It was three months this past Tuesday since my AVR. I have been feeling great for the most part. I had a problem with high blood pressure for a couple of weeks ...Read more
It was three months this past Tuesday since my AVR. I have been feeling great for the most part. I had a problem with high blood pressure for a couple of weeks and that was resolved by continuing a med that the cardiologist eliminated previously.
I am in the thirteenth week of cardio rehab and have been progressing some. I go three times a week for one hour each. I exercise for twenty minutes on the recumbent bike at level 5, then twenty minutes on the treadmill set at 3.2 (mph?), usually getting about 1-1/2 miles distance. I then finish out my session with weights, 8 pound dumbbells. The only problem I experience during the workout is cramps in both calves, especially on the treadmill.
I am still following the posts from my heart brothers and sisters, even if I donβt post a lot. Prayers and blessings to all those preparing for upcoming surgeries.
Dave Green I have had a start Edwards aortic valve in for 36 good years now with no problems at all, old ways ar ... Read more
Dave Green I have had a start Edwards aortic valve in for 36 good years now with no problems at all, old ways are sometimes the best.
Cathleen Weed I'm so glad you're in cardiac rehab β€οΈ
Sounds like you're doing well! π
Have they shown you al ... Read more
Cathleen Weed I'm so glad you're in cardiac rehab β€οΈ
Sounds like you're doing well! π
Have they shown you all the calf stretches? Also, are you drinking 2 Liters of water a day?
Robert Harris Hey Don, sounds like you are doing well. I couldn't help but notice the Air Force blues in your photo ... Read more
Robert Harris Hey Don, sounds like you are doing well. I couldn't help but notice the Air Force blues in your photo. I am also a wing nut. Best of luck in your recovery!
Adam Pick Awesome Don! Keep it up! And... Keep on tickin!
Enrique K Right on Don! I agree with Cathleen drink as much water as possible at least 8 glasses of water it p ... Read more
Enrique K Right on Don! I agree with Cathleen drink as much water as possible at least 8 glasses of water it purifies your system and heart.
Don Catoe Thanks Cathleen, I try to drink as much water as I can during the day. Probably not enough. I also tr ... Read more
Don Catoe Thanks Cathleen, I try to drink as much water as I can during the day. Probably not enough. I also tried a banana before my exercise and even tried drinking pickle juice. I stretch before starting and again at the end of the treadmill walk. It seems to help, yesterday I lasted 30 mins on the treadmill. btw your story is inspirational.
Don Catoe Thanks Adam for this website where I have read about so many inspirational people and found answers ... Read more
Don Catoe Thanks Adam for this website where I have read about so many inspirational people and found answers to lots of questions.
Don Catoe Thanks Enrique, I definitely need to drink more water and need more purifying!
Enrique K My pleasure Don, also I like to drink coconut water as it's critical to maintain blood volume, heart ... Read more
Enrique K My pleasure Don, also I like to drink coconut water as it's critical to maintain blood volume, heart health, and well as to prevent dehydration and it contains electrolytes.
I am three weeks into recovery. All is going pretty good and I feel better each new day. I do need to increase my walking and start building my strength back. ...Read more
I am three weeks into recovery. All is going pretty good and I feel better each new day. I do need to increase my walking and start building my strength back. Anyway today I got a letter in the mail from Edwards Lifesciences all about my valve. I did not even know that is who manufactured my valve! It was fantastic reading and they had some great pictures of my Carpentier-Edwards Magna Ease valve model 3300TFX. One thing I did not know is these valves are constructed on a titanium alloy metal frame. The leaflets are bovine (maybe black angus?). Another interesting fact is the study that show these valves lasting 20 years. I wonder if that is the warranty period? If my valve fails within the 20 year period, do they replace free under warranty? LOL
Laurie Baglio I am so happy to hear your doing well. Keep up the great work!
