Chris's Journal

God answers my prayers yesterday! My infection is gone, my valve is perfect and I don’t need surgery. Still having rythym issues but I saw the electrophysiology cardiologist and he said it’s not a big deal. Described me like a race car at full speed when working out my heart is great and revs up fine but at idle it slows way way down. Took me off beta blocker to see if that helps. Told me as long as it revs up during workouts the nerve is working so I tested it out again after my TRE just to make sure and all is well. The practice of docs I see has given me way to much false information during this which has been frustrating mentally. Half of them said I needed surgery long before Fridays TEE proved otherwise and half said no from the beginning. Even my surgeon said no when he saw the initial information. Anyways for those waiting, trust in your faith and let go. It’s out of your control and even though I faced a possible second surgery, I let go and gave it all to God. There was nothing I could do. Best decision I ever made because that anxiety that builds up is no joke. I was there last year and didn’t sleep for 2 months. Happy Holidays everyone!

Kidding! In the last 18 months I’ve been here 30 times. I remember when life was easy and I didn’t have these issues. Well my Rythym issues are back and I got down into the 20/30 range and starting having symptoms. Those are new in the past I never had symptoms. Anyways hoping this trip is short lived!

Hey everyone been a while since I was active here. I’m posting to simply say: listen to your body no matter what. I had a minor stroke and major heart attack last Saturday. I’ve always worked out hard and that was encouraged after valve replacement surgery. I eat clean and my cholesterol is none existent. None of that matters I had some stroke signs but during admittance was told no way because some symptoms landed on the left and right side but I knew something was wrong. After going thru all of that, the docs are lost as to what happened. So I have no origin for the stroke and the heart attack. Since then I also learned my new valve is infected and may have to be replaced. This stems from something I had back in September. I was admitted for 3 days and treated for every disease known to man but left with no answers. Be careful with infections and listen to your body no matter what! Chris

Anyone ever been 18 months or more and go into total AV Block? Also what is the experience like with a pacemaker from surgery, recovery, back to work and normal life routines?

Hey all it’s been a while since I’ve posted. I think I’m having a TEE in the morning and was wondering what to expect? Thanks for sharing any insight!

4 days away from my 5 month anniversary. I can crank out hundreds up pull-ups, push-ups, run, play with my kids, cook, clean...I can do it all. I don’t say that to brag, but to simply say getting back to normalcy or coming out stronger is possible If you have faith and believe in yourself. As you can see my 2.5 in scar is barely visible. Big shout out to Dr. Lamelas who fixed both my aorta aneurysm and replaced my BAV in that tiny incision. The only weird thing is the one chest tube I had is healing from the inside out so it appears to be open still but it’s not. I also have numbness around my right peck and groin from the canula but those don’t bother me. Prayers for everyone with an upcoming surgery date...you will get through this... #KeepTheFaith #Believe

Been a while since I’ve posted. Surgery seems like a distant memory and some days I forgot I even had it. I used to live on this site-waiting and anticipating my surgery date. I didn’t sleep well, had anxiety...what a season May/June of 2018 was. Hope everyone with upcoming surgeries finds peace with all the great stories of perseverance on this site. Waiting is the worst! Makes everyday filled with the ‘what if’s’ of tomorrow but I promise life does go on and you will get thru it. Wishing every single one of you well-whatever side of the journey you are on...

Getting stronger by the day. Waking 5.5 miles daily BUT walking is only so fun for so long that I’ve started doing more stairmaster, elliptical and bicycle cardio. Typically I’ll do about 30 minutes of each. I can also do 300 body weight squats and today I’m going to get to 400. Looking forward to getting back into the push-ups, pull-ups and weights... My first day back at work is next Monday. Don’t know if I’m too excited about that honestly but I guess normalcy also involves working for a living. I guess I’m blessed and thankful my surgery allowed me to get back at it after only 5 weeks of recovery. Time is on our side. Some of us heal faster than others. Some have setbacks...I did but they haven’t stopped me from moving forward. That would be my advice today...don’t let today’s setbacks determine tomorrow’s success.

Here it is 25 days after the fact... Had an aortic valve replaced and a 5.3CM ascending aorta aneurysm up the hemi-arch grafted as well. The band aid is covering up my one and only chest tube that I had and THAT is the one I hate...only because it’s hole.

