A year ago this morning I was doing my final skin cleanse before walking in a glassy-eyed stupor a few NYC blocks with my wife to my surgical appointment at ...Read more
A year ago this morning I was doing my final skin cleanse before walking in a glassy-eyed stupor a few NYC blocks with my wife to my surgical appointment at Mount Sinai. I don't miss that moment, but I'm grateful beyond words for all the things that have gone well, gone better than well; and for the challenges and disappointments through which I continue to learn and grow. It feels like a new year for me... like somehow this anniversary is a rebirth... that like much of this journey through the years, is another lonely and sober moment even still, despite all the love and strength and support of my friends and family. I know you all can relate. Glad to have you all - even just knowing there are so many out there who understand, who walk that same road: all those I have never, and will never even meet; but whom I love and cherish nonetheless.
Thank you my friends Cheers to another year!
Luke Taylor So glad to hear you're doing well a year out. Thank you sharing with a positive attitude! Somewhere ... Read more
Luke Taylor So glad to hear you're doing well a year out. Thank you sharing with a positive attitude! Somewhere we should start a BAV under 40 group
Valerie Allen So nice to hear another success story and your expression gratitude. Wishing you and your beautiful f ... Read more
Valerie Allen So nice to hear another success story and your expression gratitude. Wishing you and your beautiful family the very best.
J Alexander Lassally I do relate! I am trying to embrace that "truly new moment" feeling. Shedding things I do not like in ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally I do relate! I am trying to embrace that "truly new moment" feeling. Shedding things I do not like in my old life - or trying too, at least ! Especially career wise, things that appealed to me before simply do not now! Definitely an imperfect science... The medical community is totally unprepared to talk about these things in younger patients.
Susan Lynn Happy Anniversary, Matthew! You are so right about the rebirth. Wishing you many, many decades o... Read more
Susan Lynn Happy Anniversary, Matthew! You are so right about the rebirth. Wishing you many, many decades of good health and future celebrations!
Grace Mason Congratulations Matthew. You walk the road well. I like to see your updates as I follow closely in yo ... Read more
Grace Mason Congratulations Matthew. You walk the road well. I like to see your updates as I follow closely in your footsteps. Love seeing you with your many blessings in your picture. Loving the upside down pooch😄
Barbara deLoache Beautiful post. Very encouraging.. and beautiful family as well!
Susan Eckermann Congrats! What a beautiful family. So glad you are doing well.
Rose Madura What a great picture and an even better post. I know it hasn't been easy for you (or any of us for th ... Read more
Rose Madura What a great picture and an even better post. I know it hasn't been easy for you (or any of us for that matter). We do understand and the feelings are mutual. Happy Anniversary!❤️🩹💪🪖
Greg Lewis Cheers to you, Mathew! Great family photo too! (Pssst...you got the dog upside down) lol. Jk
Six months ago today I was just waking up. Everything about that surgery and how my outcomes have been so far have been better than I could have ever hoped. ...Read more
Six months ago today I was just waking up. Everything about that surgery and how my outcomes have been so far have been better than I could have ever hoped. Life feels back to normal in most ways and I haven't had any lasting complications. The road has been very bumpy at times, bumpy enough that I'm not near as far physically as I was hoping and expecting to be, but that never stopped any of us. So thankful to God for everything he's brought us through, and so grateful for these little squirrels who have been so thorough in their efforts to challenge the strength of the sternum wires...
Ana Brusso God bless you Mathew. Continued good health and recovery . 🙏❤️
Rose Madura Wonderful news Matthew. You are doing great. Maybe recovery is a little slow so you can enjoy these ... Read more
Rose Madura Wonderful news Matthew. You are doing great. Maybe recovery is a little slow so you can enjoy these precious little ones. They are adorable!
Andrew Dial Yess! So glad to hear from you bro! You look super happy. Congrats on the continued progress 🙏🏼 ... Read more
Andrew Dial Yess! So glad to hear from you bro! You look super happy. Congrats on the continued progress 🙏🏼
Grace Mason Great pic Matthew! So glad to hear your recovery is progressing well.
