“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Today I celebrate the third anniversary of open heart surgery replacing my calcified and bicuspid aortic valve with a bovine valve.

It is hard to describe the feeling of knowing that your breastbone will be cut open and your heart hooked up to a heart-lung machine and then waking up, which felt like a minute after going into the operating room, from a 4.5 hour surgery with tubes and wires all over your body. It was a beautiful sight seeing my wife as I woke up. My body was so weak. That first night was tough but the next day my nurses had me sitting up and I walked four times (very slow and not far). Every day I felt a little stronger and I was able to go home four days after surgery.

I have been blessed to have a strong recovery. I feel I was in strong shape physically, mentally, and spiritually before and after surgery thanks to my family and friends. I attended my first F3 workout on a modified basis 33 days after surgery. I was able to run two miles 34 days after surgery and run six miles 41 days after surgery (slow jog with walk breaks). Since the surgery I have run 447 times totaling 1,692 miles and have attended over 465 F3 workouts. Five months after surgery I went on an 14 hour/18 mile overnight F3 GrowRuck carrying a backpack with over 30 pounds. I ran a 10K seven months after surgery, participated in a 200 mile relay run 11 months after surgery running 14 miles, and ran a half marathon 17 months after surgery. I’ve been blessed.

I still get a little emotional at times thinking about the surgery and recovery. I know the good Lord has a plan for me and I feel part of that plan is to help others who are dealing with heart disease. I’m in several online support groups for heart valve and open heart surgery patients which has provided me with support and encouragement. I try to give support and encouragement to folks who are preparing for open heart surgery or have recently had surgery. Since March 2014 when I had stents put in an artery that was 80% blocked I have shared my heart story in hopes of helping others who may have heart disease.

There are so many people I need to thank. Most importantly my wife for helping me prepare for the surgery and during the recovery. My daughter and mom provided lots of love and support. My cardiologist who has taken good care of me since I first called him in March 2014 letting him know about the results of a heart scan. My heart surgeon Robert Lancey and his medical team. To the staff at the Maryview cardiac ICU who took care of me for five days making sure I was walking a few times each day, using my breathing machine, and that I was not in pain. To those friends who had open heart surgery or had experience with open heart surgery who contacted me before surgery providing words of advice, comfort, and encouragement. And to all of my friends who provided prayers and support before, during, and after surgery, thank you.

I consider every day to be a blessing. Since the surgery I’ve lost friends who have passed away from cancer or other illnesses. And I lost my mom who unexpectedly passed away this past January. The surgery was about five months after my dad passed away. He had his aortic valve replaced when he was 73. My grandfather passed away from a heart attack when he was 49 years old. I know my dad was watching over me during the surgery.

At some point in the future, hopefully later than sooner, my bovine valve will need to be replaced. I plan to continue to live life to the fullest and to continue exercising to keep my heart strong. My biggest challenge is trying to eat smart and healthy. My goal is do a better job eating healthy foods.

I am proud to be a HEART WARRIOR. ❤️💪

Day 15 I had an Edwards Ispiris Valve Put in my Heart, I need help Sleeping, I have been Loved!!! Thank You Lord Christ through it all, Thank You Dr Ott, at St Vincent's my Team Dr Camara, Who Diagnosed my Aortic Valve Stenosis 15 days since Open Heart Surgery . I I woke up again feeling like a Turtle on my back shell I can't roll over, Brain pain, Sternum Pain, Body ache I have been Gone for well over two weeks and I want to Cry . I am walking and miracles moving dancing moves even Tai Chi, Help Sleep I need better sleep support I may have Apnea, I know I hurt and I feel gasping for breath Sleep Yes Its 1 am I am up again researching but Others who have Lived this Journey I need You Help

Judy Spinney writes, "Thursday . October 14
Lisa,
I had my mitral valve replaced when I was 46. Both my mitral and aortic valves were compromised when I had rheumatic heart disease at the age of 16. I missed half my junior year of high school and feared I would not keep with my class. The district supplied a home bound teacher who came to my home twice a week. I guess I was sort of self-taught - - home schooled before it became a household word. My chemistry teacher excused me from all labs, so that is a shallow part of my education just reading a text book and answering questions.

I completed college and have two children and four grand children. While I have not been able to compete physically/athletically with others, I have always been able to participate in tennis, skiing, biking, hiking, and I fly fish with my husband.

My mitral valve was replaced with a mechanical St. Jude valve. A mechanical valve was HIGHLY recommended for me because of my age and the limited "shelf" life of tissue valves. Five years ago, I needed my aortic valve replaced, and I was given an ATS AP mechanical valve (another open chest/heart procedure). I was 80 in August, and have been on coumadin for 35 years. I have a home monitor for measuring my INR levels, and I report them to a coumadin team.

Last spring I began to notice some breathing issues when going up stairs or when hiking. I have been diagnosed with EF (ejection fraction) which means my heart is lacking in "pushing" - "squeezing" - "pumping" as it should. I am on a regimen to lower my blood pressure as low as possible (without getting dizzy/light-headed) . . . and thus, improve the efficiency of my heart. I have been on metropolol and losartan for 5 months now . . . and slowly metropolol is increased, hopefully to a maximum level. Then my cardiologist will have me take another ultra sound to measure the ejection fraction of my heart. I continue with my activities. My favorite is riding my pedal assist e-bike with my husband. With pedal assist, one still needs to pedal to get some aid from the battery. It helps a lot going up inclines and into the wind.

I do not have the sight concern, so I can see why you are hesitant to consider a mechanical valve. I am sure you have Googled the subject endlessly. The coumadin issue has fallen into place well for me, but I never attached danger to it. If I can answer any questions, I would be happy to do so. I live in Ken Caryl Valley, the very southwest area of metro Denver. I also spend time in Breckenridge which is 9600 feet in elevation. I breathe okay there . . . but experienced the same problems going up stairs and hiking. Bruce became a fly fishing guide when he retired.
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