Week 6 Post Op Update:
My Cardioligist gave me the good news yesterday. No more Metropolol. Yes!! I am now only on daily baby aspirin. He has cleared me to ...Read more
Week 6 Post Op Update:
My Cardioligist gave me the good news yesterday. No more Metropolol. Yes!! I am now only on daily baby aspirin. He has cleared me to work, travel, excercise and even swimming. Not sure about the swimming part. 6 weeks post sternotomy? Anyone have any feedback on that? I still carry huge gratitude for Duke, Friends, Family, this community, my wonderful Wife and my Heavenly Father. Thank you, thank you, thank you! The pre surgery fear was definately the worst part. I pray for all those waiting for surgery and those healing. God Bless you All!
Chris Purvis Good news brother! Sorry happy for you my man!
Judy Shaw That's great news, Michael. Hard to believe it's been 6 weeks! Happy to hear your recovery has went w ... Read more
Judy Shaw That's great news, Michael. Hard to believe it's been 6 weeks! Happy to hear your recovery has went well.
Rose Madura Great post! So happy you are doing so well so quickly. A few months ago I tried some sit ups and lu ... Read more
Rose Madura Great post! So happy you are doing so well so quickly. A few months ago I tried some sit ups and lunges. The pain in my sternum was horrible afterwards. This was after about 9 or 10 months. So I stopped. I would think swimming would be rough - but maybe if you take it a little bit at a time and try not to overdue it.
Valerie Herndon-Vitarella My surgery was one day before yours and I am doing well also. Certain swimming strokes might be okay, ... Read more
Valerie Herndon-Vitarella My surgery was one day before yours and I am doing well also. Certain swimming strokes might be okay, but I know I was told no raquetball or kayak paddling until 8-12 weeks.
Penelope Bodek Wonderful news, Michael! Duke is a great place. Did you have a heart catheterization done the day b ... Read more
Penelope Bodek Wonderful news, Michael! Duke is a great place. Did you have a heart catheterization done the day before? If so, what Dr did you have? I have a heart catheterization on 7/25 and surgery on 7/26.
3 week post op update:
My surgeon has released me to my Cardioligist and they finally took me off Lasix. Yea! Did not like the double vision and the frequent ...Read more
3 week post op update:
My surgeon has released me to my Cardioligist and they finally took me off Lasix. Yea! Did not like the double vision and the frequent visits to the restroom. All and all I feel great! Sneezing still hurts but I am handling the coughs and hiccups better. I have six days left on Amiodarone and hopeful that we can lose Metoprolol soon. Baby aspirin only would be great. Anyway just want to wish all those recovering a speedy recovery and for those still waiting is surgery a still mind and prayers for a successful procedure.
Susan Lynn Glad to hear you're doing so well! That's amazing progress for three weeks. Continued success, Mich ... Read more
Susan Lynn Glad to hear you're doing so well! That's amazing progress for three weeks. Continued success, Michael!
Judy Shaw That is great news after only 3 weeks! Continued prayers.
2 Week Post Op Update:
Two weeks ago May 15th I had my surgery for BAV replacement (Bovine), 5cm Aortic Root and Ascending Aortic Anuerysm. I was told it was ...Read more
2 Week Post Op Update:
Two weeks ago May 15th I had my surgery for BAV replacement (Bovine), 5cm Aortic Root and Ascending Aortic Anuerysm. I was told it was a Bentall Procedure. I have had the great fortune of having my wife care for me and honestly I don’t know how this would have been without her. Recover is going great. Appetite is good, walking 2-3 miles daily and pain is minimal. I have a follow up with my surgeon on June 4th and will have echocardiogram, blood work and X-rays to check everything out. Assuming everything is okay, I can start cardio rehab and be turned over to Cardioligist. Best wishes and prayers out to all who have procedures this week and to those recovering.
Willie Radl Great news Michael, glad to hear things are going well. Out of curiosity does the bovine valve sound ... Read more
Willie Radl Great news Michael, glad to hear things are going well. Out of curiosity does the bovine valve sound different than your native valve did or can you not even hear it?
