Eric's Posts

I'm 28 days post op for an AVR and two steel bars installed for my sunken chest. Dr Pajaro replaced my valve and it went smoothly so Dr. J put the two steel bars for my sunken chest in right after. Hi spent one day in ICU and then four days in recovery. I felt OK for a couple of days after getting discharged but then I started getting a fever and my wife said I was acting strange. So she took me to the ER and it turns out I had some micro strokes in my brain.. And I had some kind of infection. They checked me back into the hospital and did a CT scan and then an MRI. And gave me antibiotics for the infection that I had. They showed me a picture of the MRI which was interesting because it showed a couple of small white dots near the back of my brain. Turns out that was where the strokes were. But I seem to be fine now so my brain must have re-wired itself. The anabiotic's took care of the infection and I was discharged for the second time after four days. Now I seem to be feeling fine and I am walking every day in the Beautiful desert in Scottsdale. We are very fortunate to have a family member to stay with down here. I have worked up to walking 3 miles now in the morning because it gets up to 100° here now. But we are thankful that everything seems to have worked out great. And I am also thankful for everyone who has posted on this site and help prepare me for what to expect!

Just got back from another visit to Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. Met with the surgeon that is going to fix my "Pectus Excavatum" or sunken chest. After having another echocardiogram it turns out that the right ventricle of my heart is compressed enough that it's only putting out 50% of what it should. If you're interested here's a link describing the procedure: drjpectus.com She said that the heart surgeon will 1st repair my aortic valve then put me back together. Then when they are sure there are no complications she will do her procedure of inserting the bars later that day or the next day. So YAY! 2 procedures for the price of 2. My heart surgeon is out of town until March 9th and he will decide when to do the surgery. I would hope in the next few weeks. Fortunately Scottsdale is a wonderful place to visit this time of year!