Mitch's Journal

Quick update/check-in: Yesterday was my 10th anniversary. Wow how time flies! I can't believe it. Coincidentally, I had my annual check up today with my cardiologist who confirmed what I "knew." All is still going great with my new parts. I have now turned to endurance events and did a 36 hour endurance challenge last year and signed up again for it this year (hike up a ski mountain, gondola down, repeat until you cover the vertical distance of mt. everest. 36 hour time cap. I failed to make it last year, going for revenge this year). So, yes my heart continues to do great. My issues are rest of my body struggling to keep up. Several sports injuries to report, but that is not the point. The point is to all of you facing surgery or just past it, this is all very manageable and life returns. Stay strong! Repeating what I said 5 years ago: The first step on this road is the hardest. To everyone out there, if I can help in anyway, let me know. Love to you all and, I will never stop saying it, thanks to everyone who helped me through this journey.

In honor of today being NHVDAD (Adam's latest effort to increase awareness...Go Adam!!), I thought I would post. Feb 2 was my 5th anniversary. Amazingly at my annual check up, I was told things have improved since last year. My heart is working better now (gradient has surprisingly improved). Apparently, I misunderstood my doc last year and I don't have any signs of my valve deteriorating. So, uh yeah, never mind on that. Phew! No sports injuries to report. Not running as much, but have taken to cycling (well not in the winter in New York). Feeling great and still working out like a fiend. So, all my fixed parts are working correctly. For those of you who see me on Facebook, you know my life is good. I am happy and in love. The first step on this road is the hardest. To everyone out there, if I can help in anyway, let me know. Love to you all and, I will never stop saying it, thanks to everyone who helped me through this journey.

He's back! Hi everyone. I had my 4th birthday in early February but did not feel much like posting then. I was nursing a new sports injury, heard a bit of news at my annual check-up that jolted me and had some stuff going on with my older daughter. So, let's back up and start where I left off. I did run another half marathon in May. I ran a tad slower than my last half so no PR, but I had a truly great, enjoyable run. Fast forward to January. After a break from running, I decided to get back into it (not a great idea in the dead of winter in NY, but no one ever called me bright). On the day of our biggest snow storm (2 feet plus), at the end of January, I decided not to run and go to the gym to do a bootcamp. Well there I rolled my ankle doing lateral jumps over low hurdles. I badly sprained my ankle with several torn ligaments and even got myself a bone bruise too. 11 weeks later, I am still out of commission. I hope to be back to running in a few weeks. So, my 50+ year old body (52 this year) continues not to be able to keep up with my awesome, fixed heart. I guess that is good news, at least here anyway. At my annual check up, for the most part everything looked great. CT scan showed my repaired aorta was in great shape. No afib and all mostly looked great with my cow parts. However, doc informed me that I have started to show some signs of deterioration of the valve. Specifically, it has narrowed slightly. Doc says all normal and par for the course. He said nothing to be concerned about and no reason to think it won't last just as long as originally expected, but the news still jolted me a bit. I guess I just expected this thing to start wearing out later than my 4th birthday. That said, I am still pleased with my decision to go tissue and have no plans to take it easy as I want to live my life, my way. And whenever it is that I wear out my cow valve, I will cross that bridge when I get there. Obviously I hope it is later than sooner. Also the good news is my heart truly is working great as I have found love again. Been dating an awesome woman for past 15 months. As evidenced by all the little heart emoji's I send her, I guess the heart is working as it should. So that is my update. All fixed things are working properly with no issues. High energy workouts continue so I guess wear and tear are to be expected. I keep my doc informed of all I do, and he is fine with it all. To everyone out there, if I can help in anyway, let me know. Love to you all and, I will never stop saying it, thanks to everyone who helped me through this journey.

2 weeks with a heart rate monitor has showed my afib was an isolated incident as I did not register any other incidents on the monitor. So, no need for any new meds. Phew! OK, back to the regularly scheduled program...half marathon training! Much love to all. Peace out.

