Craig's Journal

Dee Dowda  I have a tissue valve and on low dose (81 mg/baby) aspirin, but I also had a CABG. Aspirin is good not only for heart attacks but for preventing strokes. As ... Read more

Dee Dowda  I have a tissue valve and on low dose (81 mg/baby) aspirin, but I also had a CABG. Aspirin is good not only for heart attacks but for preventing strokes. As usual (?), the recommendations are based on age, gender, previous heart attacks, etc. Only your doctor can decide but I, personally, would research the regimen and ask your doctor questions. You are your best health advocate.

John Dodson  Once my cardiologist confirmed severe aortic stenosis he told me to start taking 81mg aspirin. My AVR is scheduled in two weeks, so good question, I was wondering ... Read more

John Dodson  Once my cardiologist confirmed severe aortic stenosis he told me to start taking 81mg aspirin. My AVR is scheduled in two weeks, so good question, I was wondering the same thing and thankful it's the only thing I'm taking.

Paul Jenkins  Thanks for posting the picture Craig. I'll definitely grab one of these in advance of my October surgery. I remember using the cushion after my first open heart ... Read more

Paul Jenkins  Thanks for posting the picture Craig. I'll definitely grab one of these in advance of my October surgery. I remember using the cushion after my first open heart procedure - not very effective. I can also wear the hugger when I fly back home post surgery without attracting too much attention.

Amy Steele  You look like you're doing well, Craig! So was the repair surgery worth the pain and down time? I meet with my surgeon later this week to discuss the path ... Read more

Amy Steele  You look like you're doing well, Craig! So was the repair surgery worth the pain and down time? I meet with my surgeon later this week to discuss the path forward for me since my pain is getting worse and is restricting activity.

Rita Savelis  That sternum hugger looks great. Not sure I want anything hugging my heart, I'll just let that organ be, but I could sure enjoy using a sternum hugger even ... Read more

Rita Savelis  That sternum hugger looks great. Not sure I want anything hugging my heart, I'll just let that organ be, but I could sure enjoy using a sternum hugger even years after OHS...
All the best to you Craig.

Rita Savelis  Wow Craig...What a photo. Thinking about you and hoping you are feeling even a tiny bit better. I remember the photo of you getting some sun after your first ... Read more

Rita Savelis  Wow Craig...What a photo. Thinking about you and hoping you are feeling even a tiny bit better. I remember the photo of you getting some sun after your first OHS. Seems so long ago. Wishing you some relief from pain and a smoother path forward.. Take care.

  I've been thinking about you and wondering how this surgery went. This surgery sounds very painful with the manipulation of the muscles, etc.. So put yourself ... Read more

  I've been thinking about you and wondering how this surgery went. This surgery sounds very painful with the manipulation of the muscles, etc.. So put yourself first and stay on top of the pain. It WILL get better. Sending you positive thoughts Craig for a smooth and uneventful recovery this time.

Lilly Black  Craig, so sorry to hear! I understand sternum pain and it's awful! this sounds like a rare occurrence, isn't it? this is the first I heard of it. Did they ... Read more

Lilly Black  Craig, so sorry to hear! I understand sternum pain and it's awful! this sounds like a rare occurrence, isn't it? this is the first I heard of it. Did they tell you the reason why your sternum had not fused? I used ice packs for sternum pain, and then for several months I used an infrared heat lamp to manage the nerve pain surrounding my sternum. oh by the way, I broke my collar bone in 1989 and it took 8 months to heal! like you, the bones just weren't fusing together :( I wish you good luck and hope in time your sternum will heal!

Rita Savelis  Oh, Craig...You are moving forward, taking the next steps, but a second surgery and painful recovery is not what you expected or deserved. Just hearing about ... Read more

Rita Savelis  Oh, Craig...You are moving forward, taking the next steps, but a second surgery and painful recovery is not what you expected or deserved. Just hearing about it makes everyone cringe, and yet you went through it. You are a tough guy even if you feel bad right now. You certainly had more "challenges" than most. I'm sorry you had to go through this. Looking forward to easier times as the weeks/months go by. Take care.

