Dylan's Photos

Lilly Black  Very cool! so happy for you, Dylan :o) and Mom of course.....I have a son too, so I know what it's like, Dylan's Mom.

Joanne Casserly  It's truly a piece of cake, just relax, all will be fine, very small slit, they doing pacemaker/defib? It's what I have and well, you'll see. Good Luck Dylan and don't worry.

Joanne Casserly  OMG how great is that, it looks like they took you outside! Lookin good, God Bless and hang in there.

Kate Watson  Wow he got to go outside! They wouldn't let me out! Fresh air is so healing when you are cooped up in the hospital I think.

Rita Savelis  Oh, gosh, I remember that sitting in a chair was a big accomplishment a few days after OHS!
Take care Dylan.

Maureen Breault  Great to see Dylan in his chair! Reading your post about him after surgery brought back memories for me; each day gets better and he'll do great because he's complying with instructions! I never got a pen with my heart and didn't realize I could have it signed until I saw one at rehab 7 weeks after surgery!
Here's wishing you both strength and good thoughts on this journey.

Adam Pick  Hey! That's my surgeon too! Go Dylan. I am a Ross Procedure patient as well. Doing great! For those not familiar with the Ross Procedure, here's a great educational video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUXt7h0a5z4

Nap Garcia  I remember that just over three weeks ago, ice chips never felt and tasted so good. Hang in there buddy, things will only get better. Welcome to the other side. Best wishes for speedy recovery.

PJ Fugitt  God Bless you Dylan and your Mom and girlfriend! Lucky man to have such beautiful women watching over you. Head up, eyes open - you have got a lot of living to do young man- one step, one moment at a time. Slow like a turtle. In time you will become the rabbit. Just saying from an old lady who knows such tasks as a turtle! Once was a rabbit!

Ron Broadhead  Hang in there Dylan. Everything will get better. And yep, I remember the ice chips too. You've got such good help with your mom and girlfriend.

Alexa Aveta  I had the Ross procedure done almost 2 weeks ago and just turned 20 the day before my surgery. I remember having ice chips the day after and it was the best thing ever. Wishing a speedy recovery :)

Lilly Black  I remember the ice chips too! Dylan, you're doing great! Hang in there! I'm rooting for you. You can do this. Dylan's Mom does look wonderful....hang in there, Mom. Stay strong, both of you!

Barbara Laurie  That actually looks about right!!! My husband has pics of all my "trees" , I had fourteen! But, all that will be a reminder to Dylan later on how far he's come and that's terrific.. Keep going Dylan!

Peggy Whitecotton  And each tree is for something different to do, as a nurse myself I was fully prepared for all the equipment. So I was able to prepared my family about all the tubes, lines and swan lines I would be connected to. It can be scary to someone who has never seen a cardiac patient in ICU before.

Dylan Florio  They are working on him in ICU. They had to tie his hands down because they are going to try and wake him up and they don't want him to get confused and pull out the tubes.

Clare Auten  I think that is pretty typical. Luckily, if he is like me, it becomes a vague memory in just a few days.

Nap Garcia  I don't even remember being intubated like that (though my wife has a similar picture of me), but my wife said as I woke up I tried removing the breathing tube with my tongue since my arms were tied down, and she said I actually followed my anesthesiologist's commands of raising a finger, squeezing his hand, and all these other things asked of me to see if I was responsive, but I don't remember any of that at all. The only time I started remembering was when they removed my tube (ex-tubated) and my wife was feeding my ice chips. It was nice to hear my wife's voice, who told me I did good, and see her face and feel her warm hands when I opened my eyes.

Dylan Florio  Been in for 2 hours they just Let us know he's stable and will let us know in maybe another 2 hours how he's doing. This is so hard. I started to hyperventilate in the bathroom and some lady asked me if she could hug me. God is good because I needed one right then. She told me she worked at Keck in the past and that Dr Starnes is an excellent doctor and she would trust her children with him. She walked me outside and left so I stood in the sun for a few minutes to calm myself down and now I'm on my way back inside.

Catie B  I'm glad someone came alongside you, helped and offered a hug while your anxiety was so high. I hope the intense feelings ease up soon.

Dylan Florio  Dylan is settled in his room. The doctors came in to explain tomorrow's procedure and he had to sign consents. He asked if they could give him something for his nerves. When they left he said, "I'm scared as s#*t!" His girlfriend Melanie said, "But Dylan you have a great doctor working on you! You'll be fine." Dylan said, "yeah? Well if I die it's on you". She rolled her eyes at him and then they held hands...

Catie B  I wish it all wasn't so scary, even in the best hands. I hope you all can get some rest tonight. Hoping things go extra super well!

Rita Savelis  Being scared is human. There is so much one can't control..... So glad his girlfriend is there for Dylan (and his mom!).

Dylan Florio  Dylan's surgery is Tuesday July 19, 2016. He is having the Ross Procedure to replace his bicuspid aortic valve, he'll have his tricuspid and mitral valve repaired and a new pace maker put in.

Kate Watson  He's so young, so sorry he has to go through this but I'm glad you found this site. Wishing Dylan a very successful surgery and wishing lots of strength to you!

Adam Pick  Hi Donna, Got your message and email. I will call you today to discuss. To help you learn more about the Ross Procedure, here's a great video we filmed to educate our community - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUXt7h0a5z4.

Adam Pick  P.S. Dylan is in great hands with Dr. Starnes. So you know, Dr. Starnes performed my Ross Procedure in 2005. I'm doing great!!!  https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Vaughn-Starnes-Los+Angeles-California.php