Another year gone by. Wow, time flies once your fixed and feeling good. I continue to be plagued by sports related injuries because I feel so good post op. This past year brought a late summer foot fracture from landing wrong on a stick during a run. Oh well, bad luck, stuff happens. Now I am back it and have my sights set on a late Spring half marathon. My annual check up revealed my hardware is all in great shape. New parts (barnyard aortic valve, aorta repair) are in place and working fine. Heart continues to be in great shape and no leaks. But unfortunately, I have developed a software glitch as my echo showed I am experiencing afib at times. (Recently, I did notice a slight flutter at times. I figured it was just stress. I mean I do live in NYC and have a teenager!) Not ideal, but doc says it is pretty common. So wearing a heart monitor for 2 weeks and then may need to alter or add to my meds (currently taking metoprolol and a full aspirin daily). Hmmm, guess I can live with that given everything else in this process. So, that is my update. To everyone out there, if I can help in anyway, let me know. This whole site is about paying it forward and helping each other through this. It is a crappy club to be in, but here we are. Always grateful to Adam for this site. Love to you all and, I will never stop saying it, thanks to everyone who helped me through this journey.

Happy 2nd Birthday to me! Save the wisecracks that I often act like a two year old...... So, it has been 2 years since my OHS to replace my aortic valve (moo!) and repair my AAA. FInally, the urge to eat grass has subsided. Bottom line, I feel great. My annual check ups (CT scan, echo, dr visit) have revealed my heart has continued to improve over the past year. Blood pressure stronger, gradient better, LV a tad smaller. YAY!!!!!! My big issue over the past 12 months was multiple, recurring stress fractures in my right tibia and fibula. So, my bright idea to run a three-peat of half marathons by my 15th month post op was not a good one DUH! My battery of tests around that confirmed what I already knew, I over did it. I was finally cleared from PT in December and now back to a slow, controlled build in my running. Not even thinking about doing distance. OK, thinking about it, but not going to do it.... As I said last year: to those who are still on the other side. Go for it! But take your time, do your homework and get comfortable with this. Then, go get fixed and never look back. It is not easy, but it is manageable, you can do this. If I can help, let me know. Love to you all and, I will never stop saying it, thanks to everyone who helped me through this journey. Time for a little Jimmy Cliff..."I can see clearly now....."

Quick update as I hit 18 months post op. I have a huge issue. I have a stress fracture in my ankle. LOL! Comical really, given all I went through. I ran my second half marathon 13 months after surgery (note my new profile picture). So, of course, after a few weeks off, I went back to training for my third half marathon that was to be at month 15. While gearing up for that, I developed pain in my ankle and ultimately found out I had a stress fracture from all that running. So, no third half marathon for me. Well, at least until my ankle heals…….. So, for everyone who is in the early stages of this journey wondering \'what will my life be like post op?\' I offer you my story. Anything is possible after surgery. Don’t worry about it. Do your homework, get fixed, and don’t look back. Good luck to you all and let me know if I can help you in anyway.

Tomorrow is my one year anniversary of surgery. Wow, what a year it has been! I still find it mind boggling and hard to grasp all I have been through. But been through it I have, indeed. Cracked like lobster and new parts put in – new cow valve and new section of my ascending aorta, to be exact. I just received the results of my one year post op echo. My cardiologist’s exact words were, ”you have a perfect looking heart.” I have no leakage, valve is working great and has settled in nicely, and my heart has returned back to its normal size (it had enlarged due to my condition which was the main cause for concern that had prompted my need for surgery). I also had a CT scan which confirmed all is good with the repair of my aortic aneurysm. Big exhale. I just knew all was well with me, but it sure is nice to hear confirmation. So, I came, I saw and I conquered! And now I feel great. In fact, I feel so much better post op. I have much more energy and people tell me I look great, which I attribute to having more color in my face. Funny thing, before my surgery, I thought I was asymptomatic…. I will also say, I remain grateful for the emotional side of this journey. I would be lying if I told you I still feel as in touch with all the emotions, the rawness, the openness, etc. as I did around my surgery. However, I do strive to stay in touch with as much of those feelings as possible. Why? Because I feel this journey, while hard, was also a gift. It has made me a better person and more aware of the important things in life. And of the need to make sure you take time to get the most out of what life has to offer. So, part of my job now is to stay in touch with the emotional side of all of this and do my best to make the most out of this one, wonderful life we have. So, to those who are still on the other side. Go for it! But take your time, do your homework and get comfortable with this. Then, go get fixed and never look back. It is not easy, but it is manageable, you can do this. If I can help, let me know. As for me, life is good. I feel great and yes, I am running another half marathon…in March. Hmmm, 13 months post op, 2 half marathons. I still gotta be me! Love to you all and, I will never stop saying it, thanks to everyone who helped me through this journey.