Amy Steele  I haven't been on the site for awhile and just saw your post about having surgery to fix your sternum. I hope that the pain will subside soon and that your ... Read more

Amy Steele  I haven't been on the site for awhile and just saw your post about having surgery to fix your sternum. I hope that the pain will subside soon and that your sternum will heal properly this time. I'm very interested in hearing how your recovery goes since this surgery is something that I may face in the next months. You are in my prayers!

Craig Wise  thank you so much for all kind wishes and thoughts. Amy, if you want to call or email, I can discuss. Might be better to wait several weeks, as I am in a ... Read more

Craig Wise  thank you so much for all kind wishes and thoughts. Amy, if you want to call or email, I can discuss. Might be better to wait several weeks, as I am in a very hard place; the bleakest physically and mentally since beginning this process in March.

Juergen Li  Craig I wish you all the best and also a speedy recovery. I hope you will experience the benefits of this better "craftsmenship" used for this repair. Would ... Read more

Juergen Li  Craig I wish you all the best and also a speedy recovery. I hope you will experience the benefits of this better "craftsmenship" used for this repair. Would be great to hear back from you. Juergen

Jill Krajnovich  Tuesday is the day I am having surgery too! I don't want to do it the first time so I can certainly understand why you don't want to do it again. Hope all goes ... Read more

Jill Krajnovich  Tuesday is the day I am having surgery too! I don't want to do it the first time so I can certainly understand why you don't want to do it again. Hope all goes as planned and we can put this experience behind us!

Rita Savelis  Unhappy is probably an understatement of all that you are feeling. Your experience is hard and I feel for you. You are moving forward and taking the next steps, ... Read more

Rita Savelis  Unhappy is probably an understatement of all that you are feeling. Your experience is hard and I feel for you. You are moving forward and taking the next steps, and this setback will be solved. Lots of compassion and hugs to you...

Juergen Li  I had plates installed right after my AVR OP a year ago - something that my surgeon was doing on a routine basis. I think this is much better aince it avoids ... Read more

Juergen Li  I had plates installed right after my AVR OP a year ago - something that my surgeon was doing on a routine basis. I think this is much better aince it avoids a lot of pain (due to movements in the sternum tied together just wth wires). I needed heavy pain meds for one day, then switched to Tylenol. Was back to work after 2.5 weeks and did my first 30 mile bike ride after 6 weeks. I hope you will have a similar experience. I am at a loss why the cardiac surgeons ar still deploying a 60 year old technique...

Craig Wise  Juergen, I agree with your assessment. Plates seem much better. Your recovery is rocking along. And, since I only had AVR, I really wish my surgeon had done ... Read more

Craig Wise  Juergen, I agree with your assessment. Plates seem much better. Your recovery is rocking along. And, since I only had AVR, I really wish my surgeon had done the limited sternectomy or arrowhead cut, as you describe. I believe for the right patient and procedure (aortic generally), that it is clearly the superior method.

Craig Wise  Rose, I have not been given anything conclusive as to why my sternum did not heal or re-fuse. It is a relatively rare outcome. I had a strong feeling something ... Read more

Craig Wise  Rose, I have not been given anything conclusive as to why my sternum did not heal or re-fuse. It is a relatively rare outcome. I had a strong feeling something was wrong at the three and certainly, four-week point post op, because my chest pain simply never reduced. Every time I tried to reduce and wean myself from pain meds, the pain became debilitating. The "known" risk factors for sternal non-union are (per the research literature): diabetes, severe obesity, smoking, steroid use, and in some cases, use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen. Remarkably, I was discharged from hospital with mega doses of ibuprofen, which I took for weeks. When pain never resolved, my surgeon was so "opioid averse", that he increased my NSAID dosages. I believe this is what kept my sternum from healing. NSAIDs specifically impede the enzyme pathway that stimulates the healing and bone growth process (as well as other prostaglidans). It's all over the internet. Sadly, when I informed my surgeon of this, he apologized, and said he was unaware.