Anna Jones Wonderful news. Thank you for keeping us updated. I'm so glad your recovery is going well.
Susan Lynn Awesome news! Continued success with your recovery.
Michael Eichhorn Hey Willie, thank you. I have no sound changes with the new valve. Has the mechanical quieted down a ... Read more
Michael Eichhorn Hey Willie, thank you. I have no sound changes with the new valve. Has the mechanical quieted down at all?
Natalia Margulis 2-3 miles after 2weeks it sounds great. Good luck and very fast recovery. I am waiting my surgery AS ... Read more
Natalia Margulis 2-3 miles after 2weeks it sounds great. Good luck and very fast recovery. I am waiting my surgery ASAP.
Joey Hardee Awesome news! So glad to read the update and glad it is going well. I was curious about something as ... Read more
Joey Hardee Awesome news! So glad to read the update and glad it is going well. I was curious about something as well....were you having any pre-surgery symptoms that you have noticed have improved?
Willie Radl Michael, I'm glad to hear your valve doesn't have a noise. My mechanical has quieted down a LOT!! I c ... Read more
Willie Radl Michael, I'm glad to hear your valve doesn't have a noise. My mechanical has quieted down a LOT!! I can still hear it ticking away at night when I lay down but hardly notice it during the day which is a relief. I remember the first few days in the hospital I thought I was going to go nuts!! I hope you are enjoying your time at home and getting the R&R you need. Best wishes to you for a smooth recovery.
Michael Eichhorn I had no symptoms before Joey. I am hoping after cardio rehab that I have another gear with having pr ... Read more
Michael Eichhorn I had no symptoms before Joey. I am hoping after cardio rehab that I have another gear with having proper blood flow now.
Kim Carpenter Great news! I haven’t been on the site in a while, busy with end of school year ! I’m so glad you ... Read more
Kim Carpenter Great news! I haven’t been on the site in a while, busy with end of school year ! I’m so glad your recovery has gone well! Thank goodness for friends and family! Sounds like they are taking good care of you! Keep up the good work and remember to rest too!!!!
1 week post surgery update:
Got home Saturday night and am doing well. The community we live in has been wonderful. Helping with our kids and sending over ...Read more
1 week post surgery update:
Got home Saturday night and am doing well. The community we live in has been wonderful. Helping with our kids and sending over dinners. I tried to go Tylenol only but experienced some high heart rates so decided to go back on low dose oxycodone. Pain is not bad at all but I guess the healing process is better when under control. Do others have opinion on this? Otherwise I walked a mile earlier and have my appetite back. Lost most of the water weight that I gained and watching a lot of Netflix :)
Chris Purvis Dang man you walked a mile??!! Now that’s getting after it at its finest! #NetflixBinge. Your exact ... Read more
Chris Purvis Dang man you walked a mile??!! Now that’s getting after it at its finest! #NetflixBinge. Your exactly where I want to be...ready for my old parts to get out of me quickly.
Rose Madura Hi Michael. Glad you are home and doing so well! I think it's best to try to stay ahead of the pain. ... Read more
Rose Madura Hi Michael. Glad you are home and doing so well! I think it's best to try to stay ahead of the pain. When I was in the hospital, I started to cut back on opioids and switched to Tylenol. I then weaned off the opioids altogether. When I took them, and closed my eyes, I had visions of huge monster nurses. LOL! So I got off them as soon as I could. But you shoiild feel minimal pain so stay ahead of it.
Marie Myers Listen to your body. If you need oxy, take oxy. They did help me get a better night's sleep in the ea ... Read more
Marie Myers Listen to your body. If you need oxy, take oxy. They did help me get a better night's sleep in the early days. You will find that your need for them will gradually go down. Glad to hear all is going well! Lots of resting in the early days...
Penelope Bodek So glad you are doing so well. Really happy you went to Duke.
Michael Eichhorn Duke was the right choice for me Penelope for sure!
