David's Photos

Good afternoon to those in the USA and good morning to those in Australia and the southern hemisphere .

Step two in the process -I have now been allocated one of the amazing surgeons here in Geelong Australia.

Associate Professor Yap is a cardiothoracic surgeon at St John of God Geelong Hospital and University Hospital - Geelong. He is an adjunct research fellow at the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University and an Affiliate Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Deakin University.
Assoc Professor Yap graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1998. He obtained a Master of Surgery by research in 2006 studying the immunological response to homograft heart valves. He underwent training in Cardiothoracic Surgery at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and the Austin Hospital, obtaining his Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2011. He underwent post-fellowship training in the United Kingdom.
He has over 50 peer-reviewed publications. He has an interest in the management of thoracic malignancies and has served as the chair of the lung cancer working group at Barwon Health. 
He also serves as a proctor and instructor in the field of minimally invasive heart valve surgery, travelling throughout Australia and South East Asia.


He has a wide-ranging clinical practice including Robotic and VATS lung resections, aortic surgery, minimally invasive aortic valve and coronary revascularisation procedures.
I expect to be given a date for surgery shortly .
I feel privileged that I am part of the easy AS Trial and I hope by being part of the Trial I can help others in the future like all of us to have better outcomes.

Thanks again to Adam for all the amazing work he does for all of us in the cohort.


if you’d like to learn more about the Trial see the below post link
https://researchnow-admin.flinders.edu.au/ws/portalfiles/portal/143943013/Richardson_Rationale_P2024.pdf

Happy to report my Angiogram was successful yesterday and gave me an all clear on my Coronary Arteries.
As part of the Easy-As trial I can now proceed to a minimal invasive surgery option after confirmation with my surgeon 👨‍⚕️

1 step closer

Quick update from Australia 🇦🇺
I’ve joined a new medical trial investigating early vs standard intervention for bicuspid aortic valve disease. My valve has been diagnosed with severe stenosis, and I’ve been selected for immediate surgery as part of the trial
It was a 50/50 chance – and now the journey really begins
Appreciate your support and will keep you all posted on this incredible chance to help future people like us !!!

David Buchanan