Mike's Journal

Mike Mo  Hi Bob, feeling great. Better then before surgery already. Still bruised and sore, but not to bad. Had a few dizzy spells, other than that, I feel great. ... Read more

Mike Mo  Hi Bob, feeling great. Better then before surgery already. Still bruised and sore, but not to bad. Had a few dizzy spells, other than that, I feel great. Walking 1-3 miles a day. Rehab starts next week! Thank you, good luck to you Bob

Bob Fessler  Well Mike, are you still feeling great? It's been awhile since I checked in with you. Are you going to rehab? Any more dizzy spells. I hope you are doing ... Read more

Bob Fessler  Well Mike, are you still feeling great? It's been awhile since I checked in with you. Are you going to rehab? Any more dizzy spells. I hope you are doing fantastic and feeling a lot better than before surgery.

Linda Yaff  Wow Mike. So good to hear. I am scared to death - I need an aortic valve and ventricle septa defect corrected in June. Did you do the invasive or non invasive? ... Read more

Linda Yaff  Wow Mike. So good to hear. I am scared to death - I need an aortic valve and ventricle septa defect corrected in June. Did you do the invasive or non invasive? Bovine ot mechanical? Thanks in advance and your posts have been very helpful. Good luck.

Mike Mo  Linda, the waiting was awful for me as well. I was so scared. I got some therapy at the reccomendation of my primary care doctor and it really helped me deal ... Read more

Mike Mo  Linda, the waiting was awful for me as well. I was so scared. I got some therapy at the reccomendation of my primary care doctor and it really helped me deal with the whole thing. The tools I learned have helped me with recovery immensly. The therapy has made me very optimistic about recovery and thankful for the surgery. The recovery has been HARD, but I am so thankful for the opportunity to do it. I never would have felt like that w/o some therapy. Best of luck to you!

Whitney Nelson  I have an aneurysm and take a beta blocker as well and my bp runs around 130/80 and resting pulse in usually in the 80s. I freak out almost daily about that ... Read more

Whitney Nelson  I have an aneurysm and take a beta blocker as well and my bp runs around 130/80 and resting pulse in usually in the 80s. I freak out almost daily about that and I have had called my surgeon to get a reality check about the situation. You just have to trust your team to know what's right for you and tell you when they think it's time for surgery. However I would voice your concerns with your surgeon. As far as telling your kids, I have a 9 year old son and I just told him I have to have surgery to fix a problem with my heart so that I can feel better and keep up with him. He doesn't really understand the fact that it's a major surgery and I'm glad about that. He is mostly just excited he will get to stay with a friend for the 5 days I'm in the hospital. Not sure how much what I've said has helped. Lol but good luck and keep us posted!

Robert Osmachenko  Hi Mike, welcome to the site. I had an aortic valve change 17 months ago but did not have to do anything to the ascending aorta.
There are measures of a normal ... Read more

Robert Osmachenko  Hi Mike, welcome to the site. I had an aortic valve change 17 months ago but did not have to do anything to the ascending aorta.
There are measures of a normal sized aorta vs. an enlarged aorta on this site. Do you know what your numbers are?
What is your opening size? Aortic valve.
Pressures at your valve site?
Ejection Fraction? This tells you how well your heart is pumping and expelling blood.
This site is the best and you can get a "make" on where you sit in the scheme of things by reading other journals. Please look at the video section and educate yourself on what heart surgery means.
Be careful with clonazepam as this drug can be habit forming.
Take care and let us know what you find out when you sit down with the doctor.

Clare Auten  I don't know much about the medication you are on but I know that some medicines work better for me than others. I was on lisinipril and metroprolol but have ... Read more

Clare Auten  I don't know much about the medication you are on but I know that some medicines work better for me than others. I was on lisinipril and metroprolol but have been switched to ramipril and bystolic. My BP is much better controlled.
My surgery was 2 years ago, 1/9/14, and my kids were 13,7,and 4. My husband had previous surgery for a shoulder injury. Grandma had knee surgery, etc, all outpatient. I just told them surgery for my heart, going to sleep at the hospital a few days. They each handled things a bit different. My husband was able to have his mom come stay at our house to manage kids so he could come and go as he needed. I wrote the kids notes for while I was gone. We chose not to bring the kids up the first day when I had too many tubes and scary things. It was hard for me, i wanted to see them, but worth it not to freak them out. My email is autenclare @gmail.com. if you or your wife have other questions.