Pamela Gregory Congratulations !!! You are doing great! Everyone heals at different rates as it depends on your con... Read more
Pamela Gregory Congratulations !!! You are doing great! Everyone heals at different rates as it depends on your condition going in and what they did to you. Your kids are precious
Sue Lee Yay Matthew! Sounded like you had a blip w the effusion a few weeks back but it’s resolved, thank g ... Read more
Sue Lee Yay Matthew! Sounded like you had a blip w the effusion a few weeks back but it’s resolved, thank goodness
Second time in the ER this weekend. 4th day of high fevers and tachycardia with no explanation. Possibly just a weird viral syndrome but they're worried about ...Read more
Second time in the ER this weekend. 4th day of high fevers and tachycardia with no explanation. Possibly just a weird viral syndrome but they're worried about pericarditis since my pericardial effusion seems to have increased somewhat, along with elevated troponins and BNP. Just can't ever be simple, right?
Susan Lynn Matthew - I'm so sorry to read this news, but you're in the right place. Hoping this detour on yo... Read more
Susan Lynn Matthew - I'm so sorry to read this news, but you're in the right place. Hoping this detour on your road to recovery is a short one. Please keep us posted.
Klara Čičić Dear Matthew, stay brave and optimistic as you are! I am thinking of you and hoping everything will ... Read more
Klara Čičić Dear Matthew, stay brave and optimistic as you are! I am thinking of you and hoping everything will be fine, from another side of the globe
Sue Lee Matthew, I’ve been following you and really sad to hear this strange turn. Hopefully just a blip an ... Read more
Sue Lee Matthew, I’ve been following you and really sad to hear this strange turn. Hopefully just a blip and a sign to slow down a bit. Keep us up
Rose Madura Matthew, please take care. I feel for you. Praying for a quick recovery.
Allen Carkner Hope your fever breaks and you make it home soon.
Ana Brusso Hello Mathew, will pray this detour in your recovery doesn’t last long and you continue a healthy r ... Read more
Ana Brusso Hello Mathew, will pray this detour in your recovery doesn’t last long and you continue a healthy recovery. God bless you
Donna Casaletto Hoping you get some answers and are feeling back to yourself real soon☺️
Pamela Gregory Hang in there Mathew! Hopefully they will figure this out quickly and get you back on the road to re... Read more
Pamela Gregory Hang in there Mathew! Hopefully they will figure this out quickly and get you back on the road to recovery
Matthew Malooly Thanks for the well-wishes. Still waiting on cardiology's review of echo, but I am probably in the c ... Read more
Matthew Malooly Thanks for the well-wishes. Still waiting on cardiology's review of echo, but I am probably in the clear. After never having a fever in 15 years and no sick contacts, I had a high fever >103 for 3 days with no other symptoms. Labs showed high systemic inflammation and stress on nearly every organ system: liver, kidneys, lungs, heart... even with an elevated d-dimer needing evaluation for pulmonary embolism. I ended up getting admitted for empiric antibiotics until endocarditis could be ruled out. In the meantime, my youngest (18 months) spiked a fever of 104 with no other symptoms... which honestly put us all at ease. Every other test, including my gross evaluation of the echo report, says I'm in the clear for now, and I've only had high-normal temperatures since. I think this was all just a pretty wild viral syndrome from who knows what.... thankfully I'm young and otherwise healthy. This one hit hard. Still pretty sore and still get tired really easily (I feel like I did two months of recovery ago)... but I still have a little fluid on my lungs and heart. Otherwise doing well. Overall, I was so grateful I had just gone through heart surgery in January... first because I was prepared for dealing with stressful and overwhelming situations like this and felt like I remained calm and optimistic the whole time... and second because we already hit our out-of-pocket max, so this was all free! :-)
Klara Čičić That is so good to hear Matthew!!! Yaaay! Hope this is it now. All the best!
Rose Madura So happy all is working out! And I can relate on meeting the out of pocket max! A double blessing. ... Read more
Rose Madura So happy all is working out! And I can relate on meeting the out of pocket max! A double blessing.
Sue Lee What a relief. Great news. Feel better soon
Allen Carkner Great to hear! I get the out of pocket max stuff. I went to a dermatologist for the first time as I'v ... Read more
Allen Carkner Great to hear! I get the out of pocket max stuff. I went to a dermatologist for the first time as I've had a bit of time off and I've hit my out of pocket max.