Half marathon…yup, been there, done that. This past Sunday (10/7) I ran my half, 5 days after my 8 month anniversary. I trained really hard and found the half was very doable. Not easy, but not hard either. I finished exactly on my target pace, 2 hours 10 minutes. No one would call me fast, but I can live with that. After all, 8 months ago I had trouble walking on my own. Now look at me! But after the half, I was disappointed I did not finish faster. I am an idiot! But what was that all about? Well after much soul searching, I have realized something. I realized I ran the half, not as a testament to my physical accomplishments. I ran the half to acknowledge my emotional accomplishments. I needed to get some closure on this saga, and the half has given me that. The audacious (for me) goal, and subsequent accomplishment, of running a half marathon (8 months post op) showed me that, without a doubt, I am again physically sound. With that question answered, it has allowed me to get more in touch with the emotional side of this saga. I look back and can better grasp how scared I actually was. I came face to face with my own mortality. I was scared. It sucked. But, guess what, I lived! Today I feel more alive than ever. I feel thankful and blessed. So, lots of tears for me since Sunday. Tears of joy, relief and release. I still can’t believe what I have been through. I wish all in the early stages good luck. You can do this! The waiting is definitely the worst part. Do your homework, make decisions that feel right to you and take small forward recovery steps as often as you can. This site is an incredible resource. Thanks to all of you for your support. And thank you, again, to Adam! Check out my pics.

Quick update for everyone. In two weeks I will be 8 months post op. How will I celebrate? By running my first half marathon! Suffice it to say, the running group was a great idea. I was never really a runner and now look at me. Truly amazing! Yes, life is good. I am very lucky, I know that. I wish everyone the same luck as me.

While I am not here as often as I was, I do still read all the entries to \"catch up\" where I left off. It has struck me that, lately, many people seem to go through surgery, start recovery, stop posting and then reappear with a recap that ends with a \"didn\'t want to post bad news\" type of comment. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?! In my humble opinion, this is not supposed to be a ‘feel good’ only site. It is supposed to be a place where we all go for support and help during a really, really scary time in our lives. For me, HVJ was what got me through it all. A place I could just be me, raw and honest, and not be subject to the judgments of others. So, I strongly encourage everyone who is nervous, scared or has something going on to post often. I know from experience, when your fellow HVJers reply, it helps, A LOT. It helps make things much less scary to know others are feeling or have felt the same things. Plus, more often than not, they post helpful advice and suggestions. The fact that so many people still hang around post-surgery to \"pay it forward\" and help others like they were helped is what makes this a truly amazing community. And of course, call your doctor non-stop, especially right after you get home from the hospital. I know I hesitated doing this at first as I did not want to bother him. Well, I found out, he is used to it and even better, he often helped me over the phone without needing to see me. Now, as for me, yesterday was my 6 month post op anniversary. This one feels really big to me. One reason is the timing lines up and my anniversary is the same day of the week as my surgery. So, I can\'t help looking at the clock and thinking about what I was doing at this time exactly 6 months ago (ex. Thurs 9PM - having my breathing tube removed, Fri at Noon - AFIB hits, Fri at 3PM - my pressure drops super low so instead of heading to step down and home in a few days, I end up in ICU for 5 days....). So, this is a very poignant anniversary for me. I can\'t help but marvel at how the time has flown, how well I am doing and how thankful I remain for all of those that really supported me through it all. You know who you are. I still can’t thank you enough. To everyone not fully ensconced in recovery like me, Hang strong! Lots of “bright, bright sunshiny days” ahead. Until you get there, “Lean on Me” and all of your HVJ brothers and sisters.

