Marshall's Journal

David Smith  My surgeon complimented my wife’s shoes she had on the day we met him. 😂 They both had the same shoes on! Dancecos I believe. 😂
Keep up the great attitude ... Read more

David Smith  My surgeon complimented my wife’s shoes she had on the day we met him. 😂 They both had the same shoes on! Dancecos I believe. 😂
Keep up the great attitude Marshall!
And as well, thank you for your service to our awesome country we live in. It’s your sacrifices that help makes this all possible. God bless!

Deena Elani  Marshall, having an excellent surgeon and one that you like and impresses you and your wife is so important!! So happy to hear that your surgeon is awesome. ... Read more

Deena Elani  Marshall, having an excellent surgeon and one that you like and impresses you and your wife is so important!! So happy to hear that your surgeon is awesome. I just read your surgeon’s bio: wow, top medical school, patient/centered, etc!!! Good picking, Marshall. Three hours is a fast surgery too. Sleep well tonight!!!
PS Thank you for serving our country

Marshall Rader  Hi Lynn, yes, I was overjoyed when Dr Buchanan walked into the room. Dr Buchanan told me that if it wasn't for the bypass of the LAD , then a minimal invasive ... Read more

Marshall Rader  Hi Lynn, yes, I was overjoyed when Dr Buchanan walked into the room. Dr Buchanan told me that if it wasn't for the bypass of the LAD , then a minimal invasive approach in replacing the aortic valve. The difference between minimum invasive and full chest open is time recovery of a few weeks as to a few months.

Mike Tirrell  Marshall, just a little blip on your radar. You make a good point, while not ideal, you know about it and can have it fixed before it becomes a bigger problem. ... Read more

Mike Tirrell  Marshall, just a little blip on your radar. You make a good point, while not ideal, you know about it and can have it fixed before it becomes a bigger problem. There are many that do not have that advantage. You got this.

Deena Elani  Hi Marshall, You're choosing the high road. Being a role model! What a life extending operation you are going to have. You're spot-on regarding all the ... Read more

Deena Elani  Hi Marshall, You're choosing the high road. Being a role model! What a life extending operation you are going to have. You're spot-on regarding all the people that never get the chance to have their heart fixed. I know this is not the news you wanted to hear, but you WILL get through this and be all the better because of it. Get the best surgeon ever, check his/her stats on the procedures and from there it is a go. Thinking of you...

Adam Pick  Marshall, I love how you are approaching this. A definite blessing in disguise. Coronary events are a scary and potentially deadly thing. We've all heard ... Read more

Adam Pick  Marshall, I love how you are approaching this. A definite blessing in disguise. Coronary events are a scary and potentially deadly thing. We've all heard about the "widow maker". Keep your head and your spirits up! This is all going in the right direction my friend!!!

Patsy Stewart  Mine were clear. During my unsuccessful OHS, they checked to see how calcified my valve was. My surgeon explained that I had enough calcification in the valve ... Read more

Patsy Stewart  Mine were clear. During my unsuccessful OHS, they checked to see how calcified my valve was. My surgeon explained that I had enough calcification in the valve to allow for a second chance with the TAVR procedure. I thank God for that every day I open my eyes!
You also ask about weight concerns before surgery. I was told months before that I had to gain 10-15 pounds before they could do the surgery. During that time I was hospitalized because my stomach had kind of closed off. No way could I gain weight with that going on! I did not gain weight and I still haven’t been successful. I had a lot of fear before surgery that I would lose weight because I knew I couldn’t afford to lose any. My weight has remained pretty stable....no gains and not much lost.
When is your surgery scheduled for?

Susan Lynn  Marshall - I had a CT of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis before I was approved for minimally- invasive surgery. They had to be sure everything was clear between ... Read more

Susan Lynn  Marshall - I had a CT of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis before I was approved for minimally- invasive surgery. They had to be sure everything was clear between the femoral artery and the heart since they had to run a line for the bypass. All the best!

Patsy Stewart  It is amazing the tests that you will go through before your actual surgery, but each one of them will give your doctor a better understanding of your body. ... Read more

Patsy Stewart  It is amazing the tests that you will go through before your actual surgery, but each one of them will give your doctor a better understanding of your body. I am allergic to the contrast dye they use during the CT scans, so I had all of mine except one done without the dye. In order to do a TAVR, they used the CT scan information to measure all of the veins, arteries or anything that they would be passing through to make sure that the instruments that they were inserting into my body would be able to go from the point of insertion to its destination. I was told that with the CT scan information, a special team actually used calipers to make sure that everything was measured correctly. Some people don't have a straight path from point A to point B. This will not only inform them of the size of everything, but it will also inform them of critical twists, curves and turns inside your body. The CT scans are a very important tool. I'm constantly asking questions to the technicians, nurses and doctors. It will make you less anxious.... well..... maybe not, but I tell myself that. I hope you do well with your CT scan.

