Richard's Journal

Klara Čičić  Wow, congratulations, Richard, you must be very proud. Opened the page after a looong time, and find this post first, Ana in the comments - phew, everything is alright, Earth is still spinning😂😂 like I never left... Sending lots of love 

Corey Potter  Good points, Richard.  I waited too long for hip replacement surgery and after having two of them done,  regret waiting so long and experiencing unnecessary pain.  I decided this past week to move forward on my AVR and setting a date for sometime in July.  i have seen enough progression over the past five years and my cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic said he supports my decision to move forward.  I do have symptoms that can't be attributed to anything else and my heart is showing signs of change, although seems to have compensated well.  It's not going to improve, so my thought is, why wait?  It appears Dr. Michael Tong will do the surgery and looking forward to meeting him and discussing the surgery and options.  

Richard Munson  Corey, nice to see you are taking the reins with your own heart. I finally did the same after my see you again in 6 months post echo. It finally came down to get this mitral valve done or i am going someplace else. And this was mass general, in the top tier. All of a sudden it was how about next month.  I think they just needed a nudge. It was then i decided that they know more than me about the inner workings of the heart, but i know more about how i feel. Now, when ever i have a pow wow with my doctors for any issue, not just heart, i arrive armed to the teeth. Its called being large and  in charge of your own health. I am convinced that i give off off a signal of strength and they sense it. So far no clashes. 

Corey Potter  If there is anything I have learned through this process is that you must be your own advocate.  I got to the point where I had information overload and went to get a second opinion.  The 2nd doctor was very helpful, but pretty much reinforced what I already knew.  I decided to stay with Cleveland Clinic.  There is a business side to this and I believe I pushed this along due to getting the 2nd opinion.  My doctor at CC knew I was doing a lot of reading and he said, " you know, when I get in an airplane I don't normally go into the cockpit and ask the pilots technical questions about flying.  I just want to know they can land the plane safely"!  He said some information is obviously good but you have to be careful how much you get into this.  I got his point.  I don't think I'm qualified to debate peak velocity, gradients, etc. with him, although I have found this to be extremely fascinating.  

John Cook  I discovered when my mother had a double lung transplant, major surgery is always a Goldilocks situation: 1) Are you sick enough to warrant the risk of surgery? 2) Are you healthy enough to survive the surgery? 

They are qualitative questions. So doctors measure things to have quantitative data (EF Fraction, diameters, etc.) to help them answer those questions.  The current trend in research and treatment are towards earlier intervention because the risk of surgery and complications are lower and longevity is better.

I’m 52, have severe aortic regurgitation, and no symptoms I’m aware of other than high blood pressure.  I’m a slow runner but ran 2.5 miles on my treadmill yesterday.  I’ll be running a 5k on it tomorrow.

Maybe my ‘symptom’ is that I can’t run faster because my EF Fraction has dropped into the 40s. It’s tough for my body to get oxygen to my muscles when more than half the volume of a heart beat is flowing back into the heart.

My surgery is scheduled in 25 days. Waiting until I get symptoms just seems insane to me. I don’t want my heart to get weaker.  I want to keep running.

Anyone told they have moderate stenosis, regurgitation, or prolapse, should start a conversation with their cardiologist about, “Am I sick enough to warrant surgery? What criteria will you use to make the determination?”

Get a second or third opinion.

In the last year, my EF fraction is down, my dilation is bigger, and my aortic wall is thicker. I’m not feeling it, but I am getting sicker. I don’t need to wait until those problems are so severe that I can’t live the way I want to live.

Richard Munson  All of those things you mention are the hearts way of compensating for the leaking valve. Complicated to be sure but in some ways its not that much different than a mechanical valve in your home that is not closing tight and is allowing whatever liquid it is moving in one direction to move backwards. As it worsens , it allows more and more blood to go in the opposite direction than it is intended. Thats my laymans thought on the subject. Bottom line, it won’t repair itself. 

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  In addition, the atria is enlarge more and more  and after the ventricle, loosing the capacity of contraction and not being able to push forward the blood. If you wait so long, after surgery the heart doesn´t recover any more at the same level. Waiting is not a good solution. 

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Let me tell you an experience . When after the endocarditis, the surgeon told me the valve was defective and needed surgery, I was scared and try dragging feet telling her it was better to wait a few months, get an ECG, and see what to do. After leaving the office, whose door was open, another surgeon standing a few steps away who had heard my words told me: "Patients sometimes postpone surgery, and it makes us very sad because we can't leave their hearts as healthy as if we had done it early." I went back into the office and told her, go ahead, doctor. This is my little story.