Quick update, mainly for my fellow runners. Set a personal best today; ran 7 miles. Never did that distance before and I am just about 2 weeks shy of 6 months post op. Yeah, I am feeling good. Oddly, it was about 25 degrees cooler today and I noticed my pace improved. So, yes I am still slower than pre-op, but I also realized I never really ran in the heat, so that is impacting my pace too. For my fellow runners looking for some data points, I averaged a 10:30 pace (I never was a fast runner) and my HR averaged low 150s. Good luck to everyone in recovery and still facing surgery. You can do this!

Amazing how time has flown. Life is good. I feel great. Fully ensconced in my running group. We are training for a 10K in August. I have more than doubled the mileage of my runs since a month ago. I have exceeded my pre-surgery distance. Plus, I am now technically a stronger, better runner. My pace is slower than my pre-surgery pace, but I have read that it takes a bit more time for the pacing to return. People often ask me if I had any symptoms and I used to say no. I have now come to realize I actually think I did. Post surgery, I seem to have more energy and better color in my face. Interesting to note that I don\'t think I was as asymptomatic as I thought. At 5 months post op, I feel I am at a truly amazing point. Far enough that I feel I have overcome all the physical hardships of surgery and I am now back to my pre-surgery levels. But at the same time, not quite done with recovery such that I feel I have more improvements to make. Hence, I hope and expect to \"land\" in an even better place physically than I started. Now that is exciting!!!!!! So, can you tell I am a little focused on my exercising?!?!?! True, I am. At the same time, I have not lost sight of the emotional/mental aspects of this journey. I remain thankful for all that I have and better focused on the important things in my life. As I said before, life is good and we are all lucky to have been fixed. Here\'s to making the most of what we have been given!

I saw Joan Davenport today in the hospital and wanted to pass along she is doing well. She is out of ICU, but not quite in step down because no beds are available. As some may have noticed, her HVJ seems to have disappeared. She is not sure what happened to it, but you can still sign her guest book by going to: http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/journals/guestbook/joandavenport I thought I would post for her since I know some had been asking about her. As for me, I am loving my running group and getting even stronger (if that is possible!).

4 months post op and at times I need to strain to remember surgery and all I went through. Then I look in the mirror and see my scar. Ah yes, it did actually happen. I am feeling great. I am working out 4 times a week, 2 with my trainer and 2 runs. But I seem to be stuck in the low mileage/slow pace groove with my runs. Likely because I am not running enough to really improve. So, I signed up for a running group to break me out of it. Either a genius move or an idiot move…we will see. One thing I know for sure, I will listen to my body for the answer. I have been very good about that lately. Also, reality check, I am four months post op, exercising 4 times a week and complaining about not doing more. Good to see I am back to “normal.” And, for the record, not a day goes by that I am not thankful for life and for all the support I have received, and continue to receive, from those around me. Bottom line, life is good! For those that are in the early stages pre and post surgery, you can do this! It is not a cake walk, but it is very manageable. Good luck to you.