Ed Miskovic  Your question about whether or not (or when, or how) to tell the kids about your up-coming surgery is no easy one. If it were me, I would seek the advice from ... Read more

Ed Miskovic  Your question about whether or not (or when, or how) to tell the kids about your up-coming surgery is no easy one. If it were me, I would seek the advice from a Health Psychologist who specializes in Cardiac Diseases. The hospital where the surgery will be done, very likely has one on staff or can refer you to one. That's the professional who may be able to help you sort through various options you have. The best to you & yours.

John Murray  Mike, I had a BAV with an aneurysm in my ascending aorta. I felt like it was a ticking time bomb. I almost messed my pants every time I sneezed!!! I would ... Read more

John Murray  Mike, I had a BAV with an aneurysm in my ascending aorta. I felt like it was a ticking time bomb. I almost messed my pants every time I sneezed!!! I would freeze and wait for any indication that my aneurysm had just blown. So, I know how you must feel right now.

Your systolic number isn't great, but your diastolic # and pulse look okay. The BAV/aneurysm issue isn't so much of a blood pressure issue. The aneurysm is generally formed by the way your blood is leaving the heart. The BAV can cause the blood to be driven into the walls of the aorta instead of going straight up the pipe. This is called eccentric flow. I don't want to freak you out any more than you already are, but BAV caused aneurysms are more dangerous than an aneurysm caused by high blood pressure. Don't get me wrong...you need to keep your blood pressure down. You don't need the added pressure on the aneurysm. Surgeons prefer to treat a BAV caused aneurysm sooner rather than later. My surgeon told me not to let it go past 5cm.

I know I probably just freaked you totally out, but stay calm... your doctors will get a better look at it with the TEE and then be able to put together a plan of action. You'll end up being fine. Take it from someone who just went through BAVR & aortic graft surgery. Best of luck Mike. Any questions? Don't hesitate to ask! I'll try to be a little less stressful than this when I answer next.

Sophia Ridley  I can't address the first two, but can the third...

Ed's advice is spot on re telling children. I sought advice from a psychologist and also this site. ... Read more

Sophia Ridley  I can't address the first two, but can the third...

Ed's advice is spot on re telling children. I sought advice from a psychologist and also this site.

I have a 3yr and 6yr, please see my journals for the advice I received. I am also aware that I wanted them to have a positive experience of operations / hospitals / recovery in case they have to face surgery themselves (my condition is genetic). So many reactions are caused by childhood memories so I wanted this to be as positive as possible. I informed their schools too just in case there was additional support needed.

I gently built up that I wasn't well, they were aware that I was unwell after some procedures (allergy not heart) and then I sat down with them, talked about the heart and lungs function, I drew the heart anatomically correct (not to associate the common heart symbol with my op) and then highlighted the valve and said mummy's was like a floppy banana skin and the doctor was going to make it better. It was also advised to draw a line in red pen on my chest as that's what they'll see. (When I did this, it was more of a shock to me!) I rubbed it off to show that it will fade. I also bought a flap book of the human body.

I have been guided by them and have continued to answer questions truthfully but without scaring them. They have both been a wonderful tonic during my recovery.

Michael Meyer  Mike:

My children were a little bit older but I did have a conversation with them about why I was going into the hospital. There are some great children's ... Read more

Michael Meyer  Mike:

My children were a little bit older but I did have a conversation with them about why I was going into the hospital. There are some great children's books at the library that talk about the heart. I started with these books when I first learned about my MVP. I think at 9 and 5 it is a natural question to know where Dad is? There is also a good suggestion to get some other counsel.