Well I’m 24 days post op and up until yesterday I thought everything was in the rear view...but then at 2:15 yesterday afternoon captain A Fib showed up again. Went to the ER they slowed me down, upped my dose of lowpressor and prescribed a blood thinner for 30 days. If I don’t convert today sounds like tomorrow I’m having a fun filled day of TEE and cardio version. Outside of the 2 A Fib issues I truly have felt great. I’m walking 5 miles daily, done some stairmaster cardio, squats/lunges and cut my grass. As long as the A Fib issues are gone I am planning on a return to work July 30th. Cardiologist asked me if I wanted to go back last week but that of course was a negative-I am not quite ready. My scar is almost scab free and I’ll post a picture once it is...my chest tube hole still likes to remain open and catch a breeze but I’m hoping it closes it up soon!

Was anyone else told that your tissue valve provides a murmur? I have been told that but 3 different cardiologist now-thought after surgery I would be murmur free...guess not. Also when I’m sleeping it seems loud at first and I’ve read that also takes time to go away because of scar tissue etc.

The Good: Thanks to my Heavenly Father I’m alive! Walking 4 miles daily. No more recliner needed for sleeping. I can drive and my lifting restriction ends today. Sneezing doesn’t hurt-my body waited 10 days before a sneeze and when it happened I totally forgot about trying to stop it. I’m out of A Fib and can hopefully stay that way. This is the longest streak of being home since my surgery ..hopefully that continues and no more hospitals. My wife has been my rock through all of this and I wouldn’t have made it without her and her support=much love Jin Purvis. My mom also played a huge role coming down for surgery in Houston and then flying back to Atlanta to take care of my kids=love you Mom! I don’t know if this is good but I still can’t cut my grass 😂 I think it’s good but my neighbors are probably getting tired of it. The Bad: I did go into A Fib 8 days post op. That’s just part of recovery and it shouldn’t feel like a setback. I still have 2 more weeks before I can get into the pool-so I sit poolside in a shirt and a misting fan in hand to keel me cool. I love the pool and this is one of the things I truly miss especially because it’s so hot in the ATL. Still on lots of meds more now than before leaving Houston. I get car sick after a while and that’s still because of the anesthesia...it’s getting better but still ugh. The Ugly: I’m still bruised all over even after 2 weeks but it seems to be getting better. My chest tube hole...that’s what it is-still grosses me out. Aaron said it best. Time will heal and that is what I’m looking forward too-each and every day being better than the one before. I feel nothing but gratitude towards Dr. Lamelas, his entire team and everyone at Baylor St. Luke’s that took care of me during my there. Prayers for everyone with upcoming surgeries and recovering!

Post-op week 1 The Good: Thanks to my Heavenly Father I’m alive. I made it it home Tuesday afternoon and got to see my kids after 12 long days in Houston. I walked 2 miles yesterday. I’m sleeping 8-10 hours every night. My appetite is coming back. I’m almost done with taking pain medication and that’s the ONLY medications I have. My wife, family and neighbors have been an amazing support group for me. I should be at 1750 on my incentive spirometer today and 2000 by the weekend. The Bad: Traveling sucked. Sorry but it did...I felt like crap all day Tuesday and most of Wednesday because of cars and planes. Nurse said it was anesthesia related and I believe she is right. My advice-don’t watch a comic show after OHS because laughing is painful and then it also makes you cough=double whammy. Being tired most of the day is rather annoying when your used to never being on your rear end and especially taking naps=I haven’t napped since I was in Pre-k. The Ugly: My body is currently under construction 🚧 from all the trauma. My legs don’t look good shaven- especially when you leave hair on my ankles 😂. My chest tube incision makes me want to vomit 🤢.

Wanted to add this as well. If your looking for a surgeon who can do a minimally invasive approach and your being told it can’t be done-call him. He fixed an ascending aneurysm and my valve in a hole that only measures 2 inches. I’m not saying size means everything but quality and quantity do-he’s done over 15k surgeries and since 2004 has been a pioneer in the minimally invasive ways of doing things. There are a lot of great surgeons out there but I wanted to share my experience for others that are coming up now or down the road.

Wow time flies but when your not having fun-but your very appreciative of this thing called life that we get to enjoy. I’ll be in town for 2 more days and fly home Tuesday to see my kids finally.

Are out! Only thing I have is 1 little IV and that’s it. Hard to believe it’s been close to 72 hours since I went to the ICU and what our bodies can handle in such a short time in terms of recovery.

Suck! It’s bee a day full of pain. If your going in don’t be afraid to ask. My dummy self let the meds expire and take me to 8/9 which wasn’t smart. They also don’t understand that tugging on that box hurts as well...ugh Looking forward to a better post day 2