Hello my fellow heart brothers and sisters.😍 Wow its been 3 yrs today since my surgery, born with a bicuspid aortic valve which caused my aortic artery aneurysm, ...Read more
Hello my fellow heart brothers and sisters.😍 Wow its been 3 yrs today since my surgery, born with a bicuspid aortic valve which caused my aortic artery aneurysm, at the young age of 65 I had the full Sternotomy, a 🐂 Bioprosthetic valve installed and
Gerald Poulton Continued.... and my aneurysm repaired. I had a great recovery but for you facing surgery, like this ... Read more
Gerald Poulton Continued.... and my aneurysm repaired. I had a great recovery but for you facing surgery, like this picture it is 1 day or 1 round at a time. I have split 12 today and I thought today will be a good day to split the remaining 30. At 68 life is great, I did it and you can to, just keep going and don't quit. I chose the bio prosthetic because if my life style, i work hard and play hard. I am the same me, only better. All the best to all of you 👍
Darrin Vohs Congratulations! what a great result and that looks like a lot of work :)
Marie Myers Hey Gerald- Don’t wear that valve out! Just kidding.... Congrats on your anniversary!
stephanie arnold hi, that woodpile brought back great memories. at 3mo and 1 week post open avr , I am marking my reco ... Read more
stephanie arnold hi, that woodpile brought back great memories. at 3mo and 1 week post open avr , I am marking my recovery time to when I can run my saw again. my woodpile isn't ad big as yours, but it's unfinished. I had my emergency surg right at the start of spring yard cleanup and dead tree removal. you give me hope with your recovery. I'm 76, a girl, but have maintained buffness until this cardio disaster. oh yes, I love the smell of fresh cut wood.
Rose Madura Glad to hear a great update from you Gerald. I expected nothing less!
Lilly Black Congratulations, Gerald! I'm going on 6 years this December. Glad that you are doing so well! :)
Barbara Wood Happy Anniversary Gerald! You were an inspiration to me!
Gerald Poulton Thank you all, I think only the calcification damages the valve and maybe hard work keeps the calcifi ... Read more
Gerald Poulton Thank you all, I think only the calcification damages the valve and maybe hard work keeps the calcification lower, my story anyways and sticking to it 😀
Good to hear from you Rose and Lilly, glad you are also doing well. I dont get on much anymore, life is good but busy too. Stay safe out there 😷
Steven Methot Hey Gerald, you give a young pup like me (62) with the same diagnosis some hope!
Gerald Poulton Glad to gear Steve, at your age you should have no problems 😀life is good !
Cindy Williams Hi Gerald, great to see this pile of wood, that tells a lot 😃 so happy you are doing so well!
I ... Read more
Cindy Williams Hi Gerald, great to see this pile of wood, that tells a lot 😃 so happy you are doing so well!
I passed my 3 years in August, heart is great, no issues at all, loving life and still addicted to tennis 🎾! Sorry for the late comment, I don’t go on here too often.
Well the running season is over for another year and we just finished our 5th for the year, the Esquimalt Navy 10K run. It is hard to believe it has been almost ...Read more
Well the running season is over for another year and we just finished our 5th for the year, the Esquimalt Navy 10K run. It is hard to believe it has been almost 2 years since my surgery for a bicuspid aortic valve and aortic artery repair. My Edwards bio
Gerald Poulton oops, valve is better than my old one that is for sure and I am so happy with my choice ! If you are ... Read more
Gerald Poulton oops, valve is better than my old one that is for sure and I am so happy with my choice ! If you are waiting surgery, mine was way easier than I could have every expected and life is great on the recovery side ! Best to all !
Adam Pick Congrats Gerald!!! Great to hear all is well!!!
Ann Crone Thanks for posting a happy story! I'm awaiting the same surgery and it's hopeful to see a positive o ... Read more
Ann Crone Thanks for posting a happy story! I'm awaiting the same surgery and it's hopeful to see a positive outcome here.
Mike Roskowinski Awesome Gerald. I can’t wait till I can go and start running. I am 7 weeks almost from surgery. Wal ... Read more
Mike Roskowinski Awesome Gerald. I can’t wait till I can go and start running. I am 7 weeks almost from surgery. Walking 5-7 miles a day and kicking butt in cardio rehab. Glad to see your valve is working great
Rose Madura Good to hear an update Gerald! My husband and I were wondering about you not too long ago. Glad you ... Read more
Rose Madura Good to hear an update Gerald! My husband and I were wondering about you not too long ago. Glad you are well.
leslie terjesen Wow, that's great. I am four months post OHS and just love cardiac rehab and on the days not there, ... Read more
leslie terjesen Wow, that's great. I am four months post OHS and just love cardiac rehab and on the days not there, walking a few miles a day. Not sure I can keep up with Mike r on the 5-7 miles but thats a great, albeit, ambitious goal!!!