Picture from my last day off yesterday. Back to work this morning. I have to say I struggle to find a part of me that's excited to be back. Maybe only for what ...Read more
Picture from my last day off yesterday. Back to work this morning. I have to say I struggle to find a part of me that's excited to be back. Maybe only for what it represents, that finally for the last 2 weeks my mind and most of my body feels somewhat normal again. I truly believe going back to work and getting back into the too busy lifestyle is the next most important part of my recovery. But these 12 weeks have made me really consider what I want to do and what I want to be, and we'll see. It's wild to me just how much of our life gets turned to glass just based on the amount of time we spend doing the work we have been chosen to do. This isn't one of the best days, but I cannot forget how many worse ones have come before. If we can do that, we can do ANYTHING.
Andrew Dial I know the feeling… my mindset was completely different once it was time to attempt to go back to w ... Read more
Andrew Dial I know the feeling… my mindset was completely different once it was time to attempt to go back to work. I went back at 12 weeks, and it was rocky for 3.5 months (very physical job) and my wife and I decided it was not worth it anymore. I have since started my own business and work from home, I drop off/pickup my daughter from school, have dinner ready for my wife when she gets home. It has its ups and downs, but overall, Best decision I’ve ever made. Priorities change. Life changes. What’s important once may not be important now, and what may not have been so important, is very important now. Hope this helps!
Marie Myers Yup, having a big surgery does change your thinking and priorities sometimes…
Matthew Malooly Interesting Andy. My job is not physical at all - just mental. I'm a pharmacist in a hospital so th ... Read more
Matthew Malooly Interesting Andy. My job is not physical at all - just mental. I'm a pharmacist in a hospital so there's no ability to pace myself - everything happens when it happens and my job is to keep up. That said... do you have any need for a pharmacist on your staff? :-)
Richard Munson I once thought retirement from sales was the greatest thing to look forward to since sliced cheese. L ... Read more
Richard Munson I once thought retirement from sales was the greatest thing to look forward to since sliced cheese. Lots of stress. How wrong i was after a month. That was 15 years ago and lucky me being self employed i was able to jump right back into the fray. Now at 81 and mitral valve repaired, i am happy for the decision i made. Keeping in mind, we are all different, i still look forward to the battle every day. And today i had a doozy but i brought the various parties together, worked out a compromise and now i am sitting back fat dumb and happy ( and kept a customer). Many of my retired friends ask me why i still work. My answer is i enjoy it. This is not meant to change anyones minds, just my perspective.
Daniel Green Hey Matt, I just posted my 12 week update. I’m glad you’re progressing and heading back to work. ... Read more
Daniel Green Hey Matt, I just posted my 12 week update. I’m glad you’re progressing and heading back to work. I’m mostly retired but still keep busy and after 47 years I’m happy to be busy enough to keep me engaged and still enjoying what I do! By the way I had my first bike rides this week. All easy rides but nonetheless a ride! Good luck with your continued progress!!
Matthew Malooly Good to hear from you Dan! Glad you're doing well! I started back up on my bike again in the last fe ... Read more
Matthew Malooly Good to hear from you Dan! Glad you're doing well! I started back up on my bike again in the last few weeks. It's honestly hard to remind myself to take it easy. So much habit there to push push push!
Rose Madura I applaud you guys for thinking this way. OHS does change you. Andrew has shown how much it changed ... Read more
Rose Madura I applaud you guys for thinking this way. OHS does change you. Andrew has shown how much it changed him. I was fortunate to be able to retire (willingly and from a sales manager job) when I needed my surgery. I'm not sure I could have gone back. But Richard and I agree yet again that we are all different. Yet, here we are together with similar physical health situations. Here is a quote I found ..
"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide
Maybe it will help someone.
Ana Brusso Hi Mathew, I was retired when I had my surgery so I can’t comment on anything related to work. I wo ... Read more
Ana Brusso Hi Mathew, I was retired when I had my surgery so I can’t comment on anything related to work. I would tell you that OHS makes you change and for the best. Hang in there you’ve been through a lot. Take it one day at a time and pray. God bless you
Andrew Dial Matthew… if the need comes up for a pharmacist, I will let you know haha :)
Angela Meletiadis A lot also depends on the type of job you have. I teach PE in public primary school and I went back M ... Read more
Angela Meletiadis A lot also depends on the type of job you have. I teach PE in public primary school and I went back March 1. My MVR was in summer, 2022, so I actually had six months off, with pay. In a way, it's good to be back, but at (almost) 63, I would like to expend my energy doing something less strenuous. I hope to retire at 67, but not sure what I'll be doing until then!
