Snowblowing during a snowstorm 4.5 months after AVR sugery. For those in the waiting room, think positive, keep marching forward, visualize success and be confident ...Read more
Snowblowing during a snowstorm 4.5 months after AVR sugery. For those in the waiting room, think positive, keep marching forward, visualize success and be confident that your life will go back to normal.
Thomas Brusstar Wish I had a snowblower! I was all old school today, out there shoveling the walk and then the alley ... Read more
Thomas Brusstar Wish I had a snowblower! I was all old school today, out there shoveling the walk and then the alley. My 13-year-old son knows I jokingly say “because of my heart!” when I’m too lazy to do something, but we all know I’m back to better than before. I would have started coughing and wheezing if I’d tried to shovel like that a year ago.
Dan Vechiola Thats big going old school Thomas. Its great to feel the difference. My last snowblow experience was ... Read more
Dan Vechiola Thats big going old school Thomas. Its great to feel the difference. My last snowblow experience was 2 years ago and I had to take a break half way.
Tracy Fallu That’s Michigan weather for us.
Glad you continue to feel great.
Debbie Kelly Thank you, Dan, for all the encouragement you give us. Stay warm!
Getting my walk in on this beautiful January day in Chicago! Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it. Keep grinding ...Read more
Getting my walk in on this beautiful January day in Chicago! Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it. Keep grinding everybody!
Looking good Dan!
Proud of you my Heart Warrior buddy!
Best wishes for continued progress in your rec ... Read more
Looking good Dan!
Proud of you my Heart Warrior buddy!
Best wishes for continued progress in your recovery. 💪
Tracy Fallu Nice job Dan! There a reason we all start walking in the hospital ASAP! Nice job continuing.
Bob Guzzo You're an inspiration Dan! Keep up the great work!
Happy Sunday Heart Warriors! As we all know best. The past is History. The future is a Mystery. Today is a Gift, that's why it's called the Present. Unwrap ...Read more
Happy Sunday Heart Warriors! As we all know best. The past is History. The future is a Mystery. Today is a Gift, that's why it's called the Present. Unwrap your gift of today and enjoy!! GO BEARS!!
LINDA ROBERTS I will second that. Here is to the Precious Present!
Manuel Moreno There are projects, goals, to have your path defined where you want to go, life teaches you that it i ... Read more
Manuel Moreno There are projects, goals, to have your path defined where you want to go, life teaches you that it is not what you want, it is that God has for you that everything can change from one day to another. Keep going❤️👍
Robert Bach Great picture! You look great for five weeks.
Dan Baltazor Looks like you had a great day today.! Don’t know how your Bears did, but Seahawks did pretty good ... Read more
Dan Baltazor Looks like you had a great day today.! Don’t know how your Bears did, but Seahawks did pretty good over in London😏
Rich Hahn Dan, thanks for providing regular updates. I'm really just starting down the path, but a new valve i ... Read more
Rich Hahn Dan, thanks for providing regular updates. I'm really just starting down the path, but a new valve is inevitable. The question is when and do I have a bicuspid or tricuspid valve.
Louanna Miller I'm 7 weeks out with surgery by Dr. McCarthy and mine doesn't look that good. WOW!!! I am impressed ... Read more
Louanna Miller I'm 7 weeks out with surgery by Dr. McCarthy and mine doesn't look that good. WOW!!! I am impressed with my scar and its healing. He does a super job on the valve surgery itself, but also on the incision. I was told this at NW by most of the nurses.
Dan Vechiola Sorry for those using a desktop. Didn't mean for my picture to be so GIGANTIC! lol
Paul Howarth that's incredible. its like nothing is even there. that's so awesome. i told my wife if the scar is t ... Read more
Paul Howarth that's incredible. its like nothing is even there. that's so awesome. i told my wife if the scar is to bad, im going to get tattoos. this may ruin it for me.. thank you for sharing.
Meredith Geneja Healing so well! Looking forward to being where you are, which will be about mid-October. Very enco ... Read more
Meredith Geneja Healing so well! Looking forward to being where you are, which will be about mid-October. Very encouraging. Hope you are as relaxed as you appear to be.
Doris Fowler Dan, where is your chest tube scar? I had a mini too (repair) and my chest tube was on the right sid ... Read more
Doris Fowler Dan, where is your chest tube scar? I had a mini too (repair) and my chest tube was on the right side on the top of the breast....even the nurses were surprised by the location.
