Gary's Journal

Good evening friends! It's been a while so I thought I'd give a quick update. My surgery was on August 21, 2015 - some 2½ years ago. Since my last post almost a year ago I've battled - and overcome - some unforeseen medical challenges that seemingly came out of nowhere. In 2016 I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease and it continually worsened. In August 2017 I was diagnosed with Stage F3 Liver Fibrosis (NASH). So in October my PCP put me a very specialized diet in order to reverse the liver disease (it's reversible at Stage 3; Stage 4 is Cirrhosis, which is irreversible). The kidney issues stemmed from repeated heart caths with dye, which damaged my kidneys (my cardiologist has forbidden me from having anymore tests with dyes - a word of caution!). The liver issue was exacerbated by excess weight & a sedentary lifestyle due to my cardiac issues. My PCP also diagnosed me with metabolic syndrome. All in all, last year everything came together in one perfect storm and hit me like a ton of bricks. So, in October my wife and I accepted the challenge and radically changed my diet under strict doctor supervision. I am happy to report that since early November I have lost an additional 32 lbs (over 50 since surgery). My kidney disease has been reversed and is now normal. My Type 2 Diabetes has been reversed and my A1c is in normal range. I have stopped taking 1 of 2 meds for diabetes. All of the inflammation has gone and my legs and arms look like they did when I was in high school 40 years ago. And, most important, my liver enzymes are better and continue to improve, thus successfully reversing the liver fibrosis. My cholesterol levels have also finally come into normal/acceptable ranges. My EF is 55-60 (from my last echo in January). My cardiac function is excellent, with only mild leakage, which is in an acceptable range. I can't tell you how much better I feel! The only issue I'm now facing is ... rib dysfunction and thoracic spinal pain, most likely caused by the rib spreader used during OHS. I started physical therapy today for that, hoping to strengthen the tendons and ligaments in my back damaged by the rib spreader. It seems the weight loss caused the damage to be "revealed" (less fat to cover it up!) and thus cause pain no one has been able to diagnose (until now). This, too, shall pass! This group has been an incredibly positive experience for me and I am eternally grateful I found it. I am indebted to Adam and his team for all they do on our behalf. I most likely won't be posting anymore, so that others more currently facing their heart valve challenges can share their stories in this space. But I welcome contact from anyone here who rallied around me during my recovery! Feel free to stay in touch via my personal website - www.garystripling.com. Love and prayers to you all, Gary

It's been a while since I last posted. The journey isn't over but it sure has gotten easier. Hopefully this will encourage those of you just starting your journey, or those in the middle of it. It started with a heart murmur that sounded raspy 7 years ago. That's when I saw a cardiologist for the first time who told me I had Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction with Systolic Anterior Motion. The nursing students crowded the echocardiogram room because I'm supposedly a textbook rarity. But I survived. Three years later, in my front yard trimming bushes, I collapsed with complete heart block. Grade 3 they called it. The EMT gave me 3 doses of Atropine to keep me alive on the way to the hospital. That night I was put on an external pacemaker & I received my permanent pacemaker the next afternoon. But I survived. Three months later an MRI revealed moderate mitral valve regurgitation & hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. My meds were increased. But I survived. Six months later, after trying to convince myself I would not ever have heart surgery, my cardiologist said the regurgitation was now severe and it was time. But I survived. In early August 2015 my wife & I met with the cardiovascular surgeon who explained everything & said without the surgery I'd be dead in 2-5 years. We set the date and cried on the 3-hour drive home. But we survived. On August 21, 2015 my family & I walked into Florida Hospital Orlando at 5am. By 7pm that evening I had endured over 6 hours of open heart surgery, 2 of those clinically dead on the heart/lung machine. They repaired my mitral valve, closed the PFO, & resected a large portion of my septum, including my AV Node, which left me 100% pacemaker dependent (ventricular). But I survived. Three days later I was back in surgery to repair my pacemaker's atrial lead that had come loose during the heart surgery. But I survived. Three months later the lead came loose again & the tip was barely touching a nerve running through my chest & stomach. I had weird abdominal pacing. My belly bounced with every heartbeat so the EP turned off the atrial lead. But I survived. A month later I started cardiac rehab but I could hardly breathe and my heart rate was sporadically racing. I was in AFlutter. I stopped rehab. But I survived. In early December I had cardioversion that put me in sinus rhythm for 3 weeks so I could get through Christmas and I survived. On New Years Eve 2015 I was back in the hospital to have the atrial lead replaced once again and during pre-op they discovered I was in AFib. So I had atrial ablation plus the lead replacement surgery. I watched the fireworks from my hospital room that night. But I survived. In February 2016 I resumed cardiac rehab & had completed all 36 sessions by late April. I survived the heart surgeries which led to debilitating pump head, horrible depression, caused me to develop Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease, significant Vestibular Dysfunction, and now I battle mild pulmonary restriction. At 58 years old. My story is not unique. But like you all I survived. We survived. And life has meaning and purpose which we seek to fulfill. Don't ever let anyone diminish what you've gone through - or are going through now. Because you - and I - survived what most people will never experience & cannot understand. And we have the battle scars to prove it.

