Richard's Posts

It was six years ago today I had my second heart valve surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. Recently I've been to the cardiologist and all is well. My mechanical heart valve is working fine, pacemaker is working fine, blood levels are fine etc,etc,etc. Reflecting back on those days 6 yrs ago I would like to thank my family, wife Teresa, our boys Philip and Jason along with my extended family and Friends. The hockey moms and dads From glacier ice rink. It meant the world to me with everyones Love, prayers and support, I'll never forget. Last but not least My surgeon Dr. Gillinov and the staff at the Cleveland clinic, my cardiologist Dr Mirza and Dawn. Amy and Melissa at the INR office. Thank you all for keeping me alive and well. Thanks Adam for this wonderful website. A lot has happened in six years, our oldest son Philip got married last summer to a wonderful girl named Ashlen. Jason graduated high school and now playing playing baseball and going to college in California. I feel so fortunate and grateful to be alive. Thank you all. Happy holidays!! With love, Richard

Yesterday I went to the cardiologist to reprogram my pacemaker. Things can change with your heart at anytime. I received a pacemaker after my second surgery because my lower right chamber wasn't communicating with my upper right chamber along with a low heart rate. Once again I have a normal heart beat and a normal heart rhythm. What a relief. The Doctor informed me whatever a-fib I had for the last couple of years is now gone. He said, that's so rare for that to happen after all I've been through. Finally something that's rare turns out to be good. Its SOOOO AMAZING what they can do with the heart. Thank you all again and have a great day!!! All The Best, Richard

It's been two years to the day since I had my 2nd heart surgery. If you recall, I had my 1st surgery in August 2010 to replace my bicuspid aortic valve with a cow tissue valve that started to fail in only two years. Why I went with a tissue valve at my age and size I will never know. I had to go back to the Cleveland Clinic for round two on December 12, 2013 to replace that valve with a mechanical valve along with a pacemaker. Since I have some Italian blood and this valve was made in Italy my surgeon said that this one should work. LOL. On Thursday, I saw my cardiologist and all tests came back normal. What a relief. The only thing he needs to do is fine tune my pacemaker because it is a little out of whack. Doc said no big thing. I would like to thank you all for the love and support through the last five years. It always meant the world to me, thank you. To my surgeon Dr. Gillinov and all the staff at the Cleveland Clinic who saved my life, not once but twice, you are the best. To my cardiologist Dr. Mirza, Dawn, and their staff you are also the best. Teresa and the boys are doing great. I would like to thank my wife, who deserves a medal, as my Uncle Stu would say. Last but not least, Adam Pick for this wonderful website. Happy Holidays to you all! Love, Richard