Rodd's Journal

Still stuck in Swedish Hospital - 14 days since surgery. I now am the proud owner of a Pacemaker. Feeling a lot better but battling to get INR levels up, stuck at 1.2. Really, really looking forward to going home.

Just got out of ICU for the second time - was sent home and collapsed - back to hospital with afib and other problems - had an emergency procedure last night to install pacemaker - feeling a bit better tonight

Just got out of ICU for the second time - was sent home and collapsed - back to hospital with afib and other problems - had an emergency procedure last night to install pacemaker - feeling a bit better tonight

Still in ICU day 2, everything continues to proceed according to plan. Walked twice today, all wires and drains removed except for temporary pacemaker, should be moving out of ICU later today. Tony " Rodd's son"

book into Swedish Hospital in just over 12 hours with the promise of a new zipper opening to a new Aortic Valve and the start of a renewed life.... At peace, at a great place with my creator and surrounded by love and prayers I am ready to do this. Thanks for thoughts and prayers...

1st of my "surgical soap showers" and no more shaving, nose swabs and the fun has begun. I am pleasantly relaxed, although I can feel the panic and fear lurking next door but I am going to keep them there. Surrounded by prayer and good thoughts certainly helps to. As I mentioned in my previous comments, based on the positive feedback I have decided to go for the mechanical valve. Thanks everyone for the excellent perspectives - its not really clear, or black and white. I am thinking that with the revised levels of Coumadin now recommended for the On-X being reduced by 50% makes the mechanical valve more attractive. Clare Auten, in response to my email, noted that we may, in the near future be able to manage the On-X with only Aspirin - even though in higher dosage than normal, for me this is HUGE - I would rather look forward to that possibility rather than using a tissue valve with no guarantee I will not need a similar surgery in a relatively short time. So it is On-X for me and I think I have a compelling argument for the decision. Thanks everyone for your feedback - its great to hear from people in a similar position and the reason for all our choices. I reiterate that the service Adam provides with both his book and this forum has provided amazing clarity as to what we are going through. I know, that when I have my AVR on Friday, I, my family and my friends know what to expect from pre-surgery to recovery and I am so grateful.

After meeting with my surgeon yesterday I am now, more than ever undecided in my choice of tissue vs. artificial replacement valves. My daughter, who is a nurse practitioner working with children with serious brain problems is against the use of Coumadin as she has seen some awful situations in her work environment. My surgeon told us that nowadays levels of Coumadin requirements are half what they were less than 5 years ago. Artificial valves last forever, tissue valves around 10 years - I am 61 and not to excited in repeating this exercise down the road - so I don't know what to do. I would appreciate any insight anyone may have in this regard. Thanks in anticipation.

Spent 6 hours at Swedish Hospital yesterday going through a barrage of tests. Blood work, X rays, interviews etc. Met Dr. Barnhart who is doing the surgery - I was so impressed. My wife and my daughter (a Nurse Practitioner) were with me. Dr. Barnhart epitomizes everything I could ever have hoped for. I left the hospital knowing what I am going to go through next Friday.

Getting extremely anxious for my surgery on July 24 - also not feeling that well with minor chest pain and out of breath all the time. Had a look at my last Echocardiogram and compared my readings to the list here on Heart Surgery.com - all my readings are in the critical stage - valve area = 0.98 cm2 - peak velocity of 5.35 m/s and gradient of 68.0 mmHg. I only see my surgeon, Dr. Barnhart next Thursday the 16th. I am sure that these readings are why I don't feel so good.

Completed my Angiogram yesterday - they tried to get to the heart through my wrist - but apparently (I was asleep) this did not work and went in through my groin - everything looks good except for the Aortic Valve. Dr. Lewis (my cardiologist - who is outstanding), said he had "artery envy" - so that is good news. Surgery set for July 24 at the Heart Institute at Swedish Hospital in Cherry Hill, Seattle. Surgeon is Dr. Glenn Barnhart - who looks excellent but I still have to meet him. I am please this is now going to happen as I am really short of breath.

Well, I underwent a Cardiac Catheterization on May 21 and the results were extremely encouraging. The tests showed that, other than the Aortic Stenosis my heart is in great condition – no thickening of the arteries, or any other problems, which is a huge relief. My Cardiologist now wants me to have an echocardiogram in 6 months to see how things are going. He estimates that I will need surgery to replace the aortic valve in 6 to 18 months. I was thinking of making the trip to Cleveland for the surgery, but have recently heard some great stuff about Swedish Hospital in Seattle. I think having the surgery close to home will make a huge difference to my family and other support. On a really positive not I have lost 60lbs over the past 3 months and only have another 40lbs to loose. This will make a huge difference to my recovery and risks in surgery.

I underwent an Angiogram on Monday - I have been feeling very tired and light headed when I exercise and my Cardiologist was concerned that I may have some problems other than my Aortic Stenosis, which may require bypass surgery in addition to valve replacement. However, really good news - my heart is strong and healthy, other than the stenosis and all is good. No thickening of the arteries, or blockages of any kind. Thoughts are that the stenosis could be causing problems - I see my Cardiologist on June 1, 2012 and will know more then.

Well I got a huge shocker yesterday. Had my annual echocardiogram about 4 weeks ago and my Aortic Stenosis was slightly worse than a year ago..\"Mild to Severe\" is how the put it. I told my cardiologist that i am finding myself very short of breath after I exercise and he wanted me to do a heart stress test. The test was held yesterday and near the maximum point of the test I passed uot and fell off the treadmill - next thing I knew I was lying on the floor looking up at lats of panicky faces. Result - my cardiologist reckons that I probably have some problems that need urgent attention. I lost my father when he was 62 after he had suffered heart attacks at ages 52 and 58. My uncle on my mother’s side had a triple bypass when he was 60. So....I am having a cardiac catheterization this coming Monday and, as my cardiologist put it will require a bypass soon WITH an aortic valve replacement at the same time depending on the results of Mondays test. Not the news I was expecting or wanting - now I need to walk around with nitro glycerin tablets all the time and am praying for good, positive results on Monday.... Sucks big time - need to live everyday as my last - you never know!!!!

Had my second Echocardiogram this moring - get results next Tuesday April 5 - initially diagnosed with mdum to severe Aortic Stenosis in January 2010. I havehad a heart murmer since birth. My proble is that I am very overweight and this something I need to work on urgently to lessen the effect of surgery when it happens.