Bill's Journal

Happy Valentine's Day to all. Bill is doing well. Had a good night last night. Got the vent out early this morning. looks good and wants to thank all for thoughts ,prayers and well wishes. Smiled when kids came in to see him.

Great news! Placed a size 27 synthetic valve. cow valve. doc said if he ever had to do it again they could go through his groin because of the size valve they used. aortic artery strong so sliced out weakened section and stitched artery together. no need for plastic artery tube. Should be off vent this afternoon. thank you for all the love and support.

Good news today. I had a cauterization done and there is no indication of Blockage . I didn't realize I would be at the hospital so long today . They were able to go through my arm instead of my groin which saved some time in recovery. Tomorrow I meet with the anesthesia team then with dr swennson's staff. I have learned that he is cosidering repairing my valve if possibleand if that is not feasible he is suggesting a synthetic valve. I'll let you all know more tomorrow. Thanks for your support. Bill

It's hard to believe but I only have 15 more days to surgery. We leave for Cleveland on the 10th. I have a cauterization schedule on the 11th, meet with the anesthesia team the twelfth and the procedure on Friday the 13th. It seems like time is moving so quickly.

After much belaboring thought, I have gone ahead and scheduled my bicuspid heart valve surgery for febuary. This was one of the most difficult decisions that I have made. I am still in a " gray area" where my heart is still preforming correctly under stress. My cardiologist said I may not have to be operated on for several year,. Then again I was told that my symptoms may change and I would need the procedure in six months. Its something I have thought about everyday for the past year. My surgeon told me the regurgitation was severer enough that he would preform the procedure when ever I was ready. I have been so torn by whether I should go ahead or wait. Just the unknown and uncertainty of how my life will change verses how long I could continue to coast along. Well I have decided to move forward and put my mind to rest while praying that it wont be my body that is put to rest ( : Six weeks and counting.......

I learned in February that my heart condition is changing. At this point I am not sure how sick I am. My Cardiologist told me about 2 month ago that my leaky bicuspid aorta valve has gone from moderate leakage to server. But when a heart valve committee reviewed my case they felt the I should be reevaluated in 4 to 6 months. I feel like i went from hurrying to waiting not knowing if I am experiencing symptoms or imagining them because I am looking for them. I am a private Club manager in Louisville Kentucky and one day I was sharing my news with my chef when he introduce me to a surgeon that was dining in the Club. I took it upon myself to ask him if he know of anyone capable of helping me close to home. I explained to him what I was learning about my heart, when he said, well when I had my heart valve replaced, I went to the Mayo Clinic. I could not believe the I had found someone that could relate to the life changing experience I was anguishing over. He recommended this web site and reading the Heart Valve Surgery book to help prepare for my upcoming challenge. I wrote back to this Dr and said I hope you don't find this too corny but I felt like he was my guardian angle that Adam mentioned in the book. . I completed Adam's book " last evening. I am still digesting some of the situations and time lines that Adam mentioned in his (our) book. I find it a little concerning that many of the journals suggest that they did not want to go into details regarding their experience immediately after the surgery. I have made a decision to get second opinions.I would much rather have surgery close to home but everyone tell me to go to a clinic that specializes in these procedures and that they are routine. The closest one for me is the Cleveland Clinic, about 6 hours away from Louisville when driving.I am concerned about the ride home and the follow ups. I am in the process of gathering my medical records to forward them to the Cleveland Clinic.