I almost missed posting my aortic valve birthday. Aug 16, 1967 I had an artificial mechanical valve implanted. That was back in the "Dinosaur age" of OHS. Back then they didn't even put serial numbers on the valves. Several years ago I asked for a wallet card that had medical info should I have a serious accident or illness. After much arm twisting I finally got my wallet card........my valve serial number is UNK-178, model UNK-Starrew. I think the UNK stands for "unknown".........so I guess the docs will have to wait 'till they do an autopsy to find out what I have that lasted so long.
For those of you who are chasing my record, I've raised the bar.........but I do hope each of you beat my record. Since I'm going on 88 I doubt I will add many more years to the record...........but only the "Shadow knows". You young folks probably don't know the Shadow, but he was popular on the radio (you do remember AM radios ??)
I continue to post these anniversaries for the newbies to show that mechanical valves can, and do, last a lifetime. Over the years I have done everything I could to make it hard on my valve .......and it continued to tick.
For those of you who are chasing my record, I've raised the bar.........but I do hope each of you beat my record. Since I'm going on 88 I doubt I will add many more years to the record...........but only the "Shadow knows". You young folks probably don't know the Shadow, but he was popular on the radio (you do remember AM radios ??)
I continue to post these anniversaries for the newbies to show that mechanical valves can, and do, last a lifetime. Over the years I have done everything I could to make it hard on my valve .......and it continued to tick.