Susan Roberts Hi Michael. Glad you are making good progress. Go with what works for the pain meds, your body needs ... Read more
Susan Roberts Hi Michael. Glad you are making good progress. Go with what works for the pain meds, your body needs to rest an you can wean off later!. Glad you got your appetite back.. I am not quite there yet. Don't know about you but it's been great to sleep in my own bed without those 330am wake up calls!
Anna Jones Glad you are home and it sounds like you are doing really well. Sending the usual prayers and well w ... Read more
Anna Jones Glad you are home and it sounds like you are doing really well. Sending the usual prayers and well wishes for an easy recovery.
Carolyn Newell Hi Michael, I too tried to do the same with the Tylenol for the first few days at home and then decid ... Read more
Carolyn Newell Hi Michael, I too tried to do the same with the Tylenol for the first few days at home and then decided to go with 1/2 an oxy at night. Plus my surgical nurse got mad at me and said stop trying to be super women as I think you already are. So nice :). I found I could sleep better with it. I also took zofran with it bc it made me nauseous. Take all the time you need to heal....there are no "speedy recoveries" with open heart surgery. Happy to hear you're doing so well but try not to overdo or you will pay the price the next day. At least, that's what I've found to be true in my case.
Willie Radl Awesome, thats great news. Take care of the pain and just focus on healing. I felt like it took 3 sol ... Read more
Willie Radl Awesome, thats great news. Take care of the pain and just focus on healing. I felt like it took 3 solid weeks before my sternum had fused back together. Now at 7 weeks it feels almost normal.
Kelly Stoll Congratulations and welcome home. I have been able to maintain on just Tylenol but I also had severe ... Read more
Kelly Stoll Congratulations and welcome home. I have been able to maintain on just Tylenol but I also had severe nausea with the other options. The pain is barely noticeable now, 4 weeks out. I still take it though before cardio rehab as one of the nurses suggested it and I am sure it helps. Great work and continue to take it one day at a time. You sound like you are already off to a positive start.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers out there! I am packing for Duke University Hospital. Leaving in the Morning for Heart Cath and admitting me afterward. ...Read more
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers out there! I am packing for Duke University Hospital. Leaving in the Morning for Heart Cath and admitting me afterward. Bentall procedure Tuesday morning. Really excited to be on the other side of surgery and start the healing process. Reading through this forum has been a huge help. I wanted to thank you all for helping me navigate all the fears, emotions and questions. Reading through stories and experiences has given me great comfort. I hope to do the same for others in the future. God Bless
Judy Shaw Thank you Michael. My thoughts and prayers are with you as well as God's grace.
Susan Lynn Good luck, Michael! You're going to do great! I look forward to reading your good news. We'll be h ... Read more
Susan Lynn Good luck, Michael! You're going to do great! I look forward to reading your good news. We'll be here waiting for you!
Mark Wilbur Go with confidence, Michael. Stay strong and you'll be even stronger pretty soon. Godspeed.
Adam Pick Yes, Happy Mother's Day everybody!!!! Thoughts are with you Michael!!! Glad to hear this website h ... Read more
Adam Pick Yes, Happy Mother's Day everybody!!!! Thoughts are with you Michael!!! Glad to hear this website has been helpful for you on your journey to a healthy heart!
Debbie Chatzky Stay strong Michael! Looking forward to hearing from you in the recovery side!
Susan Roberts Best wishes Michael! See you on the recovery side!
Willie Radl Best wishes for a speedy recovery. You'll be on the other side before you know it.
Kim Carpenter Wishing you luck and strength in your heart journey ! You will do great like the rest of us ! Stay st ... Read more
Kim Carpenter Wishing you luck and strength in your heart journey ! You will do great like the rest of us ! Stay strong and let family take care of you!