Susan Lynn  When I saw the screen during my cardiac stress test,  I equated all of those flashing 'regurgitating' colors to my heart screaming.  I listened.  Glad I did. 

Glenn Tremper  I'm about where you are as well< Richard.  There is something challenging moving forward when you think you are feeling fine.  I've appreciated comments from others on this issue.  

Susan Lynn  Great photo!!  You realize your grandson probably wouldn't get the Barry Gibb reference!   I loved the BeeGees, too!

Deena Z  Just in case you doubt me…
Here you go:
Plants release chemicals into the air or soil to send messages. For example, if a daffodil is under attack by pests, it might release certain chemicals that warn nearby plants to boost their own defenses.

Suzette Schear  Richard glad shadow didn’t spring a leak.  He’s such a good boy. Looks like he wanted to.  I love it our daffodils, tulips are all opened.  Makes me smile.

Richard Munson  No tulips here yet, but hyacinths are blooming. Awaiting roses rose. Hope the rabbits keep away from the buds this year. I should post shadow to guard them. Sad news: i planted 2 liberty dutch elm resistant elm trees in my yard 25 years ago. There were abundant elm trees in this yard and street before the dutch elm blight. As a kid i remember them. In fact, i live on elm street. They grew into majestic trees but one is dead and alas , i will remove it this summer. Elm trees are beautiful. The disease resistance in liberty elms is not 100% so i hope the other tree survives. It is spread by a beetle. 

Suzette Schear  Elms on elm street. Very clever. Sorry about the trees, that stinks, they ended up cutting a lot of them down in an area by me I was very upset.  They must have taken years to grow should have used building no longer in use, to build whatever they are building Maybe you can grow baby elms once you get rid of the problem. 

Kimberly Eisenhut  Haha! The side eye is great! Those look like tough bones, what kind are they? My two little dogs are such hard chewers all I can get them are Benebones.

Richard Munson  The interesting thing is that behind the evil eye is a heart of gold. Anyone could take that bone and he would not even mind. My beloved cassie however was a horse ( no pun intended) of a different color. She would sever fingers from hand over a toy or food. Not mine of course. We tried a pair of doggie day care facilities when she was little and in both cases before i got home there was a pick up your dog voice mail waiting for me. Another dog tried to take her toy. 

Marie Myers  Yes, my neighbor shamefully confessed to me that her dog was booted from Doggy Day Care. She felt it was a reflection on her mothering skills!

Darrell Malone  I'm still amazed that I went through OHS just a year ago. Blessed for sure, feet on the ground. Thx for that post Richard. 

Kathy Ozio  Very wise words. It was how I found this site- I expected to be feeling back to normal a few weeks after surgery.  I kept seeing all these posts of people hiking 3 weeks after surgery,...Then I found this site and it had real people and all kinds of recoveries. But best lesson was,  it takes time. And it's different for everyone. 

Rose Madura  Well said Richard.  I actually thought I'd be better in 3 months, but it probably took a full year before I felt "normal". Everyone is different and therefore their recoveries are different.  

Richard Munson  Wow, wise beyond my years. But at 83 does that make me a wise guy? Common JAL, mt. Washington? Your sights are too low. Everest or bust.

Robert Miller  My BIL is a pretty famous surgeon but he was amazed at what he saw when I got my OHS. It is indeed pretty amazing. They shut off your heart, collapse your lungs, cut your heart and fix stuff inside. And if you have AFib, they probably do a Maze procedure. Who comes up with all this stuff...

Suzette Schear  I thought I would be better in a year it’s taken a bit more and I was for the most part active and physically fit. Thanks for being honest and starting these post.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Open heart or keyhole/minimally invasive?. For me, better endoscopic, less infections, faster recovery but same mortality and both are invasive. I think the giant step in valve surgery will be when surgeons be mastered in interventional cardiology. In Spain just have begun with the tricuspide valve in my hospital. I guess that in States there is implanted in some hospitals. ¿?

Richard Munson  He came into our lives after my surgery so he is truly a heart valve pup. Just turned 3 this week. He has been a great friend and keeps my blood pumping. Time flies. 

Suzette Schear  I’ll read up on it, thanks for posting I love breakthroughs, for the older folks sounds like the beginnings of the bionic man.  

Richard Munson  Yes, i agree being an older folk. I want mine to be made out of gold so i will be remembered as having a heart of gold.