I'm kinda freaking out right now. I had OHS (full sternotomy) for MVR, septal resection for cardiomyopathy and PFO closure on 08/21/15. I'm also 100% pacemaker dependent. Lately I've had shortness of breath, chest tightness, fatigue - the symptoms I had prior to surgery. Today I saw my cardiologist and he thinks it could be diastolic heart failure from a stiff heart. My right atrial pressure is elevated and I'm carrying fluid. So I had an echocardiogram today and had labs drawn this morning. After the echo the Tech would only say my gradient is a little higher than my last echo 3 months ago. Not sure what that means. My cardiologist started Lasix & potassium today for 3 days. I also have Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease, so they're watching how the Lasix and potassium affects my kidneys as well. I'm supposed to travel from the US to Eastern Europe in a month on business and I'm very nervous now about this trip, not to mention the prognosis possibilities. I meet with the doc on Tuesday to review the test results. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated once again.

Just a quick update: had my 3-month follow-up today (I'm on an every 3-month cardiac follow-up since OHS on 08/21/15). The only concern my cardiologist has is that I'm retaining fluid, most likely due to the Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease. So he, my nephrologist and endocrinologist are coordinating efforts to keep my kidneys functioning by prescribing the right meds. As he told me, "you don't die from fluid retention, but you can die from kidney failure." He increased my Coreg from the minimum of 3.125mg/2X daily to 6.25mg/2X daily to "keep my heart function stable" even tho I have a strong heart. Does this make sense to anyone? I'll have an echo in 6 months to check the mitral valve repair, septum resection and gradient. I did ask about the wires I am feeling in one particular spot (top right of the septum). He advised against doing anything unless I just couldn't live with it anymore. He said it's very invasive and my cardiovascular surgeon (in another city) would be the only one who would tackle removing them. So they're staying put! Overall, he was pleased with my recovery and I'll see him again in 3 months as they monitor my kidneys. Interesting how one med for one condition affects so many others!

