Gregory Thayer - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2 days ago

Hi All, I hope everyone is doing well..

Well, my aorta valve replacement surgery is getting real, gery real. From my last journal posting 18 days ago ...Read more

Hi All, I hope everyone is doing well..

Well, my aorta valve replacement surgery is getting real, gery real. From my last journal posting 18 days ago on 24 March 2026.

I was not having any heart problems, just diagnosed with the Bicuspid Aorta valve with stenosis and regurgitation. But 3/4 weeks prior, I developed shortness of breath and my blood pressure and cholesterol was at good levels.

So, Dr. Robertello here in Rutland at Rutland Regional Medical Center in Vermont order a Echo Cardiogram and EEG. My bicuspid aorta valve was leaking, swallowed, and my Squeeze rate was at 35%, the normal rate is between 50 to 75%.

He looked at me and said, you need to do aorta vales replacement, this cannot wait Gregory. I agreed, and Tammy and I were off to the University of Vermont Cardiology Unit in a week +. On 2 April I was doung a Cardiac Catherization, x-rays, and other test. My valves and arteries showed no blockage nor obstructions. Great news!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, 8 April 2026, I go back to UVM Medical for a CT scan and Neck/Thorat scans, and a consultation with Cardio Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Monica McDonald at UVM Med.

Currently, surgery is scheduled for Wed, 15 April 2026, but I'm hoping to reschedule a week to 10 days our to prepared for and Pray on. I'm a practicing Catholic, staunch really, and I need Prayer.

Thank you all, God bless you and your family. I'll keep you updated.

Gregory M. Thayer
Rutland, Vermont

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Hey Gregory, I join you in your prayers. Here guys of this HVW have quite experience in the journey ... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Hey Gregory, I join you in your prayers. Here guys of this HVW have quite experience in the journey on aortic replacement and give you good advices. Godspeed in your surgery

Pamela Gregory Hi Gregory. While the news is always shocking, it is really great they found what the problem is and... Read more

Pamela Gregory Hi Gregory. While the news is always shocking, it is really great they found what the problem is and that it is fixable!!! Sending prayers your way

You will do great

J Alexander Lassally I think every patient needs to be ready mentally for the big event - so if you need the time to ready ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally I think every patient needs to be ready mentally for the big event - so if you need the time to ready yourself - so be it.

I, too, made sure I was super ready mentally (I am not religious in nature however.)

Dan Fouratt Good luck on your journey. We need to be pour own advocates of our health so if you need the days ta ... Read more

Dan Fouratt Good luck on your journey. We need to be pour own advocates of our health so if you need the days take them. You will be in better shape for the surgery. My prayers will be with you.

Rose Madura Gregory, God bless you on your heart valve journey. My only advice is to seek a second opinion. Plea ... Read more

Rose Madura Gregory, God bless you on your heart valve journey. My only advice is to seek a second opinion. Please keep us posted.

susan harris you have the power of so many of us praying for you! you will do great!

Thomas Brusstar You are right to set the surgery at a time when you are ready for it. Surgery is so successful now t ... Read more

Thomas Brusstar You are right to set the surgery at a time when you are ready for it. Surgery is so successful now that you should be very confident. And you are right to pray, because the peace and confidence of prayer will help you to handle the surgery better! I asked my Catholic priest to bless me before my valve repair 8 years ago, and it was a source of peace. (I'm trying not to be greedy, but this year I again asked for a blessing before cancer treatment. I was assured they will not "run out" of such prayers, regardless of how often I need them.)

Jocelyn Tabula-Maminta Good luck! Praying for you! You got this!

Gregory Thayerposted an update

20 days ago

Hi all, Its been 4 years since I was initially diagnosed with bicuspid aorta vales which has stenosis and regurgitation. I have not had any other symptoms ...Read more

Hi all, Its been 4 years since I was initially diagnosed with bicuspid aorta vales which has stenosis and regurgitation. I have not had any other symptoms other than my heart murmur, and no other heart related issues.

Until now, over the last 2/3 weeks I have been experiencing shortness of breath when walking distance or carrying something like my briefbag or bag of groceries, etc...

I called my cardiologist, Dr. Michael Robertello, MD (and other letters here). I had blood work done this past Monday, which laccording to my Primary Provider, looks good. Today, I had a Echo Cardiogram administered I have a follow-up appointment this Tuesday, 24 March here with our great Dr. Robertello.

I feel good, no chest or arm pains, my blood pressure is good, I feel great. But...

Gregory

Marie Myers Yes, it is a scary time in the “waiting room”. Let us know what your follow-up shows, and know th ... Read more

Marie Myers Yes, it is a scary time in the “waiting room”. Let us know what your follow-up shows, and know that you have a problem that is fixable.

Rose Madura Yes, please keep us posted. It's good they are running all the tests. Waiting is difficult but assumi ... Read more

Rose Madura Yes, please keep us posted. It's good they are running all the tests. Waiting is difficult but assuming surgery is in your future, your good health will help you in the recovery phase. Godspeed.

Robert Miller You for sure needed that echo and depending on the result a TEE. But it sounds to me you will need su ... Read more

Robert Miller You for sure needed that echo and depending on the result a TEE. But it sounds to me you will need surgery sooner than later. The issue is, the more you delay it, the more damage happens to your pumper. It's kind of like a car, if you see an engine light better take care of it. If you don't, that engine is going south quickly. I wish you all the best.

Dan Fouratt I had a BAV and was asymptomatic in fact I was in pretty good shape. Mine stenosis was found through ... Read more

Dan Fouratt I had a BAV and was asymptomatic in fact I was in pretty good shape. Mine stenosis was found through a stress echo test. My stress went up, my BP went down. They stopped the text even though I could go on. I was 63 at the time.

Geoff Curtis I'm with Dan, wasn't too bad, until it was. Started feeling faint and lightheaded headed most days, ... Read more

Geoff Curtis I'm with Dan, wasn't too bad, until it was. Started feeling faint and lightheaded headed most days, then the surgeon got involved and it was scheduled within 8 weeks. Good luck