David Brunkhorst - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

4 year check up.

Journal posted on August 22, 2018

4 year check up at Mayo Rochester. That valve sounds like a brand new one. Loose weight. Come back in two years.

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Adam Pick Congrats David! I don't know about you... I always get a little nervous when I see my cardiologist for the annual check-up. Great to hear your valve sounds "brand new"!

Update posted on...

June 2, 2017

Good day everyone. I stop by here from time to time. Today is a milestone for me. 3 years ago, June 2 2014, I had aorta valve replacement and aneurysm repair. Because I am a young buck, I went with the mechanical valve. Works fine and lasts a long time. But it is noisy. I will say after 3 years, I am getting used to it. I hope you all enjoy the same good fortune I have had these last three years. At first I felt un-lucky to have to go through this. Then I was reminded of the poor SOB that didnt know he had a problem and.........
So thank your lucky stars that your doctor saw a problem and, like mine, probably saved your life. Have a good day all!

Like | Barbara Wood likes this

Mary Brink I am so glad that you are doing so well.

Marie Myers Amen, Aneurysm Brother. I, too had a 4.8 cm ascending aneurysm and BAV. Had it all fixed 9 weeks ago and am already back to work part time. We are really lucky ... Read more

Marie Myers Amen, Aneurysm Brother. I, too had a 4.8 cm ascending aneurysm and BAV. Had it all fixed 9 weeks ago and am already back to work part time. We are really lucky to have found out about the problem...And got it fixed...

Laura Jacobs I feel lucky too. I have a bicuspid that is severely calcified and a 4.8 ascending aneurysm. Next week I go for an angiogram, and then surgery week of June ... Read more

Laura Jacobs I feel lucky too. I have a bicuspid that is severely calcified and a 4.8 ascending aneurysm. Next week I go for an angiogram, and then surgery week of June 18th. I was lucky that I started feeling symptoms before it got worse. Glad to hear that you are doing well 3 years out. Take care!

2 year check up.

Journal posted on October 19, 2016

Had two year check up in August. My efficiency has improved since last year, from 58% up to 66%. (Always thought that sounded bad, but they say Olympic Athletes are 70-80%) Still fighting my weight. BP is slightly high, will probably make and adjustment in meds. I walk 3-4 miles 5-6 days a week. Feel pretty good. Just getting old. Not looking forward to winter. Hope you are all doing well.

Dave

Like | Susan Lyons and 1 other likes this

Ellen Leng Sounds like you are generally doing well. Pretty good ejection fraction (efficiency), and great on the walking...congrats!

Year 2

Journal posted on June 2, 2016

Year two after AVR and Hemi arch repair. Happy birthday to me. Hope you are all doing well, as well.

Like | Chris Vereb, Elaine Cutri, John White and 1 other likes this

John White David, I am 4 months out after AVR with a porcine valve. I am 61. Still worried about things...do you think I chose the right valve? I also struggle with my weight and I have diabetes

Update posted on...

June 2, 2015

Hello everyone. Hope you are all having a good day. Today I celebrate my 1 year anniversary of AOV replacement and Hemi arch repair. My one year check up at Mayo was good. BP a little high but manageable. My weight is up and down. Working harder on the down part right now. Thanks to friends and family for making this a great year. The support has been very touching.

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Duane Beeman From a Wolverine to a Hawkeye....... HELP !!!! I need a beer.

David Brunkhorst There will always be time for beer latter on. Trust me. I know these things.

Lora Lee Peterson Congratulations on 1 year!

Tammy Pilcher Congratulations David! I'm at 7 months post op now and looking forward to a celebration on Oct. 31, 2015! God bless you!

David Brunkhorst And you as well. And good luck to Duane today.

Terrie Syvertsen David- Congratulations on your 1st. year anniversary. Sounds like you
area doing well and work on that "down part" of the weight as I understand what you are ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen David- Congratulations on your 1st. year anniversary. Sounds like you
area doing well and work on that "down part" of the weight as I understand what you are saying as you are not alone in that! I hit my
10 month mark yesterday and I am not far behind you in time and fine
it exciting and surprising that the time has gone so fast! You take care and keep up the good work Heart Brother.

Update posted on...

March 23, 2015

I check in here from time to time. Welcome all. I am a AVR (mechanical) and hemi arch replacement guy. 10 months post op. I struggle with my weight among other things. My 6 month check up was good. Dr. Said we would address weight latter. I walk 3 miles/day. I had a tunneling wound under my sternum after surgery. Took 12 weeks to close, finally with infant bovine tissue. That's why I say, everybody has hiccups in their recovery. Adam's story of recovery is good. I imagine a few have zero problems, but not most of us. My message today is, for the most part, it is not as difficult as you may think. I experienced a few difficult moments in Rochester, but over all, these are the best people you will deal with your entire life. A few details may try to trip you up, but it is not that bad. You get out of it, what you put into it. Keep on ticking. Dave.