Hello friends. It's been a while since I posted. Life has a way of resuming, whether we want it to or not. My last heart surgery (after the "big" surgery on August 21, 2015) was on New Year's Eve 2015. I completed my 36 sessions of cardiac rehab last April. I began rebuilding my business clientele (I took 6 months off work since I'm self-employed) and started traveling again as a consultant. Ever since the OHS on 08/21/15 I have experienced ongoing dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, balance challenges, and on some occasions near-syncope (almost fainting). I kept thinking this would eventually subside and go away as I recovered from the OHS. It never did. This past August I had a bad case of vertigo which lasted about 10 days. I've had vertigo over the years, but usually for only 1-2 days at the most. This episode was really bad. In September I finally was referred to a neurologist after my cardiologist completed a full work-up and declared me free of any cardiological issues. The MV repair surgery was a success, recovery pretty much complete, and rehab extremely valuable. Other than sternum aches every now and then, I've felt great. Now if I could just get rid of this dizziness & headache! The neurologist had me do a balance test in his office, as well as ordered a CT Scan. I failed the balance test and the CT Scan came back negative. So, in late November I was diagnosed with significant Vestibular Dysfunction Disorder. Now my headaches, dizziness, and feeling light-headed had a name. I began Vestibular Rehab Balance Therapy (VRT) in early December twice weekly. Today, I had my 1-month re-evaluation and I have improved significantly! No more vertigo. Headaches are fewer, dizziness is better and I'm not light-headed as much. I just have to learn how to adjust to my surroundings. If you visit http://vestibular.org you can read all about it. What has this to do with my heart valve surgery? My neurologist and balance therapist both believe the significant time under anesthesia and the invasive nature of open heart surgery caused my vestibular dysfunction. And it wasn't going away on its on. So I encourage everyone not to ignore symptoms you think may or may not be a direct result of your surgery. So much is done to us while we're on the heart/lung machine, during the surgery, etc. that sometimes it takes a while for the cause & effect of certain symptoms to manifest. I have 4 weeks of balance therapy left and have exercises I work on daily. Dizziness and imbalance issues for open heart surgery patients is real and there is help for it! Happy New Years everyone - it's going to be a great year!

As I posted earlier, I started having symptoms similar to those I had before OHS (fatigue, shortness of breath, slight swelling in ankles). I had an echocardiogram yesterday (9/19) and today met with my cardiologist. Good news! My EF is 60-65%. The MVR is holding nicely and my heart is doing great! Seems I have a bit of "stiff heart" - diastolic dysfunction (see http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/ask-doctor-44701-70.html for info). I'm also anemic due to Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease (recent diagnosis) and started on iron last week. But overall, I have no limitations on exercise, so it's back to the gym for me so I can continue to lose weight (I've gained back about 5 of the 24 lbs I lost after OHS last year). What a relief to know my heart is functioning as it should and no more valve issues. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!

As I posted earlier, I started having symptoms similar to those I had before OHS (fatigue, shortness of breath, slight swelling in ankles). I had an echocardiogram yesterday (9/19) and today met with my cardiologist. Good news! My EF is 60-65%. The MVR is holding nicely and my heart is doing great! Seems I have a bit of "stiff heart" - diastolic dysfunction (see http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/ask-doctor-44701-70.html for info). I'm also anemic due to Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease (recent diagnosis) and started on iron last week. But overall, I have no limitations on exercise, so it's back to the gym for me so I can continue to lose weight (I've gained back about 5 of the 24 lbs I lost after OHS last year). What a relief to know my heart is functioning as it should and no more valve issues. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!

As I posted earlier, I started having symptoms similar to those I had before OHS (fatigue, shortness of breath, slight swelling in ankles). I had an echocardiogram yesterday (9/19) and today met with my cardiologist. Good news! My EF is 60-65%. The MVR is holding nicely and my heart is doing great! Seems I have a bit of "stiff heart" - diastolic dysfunction (see http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/ask-doctor-44701-70.html for info). I'm also anemic due to Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease (recent diagnosis) and started on iron last week. But overall, I have no limitations on exercise, so it's back to the gym for me so I can continue to lose weight (I've gained back about 5 of the 24 lbs I lost after OHS last year). What a relief to know my heart is functioning as it should and no more valve issues. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!

My cardiologist has me scheduled for an "unscheduled" echocardiogram on Monday & he wants to see me on Tuesday. I'm having shortness of breath, no energy & tightness in my chest. Praying the "slight" aortic regurgitation he detected earlier this year hasn't progressed. The thought of another OHS terrifies me. Hopefully it's just a medication adjustment.