Doris Fowler Well, looking again, what I thought was your belly button just might be your chest tube scar!
Maryann Gomez You are looking strong Dan!! So happy for you. I got a call from my surgeon today. They are moving m ... Read more
Maryann Gomez You are looking strong Dan!! So happy for you. I got a call from my surgeon today. They are moving my surgery up to their first available time. He said that it needs to be done ASAP. I’m having perio surgery day after tomorrow with laser. The surgeon is hoping to get me in early next week. No time left to dilly dally around.
I’m terrified.
Sue Tom Great news Dan! Take it easy at home & enjoy football season!
Jennifer McInerney You look great! You are now a true, heart warrior. Take it easy and prayers for a speedy full recov ... Read more
Jennifer McInerney You look great! You are now a true, heart warrior. Take it easy and prayers for a speedy full recovery.
Nancy Luth Congratulations! You are an inspiration!
Ann Nelson Awesome Dan! My surgery is September 20 and most of the time I relax and just know I’m in Gods han ... Read more
Ann Nelson Awesome Dan! My surgery is September 20 and most of the time I relax and just know I’m in Gods hands but as others have said there are other moments where I’m not quite so calm !! Prayers and positive thoughts are welcomed 😍🙏
Lilly Black Dan, you look great! good luck with your recovery....all the best!
Thomas Brusstar Awesome! I see you have the Tape of Honor on your chest! Great work.
Louanna Miller I am so impressed with you and Thomas Brusstar. Surgery and out in 3 days. How in the world did you ... Read more
Louanna Miller I am so impressed with you and Thomas Brusstar. Surgery and out in 3 days. How in the world did you do it? My stay was 11 days. Glad you are headed home for recovery. Take it easy and listen to your body as you heal. You will know what you can and cannot do. Blessings to you always.
Meredith Geneja It's like being at the best game ever!!!! Someone on my team just had a big win & I'm sitting here w ... Read more
Meredith Geneja It's like being at the best game ever!!!! Someone on my team just had a big win & I'm sitting here with tears of joy in my eyes. GO, TEAM, GO!!! So happy for you & your family, Dan.
Meredith Geneja Such a great smile.....looking forward to seeing your next photo & update. Thinking of you as you hea ... Read more
Meredith Geneja Such a great smile.....looking forward to seeing your next photo & update. Thinking of you as you heal. We are all so grateful for your input. You have been a strength to me. Thank you:)
Sommer Russell Hey Dan! It has taken me a minute to get back on here and read your post. 1st- I think you are a fa ... Read more
Sommer Russell Hey Dan! It has taken me a minute to get back on here and read your post. 1st- I think you are a fantastic writer! I have no idea what your voice sounds like, but I have my interpretation in my mind how you would have told your story. I particularly love the part of your leaking heart and how you interpreted that! Thanks for the note and I hope that you have something great to happen today. I will keep you, family, surgeons, and healthcare team in my thoughts and prayers as you are nearing the top of this mountain. :)
Adam Pick That's cool. Did you see that at Dr. McCarthy's office?
Dan Vechiola Hi Adam! Yes he showed it to us yesterday when we met in his office. He also has a TAVR one too. I t ... Read more
Dan Vechiola Hi Adam! Yes he showed it to us yesterday when we met in his office. He also has a TAVR one too. I thought it was pretty cool as well.
Jeff V. Did Dr. McCarthy give you a range on lifetime of the new Inspiris valve? I think it is Edwards' late ... Read more
Jeff V. Did Dr. McCarthy give you a range on lifetime of the new Inspiris valve? I think it is Edwards' latest generation and I'm curious what the spin is on how it is "new and improved". I'm guessing the plan is to bridge you with the Inspiris until a TAVR can be delivered in hopefully 15+ years... ;).
Dan Vechiola Hey Jeff! Yep that is the plan. Edwards valve then TAVR. He said the valve could last 20 years! Th ... Read more
Dan Vechiola Hey Jeff! Yep that is the plan. Edwards valve then TAVR. He said the valve could last 20 years! This Edwards valve is made for the TAVR valve to fit inside. He also joked by saying that there may be a pill by then to correct things with the way things are advancing lol.
