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Diagnosis: Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Aortic Aneurysm

Member Since: April 25, 2015

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Joe __ posted an update

9 years ago (May 4, 2017)

Gosh - it's been forever since I've visited my Journal page. After concentrating so heavily on my condition for what seemed like an eternity, some time away was definitely needed to get back to "normal" - whatever that means. My heart surgery will forever be a part of my life... Read more.

👍 Meredith Bray, Shannon Gray and reacted to this

Jeanette Davidson

9 years ago (May 4, 2017)

I remember you Joe! So happy you are doing so well. All the best to you💕

Joe __ posted an update

10 years ago (September 15, 2015)

Happy 3 month anniversary to me!! It's been awhile HVJ site, but I'm glad to come back and see the same positive but honest encouragement on the site that helped me out so much a few months ago. Of course, I've got a question. I went through cardiac rehab (graduate... Read more.

Rita Savelis

10 years ago (September 16, 2015)

Congrats on 3 months Joe. A volleyball tournament sounds pretty intense to me. I think it's early to be pushing yourself. But I do understand wanting to be normal and back to your old self....

Joe __ posted an update

10 years ago (August 13, 2015)

I'm about 8 weeks out from BAV repair and aortic root remodeling to remove an aneurysm. In cardiac rehab for a week and a half, but it's fairly low impact (I get scolded that I push too hard on the machines). I don't feel perfect, but I feel pretty good.... Read more.

Gerald Schaffer

10 years ago (August 14, 2015)

Can't help you with your question about returning to sport but I wouldn't rush it. Did your voice ever return to normal?

W. Carter

10 years ago (August 14, 2015)

I wouldn't rush it. Try about 3 mo. or whenever you can jog 3 miles at about 10 minute per mile pace comfortably. Thats about the level of condition you will need to be in to play vball.

Tammy Pilcher

10 years ago (August 14, 2015)

Joe, I was also wondering if your voice came back? I hope so! I can't give any advice about volleyball, but I'm sure there are some here that will be able to. My favorite outdoor activity is hiking and I recently did some day hikes in the mountains. I was... Read more.

Jeanette Davidson

10 years ago (August 14, 2015)

Joe~ I am so happy to hear you are doing well. I had similar questions and called my surgeon's medical assistant. She is in her 30s and had three open-heart surgeries. She encouraged me to not do any strength training or strenuous exercise for 3 to 5 months until my... Read more.

Mary K

10 years ago (August 15, 2015)

Hi Joe. We are at about the same recovery time from surgery. Cardiac Rehab is maddeningly slow. I went though it before when in my fifties, when I was used to Rollerblading ten miles at a pop. What I leaned that time is that they have a method to their... Read more.

Joe __

10 years ago (August 15, 2015)

Great stories and advice! @Mary K - I recently learned what a "met" was as well. I need to be at 8 mets to play vball and jumped up to 4 "mets" in my first cardiac rehab week, so they think I should be fine by the end of it... Read more.

Joe __

10 years ago (August 15, 2015)

@Gerald/Tammy: Thanks so much for asking about my voice. I received an injection treatment awhile ago, which didn't work initially, but then suddenly restored my voice to near usual -- still gravely and shaky though. The hope is that my nerve will regenerate as the injection wears off so that... Read more.

Tammy Pilcher

10 years ago (August 15, 2015)

Joe, I'm glad the injection helped and I pray the nerve will regenerate. I'm sure that has been very frustrating and something I never even thought about happening. I'm sorry you have to go through that on top of heart surgery. Prayers and best wishes for complete recovery. God bless!

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