Exactly 10 years ago i was prepping for valve replacement. I thought I'd share with you a thank you letter that I wrote to my surgeon, Dr. Mack of Medical City Dallas.................
I’m writing to thank you and share my joy after 10 years with my St. Jude mechanical heart valve that you and your staff implanted November 27, 2000. It has been a tremendous success, has added years to my life, and life to my years.
I’ve celebrated raising two wonderful sons, seen them graduate from college and marry two darling women. Finally, we have daughters! I’ve seen my wife flourish with nursing work, and volunteering with numerous agencies focused on health education, wellness, and aging.
I rediscovered the active life, although in much different ways than playing baseball in my youth.
Feel free to share this letter with your patients if it will help them work through their jitters of surgery and life after surgery. By the way, I am not the only one. www.cardiacatheletes.org is a website of athletes with various heart histories that are pioneering and pushing the envelope with athletics. www.valvereplacement.org is dedicated to supporting heart valve patients. These sites have been a great source of support and encouragement for me and others. Feel free to drop in and/or suggest that your patients take a look.
Heart valve surgeries have come a long way since the first Starr-Edwards valve was implanted 50 years ago. My history is but a small piece of that, but a piece for which I’m truly grateful. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!
I’m writing to thank you and share my joy after 10 years with my St. Jude mechanical heart valve that you and your staff implanted November 27, 2000. It has been a tremendous success, has added years to my life, and life to my years.
I’ve celebrated raising two wonderful sons, seen them graduate from college and marry two darling women. Finally, we have daughters! I’ve seen my wife flourish with nursing work, and volunteering with numerous agencies focused on health education, wellness, and aging.
I rediscovered the active life, although in much different ways than playing baseball in my youth.
Several mountain hikes including:
2 half marathon runs, best time 2:02
3 10k runs, best time 50:51
16 5k runs, best time 24:50
11 sprint triathlons, best finish 1st place in 55-59 age group in the pouring rain.
Total over 10,000 miles - run, bike swim, walk.
Lately, I’ve been playing recreation softball on a team that my son assembled – priceless.
It’s been a great run, and I’m not done yet.Chasm Lake at the base of Long’s Peak, 2,260’ elevation gain to 11,760’ elev.
Twin Sisters Peaks summit, 2.428’ elevation gain to 11,428’ elev.
Pikes Peak summit (ascent only), 7,400’ elevation gain to 14,115’ elev.
2 marathon runs 26.2, best time 4:40Twin Sisters Peaks summit, 2.428’ elevation gain to 11,428’ elev.
Pikes Peak summit (ascent only), 7,400’ elevation gain to 14,115’ elev.
2 half marathon runs, best time 2:02
3 10k runs, best time 50:51
16 5k runs, best time 24:50
11 sprint triathlons, best finish 1st place in 55-59 age group in the pouring rain.
Total over 10,000 miles - run, bike swim, walk.
Lately, I’ve been playing recreation softball on a team that my son assembled – priceless.
Feel free to share this letter with your patients if it will help them work through their jitters of surgery and life after surgery. By the way, I am not the only one. www.cardiacatheletes.org is a website of athletes with various heart histories that are pioneering and pushing the envelope with athletics. www.valvereplacement.org is dedicated to supporting heart valve patients. These sites have been a great source of support and encouragement for me and others. Feel free to drop in and/or suggest that your patients take a look.
Heart valve surgeries have come a long way since the first Starr-Edwards valve was implanted 50 years ago. My history is but a small piece of that, but a piece for which I’m truly grateful. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!