LINDA ROBERTS Could you give me more input about the valve you and Dr. McCarthy chose? I seems like it has many ne ... Read more
LINDA ROBERTS Could you give me more input about the valve you and Dr. McCarthy chose? I seems like it has many new features with improved anti-calcification. Since it is new and longer studies have not been done, what reassurances did the Dr. give you based on the valve make up of the durability.. Will be having surgery soon at CC and would like to discuss this valve with Dr. Svensson since there is a video out with him using this valve in surgery.
John Lant That is the same Aortic Valve Replacement that I had put into my heart on June 25th 2018.. It is the ... Read more
John Lant That is the same Aortic Valve Replacement that I had put into my heart on June 25th 2018.. It is the newest generation if heart valve and is supposed to last several years longer than the previous version
Dan Vechiola Thanks Judy! Its amazing how you realize when you get older that its not just about you but about al ... Read more
Dan Vechiola Thanks Judy! Its amazing how you realize when you get older that its not just about you but about all that care about you too.
Judy Shaw Yes it is. I've always been on the care giving side for my husband during his many surgeries and hosp ... Read more
Judy Shaw Yes it is. I've always been on the care giving side for my husband during his many surgeries and hospital stays. Now he will be my caregiver. This is going to be my first major surgery.
Muhammad Riyaz What a fortunate person you are Dan, indeed. PIZZA, Not Good any more. Hope you will enjoy the life t ... Read more
Muhammad Riyaz What a fortunate person you are Dan, indeed. PIZZA, Not Good any more. Hope you will enjoy the life to its fullest.
Susan Lynn Beautiful family! You have a whole team of cheerleaders!
Now, I want pizza - looks delicious!
Dan Vechiola Thanks you guys! Just trying to surround myself with who cares about me the most and try to be as po ... Read more
Dan Vechiola Thanks you guys! Just trying to surround myself with who cares about me the most and try to be as positive as I can as I move forward in this process.
Chris Purvis Beautiful family! I’ve almost been away from my kids for 2 weeks and that has been tough! Can’t w ... Read more
Chris Purvis Beautiful family! I’ve almost been away from my kids for 2 weeks and that has been tough! Can’t wait to get home...home sweet home. Your blessed with your family Dan.
Me and Donna. She has been by my side every step of the way!
Chris Purvis That’s how my amazing wife was. She did sooo much over the last 4 days and man it makes your realiz ... Read more
Chris Purvis That’s how my amazing wife was. She did sooo much over the last 4 days and man it makes your realize how much you truly can love someone or vice verse.
Dan Vechiola Yes it does! Glad your are doing well and on your way home. Such an event puts in perspective of wh ... Read more
Dan Vechiola Yes it does! Glad your are doing well and on your way home. Such an event puts in perspective of what is really important in life. As hard as it is for us I actually think its harder for our loved ones to watch and witness.
Steve Farthing Dan, from what you described following the gum flap surgery, that sounds like a rougher experience th ... Read more
Steve Farthing Dan, from what you described following the gum flap surgery, that sounds like a rougher experience than most people have after having a heart valve replaced!
Susan Lynn Welcome, Dan! You've certainly been through a lot! We'll be here to cheer you on and welcome you ... Read more
Susan Lynn Welcome, Dan! You've certainly been through a lot! We'll be here to cheer you on and welcome you to recovery!
Rose Madura Wow, quite a story. This site was very helpful to my husband and I. Let us know if you have any que ... Read more
Rose Madura Wow, quite a story. This site was very helpful to my husband and I. Let us know if you have any questions.
Dan Vechiola Thanks everybody. Yes my family said hopefully the heart valve surgery will be nothing in comparison ... Read more
Dan Vechiola Thanks everybody. Yes my family said hopefully the heart valve surgery will be nothing in comparison. I don't remember much but it was a horrible experience for them. The big thing I have taken out of these experiences is that is not just about me but also about all of those who care about me. When you are laying in the hospital and seeing the faces looking back at you it really hits home. I am fortunate that I feel better than I did when all this first started and I am doing all this for my future and family.
Judy Shaw Hi Dan. I too am having aortic valve replacement, in 6 days to be exact. At first I was scared to dea ... Read more
Judy Shaw Hi Dan. I too am having aortic valve replacement, in 6 days to be exact. At first I was scared to death but after finding this site and asking questions of others that have already gone through it, I have found encouragement. People don't mind answering if they can. So don't hesitate to ask!!
Dan Vechiola Thanks all for your support. We can all do this together!!