Well, we are scheduled. I met with Dr. Jeffrey Gaca from Duke University yesterday and he has recommended replacing my 5cm Ascending Aorta, my 5cm Aortic Root ...Read more
Well, we are scheduled. I met with Dr. Jeffrey Gaca from Duke University yesterday and he has recommended replacing my 5cm Ascending Aorta, my 5cm Aortic Root and my bicuspid Aortic Valve. He explained that it’s a complicated surgery but felt confident that I would do well. I guess the Root makes it more difficult. Any feedback from anyone who has had their Aortic Root replaced would be appreciated. I thought I was decided on a synthetic valve but Dr Gaca strongly recommended the mechanical. Based on what I am reading, it appears On X is favored? I really appreciate any feedback with this also. I am REALLY appreciative of this community. Thank you!
Marie Myers I had my bicuspid AV, dilated root, and 4.8 cm ascending aortic aneurysm replaced just over a year ag ... Read more
Marie Myers I had my bicuspid AV, dilated root, and 4.8 cm ascending aortic aneurysm replaced just over a year ago. I had a hard time deciding the valve choice, eventually deciding on the tissue valve. At age 63, I am hoping to be TAVR next time around. If you are younger, I would definitely consider the Ony-X valve due to it's lower anticoagulantion requirement.
While it was a big surgery, I have to say it is very doable. I was back at work part time in 8 weeks.
Wishing you all the best in your heart journey. You are at a very good place for your care.
Felix Cherny Michael! 4 weeks ago I had my Aortic root replaced (Dacron Graft procedure) + mechanical aortal valve ... Read more
Felix Cherny Michael! 4 weeks ago I had my Aortic root replaced (Dacron Graft procedure) + mechanical aortal valve + mechanical mitral valve. St. Jude is approved for double valve replacement, On-X is NOT approved for double valve replacement. The surgery lasted 5hr, they fully opened me up! But guess what, I’m alive and on the way to recovery. The medical science today is so advanced today, it’s more mind boggling now then sending a man on the Moon was 50 years ago. You will be alright, just let the professionals take care of you! God bless!
Shannon Gray Thought of you and your family yesterday. Prayers that it was a positive and supportive day for you. ... Read more
Shannon Gray Thought of you and your family yesterday. Prayers that it was a positive and supportive day for you. Email any time you have any questions. These next few week of waiting can be the hardest, so we are here for you.
Willie Radl Michael, just had my BAV replaced with the on-x valve less than 2 weeks ago. Didn't need aorta replac ... Read more
Willie Radl Michael, just had my BAV replaced with the on-x valve less than 2 weeks ago. Didn't need aorta replaced. I feel great and other than a little chest pain when I cough and poorer cardio, I feel completely normal. The mechanical does have a tick you will notice, at first it was very loud and noticeable but I have gotten used to it where it doesn't bother me (but can still hear it when I'm sitting still). I think any of the mechanical valves are probably very similar but the ON-x is approved for lower INR which I think is the biggest advantage, it also has the pannus guards but I'm not sure if there is enough history with the valve to really know if they work. Best of luck to you, you'll get through it with no problems!!
Gerald Poulton Hi MIchael, my surgeon and cardiologist were pushing me to get the mechanical valve as well. I did ... Read more
Gerald Poulton Hi MIchael, my surgeon and cardiologist were pushing me to get the mechanical valve as well. I did a lot of research and there are some good articles posted on my journal if you care to read them. I just didn't think my live style was conducive to warfarin and I didnt want to roll the dice on how my body would react to it either. I just wanted to get the operation done with and know that after I would be me again. Now at 9 months post op I am doing great and better than before because I don't have a defective valve anymore. I was also fortunate to have an internal medicine specialist who is in his 40's and said he would not get the mechanical because of the warfarin. He told me about people in the hospital that had internal bleeding because of warfarin. Giving them blood in one arm and Heparin in the other. I know that different people react differently to warfarin but I just didn't want to take that chance. It is a big decision but the way I figure, I am the one that has to live with the consequences of my decision, not the surgeon. Anyways, all the best to you and I hope your surgery and recovery goes as good as mine has.