Well, I am jumping the gun a little.  Rehab graduation is tomorrow and my 3 month post op anniversary is on Wednesday.  But, hey, I missed HVJ.  Just caught up on many posts and felt like doing my update now. I am graduating rehab already because I did too well on my stress test and insurance only approved 12 sessions (4 weeks).  A good thing, I guess.  Rehab was really good for me.  It helped me get confident about exercising again.  It pushed me hard, but kept me safe.  Perfect!  Exactly what I was looking for.  Now I feel like I can push my intensity, know what to look for and be safe.  All good things. 3 months out and I feel great.  Truly, life is good.  I am doing a better job listening to my body.  Nap when I need to, which is not that often.  But, if I need one, I will take it.  This week I even left work early because I just felt wiped out.  So, I went home and napped.  However, generally I feel very good.  I am working out 5x a week, 3 at rehab and 2 with my trainer.  In fact, on Saturday, at the end of my workout I pushed myself hard, similar to my old intensity.  Know what happened?  I got a glimmer of my old self.  It was awesome, it made me tear.  While I know I still need to be careful and build back slowly, that glimmer made me truly feel like I was back.  And it felt great!!!!!! I am back to running.  Up to 1.5 miles at a slow pace.  But now that rehab is done, I plan to focus on the running more.  My BP is approx 110/68.  RHR is mid sixties (where I was pre-op).  Still taking 50mg of Metoprolol, and will be for awhile since cardiologist dismissed me for 6 months.  Plan to keep an eye on my numbers and will inquire about reducing my dosage if my pressure gets low.  Like many of my HVJ post op friends, I feel different.  My heart has been touched, literally and figuratively.  Because of it, now I have a better appreciation for what matters in life and what doesn\'t.  As Janis put is so well, \"when I see crazy coming, I cross the street.\"  OK, at least I try my hardest, but in NYC, crazy is on both sides of the street!  While I don\'t recommend this path for anyone, I feel like a better person because of it. I wish the best to all my HVJ friends who are post op and good luck to everyone who is pre op.

OK, so I am one of THOSE people. You know the ones that give out lots of advice about what OTHER people should do, but are too stupid to follow it THEMSELVES? Yup, that\'s me! So, I tell people here, over and over, to listen to their body, take it easy when necessary and of course, nap, nap nap. And what do I do? I fall off the nap wagon and stop taking naps. I had not napped in 10 days. In those 10 days, I increased my hours at work (to pretty much full time), on Saturday I took a yoga class and then went for my first run (it was a glorious run in Central Park on a great day. Ran 1.5 miles, slowly, but I did it!!!!), started cardiac rehab 3x per week and of course, decided I should start training with my trainer again so I did a 5:30 AM session yesterday. Guess what, I was wiped out today!!!!! But, I am not THAT stupid, I left work early, finally got back on the nap wagon and took a nap before rehab, and I felt great. So, I plan to stay on the wagon and do a better job listening to my body. Cardiac rehab is going really well. I am a little surprised as I figured it would be a waste of time. But, the main guy is really good, experienced and is setting my levels so I am working hard. He said I would bounce back quickly from surgery and my body would respond well to rehab. He was right, 5 sessions done and I already see improvement. BTW, my stress test indicated I am in really good shape, so insurance will only pay for 12 sessions of rehab. So, I am almost halfway done! Tomorrow is 10 weeks post op, I truly marvel at how well I am doing and how far I have come. I guess I feel so good, I get carried away and want to do more than I can handle. Well, that is plain stupid. I see that now. I need to remind myself 2 things: recovery is not linear, slow and steady wins this race (where is that turtle?). Ah yes, and be patient!! (ok that is 3 things). For those about to go, good luck. This is a completely doable and manageable event. I know it does not feel that way right now, but it is true. You can and will do this! For those in recovery, work hard, push yourself, but also be patient and listen to your body. For me, TAKE YOUR OWN ADVICE!!!!