Frank DeGrazia Gerald, Thanks With 2 days until my procedure for the same thing , it's comforting. Want to be back ... Read more
Frank DeGrazia Gerald, Thanks With 2 days until my procedure for the same thing , it's comforting. Want to be back on my road bike doing a century on my 1 year anniversary
Barbara Wood Nice pic! Glad all continues to go well!
Gerald Poulton Thanks all, the secret is to get off the couch as soon as you can and put that new valve to work. You ... Read more
Gerald Poulton Thanks all, the secret is to get off the couch as soon as you can and put that new valve to work. You lose so much and of the lung capacity from the operation and the way to gain it back is to do some lung exercises, lots of deep breathing extending the lungs again and to get moving. My first official 10k run I ran the first 1 k then walk / jogged the rest. My journal may help some of you to know what to expect. Life is good, be healthy, enjoy it and most of all, live it. All the best my heart friends.
Ann Crone Gerald P. did you ever have problems with metroprolol or lopressor after surgery as far as it prevent ... Read more
Ann Crone Gerald P. did you ever have problems with metroprolol or lopressor after surgery as far as it preventing you from getting up to exercise?
Gerald Poulton Last year just months after bicuspid aortic valve replacement and aortic artery aneurysm repair I ha ... Read more
Gerald Poulton Last year just months after bicuspid aortic valve replacement and aortic artery aneurysm repair I had to walk / run this 10K this year I was able to once again run all of it. It's been awhile since I have posted here. I was fortunate to have a very successful surgery and recovery and it just keeps getting better. Life is good
Helge Volden Thanks for sharing your awesome story! It makes me feel at lot more optimistic! In Sept. of this year ... Read more
Helge Volden Thanks for sharing your awesome story! It makes me feel at lot more optimistic! In Sept. of this year I had similar surgery, got the same type of valve for the same reasons. Keep having exciting adventures!
Kathi Mancuso Glad you are doing GREAT ....... I don’t get here often but was great seeing a familiar name that w ... Read more
Kathi Mancuso Glad you are doing GREAT ....... I don’t get here often but was great seeing a familiar name that was close to my surgery !!!
I’m doing great also
This is me today, celebtating my 5 month anniversary by parasailing in Mexico, jogging along the beach and drinking Tequila, life is good and there is hope ...Read more
This is me today, celebtating my 5 month anniversary by parasailing in Mexico, jogging along the beach and drinking Tequila, life is good and there is hope and a great life to be had after recovery 👍 All the best mi amigo's
Anna Jones Congratulations. Looks like you are having lots of fun. What a great way to celebrate your recovery. ... Read more
Anna Jones Congratulations. Looks like you are having lots of fun. What a great way to celebrate your recovery.
This was me 5 months ago today after a successful operation to replace my bicuspid aortic valve with a bovine bio prosthetic valve and repair my Aortic artery ...Read more
This was me 5 months ago today after a successful operation to replace my bicuspid aortic valve with a bovine bio prosthetic valve and repair my Aortic artery aneurism.
I couldnt get all of the house in but, Merry Christmas to you all and I hope your journey to recovery is as successful as mine has been.
Gerald Poulton It is hard to believe it has been 4 months and one week today. I am loving life and doing great. I fe ... Read more
Gerald Poulton It is hard to believe it has been 4 months and one week today. I am loving life and doing great. I feel that at 4 months I was back to me before surgery. Hauling firewood every day and the house decorations are complete. Merry Christmas to all of you.
Rose Madura Wow! That's a lot of work! Glad you are doing so well. We were just thinking of you this morning ... Read more
Rose Madura Wow! That's a lot of work! Glad you are doing so well. We were just thinking of you this morning and wondering how you were doing. Merry Christmas!
Gerald Poulton Thanks Rose. Getting back to work, planning functions and Christmas has kept me so busy that I have n ... Read more
Gerald Poulton Thanks Rose. Getting back to work, planning functions and Christmas has kept me so busy that I have not been on here. I am glad that things are going well for you, all the best for the joyous season ahead.
Lilly Black Nice! so happy you have Christmas spirit and just enjoying life! Merry Christmas, Gerald!
John Dodson Wow, that is terrific Gerald! I’m envious of your ability to lift more than 10lbs! ;). So, at wha ... Read more
John Dodson Wow, that is terrific Gerald! I’m envious of your ability to lift more than 10lbs! ;). So, at what point were you cleared to lift weight again? Thanks.