Klara Čičić Good hearing your thoughts, guys. I can relate to "changed perspective" after surgery. I started work ... Read more
Klara Čičić Good hearing your thoughts, guys. I can relate to "changed perspective" after surgery. I started working very excited and finally feeling like myself again. But I struggle with keeping the stress level low, since I am quite energetic person and passionate about my job as a PCP. I mean, the only thing I could do is change myself or change job. For now, I am focused on changing myself haha, minimizing all unnecessary stress, getting helpat home, I started doing yoga so that may help... Matt, 3 months is still early, I am sure with each day you will feel better phisically as well as mentally:)
Cleared for travel! Hard to say goodbye to all my new friends... But I can't tell you how excited I am to get home to my girls, my pup, and of course... ...Read more
Cleared for travel! Hard to say goodbye to all my new friends... But I can't tell you how excited I am to get home to my girls, my pup, and of course... My chair! Much love all!
Matthew Malooly It's crazy to me I was under the knife only 9 days ago. I feel so blessed and lucky to be feeling th ... Read more
Matthew Malooly It's crazy to me I was under the knife only 9 days ago. I feel so blessed and lucky to be feeling this well.
Daniel Green Go gettem Matt!! We are leaving here on Sunday!! It’s just amazing how every day is better than the ... Read more
Daniel Green Go gettem Matt!! We are leaving here on Sunday!! It’s just amazing how every day is better than the day before!! Safe travels my heart -valve friend!!
Matthew Malooly Thanks Daniel! To you as well! So happy to hear you're doing well!
Adam Pick Absoooooooooooooooolutely love this shot!!!
Leona Resch Wow!!!! That is awesome news Matthew and Daniel!!! Absolutely amazing !!! Safe travels home and give ... Read more
Leona Resch Wow!!!! That is awesome news Matthew and Daniel!!! Absolutely amazing !!! Safe travels home and give a shout out if either of you are ever in this area again! We could have a mini heart warriors reunion with anybody who may be around - by that time we’ll be able to go out to dinner and celebrate all healed!!! ❤️
Richard Munson Nice to see a success story. Take it nice and easy.
Rose Madura Fantastic news! Safe travels and may your recovery be uneventful....
Robert Miller You look great!!! Ready to take on the world (after taking it easy for a few weeks...)
Pamela Gregory I love it!!! Congratulations to Mathew and Daniel!!! Its so awesome you are both doing so well and h... Read more
Pamela Gregory I love it!!! Congratulations to Mathew and Daniel!!! Its so awesome you are both doing so well and heading home
Klara Čičić Congratulations, lovely picture! Amazing early recovery! I hope it stays this easy. Take care!
Pat Munn Congratulations Matthew and Daniel. Safe travels, and thank you for sharing your journies. Such ins ... Read more
Pat Munn Congratulations Matthew and Daniel. Safe travels, and thank you for sharing your journies. Such inspiration for me. Hoping each day gets better and better for both of you !
Andrew Dial Hell yea brother! Be safe. Remember… day by day ❤️🩹🙏🏼
Patsy Stewart How awesome is that?! You both look wonderful! Your little ones are going to be so excited to see you ... Read more
Patsy Stewart How awesome is that?! You both look wonderful! Your little ones are going to be so excited to see you! Safe travels, and enjoy your chair when you get home.~❤️
Just sitting here ready for discharge tomorrow morning. All tubes removed, finally pain free without narcotics, feeling rested and comfortable. I know there ...Read more
Just sitting here ready for discharge tomorrow morning. All tubes removed, finally pain free without narcotics, feeling rested and comfortable. I know there will be more challenges and bad days in the months ahead, but I'm allowing myself to enjoy this moment of bliss just sitting watching football while my wife is out enjoying NYC with my brother and sister-in-law. These are the moments to hold on too, and to look forward to. We are stronger than we know!
Deena Z Matthew- Victory indeed. You look great! Congrats. It is the best feeling ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark Buttell What a champ! So much waiting for you out them doors. Good to hear your out tomorrow. Welcome to beco ... Read more
Mark Buttell What a champ! So much waiting for you out them doors. Good to hear your out tomorrow. Welcome to becoming the newest heart Warrior!