Mike Mo  Thank you for these answers everyone. Very helpful. My BP was normal today. I will review the numbers on my echo and consult my dr for aneurism. Still unsure ... Read more

Mike Mo  Thank you for these answers everyone. Very helpful. My BP was normal today. I will review the numbers on my echo and consult my dr for aneurism. Still unsure about when to tell kids, but will work with my surgeon for guidance within hospital. Thank you

Sophia Ridley  I didn't tell them the fuller story until few weeks before, I told their schools first in case they reacted badly. There is a counsellor at the school who meets ... Read more

Sophia Ridley  I didn't tell them the fuller story until few weeks before, I told their schools first in case they reacted badly. There is a counsellor at the school who meets with my older daughter and they chat while making things. She's been a great support. My parents came to visit for 3wks post op so I always finished whatever I said with the fact Nana and Granddad were coming to stay... OHS practically became a side event :) if you can end each time you speak to them on a high note then that's helps everyone.

Catrina Glover  I have a daughter 9 and was going to wait to tell her (surgery is March 4th) but my husband and I were concerned she'd hear us talking about it with others ... Read more

Catrina Glover  I have a daughter 9 and was going to wait to tell her (surgery is March 4th) but my husband and I were concerned she'd hear us talking about it with others which we have been a lot. Also, my emotions are very up and down with it coming up. She sees me crying more than I want her to, so we thought it was best to go ahead and tell her. It gives them the opportunity to ask questions as well. I've already contacted her teacher as well.

Kate Watson  Where are you having your surgery, Mike? I'm having mine at Swedish in a few weeks. As for the kids, I would personally be upfront about it. I think it's ... Read more

Kate Watson  Where are you having your surgery, Mike? I'm having mine at Swedish in a few weeks. As for the kids, I would personally be upfront about it. I think it's important to prepare them- but obviously limit how much you tell them. I told my 6 1/2 year old step daughter recently about my upcoming surgery, we were just really positive about it, and talked about the doctor is going to fix my heart because it's a little sick. And we talked about how I won't be able to do some things for a little while after, but that I'll be better soon. Mostly I think she is just excited that her grandparents are going to be coming in to help out! Best of luck to you.

Mike Mo  Hi Kate, I'm having minimally invasive on Monday at Swedish with Dr Glenn Barnhardt. We broke the news to the kids last night. They were concerned but excited ... Read more

Mike Mo  Hi Kate, I'm having minimally invasive on Monday at Swedish with Dr Glenn Barnhardt. We broke the news to the kids last night. They were concerned but excited Grandma was coming for a while. Good luck on your surgery. I'll check in when I'm out of icu! Thanks

Kate Watson  I just read your story Mike. I am new to this site too and can't believe how many younger people like us are dealing with this condition. I saw you are from ... Read more

Kate Watson  I just read your story Mike. I am new to this site too and can't believe how many younger people like us are dealing with this condition. I saw you are from Seattle. I live an hour and a half north of there. I am currently trying to decide where to go for my surgery (it will be my second one). I'll be curious to see where you end up going. I know the fear you speak of all too well, and I'm dealing with it again now while I await to figure out my next plan. But you will get through it and it's good you are here for the support.

Adam Pick  Hi Mike and Kate! Welcome to our community! I hope the caring people and information at this site help you along your journey. If you need anything, please ... Read more

Adam Pick  Hi Mike and Kate! Welcome to our community! I hope the caring people and information at this site help you along your journey. If you need anything, please let me know. Adam (patient & website founder)

Clare Auten  Welcome to the website. What great pictures of you, your wife and baby. Many of us have been through this already. We love to talk about ourselves and answer ... Read more

Clare Auten  Welcome to the website. What great pictures of you, your wife and baby. Many of us have been through this already. We love to talk about ourselves and answer questions. I am 47, 2 years post op and shoveled my own snow!

Lauren Burt  Hey mike! Hang in there.. I know how terrifying and surreal this whole thing feels. I too am 42, have two kids and had no symptoms. I went in for a routine ... Read more

Lauren Burt  Hey mike! Hang in there.. I know how terrifying and surreal this whole thing feels. I too am 42, have two kids and had no symptoms. I went in for a routine check and they found a heart murmur. I ended up needing surgery right away to repair my valve and also reconstruct my sternum which was crushing my heart (that I had no idea about). But I am now 7 months out now and feel even better than before the surgery . You are going to do great. Just remember to stay positive, know all the odds are in your favor and these heArt surgeries are done every day!! Best wishes!