I thought I had made up my mind to have my surgery done at Duke University. It’s about a three hour drive from my home. My local cardioligist said they were ...Read more
I thought I had made up my mind to have my surgery done at Duke University. It’s about a three hour drive from my home. My local cardioligist said they were great but that I should consider complications that may arise post surgery and if I needed follow up locally it could be a challenge. Just got informed that someone who had my identical AVR replacement, Aortic Root replacement and Ascending Arotic repair spent Easter in the hospital with AFib/Flutter issues. I appreciate any help from the community of people who had distant surgeries that needed follow up locally. Is this a problem? I have read that AFib/flutter issues are common. Thank you for your opinions.
Anna Jones Hi Michael, I am in the same boat. I will be traveling to Houston for my surgery. I spoke with 2 s ... Read more
Anna Jones Hi Michael, I am in the same boat. I will be traveling to Houston for my surgery. I spoke with 2 surgeons and both told me that A-fib happens about 50% of the time; it is the heart's reaction to the stress of the surgery.
I was also told that the A-fib should start while I am in the hospital and that I would not be released from the hospital until it was under control.
There are other things that can happen too, like pericarditis and endocarditis.
Options that you have are:
1. You, your wife, travel to Duke. You have a relative stay with the children. You rent an AirBnb for about a month until you are released from your surgeon's care and can travel back home. There are cardiologists at Duke who will care for you if any problems arise, and you will be close to your surgeon if you need him.
2. You travel to Duke and you ask for a referral to a nursing/rehab facility so that you will have the care of trained staff and Physical Therapists and Respiratory Therapists, and any other kind of therapist you need right there. They will be able to get you readmitted to the hospital in the event you need it. You would have to check to see if your insurance will cover this. This is the option I am trying to arrange.
3. You and your spouse travel home as soon as you are permitted by the surgeon. In this option you have your cardiologist who is familiar with your case nearby but you will be going to a local hospital (where they do have surgeons) in the event you need additional surgical care. Your surgeon would be a phone call away and could act in an advisory capacity.
Sending best wishes.
Sandy Laine You have to do what is right for you. I did not feel comfortable with the way the 1.5 hour distant h ... Read more
Sandy Laine You have to do what is right for you. I did not feel comfortable with the way the 1.5 hour distant hospital did the surgery I needed, after the consult at Duke I felt it was well worth the extra drive time. We had the airbnb for a week, so we stayed there the night after I was discharged, and I did call back to talk to the surgeon's office the next morning. We also called a few times from home - they told me I could go to the local hospital for IV fluids if I felt it necessary when my blood pressure was low. The surgeon told me that (serious) complications after surgery for someone in/with my condition were 'basically unheard of' - so I felt comfortable.
Many people on here travel much farther - my other consideration was Cleveland Clinic - but not meeting the surgeon until the day before AND the additional travel time caused me to not proceed with that idea.
Good Luck!
Michael Eichhorn Thank you so much Anna! Great ideas. Which Doctor at Duke did your surgery Sandy?
Deb Lewis I traveled for surgery. My local cardiologist assured me that coordinated care between out of town h ... Read more
Deb Lewis I traveled for surgery. My local cardiologist assured me that coordinated care between out of town hospitals and local cardiologists is clear and routine.
Penelope Bodek They have many excellent Dr's at Duke. My surgeon is Chad Hughes. I haven't had my surgery yet, but ... Read more
Penelope Bodek They have many excellent Dr's at Duke. My surgeon is Chad Hughes. I haven't had my surgery yet, but my friend has and his surgeon was Hughes. He's the best. We traveled from Florida for his surgery. You will figure out how to make the distance work.
Felix Cherny Michael! I had complications developed on the 6th day after the surgery. Thanks God I still stayed in ... Read more
Felix Cherny Michael! I had complications developed on the 6th day after the surgery. Thanks God I still stayed in the hospital , as here in Europe they are required to keep you for at least 8 days. I had an emergency surgery that saved my life. I thought I had a mild breathing problem, but it was an internal bleeding. So, my advise! Rent a hotel for a week nearby your hospital, and just stay there! The extra money is worth it. If something happens, you can go right in where you came from and don’t have to explain anything. I read with awe that people fly on the 4-5 day after the surgery. Too much risk! Stay close to your surgeon!