My One-Year OHS Anniversary was on 8/21 - about 3 weeks ago. So today, at the urging of my son, I joined a gym! I had already completed 36 weeks of cardiac rehab in April, but really wanted to continue moving forward with my recovery. Plus, today my endocrinologist told me I'm anemic, probably due to the "acute renal episode" I recently had (laser lithotripsy for kidney stones - I'm at Stage 3a Chronic Kidney Failure), as well as the ongoing recovery from everything cardiac-related. No wonder I'm so tired all the time! Since I'm 100% PM dependent, my cardiologist set my heart rate goal of 120 on the treadmill. I got to 110 today! For anyone 1 year or more post-OHS, what exercise heart rate have you been told to shoot for?

Eight days ago, on August 21, 2016, I celebrated One Year of Survival from Open Heart Surgery (yes, I'm a little late on this post)! The road to recovery is a long, arduous journey but with the support, love and help from my family and amazing medical team - and the encouragement and support from this community - I have made that journey successfully. I can't thank enough my Jacksonville, FL-based cardiologist Dr. Sumant Lamba, my Orlando-based cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Tom Martin and the wonderful healthcare professionals at Jacksonville Clinic & First Coast Cardiovascular Institute, Florida Hospital Orlando (for the BIG surgery), and Jacksonville, FL hospitals Memorial Heart Center, St. Vincent's Medical Center Riverside and Orange Park Medical Center (between the post-surgery testing, cardioversion, atrial ablation, & pacemaker surgeries, I got to spend time at all these wonderful facilities!). I was so blessed that my family (children, sisters & dad) made the trip to Orlando to be with us during the week of my surgery. It was such a blessing that my wife's best friend from high school offered the use of their 3-bedroom vacation condo in Disney Village for 10 days free of charge! Everybody had someplace to sleep and it was a ground-floor handicapped unit, which was so cool since we stayed there for 2 days after I was discharged from the hospital before driving home to Jax. The biggest blessing in my life - after my relationship with Jesus - is that my wife and children have been so supportive and diligent in their care for me during my recovery. It's been an adventurous year - one I don't want to repeat - but I'm looking forward to many years to come in better cardiac health than I've been in the past 6 years! I'm still recovering mentally & emotionally, as well as dealing now with kidney issues brought about in large part from the damage caused by the contrast dyes used in numerous heart caths. Word to the wise - if you're diabetic be sure to limit the number of heart catherizations with contrast (dye) your cardiologist orders. It WILL damage your kidneys. If you have to have one, check with your nephrologist first so he/she can prep you with lots of fluids to flush out the dye and not damage the kidneys. I can't believe how much better I feel and can do now that my ticker is fixed! Instead of 5-6 years left I have a normal life-expectancy. And that, my friends, makes it all worth it!

As I approach the 1-year anniversary of my open heart surgery for MVR, PFO closure & septal resection I had on 8/21/15, I want to encourage those facing OHS or any kind of heart surgery to document your experience with photos & journaling. The surgery is a major part of the experience but it's not the entire journey. I wish I had pics of those first few weeks after surgery. Fortunately my wife has a great memory & doesn't mind recounting to me what she & the family went thru while I was in surgery - clinically dead while on the H/L machine for 2 of those 6 hours. I recommend an app called Day One for personal journaling. In addition, I posted regularly for 6 or so months in my profile here. Recovery is a process. For some it's shorter than others. But the journey changes us forever & documenting it is both therapeutic & informative for our loved ones. Prayers & best wishes for those about to take the next step with OHS & those already on your journey!

Just 2 days short of 10 months since OHS (mitral valve repair, PFO closure & septal resection) and ... I mowed the lawn today! It was both refreshing (beautiful windy Florida day) and tiring. The last time I did yard work I collapsed in the front yard with complete heart block. But thanks to my amazing cardiologists & 36 sessions of cardiac rehab I feel like a bionic man (well almost). Hurray for a small accomplishment today!