Like | Ericka Carlson, Kimberly Biddick likes this

LaDonna Mangile Who was your surgeon?

David Brunkhorst Dr. Pochettino

Update posted on...

March 17, 2015

Having been through this over 9 months ago, its odd thinking of what to say to those who are about to have heart valve surgery. My thoughts are: "I hope the surgeon and his team have a good day'! Hell, we just have to lay there. The hard work for us starts day 1 post surgery.

Like | LaDonna Mangile, Cris Dykeman, David Brunkhorst and 1 other likes this

LaDonna Mangile Thank you my friend!

Tim Goff Ha David you are so correct. I picked thursday for surgery instead of monday. Didnt want the surgeon coming in after a tough weekend. Also wanted a pint on St Pats Day.

David Brunkhorst Yep, kind of like never buy a car made on Monday. Hope you have a good day, come surgery day. Just "lay there" really good.

Update posted on...

February 25, 2015

Is anyone else having issues with cold weather? I am 8 months post valve replacement and aneurism repair. I have a mechanical valve. Specifically, the cold weather of Iowas winters makes it difficult to breathe. Anyone else?

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Peter.duplin@yahoo.com Duplin David winter stinks up north sorry about your issues hope they clear up.I don't want to rub it in but we live in the sunshine state Florida,and the weather stinks here today also

David Brunkhorst Oh yes, thanks Peter. Wish I was on Duval Street this afternoon enjoying a frosty beverage, instead of here enjoying frosty weather.

Duane Beeman Don't feel alone. People in Michigan with normal heart valves can't breathe either. It's ridiculous.

Cris Dykeman Iowa winters are the worst! Never heard of the connection of cold weather and breathing issues, so good to know for next winter (i too have warmer weather ;)

Terrie Syvertsen I recommend y'all have one of Duane's Budweiser and coffee chaser's.
That will keep your mind off the cold??????(Don't mind me I am home with a dreaded "Calif." ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen I recommend y'all have one of Duane's Budweiser and coffee chaser's.
That will keep your mind off the cold??????(Don't mind me I am home with a dreaded "Calif." cold and my brain is fogged and this cold makes it rough to breath as well

Duane Beeman Terri: If the bathroom is warm, he'll be OK......because that's where he'll be running after that first sip of coffee.

Update posted on...

February 13, 2015

Hope everyone has a great day today. Keep warm!

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Patricia Garcia You too and yes keep warm East Coast people!!!

Here's my newest picture!

July 21, 2015 Like |

David Brunkhorst My own unusual scar.

David Brunkhorst I can't match Clay Rowe's staples and zipper tab. But I have a sphincter.

Patricia Garcia Warrior scar :)

Bob M Nice scar!

Update posted on...

January 6, 2015

Happy new year to everyone. Last week I had my 6 month follow up at the Mayo Clinic Rochester. Dr. Espinoza is my new cardiologist. He is very pleased with my CT scan and the sounds my valve makes. It's a noisy sucker. I was worried I would catch hell for my weight, but that's a project for latter. Good luck one and all.

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Update posted on...

November 11, 2014

I have noticed an absence of Mayo Clinic patients. I could not be happier with my experience in Rochester. June 2nd 2014-new On-X valve and repair enlarged aorta root. Doin' good! Lets here from other Mayo Clinic success stories.

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Mark Schmitz David, I am curious how everything went at Mayo. I am not scheduled yet, but need an aortic valve replacement and aneurysm repair also. I had a consult with ... Read more

Mark Schmitz David, I am curious how everything went at Mayo. I am not scheduled yet, but need an aortic valve replacement and aneurysm repair also. I had a consult with the surgeon there already 2 weeks ago. Any insight on how they did? Were you happy with the surgery? Post op go OK? Any info. you have would be great. I am going to decide by the end of this week where to have the surgery but Mayo is in my top 4. Go Hawks

David Brunkhorst Sorry I've been away and didn't get a chance to respond. I was very happy with my procedure. Surgery Monday afternoon, on my way back to Iowa Friday morning. ... Read more

David Brunkhorst Sorry I've been away and didn't get a chance to respond. I was very happy with my procedure. Surgery Monday afternoon, on my way back to Iowa Friday morning. Once you visit a place like Mayo Clinic, you don't want to go anywhere else. I did have a very unusual occurrence after surgery. I developed a tunneling wound under my sternum. Turns out there was some cartilage that did not want to heal. I was told this happens rarely. Thanks to insurance jacking around for 11 weeks, it finally healed after I was implanted with fetal bovine tissue. Yes, baby cow tissue. Once that procedure was done, it was closed in two weeks. I just had my 6 month check up at Mayo and except for my weight, everything is cool.