Dan's Photos

Bob M  Dan, welcome to our awesome Community! You have a beautiful family. God Bless! Many here are doorkeepers where we have been on the other side of open heart surgery (mine was on Dec 10). We are here to pray for you, share our experiences and answer your direct questions.

Adam Pick  Hi Dan, Great to have you aboard! I'm hopeful the information and caring people at our website help you and your family through this process! Adam (patient & website founder)

Tammy Pilcher  Welcome Dan, it's nice to meet you. My surgery was Oct. 31 this year. I'm doing great and you will too! Best wishes!

Bob M  I am doing great, thank you very much. Walking in my house, eating, resting, reading, etc. Zero setbacks, and my stitches come out on Tuesday. I just finished the book, Unbroken, and it is awesome. I look forward to seeing it in the theater.

Tammi Gunwall  You have a beautiful family Dan! You will find this heart community to be a huge resource (and support!) for you as you walk through your own personal heart journey. Welcome! I too have a BAV and am scheduled for surgery Jan. 7th. Feel free to read my story and ask me any questions you'd like. :)

Dan Crogan  Thanks everyone. You've all been great! I hope your recoveries continue to go well.
Bob, I also enjoyed reading Unbroken.

Dan Crogan  Tammi,
I am trying to keep busy enjoying my family to keep my mind off upcoming surgery in early January. I tend to worry but trying to stay positive.
Dan

Jim Hernandez  Doing well, merry Christmas! I am waiting the beginning of the year to begin my surgeon consults and get a date pinned down! How are you?

Dan Crogan  Merry Christmas, Jim!
I am doing well. Keeping busy doing fun family stuff til my bicuspid aorta replacement surgery on Jan. 8th. Trying to keep my mind off it.

Jim Hernandez  Where are you having it done? I have my first surgical consult on jan 8 at Brigham and women's in Boston and another in March in new york

Dan Crogan  Beth Israel Deaconness in Boston. Excellent cardiac unit and surgeon (Dr. Khabbaz) there, Jim. Brigham is excellent also.

Jim Hernandez  My thoughts to you and your family as your day approaches! Look forward to hearing about your experience and how well recovery is going!

Lenore Mitchell  Dan - good thoughts coming your way. I'm a day ahead of you, leaving for Cleveland Clinic on Jan 4, pre op stuff Jan 5-6 and surgery the 7th. So we'll have to share stories post op and then on to recovery. I'm alternating between disbelief, as in "oh no, this can't be happening" and the more realistic "let's get this show on the road." I don't know if anyone addressed your question about flying after having a mechanical valve, but I doubt there's any issue. I think planes are pressurized to about the equivalent of 8000ft elevation. Not certain of that, but I suggest you also ask your surgeon. Most of all, hang in there. Onward!

Phillip Schultz  Hey Dan ,
We are thinking of you here in Australia , I had my operation 6 months ago , all is well I can Breath again .
Just go with the flow , your in good hands , don't forget the little pillow it will your best friend and I found a refillable ice pack for those little itches works great.
All the best buddy.

Phillip Schultz

Dan Crogan  Thanks, Phillip for the good thoughts. Glad you are doing well. My family wants to visit Australia some day.

Bill Hendrickson  Dan, nice family,good idea to enjoy family time. The hotel aquarium is awesome but I found the ocean beach to be very challenging. Good luck on your journey.

Tammi Gunwall  Jim...definitely helps to hold the pillow alot after surgery. Like getting out of bed, walking with, to hold when coughing or sneezing...it helps to brace or protect the incision area. Up until about a week ago I brought it with me in the car too and held it while riding. It helped brace the torso going over the bumps or pot holes in the roads (due to our wonderful MN winters!) and gave me peace of mind as I held it to my chest between me and the seat belt!! Lastly, I used it as a place to have my friends & family sign it when they came to visit me (and a few of my nurses too)! As momento you may say ;)

Dan Crogan  Jim, they did really encourage the use of the heart pillow for many practical and motivational purposes at my Boston hospital, sounds like it was the same at Tammi's hospital, too. I rode home today with mine between my seatbelt and my sternum. Good luck brother.

Terrie Syvertsen  Looking great Dan. Glad you are doing so well and bet the Family can't wait for you to get home and continue your recovery process. Your great attitude throughout this is I am sure a great benefit for all those heading in for there surgeries as well! Continued progress in healing! One day at a time!