THE MAN with hearts, a legend and the best in the country. I know this because since I was a patient of his, it opened doors to me seeing top surgeons in the country with barely any wait time. Dr. Starnes trained under him and come to find out many years later is his protege. Dr. Starnes is a forward thinker and I felt I wasn't just a patient or a number or a paycheck. Every other cardiologist I saw wants me on thinners, wants me increasing my beta blocker. Dr. Starnes is very firm in his 4 weeks and off and getting me to the point where I don't have to take the blockers anymore..may take time, but it will happen. In October when I asked about the mechanical valve, he said it will have to be replaced. Sadly there was really nothing out there that will last as long as my first surgery (40 years), but to never have my chest cracked open again was what he prefers. As you get older, it is harder to do that surgery. So yes, being set up for TAVR down the road is what is preferred. Oddly enough I met an older gentleman on my flight home to FL who had the valve replaced a few years back using TAVR and he was out of the hospital the next day with barely any down time! He must have been 75 yo! When you have your angiogram, you will see almost how the TAVR works, as that is very similar to what they do. Modern medicine is remarkable. Oh and the best part is in 15-20 years when I have to have the TAVR, we may have some space aged devices that is more advanced than what we have today. My Dr's PA said "we are not that far from it". Bottom line for me, I feel Dr. Starnes is the best of the best and knows what he's doing and not just a money making machine of a Dr. I have never heard that a mechanical valve will last forever. And lastly, the blood thinners.....I don't want any more rat poison in me than is needed...and 4 weeks was plenty! That stuff kills your insides. You are going to do what is right for your body and it will be the right choice! OHS #4 is going to be perfect! And you are young so you will recover like a champ! (Sorry if my thoughts ramble!!)