Klara Čičić That is truly amazing, Matthew, well done! Wishing you speedy recovery!
Leona Resch Matthew !! You are looking awesome’! It’s amazing the difference a few days make in the way you f ... Read more
Leona Resch Matthew !! You are looking awesome’! It’s amazing the difference a few days make in the way you feel!! Wishing you a continued speedy recovery! Will you be staying in nyc for awhile before traveling g home?
Timothy Andre Great attitude and positive mindset will prove to help you in recovery. Great job Matt!
Matthew Malooly Thanks all! Yeah we'll have a follow up Friday to clear us for travel. I don't expect to really be a ... Read more
Matthew Malooly Thanks all! Yeah we'll have a follow up Friday to clear us for travel. I don't expect to really be able to enjoy the city, but we got the Airbnb set up to be comfy. It'll be easier to recover and stay active once we get home!
Adam Pick Go Matthew! Go! Love this! Pain free without narcotics already? Amazing!!!
Lena Afanaseva Congratulations! Welcome to recovery side!
Pamela Gregory You look amazing!!! Congratulations on such a successful surgery Take good care of yourself
Rose Madura Way to go Matthew!! Welcome to recovery. Be sure to rest and pay attention to your body.
Priya A Awesome matt. I think we are on the same floor as you. Stop by room 101A get a chance 😀
Susan Lynn Looking terrific, Matthew! Glad you're pain free!!
Amy Berger Totally appreciate seeing how great you look and so happy you are being discharged tomorrow - keep us ... Read more
Amy Berger Totally appreciate seeing how great you look and so happy you are being discharged tomorrow - keep us posted :)
Donna Casaletto Awesome news!! You look great too!! Continued prayers for your speedy recovery 🙏😊‼️
Ana Brusso Looking great Mathew. Continued good health and God bless you
Robert Miller You look great! Getting all those tubes out makes a huge difference. Take it easy for the next month ... Read more
Robert Miller You look great! Getting all those tubes out makes a huge difference. Take it easy for the next month or so even if you feel like you can do anything. I made the mistake of taking all the Christmas lights down and putting all the Christmas stuff inside the house away. This was a little bit less than 3 weeks after surgery. I was working the whole day (it actually takes two days total) and lifted more than 5lb multiple times. The next morning I had funny noises coming from my chest (sounded like fluid on my lungs). Luckily 3 days afterward things were good again, the x-ray didn't show anything on my lungs and no broken wires (the ones that hold your ribs together). My surgeon thinks it was fluid that did build up (outside the lungs) and was eventually removed by the body. But as I said, my point is, take it easy and follow what your doctor tells you.
Greg Lewis Way to go!! Happy for you! ..did they yank those pacer wires??
Patsy Stewart Look at you!! Did you click your heels just right and get out of there today? There’s no place like ... Read more
Patsy Stewart Look at you!! Did you click your heels just right and get out of there today? There’s no place like home! You did it, Matthew! Welcome to recovery!~❤️
Frank Giovanniello Matthew, you look great. Just don't over do it. Slow and easy is best. Day by Day.
William Trankle If you got your tubes out you're past the worst of it, really. Glad you're on the mend.
Daniel Green Matt, I hope you are home and resting up! We have our doctor appointments tomorrow and if everything ... Read more
Daniel Green Matt, I hope you are home and resting up! We have our doctor appointments tomorrow and if everything goes well we are heading back to Flirida over the weekend. I was happy to meet you at Mount Sinai and glad your surgery went well! Best regards, Dan
Alex Sagan That is fantastic. Congratulations! I look about the same at this exact moment, but I’ve still got ... Read more
Alex Sagan That is fantastic. Congratulations! I look about the same at this exact moment, but I’ve still got one tube in.
Arthur Schoeller You look GREAT Matthew, and just the right attitude. Day at a time. Plus I am so encouraged you are... Read more
Arthur Schoeller You look GREAT Matthew, and just the right attitude. Day at a time. Plus I am so encouraged you are making such great progress. I go in Tuesday, so I really hope I can match your attitude and progress. Go!
Paige Hahn Yay!Congratulations on a successful surgery! Wishing you a quick recovery!!!!
Thank you my friends
Cheers to another year!
Definitely an imperfect science... The medical community is totally unprepared to talk about these things in younger patients.