Today is 8 weeks post op. Amazing how time flies. I expect to start rehab next week. I did my stress test today and doc was amazed at how well I did. Yes, I am doing great. Still have a little fatigue but not too bad. Work is much better this week as I am leaving early and taking little naps daily. Like others, I will probably be posting less going forward. So, in honor of all of you, I wrote the following: So this is for all of you, it’s about time I show you more than Jeff and Nancy, can do a little rhyme. Some call it a poem, or a little diddy We call it a rap, that’s how we roll in my City. My name is Mitch, one day I found this site Started by some dude Adam, then the site took flight. Adam had an idea, wanted to help see those through Then his idea took off, it just grew and grew and grew. We all are very thankful, to this guy from the West Coast What he has done for all of us, is really more than most. He more than helped us out, allowed us all to meet For a guy who likes to surf, that really is some feat. I found this site one night, in my panicked haze Was overwhelmed and scared, we have all had THOSE days, Only commented at first, then met Linda and Jane too They convinced me to start a journal, what followed who knew. I started it with a leap of faith, this is not something that I “do” No, no, not for me, social media is still too new. Living out loud, was certainly not for me Doing it all alone, that is how I used to be. Made lots of new friends, learned a lot too From what I have been told, I even helped a few. The support I received, is just plain humbling Every time I think of it, I cry and start bumbling So, thanks to all my friends, old and new Especially, Larry, Shep, Debbie, Linda, Jane and Janis, just to name a few. Can’t mention you all, but need to name one more This special person got me through recovery, I swear she was always at the grocery store I just call her mom, many call her Di All because of her, again I can fly! I can’t say thanks enough, she stayed by my side It was not always fun, but boy what a ride. I will end my little rap, here and now. Wish everyone the best, love from me and my cow!

Hi, just wanted everyone to know I survived my first week back at work. I was totally consumed by work this week, so not much HVJing. Yes, of course I overdid it. We all knew that was coming. I went in 4 days this week. 2 of them I worked full days and was completely wiped out by the end. At least I stayed home today, but had calls, answered emails, etc. I will strive to do a better job next week listening to my body and taking it a little easier. My goal is a more gradual build up to getting back to work full time. I did get a few walks in this week. Today I walked my 2 miles in just under 28 minutes. It felt great. I moved my rehab orientation to today, from Monday. Just a bit too optimistic to do it on my first day back. Today was nothing, forms and an explanation of the program. Found out I need a stress test before I can start. I can do it there, which is at the hospital and have my insurance pay for it directly, but they are booked until April 26th. Or I can do it at my doc\'s office next week, pay myself, submit it to insurance (since he is out of network) and see what happens. Yeah, like I can wait until end of April..... So, I am doing great at 7 weeks post op. Still have a little brain fog, but that is getting better. Overall, I have no complaints. One last thing, today I got my bill for the hospital portion of my surgery (no doctors bills yet). Ready...$115,000!!!!!!!!! Sure glad my insurance covered pretty much all of that. But still a staggering figure. OR...$25,0000, cardiac cath...$10,000, bovine valve $7,500. Mitch being fixed and feeling great now....priceless!!!!

I met with my cardiologist for my 6 week post op visit (tomorrow is my actual 6 week anniv). I had an echo earlier in the week, I am happy to report all looks great. YAY!!!! No leaks, valve is securely in place and no signs of fluid around my heart. Going from almost 75% regurg to nothing. Awesome! Doc agreed that rehab could do me some good to help me get more comfortable pushing my body. So, I have my rehab orientation on Monday. Will see how it goes. Doc also gave me parameters to work on outside of rehab. He told me to pick up the pace of my walks and target 2 miles in 30 minutes. I figure I will be there by the weekend since I am under 18 minute miles now. Just shave a bit each walk. One thing for sure though, I will listen to my body and not push too much. \"Re-entry\" into my life is hard for me mentally. I am still working to get my head around returning to work (this coming Monday) and reintegrating with my family. Just sharing. I have found small incremental steps, like with excercise is my key. So, for example, this week I started setting my alarm to wake up and have returned to taking my daughter to school. I told the doc while I feel great, I am still not feeling like \"me\" yet. He reminded me I am only 6 weeks out from major surgery and to be patient. Oh, yeah, got to go find my turtle, slow and steady wins this race. Patience, I am going to look that one up in the dictionary.....