Rob's Journal

I am now 11 days post-surgery and I almost can't believe how good I feel. I never knew breathing for everyone else was this easy. I was born with a Bicuspid valve which turned into asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis and a distended Aortic Root.

I still have pain and muscle cramps from the surgery, but those are usually short lived, like a few minutes. I walk, cook, play with my dogs, and have grown closer to my wife and children through this process.

MY biggest suggestion to anyone going through open heart surgery is: HAVE SOMEONE WITH YOU 24hrs A Day!

My wife slept on the couch in my room and took care of everything that I could not for the first few days post op, which meant literally having to feed me, dress me, walk to the bathroom, etc.