Justin Corpin  I was on quest for someone that could do minimally evasive robotic surgery for a aortic leaflet repair. Which is the holy grail of robotic microsurgery from what I learned. After having a zoom call with Dr. Bradwar which he's top of the class for robotic surgery from WVU. He said, I would be the 4th person in the country to be a candidate for this surgery.  As to say, I respectfully and kindly declined the offer, going with a Ross. 

Richard Munson  You don’t want to be the 4th candidate for anything. I had a woman in a bar tell me that once. Happy i went home alone.

Richard Munson  My kids will always be my kids no matter how old. She happens to be in her 50’s but it does not matter. Its what dads are all about. No doubt her mother will go for support. More tactful than the old man, at least she has some basic questions to discuss. The biggest being is my application viable for minimally invasive surgury and what is your % of success. They have to graft on patches of skin to close the hole. 

Richard Munson  Yes, it can be caused by nose picking primarily, an injury and deviated septum which she had and also from sniffing coke. The hole goes from one nostril to the other and affects breathing. 

Susan Lynn  Good for you, Richard! You've got to educate your daughter... we're all about research and questions!!

Grace Mason   Happy Birthday Richard 👑🎂🎈🎉
Is Shadow listening to the singing of the "Happy Birthday" song!?😆

Pamela Gregory  Happy Happy Birthday Richard!!! I hope you had the best day with your family. Shadow is definitely the STAR!

Ana Brusso  It’s been a busy day. I wish you a very Happy Birthday 🎁🎉🎂🎊🎈 our Shadow is a ham, loves his picture taken. Very handsome grandson and Nancy looks radiant. God bless you and give you many more in good health. 👍🙏❤️😍🤗😘❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Suzette Schear  Wishing you a happy birthday, shadow is so cute.  With his head cocked in the middle. You’re a wonderful person wishing you the best always sincerely 

Richard Munson  Shadow and grandpa had a combination valentines /birthday visit from his cousin callie and daughter elaine. 

Sher Follett  What a great surprise visit. I just love the eyes, they are so amazing! Happy Valentines Day to you. 

Richard Munson  Sorry to report that shadow did not present his cousin with flowers for her visit. Inappropriate sniffing was the order of the day. A mystery as both dogs are fixed. Nancy’s rodney dangerfield quote pointing at me and saying like father like son was greeted with a few groans from those present. No respect.

Suzette Schear  Awesome surprise and they both look like they are waiting for you to provide the valentine day treat it they are just good picture takers. What beautiful markings on shadows cousin. Very stunning. 

Grace Mason   I am beginning to believe Shadow may be part bear. Clued in by the long dark fur, claws and most photos I have seen lately he is sleeping 😉

Ana Brusso  I sent a message to you Richard regarding this picture of our Shadow. Don’t know what happened. He looks so peaceful and so beautiful. Thank you for sharing 😘🤗❤️😍

Pamela Gregory  Aww Shadow is definitely a good snuggler. I will be heading back to Cleveland tomorrow for a stress test to rule out a blockage. My 2 year echo showed apical septal segment and apex severely hypokinetic. Apparently that means that part of the heart muscle is very weak now usually caused by a blockage. They don't think so because last year had a clear CT scan and the year before when I had surgery the angiogram was all clear. Not sure what that means for me if not a blockage? Never a dull moment

Richard Munson  Good luck in their findings at Cleveland. Sounds silly to say i hope its a blockage but better the devil you know as they say. Blockages in todays world are fairly common, it seems. One of my car club buddies just had 4 repaired and he looks great.  Its so cold here at 8 degrees this a.m. that my mitral valve was iced  up. Shadow sat on my chest and warmed it up. 

Kimberly Eisenhut  Richard,m loooove this pic! Its a keeper for sure! You both look so comfy and warm. It has been in the teens here and single digit wind chills, brrrr. Hard to go outside with dog for more than 5-10 minutes. Treadmill time :)
My YAG Laser Iridotomy went pretty well yesterday for my right eye, just some visual stuff that should go away within a few days. Scary stuff letting people laser holes in your eyes. Dr put two holes, he said "I like to do 2 to be safe", I said, "I dont think I ordered 2", lol. I guess I have narrow angle Glaucoma. Headaches every day on and off are really gettin to me though, but hoping they go away once this is all done. Occular migrines :/
Left eye in a couple of weeks. Glad they caught it though, the guy behind me in after care waiting on checking eye pressure after surgery lost vision in one eye completely due to waiting too long to do something about it. Needless to say, he was in taking care of the good eye. I never knew about checking pressures in our eyes before this. It is something everyone should do once in a while.
Will be off to see Cardiologist too downtown at Northwestern on 21st also. Wish me luck :)
Love and huge hugs to all my HVS family

Richard Munson  Kim, i have had the yag laser as well as nancy to clear up cloudy  post cataract surgery. Nancy worked great, mine did not. 