Gerald Poulton Thank you, on the last visit with my internal medicine specialist, about two weeks ago, I asked about ... Read more
Gerald Poulton Thank you, on the last visit with my internal medicine specialist, about two weeks ago, I asked about the weight restriction as I burn wood. He basically said I could increase the weight restriction but to use common sence, so I stacked a few pieces at a time. He also mentioned the biggest issue is lifting above the head so as the pile got over my head it was one piece at a time.
Gerald Poulton Happy Halloween fellow zipper club members, for those waiting to join the club, let this be your new ... Read more
Gerald Poulton Happy Halloween fellow zipper club members, for those waiting to join the club, let this be your new motto, we are tough, we did it and so can you.
Wendy Evans Love this pic! You are right, we are tough!
It was at Miracle Beach, I placed 3rd in my age group but there were only 3 of us :-) a miracle I finished and another Happy day and Miracle post opp day, for ...Read more
It was at Miracle Beach, I placed 3rd in my age group but there were only 3 of us :-) a miracle I finished and another Happy day and Miracle post opp day, for all you waiting for surgery, life is good on the other / post op side
Kathi Mancuso You did great !!
Thanks for the encouragement....... I am looking forward to getting this behind me ... Read more
Kathi Mancuso You did great !!
Thanks for the encouragement....... I am looking forward to getting this behind me ! TUESDAY @ 7:00
In case anyone is interested, my blood pressure monitor with Atril Fibrilation detection.
Gerald Poulton This picture goes with my recent journal post above, I now know that it works great and recommend it ... Read more
Gerald Poulton This picture goes with my recent journal post above, I now know that it works great and recommend it for those going in for OHS or with Atril Fibrilation problems.
Barbra Allen Nice pictures. Did your doctors provide the heart mOn it or? I did not getting one. Wondering if I n ... Read more
Barbra Allen Nice pictures. Did your doctors provide the heart mOn it or? I did not getting one. Wondering if I need it.
Gerald Poulton No my Dr did not provide a monitor, I bought this one at the pharmacy, I find it very helpful to moni ... Read more
Gerald Poulton No my Dr did not provide a monitor, I bought this one at the pharmacy, I find it very helpful to monitor my blood pressue, pulse and now AFib, hopefully it will not find AFib in me again. really helpful to have that info to pass on to the doctors as well.
I figure when I dont need it anymore I can probably sell it for 1/2 price or just keep it.
Day four, having the rest of the wires pulled and just home after the 3 hour drive.
Tina Maroon Glad to hear your home. I know having those wires pulled were excruciating for me.
Paul Jenkins Looking good Gerry! Umbilicals out and ready for take-off. With you 100% on bioprosthetics. With tech ... Read more
Paul Jenkins Looking good Gerry! Umbilicals out and ready for take-off. With you 100% on bioprosthetics. With technology improvements future valve upgrades will probably be outpatient trans-catheter procedures. Please keep us posted as you continue to recover. Best wishes - Paul
Gerald Poulton Thanks Paul. All good except for the nausia and belly ache, with tylenol no pain at all in the sternu ... Read more
Gerald Poulton Thanks Paul. All good except for the nausia and belly ache, with tylenol no pain at all in the sternum, must say my butt and back are a bit sore, usually active and not a lot of sitting or bed. But each day will get better until by t is just. A memory. sleeping with my wife again is the highlight, we always fall asleep holding hands.
All the best
Gerald Poulton This Is day one at noon, they start at day 0' bloodpressure good no flem in lungs but still cough an ... Read more
Gerald Poulton This Is day one at noon, they start at day 0' bloodpressure good no flem in lungs but still cough anyways to bring anything up, wow this was better than I thought, 😍
Bob Gillespie So grateful to hear you saying that. I needed the encouragement.
Steven A Husted yes i agree it was not as bad as i thought it would be ptl
Craig Wise Very good!! Take it slow and easy. Best to you. Craig
Gerald Poulton Thank you all, it has been so beneficial to share with thouse who yave gone before and I am most cer ... Read more
Gerald Poulton Thank you all, it has been so beneficial to share with thouse who yave gone before and I am most certainly here to help any of you with my journey,
Barbara Wood You do look great! I wonder how much you will remember from intensive care- my family said I looked f ... Read more
Barbara Wood You do look great! I wonder how much you will remember from intensive care- my family said I looked fine & was completely lucid, sitting up in a chair & talking, but I really don't remember any of that! Congrats on reaching the other side...May your recovery be smooth & uneventful:)!
Bob Gillespie Praise the Lord!! You're looking awesome!!
