Ray's Journal

Rose Madura  Wonderful news. Glad everything is ok.  Congratulations. Welcome to recovery. It's time to listen to your body.  ❤️‍🩹

Deena Z  Congrats, Ray!!!  Hope you will get a photo of your before and after valves. —- That’s a lot of calcification, kinda looks like “barnacles.  Got a photo of such on my mitral valve.

Anna Ma  Is Ross procedure an option for you? I hope the new Edward Inspiris Resillia can last 20+ years for you.

Yumiko Ishida  Thank you for mentioning Ari Mintzer’s story. I checked it out and it was very informative. It says he didn’t go with Ross procedure because the doctor determined it was not a good idea as a redo of a previous valve replacement with certain kinds of history. Since this is your first time, maybe Ross is an option for you? I am not an expert on aortic valve issues (my challenge was mitral valve), but it is my understanding that Ross lasts longer than pig or cow valve. I am 54 and almost went with a mechanical valve (the thought of another surgery was daunting), but in the end decided on a tissue valve. (Ross procedure is not an option for mitral valve.) If I am blessed with a long life, I will probably have another OHS, and then later a valve-in-valve. If valve technology improves dramatically in the meantime, maybe I can skip the second OHS, but I don’t want to count the chickens before they hatch. I can’t imagine having to decide on the type of procedure / type of valve in my 30s… I hope you will be at peace with it, whichever way it goes. If it’s a tissue valve, then you already have the best surgeon for it!

Ana K  Hi Ray, I’m also considering a biological valve. I’m 37. I definitely don’t want a mechanical valve because of the clicking and the blood thinners. The first surgeon I met with suggested the Ross procedure because of my age but that seems so risky to me - if it fails I’ll have 2 valves to replace. 

Jay Burgess  My neighbor's cousin had his first one in his late 20's and only got 7 years. I would sure hope you get more years out of it. Especially with the latest advanced technology coming out. I'm 57 had my first one at 56 knowing I had this bicuspid valve for a long time. Hopefully I get 15 years out of my Life Science Edwards Resilla valve. Then I will get TAVR after that and hopefully that is the end to it. My father had the same valve I did and had 3 open heart surgeries because if it. Obviously the technology has come along way since then. 

Isabella Heart  I feel the same way, life with blood thinners seems very challenging and the ticking would probably drive me crazy as well. Good luck with your upcoming surgery! 

Nancy Bukowski  Agree!! And well wishes to you, Ray, as you get ready for your surgery.  I chose not to go with a mechanical valve for the same reasons.

Rose Madura  Welcome Ray. Not sure which valve is bad for you but have you investigated a Ross Procedure?  It would be worth your while to check it out.  

Lie e Van Acker  The ticking of the valve is not too bad. The blood thinners are a different matter. It's a grind to have to go to the doctor every month and I don't like going. The type of blood thinner can have major differences. I take Marcoumar and it is very sensitive.

Darrell Malone  Hello Ray.  I consider myself somewhat active.  I am just going through all my test now.  I love biking and also enjoy playing some pick up hockey.  My first choice is the ross procedure.  I hope to get back on the ice but for sure want to get out on the trails where I love to be sending it. All the best.

Allen Carkner  Maybe Ross or repair are options? Worth exploring. I had a Ross procedure and my Cardiologist is hopeful it may last a very long time, maybe my lifetime without blood thinners. The pulmonary valve will likely need intervention in 2-3 decades but nothing is a perfect aortic valve option.

Jay Burgess  I have both the aortic root and valve replace. Bovine aortic. I’m very atheltic as well. I just skied 14 miles yesterday up in Winter Park Colorado. We are big nordic skiers. I felt great. I have to say it keeps getting better everyday. I’m not sure I’m really into racing anymore since I don’t want to stress everything out. But I just might do a race here and there. I wouldn’t get mechanical valve either. When you need another you can just get TAVR. Sounds like they are lasting over 20 years. I’m 57 had mine done last year and hoping to get to 70 before I need to do this again. I’m hoping never to have another open heart though. 

Kristen Newton  This was one of the main reasons I chose a Ross procedure over the mechanical valve; I didn't want to be on blood thinners or hear the ticking. Looks like your surgery is just a few days after mine. Good luck!!!

Ray Gonzales  Thanks for the support everyone. I haven't really heard of the Ross procedure so I will be looking into that now. 
The whole thing is pretty scary, but it's great to see all the success with these surgeries. 

My main concern with the biological valve is, since I'm only 36 that it doesn't last at least 10 years. 
Seeing Ari Mintzer story makes me feel quite a bit better. 

Kristen Newton  @Ray - I'm only 3 years older than you and am typically very active and athletic as well, so I had the same concerns as you do. I chose the Ross but my secondary choice was definitely a biological valve. The mechanical valve and blood thinners just isn't conducive with my lifestyle, but I get that each person has to make the choice that's right for them.