Alan's Journal

After a scare in 2022 and close monitoring, it's finally time to replace my mismatched bioprosthetic valve from 2019. I feel blessed that I get to work with Dr. El-Hamamsy at The Mount Sinai Hospital to have the Ross Procedure done.

If anything, I feel relieved to start this next phase of my heart valve journey after a few years of nervousness with every twinge from my chest. Just a few weeks to go!

Hit that one month mark today. Feeling pretty good, with some minor pain and discomfort across my sternum, all normal. Vitals are good, and I've been out doing hikes and enjoying the weather before it gets really hot. Enjoying seeing everyone's stories, and sending positive thoughts to all of you getting ready for OHS, or struggling with your recovery! You'll get through it!

Had the first of my followups this week - everything looks good! The biggest issues that I've had this week was the continuation of morning headaches and an issue where hives suddenly showed up all over my body! Had several tests done and the cardiologist wasn't too concerned saying that this sometimes happens and that it'll die down, and sure enough, it did! Skin cleared up over the past couple of days, but still that headache! Going to try to lie flat on the bed to see if the wedge is causing me issues on my neck. All in all, I am really happy with where I am in my recovery. Aside from a few, minor bumps, I am cruising along, pacing myself. I count myself very lucky with how well this has gone. Oh, I did sneeze, and I am not looking forward to the next one. For all of you on your OHS journey - stay strong and I look forward to reading your recovery stories!

It's been one week since my valve replacement. I'm thankful to be home, resting, and in pretty good spirits overall. I'm having the usual issues, still some discomfort with breathing fully; and various aches and pains, especially in my shoulders and my neck. Every once in a while the heart chirps letting me know that I was mean to it. Sleeping is an interesting activity, as is fending off my kids from our usual rambunctious snuggling, but they're taking it well. BP looks good, pulse and O2, too. I was having issues with my temp simmering at a little over 99, but that cleared up this morning. All that negative to be said, I'm super happy for the support that I've gotten from family, friends, and all of you. I have good energy, and have been able to walk in the mild May weather here in MD. And I have yet to sneeze! So thankful for my allergies checking out for a few. Looking forward to seeing the cardiologist and getting confirmation that everything is going ok next week. For all of you on this OHS journey - y'all are awesome, and you're going to rock this!

Two weeks to go. Got my dental preop next week, and then my actual preop two weeks from yesterday. I've been considering cutting caffeine (I drink a single cup of coffee in the morning) out before the surgery. My cardio doc says it's fine for me to keep on drinking it, but I know that I'll be asked to knock it off for a few weeks after the surgery. Maybe cut to avoid any additional discomfort due to caffeine withdrawal? Or, maybe I'll just sleep through it (and be distracted by the other discomforts). Anyone in the same boat?

Three weeks out and we're all-in on our to-do lists. Plenty of stuff to keep me busy while I wait. Am I the only one that has gotten to this point and is actually looking forward to the surgery? Not in any sort of morbid way, but to get it done with so I'm not waiting around any longer. Still asymptomatic, but ready to get to recovery so I can get past it and lift my kiddos again.

We're 5 weeks away from the surgery (May 1st) up at Medstar Washington. The good news is that it is the busiest time of the semester for me and my family, so we haven't had much time to dwell on the upcoming surgery and recovery. We had hopes that I would be able to get the TAVR procedure that had the study wrap up recently, but because I have a bicuspid valve, it rules me out. For now, we're waiting and, in bits and pieces, getting the house ready (I bought a recliner!) and everything set before May 1st.

Over the holidays, I was diagnosed with aortic stenosis at the ripe old age of 37. Turns out, like many of you, I had a bicuspid valve, and a routine physical picked up a heart murmur. I have Crohn's disease, and the thought is that the inflammation caused by Crohn's accelerated the deterioration of the valve. I'm not sure. Regardless, my valve measured at 0.7, and replacement is in my near future. Right now my family and I are going through the second opinion procedure, and I'm hoping that the answer is that the surgery can wait until I've wrapped up my semester (I'm a professor).