Yesterday - 9 months post OHS - I had an endoscopy. Since the surgery last August my IBS has gotten worse and my hiatal hernia really aches. After my wife got me home my chest starting hurting, was tight, and I had abdominal pain. I called the doctor who performed the endoscopy and he said it was probably spasms from the biopsies he took of the lining inside my stomach. Man, did that hurt! Today I've felt much better - almost "normal" (whatever that is). Here's my question: is it possible to exacerbate a hiatal hernia when you have a full sternotomy? The endo didn't show any problems there, except noting "a 1cm hiatus hernia present."

Nine months ago today - 8/21/15 - my family and I walked into Florida Hospital Orlando at 5:30 AM for my OHS. After six hours of surgery I was in recovery that evening, having had a mitral valve repair (with a 30mm annuloplasty), septal resection and PFO closure. During the surgery my pacemaker's atrial lead came dislodged, so 3 days later I was back in surgery for that. It's so hard to describe what the past 9 months has been like, as well as how going thru something like this changes you in so many ways - things the healthcare pros don't tell you about. Most of you reading this will know what I'm talking about. I'm so grateful for the superb care I have received from my doctors, nurses, rehab folks, etc. these past 9 months. I'm stronger now than I have been in years. God is faithful and He is my Healer!

I'm 9 mos. post-OHS. Recovery has been slow but steady. Completed rehab 3 weeks ago. Good report from cardiologist yesterday (see yesterday's post). However, lately I've been depressed & feeling like I'm on the edge of losing it. Today I had an emotional mini-meltdown. I'm an otherwise happily married man with grown children. Any other guys experience this? Should I tell my cardiologist?

Hello friends. Had a follow-up with my cardiologist today to review my latest echo. My EF is 60-65% with some mild regurgitation across all my valves, especially the aortic valve. That will be monitored with 2X-year echocardiograms. My pacer is ticking along at 100% dependent and I'm still in sinus. He started me back on the Losartan since I'm diabetic. I'm almost 9 months post-OHS and doing so well I don't have to see him again for 6 months - HURRAH!

Finished up cardiac rehab today - 36 sessions since last October (with a long break for cardioversion, atrial ablation & atrial lead replacement surgery). Can't believe how much better I feel. Thankful for the nurses who monitored me & encouraged me to push through. Gonna be a great summer!

Eight months ago today - 08/21/15 - my wife, 2 children, and sisters walked into Florida Hospital Orlando at 5:30 AM not sure what the day would hold. After over 6 hours of open heart surgery I woke up with a repaired mitral valve, a resected septum, a PFO closure & 100% pacemaker dependent. In the following months I went into AFlutter, had cardioversion, went into AFib, then had atrial ablation and atrial pacemaker lead replacement surgery on New Year's Eve. Since then I've been in sinus rhythm and feeling better by the week! As I'm in the music industry, a new Danny Gokey song "Tell Your Heart to Beat Again" so speaks to me as I have fought & survived this literal heart battle. I am slowly but surely getting stronger each day as I work back into a routine of serving others thru my agency. I still have pain & weakness I never imagined but I have only 2 more cardiac rehab sessions (out of 36), which has helped so much! Thanks be to God for what He has brought us through! Enjoy this song from me to you. http://youtu.be/azYK8I2uoog

I'm 7 1/2 months post-OHS for MV repair, PFO closure and septal resection. I'm 100% pacemaker dependent. I should complete cardiac rehab in 2 weeks (delayed because of PM and AFib issues last fall). Question: I'm having a hard time staying on task and get easily overwhelmed juggling everything, whereas before surgery I did just fine. I'm 57 yrs old and own my business as a consultant in the music industry (travel 1-2 weekends/month, lots of details to manage). Short-term memory issues are worse now, too. Will this all get better or is this the new normal? My wife said to ask you guys. Comments?