Bob Jensen Don - I had the exact model valve put in 7 weeks ago and just got my ID card as well. It is working ... Read more
Bob Jensen Don - I had the exact model valve put in 7 weeks ago and just got my ID card as well. It is working great, and I am shooting for the 20 year warrantee as well. LOL. My surgeon told me that if all goes well over the years, when the valve starts to wear out, there will be signs, and in his opinion, I would probably have the valve replaced by going up through my groin and simply pop in a new one inside the older valve - and that in the years ahead, they will perfect that procedure even more. That is why I took the bovine valve at 60 years old. I didn't want to be on blood thinners. You made a great choice. Also - reading the literature, no wonder I have more desire for beef!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don Catoe Thanks Phyllis, if it last 20 years I will be 84yo when they have to replace it. I looked back into o ... Read more
Don Catoe Thanks Phyllis, if it last 20 years I will be 84yo when they have to replace it. I looked back into our family history and I may well be the first male in our family to live that long! God willing.
Don Catoe Thanks Laurie, sounds like you are doing well also. My wife tells me she knows everything is going to ... Read more
Don Catoe Thanks Laurie, sounds like you are doing well also. My wife tells me she knows everything is going to be fine, since my weird sense of humor has returned! ! LOL
Don Catoe I don't know Bob, isn't eating beef now almost like cannibalism? LOL
Larry Ring Hi Don....almost at the three week mark here too. I'm recovering well. Still ridiculously exhausted ... Read more
Larry Ring Hi Don....almost at the three week mark here too. I'm recovering well. Still ridiculously exhausted after even the most mundane of tasks (like showering...), but each morning I awaken feeling just a little bit stronger.
Keep up the healing!
Phyllis Petersen I know what you mean Don. At 62, I'm already the oldest of my immediate family and most of the previo ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen I know what you mean Don. At 62, I'm already the oldest of my immediate family and most of the previous generation were gone by this age. I plan at least matching a greataunt and a greatuncle, who both made it to 92.
Jane Welp This is such a funny post but serious too! Thanks! I needed to lighten up this morning.
Don Catoe Jane, my wife tells me that is how she knows I am fine... I have my weird sense of humor back!
Phyllis Petersen I don't know how people get through life without a sense of humor.
I have been recovering for two weeks now and everything is going great. I notice improvement everyday! I am up and walking about, sometimes I get winded, but ...Read more
I have been recovering for two weeks now and everything is going great. I notice improvement everyday! I am up and walking about, sometimes I get winded, but that too is improving. I had my first post op cardiologist visit and he says everything is going well considering the complicated surgery I had. He did have to adjust my Afib meds and the Coumadin (temporary). I am feeling blessed that all is going well. :)
Phyllis Petersen I imagine you had a very special birthday celebration this year. I see it just past. Happy Birthday a ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen I imagine you had a very special birthday celebration this year. I see it just past. Happy Birthday and many more!
Steven A Husted hey don you are looking great god bless and may your recovery be a smooth one and thank you for your ... Read more
Steven A Husted hey don you are looking great god bless and may your recovery be a smooth one and thank you for your service j was a aviation storekeeper in the navy
Don Catoe Thank You Phyllis, it was special. I was more appreciative of this birthday than any other!!
Don Catoe Thanks Steven and thank you for your service as well.
My wife and I met with Dr. Hamm this morning. He seem to be very personable and very professional at the same time. He showed us the echo videos from Wednesdays ...Read more
My wife and I met with Dr. Hamm this morning. He seem to be very personable and very professional at the same time. He showed us the echo videos from Wednesdays TEE, which showed the heart wall thickened and touching the Mitral valve, preventing it from functioning properly. He told us he would have to shave a good piece of that off and hopefully that would solve the Mitral valve problem. He will replace the Aortic valve with a bovine tissue valve, then take me off heart/lung machine to see if the problem with Mitral valve is resolved. If resolved then he will finish the procedure as planned, if not then he will resume the heart/lung support and replace the Mitral valve with a mechanical one. At that point my mind was thoroughly blown!
MARIE PICUN Keep the faith
Prayers going your way.
Phyllis Petersen Your brain must be frying with this news! My surgeon told me that they can't know everything they'll ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen Your brain must be frying with this news! My surgeon told me that they can't know everything they'll find when they go in, so there's always some uncertainty. At least he's prepared you so you have a little time to wrap your brain around it. Hoping that the mitral valve resolves with just the shaving.
Don Catoe yes, still in shock I guess. I am trying to remain calm and positive, but truth be known I am really ... Read more
Don Catoe yes, still in shock I guess. I am trying to remain calm and positive, but truth be known I am really scared
Phyllis Petersen You're not alone! Stay busy and make sure to do something fun before you're laid up.
