Aortic Stenosis, Joined October 30, 2018
Aortic Stenosis
Joined October 30, 2018
Max Jam, Maggie Ma, Brady Busch and 6 others reacted to this
Dylan Kempers, Rose Madura, Susan Lynn and 2 others reacted to this
Steven Methot, Susan Lynn, Harris Chrysanthou and 3 others reacted to this
Adam Pick, Daniel Green, Rose Madura and 7 others reacted to this
Adam Pick, Shannon Gray, Susan Lynn and 3 others reacted to this
Kirk Bepler, Susan Lynn, Frank Giovanniello and 1 other reacted to this
Rose Madura, Frank Giovanniello , Susan Lynn and 4 others reacted to this
Robin Fruehe, Bradley Dunn, Mike Roskowinski reacted to this
Adam Pick, Joe Lape, Rose Madura and 4 others reacted to this
Kimberley Anchell , Rose Madura, Joe Tarango and 8 others reacted to this
Scott Ainsworth, Joy Vera, Barbara Wood and 3 others reacted to this
Peter Eglinton, Vanessa Corwin, Susan Lynn and 11 others reacted to this
Susan Lynn, Christopher May, Tom McDonald and 2 others reacted to this
Louanna Miller, Fay Kozas, Jennifer John and 10 others reacted to this
Rob Sparling, Sara Colosimo, Shannon Gray and 6 others reacted to this
Bradley Dunn, Dan Baltazor, Kelly Evenson and 8 others reacted to this
Karrie Irby-Williams, Jennifer John, Barbara Wood and 1 other reacted to this
Rob Sparling, Debbie Kelly, Susan Lynn and 3 others reacted to this
andrew laymon, Lisa Guinan, Susan Lynn and 11 others reacted to this
I still remember the emotions and fear I had being rolled into the operating room knowing my chest would be cut open and my heart hooked up to a heart/lung machine for the four to five hour surgery as Dr. Robert Lancey replaced my aortic valve with a bovine valve. Itβs hard to describe the feeling of waking up from the surgery with wires and chest tubes hooked up to me feeling like Iβve been run over by a bus. I was so weak. Waking up from surgery was brutal but the nurses took great care of me. They had me walking the next day and I felt a little stronger each day. I went home five days after surgery where I continued to have a strong recovery. I walked a mile outdoors 13 days after surgery. I was able to run two miles 34 days after surgery and run six miles 41 days after surgery (slow jog with walk breaks). I was back at work six weeks after surgery.
I still get a little emotional at times thinking about the surgery and recovery. I know the good Lord has a plan for me and I feel part of that plan is to help others who are dealing with heart disease. Iβm in several social media support groups for heart valve and open heart surgery patients which has provided me with support and encouragement. I try to give support and encouragement to folks who are preparing for open heart surgery or have recently had surgery. Since March 2014 when I had three stents put in an artery that was 80% blocked I have shared my heart story in hopes of helping others who may have heart disease. Here is the link to my heart story I wrote after the surgery. https://blog.bonsecours.com/heart/heart-scan/
I will always be thankful to Dr. Lancey and his medical team for fixing my heart and to my wife and daughter who made sure I followed Dr. Lanceyβs instructions during the recovery at home. My cardiologist has taken good care of me since getting the stents in 2014 and 2017.
I consider every day to be a blessing. Since the surgery Iβve lost friends who have passed away from cancer or other illnesses. I lost my mom who unexpectedly passed away in January 2021. The surgery was about five months after my dad passed away. He had his aortic valve replaced when he was 73. My grandfather passed away from a heart attack when he was 49 years old. I know my dad was watching over me during the surgery.
At some point in the future, hopefully later than sooner, my bovine valve will need to be replaced. I plan to continue to live life to the fullest and to continue exercising to keep my heart strong. My biggest challenge is trying to eat smart and healthy.
Iβm a proud Heart Warrior. β€οΈπͺ