Gerald Poulton Thank you for yor comments, support and prayers, they all help. Day 1 new w and have most of the wire ... Read more
Gerald Poulton Thank you for yor comments, support and prayers, they all help. Day 1 new w and have most of the wires removed and doing great. Didnt sleep last night a not so lucky guy came in but now in private quiet rom, 😍
3 days till surgery,I think this is the last purchase for my recovery, dust and grass etc can make me sneeze and I dont want to do that after my operation. ...Read more
3 days till surgery,I think this is the last purchase for my recovery, dust and grass etc can make me sneeze and I dont want to do that after my operation. Our house has an air system but this sounded worth the investment.
Air HEPA Filter Ionic Ionizer A
Cindy Williams What a great idea! I think I'll get one too! My daughter uses one at college, they work well.
Gerald Poulton You can see the seperate control for ozone if you dont want to use it, you can also remove the plates ... Read more
Gerald Poulton You can see the seperate control for ozone if you dont want to use it, you can also remove the plates, But it does say to only run the ozone when out of the house for a few hours. I more bought it for the heppa filter and the uv light, it has made a big difference and unlike most models it does up to 3200 sq ft
Thanks
My preop booklet said to buy a blood pressure monitor, mine is always very good but feedback from others on here that have gone before me, helped make the ...Read more
My preop booklet said to buy a blood pressure monitor, mine is always very good but feedback from others on here that have gone before me, helped make the decision to invest in myself and my recovery. I found and chose this one because it also screens fo
Cindy Williams That's impressive, I think I need to upgrade!
Catie B Man, I could've used that model that alerts you to afib. Way cool!
Just 5 days left till surgery. I have a steep driveway that may take me a while to manuver and there are hills no matter which way I go, so We were on the search ...Read more
Just 5 days left till surgery. I have a steep driveway that may take me a while to manuver and there are hills no matter which way I go, so We were on the search for a good used treadmill for the condo beginning of my recovery. Who knows we may also jog o
Gerald Poulton Oops, on it in the winter especially n front of the 55" tv
Celebrating my clear arteries, not sure why I wasnt smiling, they didnt give you a sedative at the hospital before the angiogram, it would have been nice but ...Read more
Celebrating my clear arteries, not sure why I wasnt smiling, they didnt give you a sedative at the hospital before the angiogram, it would have been nice but at least this way I could have a few afterwards 🍻
Laura Jacobs What!!!??? No sedative! That's just crazy to me. My arm was black and blue after the angiogram, and o ... Read more
Laura Jacobs What!!!??? No sedative! That's just crazy to me. My arm was black and blue after the angiogram, and once the sedative wore off it was throbbing with pain. I was not expecting any pain at all but it kept me awake at night for over a week. I had to rest my arm on a pillow. The arm was still bruised and sensitive to the touch two weeks later when I was admitted for my surgery. Congrats! Happy = Clear arteries!!!!!
Gerald Poulton I was surprised as welL, it is always easier or lets say less stressfull gong into an operating or pr ... Read more
Gerald Poulton I was surprised as welL, it is always easier or lets say less stressfull gong into an operating or procedural room with a sedative. After that rather large needle for freezing they immediarely did something else that was uncomfortable, after that I just consentrated on relaxing, found my happy places, and then watched the procedual monitor. I think a lot of the residual pain comes from the arterial clamp as mine was also tender and bruised gor a while. Much better than going through the leg though.
Laura Jacobs I could not have done what you did Gerald. I am so glad that I had a sedative. I agree the arm is bet ... Read more
Laura Jacobs I could not have done what you did Gerald. I am so glad that I had a sedative. I agree the arm is better than going through the leg.. I almost had a femoral catheter because several nurse tried to find an arm artery that was large enough for the catheter without success. However, in the procedure room the doctor decided to try ultrasound to find an artery. She found one she wanted to try and if that didn't work they would revert to the leg. They put me to sleep and I learned when I woke that they managed with the arm. I was happy about that, and very happy that I was asleep for the whole thing!!!
Gerald, I had my angiogram at the same hospital as you did. And same here ... no sedative. I was surp ... Read more
Gerald, I had my angiogram at the same hospital as you did. And same here ... no sedative. I was surprised that it wasn't offered. I just remember the procedure being "uncomfortable" but not painful. I did have some wrist pain and aching for the next several days though.
Good news for me too: no CAD. I'll be going in for my surgery the week after you.
Good to hear from you Rose and Lilly, glad you are also doing well. I dont get on much anymore, life is good but busy too. Stay safe out there 😷
I ... Read more
I passed my 3 years in August, heart is great, no issues at all, loving life and still addicted to tennis 🎾! Sorry for the late comment, I don’t go on here too often.