Laurie Baglio Hang in there Don. I am really scared as well. I am trying to stay busy but I am frustrated feeling l ... Read more
Laurie Baglio Hang in there Don. I am really scared as well. I am trying to stay busy but I am frustrated feeling like I won't get everything done that I wanted to before surgery. Of course, it's not really the stuff I am so upset with, it's this whole scary scenario. I'm praying for you Don.
Emily Rowley How come they might replace one of your valves with a mechanical one and the other with a cow's valve ... Read more
Emily Rowley How come they might replace one of your valves with a mechanical one and the other with a cow's valve? He seems to me like he knows what he is doing and has been doing this a long time which is great and what you need π
Don Catoe I don't fully understand why he would have to go mechanical for the mitral either. He did say why, I ... Read more
Don Catoe I don't fully understand why he would have to go mechanical for the mitral either. He did say why, I guess I was in shock and cannot remember. I will definitely have to ask at my pre-op on Monday...
Phyllis Petersen Do you have someone who can go with you to your pre-op? It can be helpful to have another set of ears ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen Do you have someone who can go with you to your pre-op? It can be helpful to have another set of ears for just that reason.
Emily Rowley Those are both great ideas: Asking again & taking someone along. I can only have a mechanical valve i ... Read more
Emily Rowley Those are both great ideas: Asking again & taking someone along. I can only have a mechanical valve in ny heart and this is due to my strange rare anotonmy. The shape of my valves and the position of my Mitral Valve too closely to my Aortic Valve-so animal would restrict flow and cause worse probkems. Perhaps this is reason why your Surgeon has made those plans.?. Let us know how your pre-op meeting goes.
Good news is the cardiologist says no bypasses are needed. Not so good news is the wall of my ventricle chamber has thickened, causing my mitral valve to regurgitate ...Read more
Good news is the cardiologist says no bypasses are needed. Not so good news is the wall of my ventricle chamber has thickened, causing my mitral valve to regurgitate due to some unusual pressure created by said wall? (got to love doc speak). They tell me this will need to be shaved?
I meet with the Dr. Hamm (the surgeon) in the morning, maybe he can clarify what is to take place. He told my Cardiologists the surgery will be Tuesday morning.
It is in God's hands.
Phyllis Petersen It looks like you're getting very thorough information and I'm sure you'll get more from the surgeon. ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen It looks like you're getting very thorough information and I'm sure you'll get more from the surgeon. All the best with your surgery and recovery!
Don Catoe Thanks Phyllis, I hope to be on the other side and hiking soon!
My Cardiologist called me this morning and informed me the results of my recent echo shows the aortic valve is closed so much that it has created pressure in ...Read more
My Cardiologist called me this morning and informed me the results of my recent echo shows the aortic valve is closed so much that it has created pressure in the lower chamber that is effecting the mitral valves operation. I got the impression the tests did not show enough and he is now adding a "TEE" to the tests this Wednesday. He says I will be knocked out for the TEE then when I wake he will do the heart cath. Sounds like a day of sleepiness and hopefully no pain.
So glad to hear that you are getting these tests done and that you didn't wait until the end of Febru ... Read more
So glad to hear that you are getting these tests done and that you didn't wait until the end of February. I had a TEE after my last PMBV but I was sedated - just a bit of a sore throat later. From what I understand, the TEE is more efficient for obtaining a good view of the mitral valve. I had very little pain with the left and right heart cath - must easier than expected. So "bonne chance" on Wednesday, Don. Keep us posted on your progress.
Don Catoe Thanks for the information and encouragement. I am anxious to get it over with.
I had an appointment with my cardiologist today. He told me what I already knew. It is time to get things in motion for the surgery. I am getting another echo ...Read more
I had an appointment with my cardiologist today. He told me what I already knew. It is time to get things in motion for the surgery. I am getting another echo tomorrow. He wanted to do a heart cath on Wednesday, but I have to be off some of my diabetes meds for at least 48 hours beforehand. He decided to wait until the next Wednesday. The next step will be meeting with the heart surgeon and scheduling. All that information at once is enough to make my heart skip a beat!
carol navin The waiting really is the hardest part.
