Michael's Journal

Does anyone know if valve-in-valve (TAVAR) is a future option if an Edward Life Science Magna Ease Bio Prosthetic AV replacement was the first AV valve installed?

A year and change from my AVR. Feeling good and thankful for this community. I can't express how much all the info and support helped with the anxiety leading up to the surgery,

I had a minimally invasive AVR surgery in June. The 3 1/3" incision was horizontal on my upper right chest. The muscle above the scar is bunched up and looks like a hernia when I cough, sneeze or laugh (and I laugh a lot). My surgeon says that he could put in a piece of mesh to even out the muscle to fix the problem. It's 90% cosmetic and 10% discomfort that will never go away. I can live with it or get it fixed, it's my choice. Has anyone had this same issue and what did you do?

Had follow ups with the cardiologist and surgeon's office. My surgery was June 13th. The echo showed that the new valve is working perfectly and the incision is healing very well. Thank God for minimally invasive techniques!!. Ahead of schedule as far as activities and stamina. The PA at my surgeons office used this website to show me my bio-prosthetic valve.

End of day 2 post bio AVR. Surgeon went in with a right mini T. I have read many times in this community that the anticipation is worse than the surgery itself and I totally agree. Trust your medical team. It was like I blinked and it was over. Wife and daughter were in ICU standing over me when I woke up. Breathing tube was removed promptly and pain was managed throughout the night. Got out of bed in just a few hrs and sat in a chair. Out of ICU today and took a walk around the cardio unit. Eating well and keeping hydrated. Thank you heavenly father for blessing me with a loving family and guiding the hands of my surgical team!!!

In professional sports draft terms...I'm officially on the clock....With the 1st pick of the 2018 Heart Valve Draft the left ventricle selects... MAGNA EASE BOVINE AORTIC BIO VALVE from Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT.…."This player can really open wide and close tight with the best of em...should be a franchise player for years to come."

Met my surgeon for the first time today. His name is Charles "Chuck" Lutz of St. Joseph Hospital in Syracuse, NY. He does over 350 OHS per year and more than 1/2 are valve repairs or replacements. Dr. Lutz seems confident that all will go well without complications. He recommended the Carpentier Edwards Perimount Magna Ease Bio Valve. The date is set for June 13th with pre-testing on June 6th. https://www.edwards.com/eu/products/heartvalves/Pages/MagnaEase.aspx

Cardiac Cath / Angiogram today. Not a big deal for those who may have one scheduled. The doc went through my wrist. The prep, procedure and post care took about 3 1/2 hrs. Arteries are 100% clear. Now need to Schedule a meeting with the surgeon and set a date.

The process finally started today. Had an echo, EKG and some blood work. An angiogram will be scheduled for next week. I had 5 pages of questions for my cardiologist today and decided on Dr. Charles Lutz of St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, NY as my surgeon. I will be meeting him within the next couple of weeks. I feel calm and relaxed about OHS thanks to all of the stories that I have followed over the last 5 months in this community.

I was told at my annual visit with my cardiologist in January, that this was the year I needed my aortic valve replaced. A bicuspid AV was discovered when I was 2 yrs old, now I'm 54 so the AV gave it a good run. I asked if I could wait until after my son completed his senior year in college because I did not want to miss any of his lacrosse games. My daughter also began her freshman year, so I did not want either of them to have to any distractions. My son's team won its 4th consecutive conference championship, he graduated and my daughter is on the dean's list in a nursing program. During Jan. until now I have been a daily reader of posts and I have to say that I'm ready to begin the process with a mindset of calmness and trusting the medical professionals. May 14th is my first visit back to by my Cardiologist for an echo then most likely a cath before scheduling surgery. Can't wait to get to the recovery side.

Does anyone have a job where they work from home? My boss is being very supportive about my surgery and time off. I'm just wondering if it will be too stressful if I try to spend a couple of hrs a day after a couple of weeks post AVR surgery answering emails, working on spreadsheets...etc. My job can be both mentally and physically draining at times. Has anyone tried to work from home after 2 or 3 weeks post surgery?

Received Adam's Book when I got home from a business trip on Friday. Could not put it down until I was finished. So much great info and insight that I highlighted and wrote all over it. I'm going to read it again!!! If you haven't already, I suggest getting a copy. I have a few months before my AVR and this book is really helping to set my mind at ease. THNX ADAM.