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Allen's Photos

Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Member Since: April 15, 2023

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Allen Carkner added photos to a journal post
1 year ago (February 19, 2025)
Thanks Andy Dial for the swag! We are all heart warriors that go through heart valve disease treatment, monitoring, and even just researching our options. It certainly isn't simply a physical battle; it's perhaps even more of a mental one. I'm grateful for my heart valves and the community here... Read more.
❤️ 👍 Rose Madura, Valerie Allen and reacted to this
Allen Carkner added photos to a journal post
1 year ago (August 21, 2024)
Just got my Sternal wires removed! All eight of them, 4 pairs. Some were sticking out more than they typically do and sometimes would irritate the surrounding tissue. Also, when hugging someone or doing pushups I could feel the wires "pinch" underneath the skin against the sternum. Looking forward to... Read more.
🥰 👍 Wanda Blackwood, Susan Lynn and reacted to this
Susan Lynn
Allen - Glad you had them removed - in record time, too!. The x-rays are fascinating! Thanks for sharing. ❤️
Suzette Schear
Allen glad they were removed. Sounds like you're on your way with the hugs and push-ups. Funny how we take some little things for granted. Congrats
Sue Maize
I didn't know it was possible to get them removed! I'm so happy for you Allen, I'm sure you'll be much more comfortable now, after you heal. 🙏🏻❤️🩹
Deena Z
That's a lot of annoyance, if you feel the wires just when hugging. I sometimes feel a "click", when lifting weights. Glad it is over. I bet the healing is super fast too. Look forward to your after thoughts.
Rose Madura
Congratulations Allen. I bet you are glad those annoying wires are out. Now go hug someone! 👍
Robert Miller
Congrats!!! Did they use a single wire to stabilize two sets of ribs? So 4 wires in total? The x-ray seems to indicate so. I just checked my x-rays and I seem to have 6 wires for the upper 6 ribs but not the lower 2 ribs. Did you have... Read more.
Allen Carkner
The ribs are affixed to the sternum so they can be wrapped around a bit, they used 4 pairs of wires on me to provide plenty of stability for the sternum to stay put while healing. However, the twist of the wires together was pretty large on me and stuck... Read more.
J Alexander Lassally
Best wishes. I have one which is raised and tender. Were yours that way? Curious - did they make incision and then cut the wires off??
Grace Mason
That is awesome that you were able to have them removed and go home within hours!!Hope you are feeling back to normal soon with no more pinching.
Allen Carkner
I read through the operative report and it seems they actually untwisted the wires the worked them out somehow. I still have a large bandage over the incisions so I don't even really know how large of cuts they ended up doing. Mine were raised and very obvious to see... Read more.
Allen Carkner
48 hrs after wire removal. Far less sore than the first day and back to work.
Grace Mason
Wow! Looks like there won't be much additional scarring as they seem to have stayed within the original 👍🏼
Robert Miller
May I ask why you had 3 chest tubes? From my recollection, I only had one maybe 1/2" chest tube. Then the wires for the pace maker. The infusion line on my neck and the line on my lower arm to take blood.
Sue Maize
I had a different OHS but also 3 chest tubes.
Allen Carkner
I think one goes to each lung to drain fluid and air, while one was to drain blood and fluids from around the heart to prevent cardiac tamponade.
Suzette Schear
I had three I want to have a tattoo making it a happy face. Those scars are unfortunately darker for me
Suzette Schear
Allen your doctor did a great job your healing looks amazing for such a short time after having this done . Hopefully you don't feel any pinching . Did you get your first comfortable hug?
Robert Miller
Looking at pictures of the scars after the surgery, I think I also had 3 drainage pipes. I do recall having a bunch of pipes and wires but I am embarrassed not remembering I had 3 drainage pipes. I can still feel how they removed the big pipe below the... Read more.
Patient Story of Suzette Schear

Patient Story of Suzette Schear

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/journals/mystory/suzetteschear

Learn about Suzette Schear, patient diagnosed with Mitral Regurgitation
Allen Carkner
Hard to say for sure at this point but I'm pretty sure some of my discomfort from the wires is already a bit better after having them removed.
Allen Carkner
I see there Robert Miller, looks like your tubes were a bit more spread out than mine. I too had the pacer wire, radial arterial line for blood draws, annother IV on the arm and a central line through the neck. It sure was something being hooked up to everything.... Read more.
Deena Z
Nice, clean, straight incisions. Is healing nicely. Impressed that you thought about all-the-lines in you. I just was hoping I could get the bathroom without tripping.
Sue Lee
Looks great. Stayed in the original scar. Well done pursuing this as you've mentioned a number of times it was bothering you .
Deb Fisher
Thank you for sharing this. I am having my sternal wires removed on Tuesday March 11. I am experiencing all the same issues as you did.
Allen Carkner added photos to a journal post
2 years ago (March 16, 2024)
I was able to complete my half-marathon trail run today with my brothers and uncle today! 366 days post Ross procedure at Keck medicine of USC. My heart felt strong while the rest of my body is feeling a bit exhausted. A bit of a sore/injured knee but grateful I... Read more.
❤️ 👍 Pamela Gregory, Andrew Dial and reacted to this
Rose Madura
Allen, that's so wonderful! You are an inspiration. And sounds like you are doing well! ❤️🩹🪖👍
Pamela Gregory
That is awesome!!! Sounds like your heart is doing great❤️
C W
awesome!!! congrats!!!! love hearing that your heart felt strong!!! thanks for reporting back — it's so encouraging.
Sue Maize
That's incredible!! WooHoo!! I've never done anything like that in my life, but I am inspired to try thanks to all you great examples! 👍❤️
Grace Mason
👏🏼Congratulations Allen! Very inspiring 💖
Allen Carkner
Thank you everyone! It has been a lot of little consistent work to get this done. I wouldn't have done it if it hadn't been for my two brothers encouraging me along the way. They ran with me the whole time despite being able to finish much faster than me.
Sue Maize
Awww, that's a win right there!! And is that a tattoo of a RP on your leg perchance? 😊
Allen Carkner
It sure is! It's an approximation of how my surgeon typically performs his Ross procedures integrated with an old textbook heart diagram.
Sue Maize
Looks amazing!! I'd love to get a tatt to commemorate my OHS somehow, maybe not a whole Ross procedure, but it's great that we can! Did you clear it first with your cardiologist?
Leslie Prebyl
Allen- Congratulations on the run. My son Drake and I traveled to Mount Sinai in NYC in September of 2022 so he could have the Ross Procedure done. Dr. El-Hamamsy was his surgeon. He was 22 at the time and had just graduated from college and started his career. He... Read more.
Sue Lee
Congratulations on a great run and a fantastic recovery!!

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