Richard Munson  My daughter says i look dead. Told her she now has a preview of what i will look like. Less shadow of course.. 

Suzette Schear  How do you know Nancy didn’t clear up the spittle before she took the picture.  My best sleeps are with my pets. At one time I had a dog and two cats.  Best part of life is the simple things. 

Ana Brusso  Ooooohhhhhh how cute. Your grandson can barely carry that big baby. You guys are so cute. Thank you for sharing. ❤️

Kimberly Eisenhut  I have a groomer nearby that does free nail trims, it is so nice of her to do these for anyone that needs them :) 

Civita Fahey  good idea Richard.  No one wants to do it.  Even the vet is afraid..  and he's normally such a good dog.. just dont go near his nails.!

Suzette Schear  I started Tiger when he was young and always touched his paws.  I did that with all my pets so they know .  Still unpleasant but I’m allowed.  They rule me or have me trained. 

Ana Brusso  Wow! That’s one great picture. True good Christmas cheers 👍🎁🤶🏻🎅🏼🎁🎉🎊🌲Thank you for sharing such great family reunion and dogs. 🙏❤️

Richard Munson  My daughters 2 year old husky Cali,  as you can see here was taking sneaky little pot shots at poor shadow all day. Nothing serious of course. He is so good natured. I would have punched her in the nose but he turns the other cheek in the spirit of xmas. 

Richard Munson  I thought it was you can pick your nose and you can pick your friends but you can’t pick your friends nose.

Richard Munson  Merry xmas to all presurgery, post surgery and faded into the woodwork of life hvs folks. Wishing everyone good health as i prepare for an xmas day on slot of people and dogs. All good however. I say that now. Weatherman says says cold and sunny for massachusetts if they can be accurate possibly once this year. A special shout out to adam and family. Without him this would not all be possible. 

Suzette Schear  Merry Christmas Richard. Thanks for all the support and poking .  I appreciate you and everyone on this website.  Wishing all a Merry. Christmas.

Ana Brusso  Merry Christmas to all of you heart warriors and a Happy and Healthy New Year 2025. So grateful! 🙏❤️🎉🎊🌲🎄🎁🧑‍🎄🤶🏻🎅🏼🍾

Richard Munson  Home for the holidays, from his prevet. Major. Hope he cuts that hair. Pitbull/ french bulldog mix. At least he is making money. 

Geoff Curtis  Great school.  My nephew entered the portal and transferred to VT to play baseball as a starting pitcher.

Enjoy the holidays, but don't count on the haircut 😂

Richard Munson  I may sneak up behind him at xmas with a scissors. Little known fact: our resident HVS head nurse marie’s husband is a hokie alum. Sadly, the portal is ruining college sports, my opinion of course. Would not want to be a coach in todays world of no loyalty. Good luck to your nephew as a starter. He must be pretty good. Back in the day when i transferred from division 3 to division 2 i had to forfeit a year of eligibility. Luckily i was still great so it did not matter lol. 

Marie Myers  No way! ROTC had  just been made optional, but there were still plenty of crew cuts around..Rich was a no-nonsense student, trying not to flunk out and get drafted to Vietnam

Richard Munson  Sounds familiar about vietnam. Lucky i never got past ft. Sill. Suzette likes the hair cuz it looks like hers. Lol. 

Richard Munson  I am a nut for sure. Now i am reading that eggs are good for your heart. Who knew after all these years. I’m SCRAMBLING around trying to find some under $400. A carton. 

Suzette Schear  I didn’t know about the eggs, normally I eat egg whites.  They keep switching what was is healthy.  For years i never put salt on anything then the cardiologist told me to put salt on food for electrolytes, then told me based on blood work don’t need to put salt on stuff.  I’m just curb on the obvious good tasting snacks

Kimberly Eisenhut  You can also use a little "liquid IV" and put it in your water once in a while to add some electolytes. Also, celtic salt, just takes a grain or two a day to help get your minerals, since we really do not get much from our water these days. Not medical advice, just a couple things one of my Drs mentioned, which really shocked me, since they never mention any natrual things at all, just more meds.

Frank Gianino  Richard, thanks for providing the surgeons name at MGH. Yes, to your recent post, eggs are good for you!