Yes, sometimes we need a few reminders that the decision has already been made ; our mind just hasn't ... Read more
Yes, sometimes we need a few reminders that the decision has already been made ; our mind just hasn't caught up to the concept yet. So glad to hear that you are moving forward Don. Sending you best wishes from Canada.
carol navin Best wishes from New York... Once you check in to the hospital , you are already taken good care of.. ... Read more
carol navin Best wishes from New York... Once you check in to the hospital , you are already taken good care of... Leave it to the capable hands of the Surgeon.. and then you can say yay! this is almost behind me"
Steven A Husted praying for you that you will have a great surgery and recovery
Don Catoe Thanks all for the encouragement, I had my echo Tuesday, but the heart cath was postponed until the 2 ... Read more
Don Catoe Thanks all for the encouragement, I had my echo Tuesday, but the heart cath was postponed until the 25th due to my cardiologist being out of town. I feel strange because I am wishing it wasn't delayed.
I have read in a couple of journals about choosing hospitals and surgeons such as Florida hospital and Cleveland Clinic. Naturally I would like the best surgeon ...Read more
I have read in a couple of journals about choosing hospitals and surgeons such as Florida hospital and Cleveland Clinic. Naturally I would like the best surgeon in the world to perform my surgery, but with my insurance (Tricare) that may be improbable. Anyone else have this problem? Anyone else use Tricare?
Anne Shannon I went to the Cleveland Clinic in 2010 for AVR. I was surprised that my hospital bill there was $0! I ... Read more
Anne Shannon I went to the Cleveland Clinic in 2010 for AVR. I was surprised that my hospital bill there was $0! I had Medicare but assumed I would owe about $25,000 since my secondary insurance didn't cover procedures done outside of Colorado. As it turns out, I got ONE bill that covered everything and it was three months after my release date for $2,160. I called them to see if that would be all I owed and they told me to wait because they were still dealing with my insurance. I never heard another word from them. So check with the place you are considering - the problem may not be as bad as you think!
Don Catoe Thank you for the information. I have heard good things about that clinic.
I am 63 yrs old (God willing, 64 in Feb).
Retired USAF, 24 years.
My Cardiologist informed me 3 weeks ago it is time to get my Aeortic valve replaced (stenosis, ...Read more
I am 63 yrs old (God willing, 64 in Feb).
Retired USAF, 24 years.
My Cardiologist informed me 3 weeks ago it is time to get my Aeortic valve replaced (stenosis, severe).
I knew it was coming for about 2-1/2 years, but it never seemed real to me until now.
Phyllis Petersen It's always a shock when they tell you no matter how prepared you think you are. When it's suddenly r ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen It's always a shock when they tell you no matter how prepared you think you are. When it's suddenly real ...
KEVIN RYAN In similar situation. Feel fine, but echo says it's time. Still can't believe it. Let's get 'er do ... Read more
KEVIN RYAN In similar situation. Feel fine, but echo says it's time. Still can't believe it. Let's get 'er done, Don.
Cathleen Weed My Grandpa was an USAF pilot in WWII πΊπΈ π Best wishes for a successful surgery, recovery, a ... Read more
Cathleen Weed My Grandpa was an USAF pilot in WWII πΊπΈ π Best wishes for a successful surgery, recovery, and long healthy life π
Don Catoe Phyllis... yes and now I seem to question any little discomfort I may have, wondering if it is my hea ... Read more
Don Catoe Phyllis... yes and now I seem to question any little discomfort I may have, wondering if it is my heart....
Don Catoe Kevin.. did they throw a bunch of numbers at you like gradients and such? I didn't quite understand t ... Read more
Don Catoe Kevin.. did they throw a bunch of numbers at you like gradients and such? I didn't quite understand them at the time, but after browsing this site I wish I could remember mine!
carol navin They told me same thing .. 8 weeks later.. i had it done. 14 months later .. here i am. The soone ... Read more
carol navin They told me same thing .. 8 weeks later.. i had it done. 14 months later .. here i am. The sooner the better. waiting is just time to think
Phyllis Petersen I still can't keep all the numbers straight. I'm of the same thinking as Carol: if I know I need to ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen I still can't keep all the numbers straight. I'm of the same thinking as Carol: if I know I need to get something done, I want it done and over with.
Sounds like you're doing well! π
Have they shown you al ... Read more
Sounds like you're doing well! π
Have they shown you all the calf stretches? Also, are you drinking 2 Liters of water a day?