David's Journal

Five weeks since my new On-x valve was installed and I feel “ normal “ again .

Presented an Advanced Manufacturing Award on stage on Thursday night and feel like my old self !

So lucky to have an amazing surgeon and hospital in Geelong  and being part of the Global Trial for early intervention seems to have allowed me to recover so quickly .

4 weeks next Tuesday since surgery.
Finally my sleep has returned to normal .
Have had good and bad days , but more good than bad now !
It is a journey that requires so much energy but I am sure it will be worth it in the end .

Out of Hospital Day 6 .
INR slowly coming up .
Feeling better every day .

Also my new ONX valve is so quiet I cannot hear it at all ! 

Amazing technology from the USA !

Day 3 post Surgery day .
Walked unaided 5 laps of the CCU.
Each day getting stronger .
Most of lines and wires out and just a holter monitor.
My first shower today was by far the best ! 

Packing my hospital bag tonight and getting rid of all my emails ready for what will be a quite busy week
My operation will be on 22 September USA time around about four or 5 pm in the United States. Here in Australia it will be 7 am Tuesday morning 23 September.

I’ve done all the preparation I can do at this point. Have been eating clean for the last two weeks - fish ,fruit vegetables, water no carbohydrates no fats and very limited meat.

I feel great. I’ve lost a bit of weight and now time has come.

See you all on the other side

just have enough time to get my playlist ready for Apple Music to listen to during the weekend in hospital

I want to take a moment to personally thank Adam Pick for the incredible time, effort, and focus he has dedicated to HeartValveSurgery.com.

With my own surgery now just days away, I feel calm and well prepared—largely because of the resources, guidance, and supportive community Adam has built. His work has helped countless patients like me face this journey with knowledge and confidence.

Grateful for the difference you’ve made, Adam.!

Nine days until my surgery and time to start preparation. Have stopped eating sugar and carbohydrates stopped drinking alcohol and generally getting ready for what I hope is the best outcome.

one last beer 🍺 yesterday

So I have just returned from my cardiac surgeon and I’ve booked in a surgery date for 22 September 2025. 


What is ironic is that is the week of the AFL grand final holiday weekend .



For those of you in the US this is very similar to the American  Super Bowl equivalent.

It means that I will be in hospital to watch the grand final football game - but nonetheless happy to finally have a date locked in.


I will be getting an On x mechanical valve which will be done via a right Thoracatomy - transaxillary .


Basically, for me, no zipper scar.

Update I’m scheduled for mechanical aortic valve replacement in early September. The surgical work-up starts Monday with a cardiac CT scan.
In discussions with my surgeon, we reviewed my original preference for a bovine valve. To achieve this, they would need to implant a large valve (up to 27 mm), which would require an additional procedure known as a Y-incision annular enlargement. This newer technique uses a Y-shaped incision to expand the aortic annulus and root, allowing a larger valve to be implanted without excess tissue tension.
On that basis, I’ve chosen a minimally invasive mechanical valve instead. This will address my valve disease, improve long-term heart function, and—if all goes to plan—have me back in CrossFit training before Christmas.
I’ll share updates on recovery and insights that might help others preparing for similar surgery, in line with my ongoing commitment to inform and support the valve community.
Stay well, everyone.

Good afternoon to those in the USA and good morning to those in Australia and the southern hemisphere .



Step two in the process -I have now been allocated one of the amazing surgeons here in Geelong Australia.

Associate Professor Yap is a cardiothoracic surgeon at St John of God Geelong Hospital and University Hospital - Geelong. He is an adjunct research fellow at the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University and an Affiliate Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Deakin University.
Assoc Professor Yap graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1998. He obtained a Master of Surgery by research in 2006 studying the immunological response to homograft heart valves. He underwent training in Cardiothoracic Surgery at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and the Austin Hospital, obtaining his Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2011. He underwent post-fellowship training in the United Kingdom.He has over 50 peer-reviewed publications. He has an interest in the management of thoracic malignancies and has served as the chair of the lung cancer working group at Barwon Health. 


He also serves as a proctor and instructor in the field of minimally invasive heart valve surgery, travelling throughout Australia and South East Asia.



He has a wide-ranging clinical practice including Robotic and VATS lung resections, aortic surgery, minimally invasive aortic valve and coronary revascularisation procedures.

I expect to be given a date for surgery shortly .


I feel privileged that I am part of the easy AS Trial and I hope by being part of the Trial I can help others in the future like all of us to have better outcomes.

Thanks again to Adam for all the amazing work he does for all of us in the cohort.




if you’d like to learn more about the Trial see the below post link
https://researchnow-admin.flinders.edu.au/ws/portalfiles/portal/143943013/Richardson_Rationale_P2024.pdf

Happy to report my Angiogram was successful yesterday and gave me an all clear on my Coronary Arteries.


As part of the Easy-As trial I can now proceed to a minimal invasive surgery option after confirmation with my surgeon 👨‍⚕️

1 step closer

Quick update from Australia 🇦🇺 I’ve joined a new medical trial investigating early vs standard intervention for bicuspid aortic valve disease. My valve has been diagnosed with severe stenosis, and I’ve been selected for immediate surgery as part of the trial It was a 50/50 chance – and now the journey really begins Appreciate your support and will keep you all posted on this incredible chance to help future people like us !!!



David Buchanan

Hi all I think I am going a little crazy but … Since I had my /be Pfizer shot my symptoms have improved . Maybe it’s just “ placebo “, but , my bicuspid value symptoms seem to be less noticeable. Has anyone else had a similar experience? David from Downunder ( Australia 🇦🇺)