Tom's Photos

Peter Linn  Your story is inspiring. Plus a fellow Vikings fan here. I am hoping to see a few games at USBank this fall

Mike Roskowinski  Looking good Tom. Glad to see it going away mine is still pretty noticeable but who cares I am still alive and will be for much longer. I wear it with pride.

Joey Hardee  Man that’s fantastic! My scar is still pretty red as I approach 6 months. The H&L scar is fading some. Is what it is as they say. :-) really happy things are going well, Tom. You are looking healthy.!

Tom McDonald  Thank you Susan and Joe. I'm feeling great
and finished all my cardiac rehab sessions last week. almost 4 months post surgery. Take care.

Tom McDonald  My ON-X ring arrived today from Cryolife technologies. Anyone with ON-X valve can get one free. It's made out of the same valve material. Name /DOB/ Ring size. Call 512-580-2295

tim miller  Tom, thanks for posting. As soon as I figure out my ring size I’m going to order one too! Do you still hear it tick or have you become use to it by now. I’m at 5 weeks and will still hear it depending upon what I’m doing, mainly at night trying to sleep.

Tom McDonald  Tim, sorry that you are hearing the ticking frequently , I have only heard my valve faintly ticking but nothing bothersome, otherwise I haven't noticed @ 12 weeks post-op. Continued success in your recovery

Tom McDonald  Was just wondering if anyone with the on-x mechanical valve, knows or has heard anything about a ring you can get from the company that makes the valves. It is made out of the same material that the valves are made from. I saw it on Facebook in the aortic valve replacement group that I belong to also. It would be pretty cool to get one. I believe they are free.
(The pic attached is from the post)

Tom McDonald  UPDATE:
I just ordered my ring today. (8-26-19) Anyone that has a ON-X mechanical heartvalve can call: (512) 580-2295. If you sent in your registration card that will help when you call b/c, they will have your info. Name, address, DOB, valve serial #. Know your ring size.

William Trankle  This is awesome! Tom, thanks for letting us know about this. What a great marketing strategy, and we get some swag that you can actually see!

Mike Roskowinski  Awesome job Tom! Keep it up you will get those miles up more and more. Glad things are going well for you.

Mike Roskowinski  Awesome Tom! Its been a little hot but the weather has been great. We need to enjoy it while we can up here!

Tom McDonald  After cardiac rehab today I decided to try walking down and backup one of a few long, winding, and steep grade hills in town (Stadium Rd Hill). Being only 7 weeks post OHS this hill probably would have been tough on my BAV heartvalve, pre-surgery, but today not even close to heart attack level! My new mechanical aortic valve is working perfectly, and I'm feeling stronger everyday💪

Mike Roskowinski  Awesome job Tom. I was just out in Mankato for a concert at the Vetter Stone Amphitheater. Had a great time! Keep up the walking and hard work.

Tom McDonald  Hi all,
it's been awhile.
My surgeon does good work! The Mayo clinic in Rochester MN rocks!
I'm 5 1/2- 6 weeks post-op and doing better than I deserve. I've knocked out 10 sessions of cardiac rehab so far and feeling great! Lots of energy again. I have 26 more sessions until graduation. I'm also getting my 10,000 plus steps in a day walking. I'm down approx. 30lbs since surgery. For those of you thinking about putting of surgery, DON'T! My surgeon told my "wife that I was a very lucky man to get in when I did, b/c it wouldn't have been to much longer before something bad happened". Now I have a chance to live longer. Very Thankful! My cardiologist was right on the money when she told me it was time to get it done. For those waiting you can do this! I never thought I could, and that I would be doing this well so soon. God is Great, trust in him b/c he will never let you walk this journey alone! I'm wishing you all in the waiting room the best in your journey's and to successful recoveries! Peace!

Mike Roskowinski  Hey Tom so glad to see you posting. Jealous of the scar as mine is not so small. Did they even cut you open? 😜. Keep up the great recovery. Great post it is true to get a chance to live longer is amazing

Joey Hardee  Tom. As I have said before, please at least LOOK like you have had OHS. You are doing phenomenal and the "scar" looks like you had it 6 months ago. 10 sessions already? Gosh I hope they let me start next week. Tuesday will be 4 weeks for me and the CR facility I will go to has it 3 days a week, I am chomping at the bit! :-)) You inspire me, Tom! Thank you!

Tom McDonald  Thank you all for the kind words. This community of heart warriors has been great with all the support and words ofencouragement to everyone facing OHS

Mike Roskowinski  Awesome to hear Tom! Yeah it is quite crazy how quickly our bodies can bounce back. Get started on the cardio rehab soon and it will help you move forward. Also just walk as much as you can handle. It is the most important thing to do. Also dont forget to use your spirometer at home. So how are you doing with the ticking of the valve? I know mine was really weird at first. Someday's it bugs me more than others. Keep up the continued success and soon you will be out on the bike again. I dont think they want me riding my bike till after 12 weeks. I keep asking but keeping getting the no you might fall response. So just keep walking and living life again! The hard part is done.

Tom McDonald  Mike, I have not really noticed the ticking at all, only faintly. Crazy! I thought I would have noticed it more.

Steve Farthing  Great to hear recovery is going well. (Make sure you are logged into your account here in order to edit previous posts.)

