Larry's Journal

6 months since my AV replacement and all is well. Going to the gym 5 days a week for treadmill and some weight training. I've overcome gym-o-phobia courtesy of cardiac rehab and find its not horrible. My brother in law had double bypass and AV replacement today and is doing ok. Sent him my copy of Adams book and am urging his wife to read it as well and get on this wonderful website. Merry Christmas to all! Larry

Had 3 month checkup and cardiologist says new valve (AVR)sounds great and took me off warfarin. Still on metropolol and may be forever in addition to Benazapril for BP. No more lifting restrictions although I'm not telling the guys in the bank quite yet-it's been nice getting help. Common sense is the guide he said. Quite a 3 month period and looking back it DOES seem like a long time ago. CARDIAC REHAB IS A MUST FOR ANY OF YOU THAT ARE UNDECIDED. It is giving me confidence and will get me started on a gym program(this time for real) when it ends.

4 weeks post op. I would sum up my experience by saying the hospital week was about like I expected,and the recovery has been easier. I feel very fortunate to be in this condition and start rehab next week. I would recommend the incision shield to all as I have not had issues with clothing rubbing and my scar looks great.i feel Adams book prepared me very well along with the on line community thanks to all! Ready next month to celebrate by being in stage with my Beatles band 8-3. Goals are important. Blood pressure is up in last two weeks so my metropolol is being increased. Hope that does the trick!

Terry, Larry's wife here. 5 days post surgery, doing well and discharged on Sunday 6/14. Surgery went very well. His AV was highly calcified, Dr. had to use a medical chisel to break it up before removing. Larry will post in a few days, until then we want to thank Adam for his wonderful book which really helped to prepare both of us and blessings to this awesome community of Brothers and Sisters. You really helped to keep him positive and focused-we are so thankful. In 25 years together, I've never seen him as calm as he was on morning of surgery. Tip: prior to surgery we decided to create a password I would say to him when he came out of surgery. This password meant that I had spoken with the Surgeon, surgery went as planned and all was well. We decided on the line "baby fish mouth" from the 1989 movie When Harry met Sally as it always cracks us up. An hour after surgery, I leaned down and whispered the line in his ear. With breathing tube in, eyes closed and somewhere between here and there, his head nodded up and down one time, a slight tear from his eye and he knew all was going to be OK. The most beautiful sight I've ever seen. Thank you Lord Jesus.

6 days to go and I am ready. this site and the attaboys I've gotten have been most appreciated. I know the first two weeks post op will be difficult with improvement after that. Looking forward to having this behind me- I feel that my life will have a new chapter opening-'post op with greater appreciation of all life has to offer"

Surgery date 6/9 for me at 63 yrs. Tissue Aortic valve replacement. My wife Terry and I feel that everything has been explained to us in detail but were surprised to learn of Coumadin req'd for 90 days. Met a local guy with mechanical valve replaced and even a heart pump 2 months ago-he looks great! Larry Fuller Sparks Nv