Cathleen DeWitt  Yikes...no fun. I recall that you had some issues with pain management post-op so maybe this is a continuation of something that was already happening. Hopefully ... Read more

Cathleen DeWitt  Yikes...no fun. I recall that you had some issues with pain management post-op so maybe this is a continuation of something that was already happening. Hopefully they will find the source and it will be fixable. ❤️

Craig Wise  I am just so grateful for everyone's words of encouragement and hope. thank you. My pain and worry feel much less burdensome; just hearing from all of you. ... Read more

Craig Wise  I am just so grateful for everyone's words of encouragement and hope. thank you. My pain and worry feel much less burdensome; just hearing from all of you. Yes, Cathleen, I have had continuing pain (and pain meds) which made me feel guilty and baffled me. But, yes, maybe after CT scan Wednesday I'll understand why.

Amy Steele  Craig, I had aortic valve/root replacement and aortic aneurysm repair a little over 9 months ago and was diagnosed with sternal non-union in April. I have ... Read more

Amy Steele  Craig, I had aortic valve/root replacement and aortic aneurysm repair a little over 9 months ago and was diagnosed with sternal non-union in April. I have felt movement and popping from the beginning, and ended up having increasing sternal pain around 4 months post surgery. A CT scan showed that my sternum is entirely separated and it did not knit together at all. My surgeon isn't quick to jump back to more surgery to fix the problem, however. It's a pretty big surgery and requires another 6-8 weeks of healing like the first one. I still have dull pain most of the time and sharper pain if I move the wrong way. Since the sternal wires are holding, I just go about my daily activities and view the discomfort and mild pain as my new normal. I see my surgeon again in a month and will discuss the path forward at that time. I hope your sternum wires are still intact and that your sternum will heal on its own!

Craig Wise  thank you Amy. I'm sorry that your journey still involves this. I fear your description fits me; and I feel depressed that another surgery (with speculative ... Read more

Craig Wise  thank you Amy. I'm sorry that your journey still involves this. I fear your description fits me; and I feel depressed that another surgery (with speculative results, and high risks) will be the response. I may like to email you directly.

Craig Wise  Amy, I tried to send you a direct message, but not sure I was successful. I am very discouraged and worried, and I was hoping to speak with others (like you, ... Read more

Craig Wise  Amy, I tried to send you a direct message, but not sure I was successful. I am very discouraged and worried, and I was hoping to speak with others (like you, perhaps) who might be able to help me understand sternum problems, etc. If you are able to direct message me, I could send my email or cell number to you. Best Regards, Craig

Craig Wise  Hi Catie; yes, I may have paid for it. I can't recall. It didn't provide me with any "going forward" guidance regarding extending the life of tissue valves. ... Read more

Craig Wise  Hi Catie; yes, I may have paid for it. I can't recall. It didn't provide me with any "going forward" guidance regarding extending the life of tissue valves. However, I am still going to search around and seek some input.

Marie Myers  Wish I knew. Only idea I have is: if tissue valves last longer in the elderly than in young patients, I am guessing that the more "wear and tear" of a younger ... Read more

Marie Myers  Wish I knew. Only idea I have is: if tissue valves last longer in the elderly than in young patients, I am guessing that the more "wear and tear" of a younger more active lifestyle may take a toll. Got to find that sweet spot of just enough activity...

Juergen Li  Craig - as far as I know a mechanical valve is not subject to wear and tear or calcification but we all are advised to follow a heart healthy lifestyle of adequate ... Read more

Juergen Li  Craig - as far as I know a mechanical valve is not subject to wear and tear or calcification but we all are advised to follow a heart healthy lifestyle of adequate physical activity and nutrition.

Rita Savelis  Hi Craig, I understand your need/desire to do the right things and control what happens with your valve. But that is out of our control. As is so much else. ... Read more

Rita Savelis  Hi Craig, I understand your need/desire to do the right things and control what happens with your valve. But that is out of our control. As is so much else.
Sending you positive thoughts and wishes for peace.

Linda Richards  My doctor only did 2 things for Oxy. I'm glad. i just took this stuff at night. I had minimal invasive. My first cardiologist was a NUT, but he gave me ... Read more

Linda Richards  My doctor only did 2 things for Oxy. I'm glad. i just took this stuff at night. I had minimal invasive. My first cardiologist was a NUT, but he gave me Ambian ... I just wanted to sleep at night. Pain during the day was OK ... you just have to deal with it.