Walter Fiorelli  The tests I had done to determine the best approach were... first, a cardioversion to bring my AFib under control, which it did. Then an Echocardiogram, which ... Read more

Walter Fiorelli  The tests I had done to determine the best approach were... first, a cardioversion to bring my AFib under control, which it did. Then an Echocardiogram, which was insufficient to make a determination. I had to have a Trans Esophageal Echocardiogram (TEE), which is done from the esophagus and allows them to see the heart unobstructed by the ribs. Next a cardiac catheterization to determine that I had no blockages. And after all that, surgery. They were able to repair my mitral valve using the existing tissue, but needed the TEE in order to get a good look at the valve operation, which gave them a good indication that they could repair the valve without mechanical implant.

Marie Myers  Choosing a valve was the hardest decision that i ever had to make. I was diagnosed with an ascending aneurysm (along with my bicuspid aortic valve) at age 62, ... Read more

Marie Myers  Choosing a valve was the hardest decision that i ever had to make. I was diagnosed with an ascending aneurysm (along with my bicuspid aortic valve) at age 62, and had surgery at 63. Ultimately I decided on a tissue valve, mostly to avoid taking Coumadin, but I went back and forth for months before deciding. It is a personal choice, but I sure did wish for a “Crystal Ball” when making the decision. The thought of a premature tissue valve failure does lurk in the back of my mind. The age bracket of 60-70 years is one which either valve choice can be appropriate, and a case can be made for both types. Do your research, get some second opinions, and you will come to the decision that is right for you.

Rose Madura  I agree with Marie that it was one of the hardest decisions. I chose a tissue valve at age 59. I discussed both options with my surgeon and landed on tissue. ... Read more

Rose Madura  I agree with Marie that it was one of the hardest decisions. I chose a tissue valve at age 59. I discussed both options with my surgeon and landed on tissue. I didn't like the idea of blood thinners. I've heard that tissue valves in "older" less active adults will last longer. It's tough. Try to get more than one opinion and remember the choice is yours to make.

Mike Ridenour  I had my ohs July last year. I was 56 years old. I chose tissue because I didn't want to have to be on coumadin or thinners the rest of my days. I do a lot ... Read more

Mike Ridenour  I had my ohs July last year. I was 56 years old. I chose tissue because I didn't want to have to be on coumadin or thinners the rest of my days. I do a lot of building/repairing/mechanical type work and always getting scrapes, cuts etc...so lifestyle helped make my choice. Also the tech that is already here today and promise of more coming....like the ability to do a TAVR valve replacement on the Inspiris Resilia aortic valve that I got. wishing you the best.

Patsy Stewart  Has the surgeon explained it where you truly understand? When I was ask the question as to which valve I wanted, it stumped me. I'm thinking that they should ... Read more

Patsy Stewart  Has the surgeon explained it where you truly understand? When I was ask the question as to which valve I wanted, it stumped me. I'm thinking that they should know what valve would be best for me. I didn't feel experienced enough to choose. I asked the surgeon what his suggestion was. He explained all about the mechanical and the tissue valves. He also talked about Coumadin. He didn't want me on Coumadin for the rest of my life if it could be avoided. He suggested a tissue valve. To tell the truth, I still don't understand my valve. I'm not on Coumadin, but I will be on a blood thinner for the rest of my life.

Tim Zapf  This was for sure the toughest decision to make. Mechanical with Coumadin for life and valve noise or tissue with repeat surgery or surgeries. I struggled with ... Read more

Tim Zapf  This was for sure the toughest decision to make. Mechanical with Coumadin for life and valve noise or tissue with repeat surgery or surgeries. I struggled with it but at 48 and active eventually decided on mechanical On-X valve. This valve brand allows for much lower Coumadin intake and you maintain an INR between 1.5-2 rather than the typical 2-3 range. I do get cuts and they do not bleed forever. I hike, canoe and backcountry camp without fear. I did hear the valve ticking for about the first year after surgery, but my brain has mostly tuned it out now and it does not bother me any longer. The hardest part of mechanical is testing on a weekly basis (at home testing) but I have also gotten used to this and it is just part of the weekly routine. If I am unable to test for any reason (in the woods for a week) I just let the doc know and we resume testing when I get back. I hope this gives you an idea of life with mechanical. The choice is a very personal decision to make.