barrett's Journal

Hello Everyone: 15 months post o.o I am doing well. The biscupid aortic valve repair and ascending aortic stenosis procedure continues to be a success. The maze procedure also performed took care of my afib and my blood pressure is pretty normal. I'm now swimming a mile 3 x p week and continue to be grateful for so many blessings in my life. Don't let this procedure define you. Instead, use it to step into or ground yourself in the life you were created to live. Prayers for courage, peace, and healing for us all.

Hi everyone. Just checking in. 9 months after my procedure and I'm doing great. Doc says keep active and enjoy life. Heart rate normal, BP almost back to here it's supposed to be, and I am grateful for each day. Have been back 100% for about 6 mos. Scar hardly noticeable. So blessed. I pray for courage, healing and recovery for all and our families. Be safe everyone and enjoy the holidays.

My surgery was on Feb 6 and involved a repair of my bicuspid aortic valve and removal of ascending aortic aneurysm. My surgeon also performed the Maze procedure to correct my afib. It took about 8 weeks for it to take effect and for about 8 weeks has kept me in rhythm. This week however, I've experienced a few flutters. It comes and goes though. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm wondering if this is to be expected 5 months post surgery?

Greetings everyone from soggy and I mean soggy Houston, Texas. Just a quick update to share: I returned to work 9 weeks post op and am doing well. Also going to cardio rehab and doing well also. Still have arrhythmia but my doc says I have to wait about 3.5 months to see the Maze procedure worked or not. If not will do a cardio conversion to get me back in rhythm. Work is keeping me real busy and I have to remind myself to be patient because I want to be 100% back to where I was, strength wise, but am not there yet. Getting close and doc says I'm ahead of the curve but it's not a cold I'm recovering from. All in all, so grateful and blessed. Pre op I was asked if I would give permission to have my surgery filmed for training purposes and I agreed. Haven't watched it yet but my brother says I should. So far, my blissful ignorance and denial about this entire experience has paid off. I still get anxious when I think about what I had the courage to do. The power of prayer folks, the power of prayer. Having said that, the worst part of this experience by far is the waiting. Once you have your procedure, you will be on the other side of this thing and will realize the rest of your life awaits you. So go for it! Courage and healing, B

Hello everyone and thank you to all who posted words of encouragement and information. My surgery was Feb 5 and I was released about 10 days later. The surgery went very well and to my surprise, my aortic valve was repaired. My aortic aneurysm however was a little larger than the last tests reflected (5.7) and was successfully repaired (graft) from the root to the ascending part. It's official, I'm part cow (i.e., eat more chickin'). Fortunately, I have not experienced much pain. I would describe it as more of a soreness, than what you might expect having gone through the surgery. Decided to go w over the counter extra strength Tylenol than the heavy duty stuff prescribed and it's doing the trick. After surgery my kidneys were out of whack and so was my blood sugar, neither of which I've experienced problems with before. My doctors said that was normal and within 4-5 days, all was back to normal. They also performed a maze procedure to try and take care of my afib. To date, that has not worked but Doc's feel that once the internal swelling goes down, the features of that procedure will work. They're monitoring that for 3-4 more weeks and will reassess then. The word "grateful" now has new meaning for me. I am grateful for the courage I prayed for, ice chips, fresh cold water, prayer, compassion, the sun on my skin, and friends and family. I've started rehab and that is going well. Looking forward to getting my strength and stamina back to up par so I can get back in the game. To do this over again I would: 1) follow my gut feeling about my doctor. First doctor came with awesome credentials but didn't measure up to mine (compassion, reassurance, confidence, patience with me). Follow your gut and make sure you're at peace with the team who will be doing your surgery. 2) Do this as soon as you can. I waited so long to find another surgeon that the waiting was much worse than the surgery. Get it done and get on with your life. 3)Don't be afraid to ask for help or accept help. I'm still working on that one. The post op dr. visits, grocery shopping, etc., whatever needs to be done that you can't or shouldn't do for yourself...., I'm learning there is an art to giving and an art to receiving. It is not a sign of weakness, but one of strength to accept that which you need from others, and also gives people who care about you the chance to do something to help. Another lesson for me about being grateful. Continued prayers for everyone who is on this journey. Barrett

Is it fairly normal to experience a large amount of pain post op in the hospital? I' hoping my pain can be managed to some degree, I have a low tolerance to pain and not afraid to admit it (would use gas for teeth cleaning if they would allow it!).

The anxiety-ometer continues to bounce between 0 and 100. Reading how well everyone's procedures are going helps. Contiuned prayers for everyone of peace, healing, comfort, and strength. ....and courage.

I find myself saying "Yikes", and hurry up Feb 5. Any recommendations on what to pack for hospital stay to keep my mind occupied once I'm out from under the influence? Or types of clothing or shoes to bring when I leave? Was thinking I would probably want slip on shoes and maybe warm up pants. ?

Per my thoracic surgeon's request last summer, another round of tests were run in December and revealed nothing new except a slight enlargement of my ascending aortic aneurysm, now at 5.6+ (was at 5.6). After 3 unreturned phone calls in 3 weeks to my surgeon, it was time for me to move on. Was given another referral and I'm so glad I did. Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Estrera at UTHealth at Memorial Hermann in Houston were terrific. The each spent time with me to explain things and were very compassionate and reassuring. Morale of this story, "listen to your gut feeling". If something doesn't feel right at any level, do something to resolve or reconcile that feeling. Surgery date, Friday, February 5.

Hi Adam, Are you hearing about new advancements in minimally invasive procedures treating ascending aortic aneurysms? Seems like a full sterno is the normal approach. Thank you.

Happy Labor Day, everyone. I see the term, "Cardiac Rehab" mentioned on this site and in the book. Can someone tell me more about that? (i.e., is it an in-home list of activities we need to follow or a place we go to have someone take us through the exercises, or something else?) Thank you. Barrett

After preparing myself as much as possible, I thought I was ready to set a date w my surgeon. Turns out he said I'm not there yet so more tests ordered in December and we will see if it's time. Wish I could have had it done, I would be on the other side of it by now. The waiting is the worst part, .....so far. For those of you who've had a valve replacement and a graft to fix an ascending aortic aneurysm, (full sterno), how long was your hospital stay? How long was it before you could go to the bathroom by yourself? Thank you.