Mike Roskowinski  Awesome Tom. So glad that you are able to get going home. It is nice to have a chauffeur drive you around :). They let me ride in the front seat after a few weeks being out. I think it was week 4.

Tom McDonald  The only thing keeping me still in the hospital is my inr# is still low. I just have to be patient.

Mike Roskowinski  Awesome Tom. So glad to hear that you had a smooth ride so far in recovery. Keep up the great progress. Welcome to the recovery side. Hope you get out soon. How is the ticking of your new valve? It was weird at first for me.

Mike Roskowinski  Awesome Tom. Welcome to recovery. Good to see everything went well for you. Hopefully you get out of the hospital quickly.

Joey Hardee  Come on, man! At least LOOK like you had surgery! LOL You aren't supposed to look that good this quick!! :-))
Awesome to see you with those thumbs up, brother! That is fantastic! Praying every day gets better and you are home soon.

Rob Sparling  I echo Joey’s comment (as well as others). You look great, Tom. Tomorrow is the time the work starts. Heart patients have three jobs: Walk, walk and walk. Go get ‘em brotha. ❤️💪 👍

Michael Greco  Fantastic news, and a great picture! You look ready to take on the world, and kick its behind. Which is really great cardio. 👍

Tom McDonald  Marie,
A very relaxing space. The water fountain is so soothing and the plants are beautiful. The pic doesn't due justice but had to share

Tom McDonald  Rob,
today is about trying to relax and enjoy the day but,I won't lie I'm feeling alittle anxious. Im better then I thought though!

Mike Roskowinski  Hey Tom I never made it there. It looks very nice and peaceful. You are going to do great you are in great hands. Tomorrow at this time you will be awake and starting your recovery. We will pray for you tonight for a successful surgery tomorrow. Pochettino is awesome and a really good guy. His team is one of the best. I know you feel anxious because that is our innate feeling before something this serious happens. Laugh and have fun with all the people you meet along the way. The better attitude you have and the more positive you are going into this it will help you in recovery.

Tom McDonald  Thanks Mike, Joey and everyone else for all the positivity and support in my journey. Im finally in a place spiritually and mentally to get this done! 5:30 am check in. See you on the recovery side. Peace

Michael Greco  Well, that space is a great incentive to get you out of your room and walking around the first few days after surgery! Our thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery go with you, as we prep for our own event in a few days.

Mike Roskowinski  Awesome news Tom. Good news is always something we want to hear. Enjoy your day today and know tomorrow will go smooth and you are in great hands with Pochettino. You will do great. The one weird part for me was the fully body shave they had to do. Finally getting hair back on my legs. It is weird to have them only shave the front part of you.

Susan Lynn  Angio is pretty easy...just keep focusing on clean arteries! I think getting the all clear report from my cardiologist during my procedure was one of the happiest moments of my life! Plus, it's pretty cool to watch the screen if you're awake! All the best, Tom!

Meredith Bray  That's what I have! The first time I googled it, though, I spelled it wrong and came up with onyxvalves.com, which is something completely different!
Meredith
Holiday, Florida

Mike Roskowinski  Hey Tom that is the same one that I have also. It was a little weird to get used to the tick from the valve but I guess that tick lets us know we are alive. Hope you have a great surgery and Dr Pochettino treats you good. They have a great team and will be there for any issue that you encounter. It is great to be in recovery and dealing with the stuff on this side than being scared all the time. Recovery at times also has it’s scary moments but I think they are able to be managed easier. You got this buddy. Great attitude and keep praying. I know post op my faith was tested a few times but I still prayed everyday and night and trusted in him and everything worked out for me.

Rob Sparling  Mike, great to hear you on this post to Tom. Your positivity was tested and came back 100 fold. The HW support network in full force! Tom, it is also great to see you tear into the heart valve details and I have to say that pic of the valve gets the emotions going. Like the curves on a vintage sports car or some sleek piece of state-of-the-art technology (which it is). Just really great, guys, to see the teamwork. So glad to be here and be part of this community. Inspired. (Now, to Meredith’s post, I am not sure I want to put *that* in the google or not. But funny story, I hope!)

JEFF FOLSE  Tom, I was also diagnosed with Bicuspid Aortic Valve. After a lot of research I also decided to go with the On X valve. It's been 9 months now with my new valve and I feel 100% better than before. Warfarin therapy is not that bad !!

Mike Roskowinski  Awesome job Tom. Looks like you are the next one up in the banner. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You will do great as they have an excellent team at the Mayo.

Mike Roskowinski  Nice Tom! I should not have taken the cheap route and got something fancy like you did. Oh well you will be nice and comfy in that chair!

Bill Pollard  I rented a recliner for a month after OHS. It was a big help. I slept in the recliner the first week I was home after surgery.

  Wow!
That recliner looks very comfortable Tom.
And is that a remote control to the recliner that I see?
Nice!

Mike Roskowinski  Tom I was also talking to some friends as a buddy of mine just had brain surgery at the Mayo a few months ago to get a tumor removed. They recommended going to the Canadian Honker for some food. Also a buddy of mine in Rochester recommended it also so I think that is where I am heading to dinner tonight!
https://canadianhonker.com/

Susan Lynn  Looking comfy, Tom! You'll be glad you have a recliner. Lots of sitting, standing, and napping in the first several weeks. Wishing you a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.