Les Barrett Facing 3rd Surgery!!!

[Perrster]

Please put Les Barrett in your thoughts and prayers as he is facing a third valve replacement surgery!

Les and I have gotten to "know" each other through e-mail contact and were planning on getting together in person at this year's Chicago Marathon (which would have been his second or third consecutive Marathon year). Here's what he had to say in his latest e-mail to me:

"Well, to think everything is always well is sometimes misleading...training for the marathon WAS fun but I had my annual sonogram and wouldn't you know it...my valve is leaking ( again...) and there is an aneurysm in my aorta they are concerned about. Went to the heart catheter torture chamber last Friday to confirm the bad news. Now waiting on consultation between the cardiologists and the surgeon. Risks are high as I have already been "cracked" twice and the third time is not something they look forward to doing. I'm still sweating out waiting for the cardiologists to return from vacation for the surgeon consultation on Monday the 19th. My valve was replaced in December of '95 only 865 days after the first one because the suture ring was pulling loose from the heart itself. That same thing has apparently occurred again. Why?...I don't know other than there is scar tissue that forms there and maybe it gets hard and can't take the stresses.
I fully intend to ask: "DOES RUNNING CAUSE OR ACCELERATE VALVE FAILURE?" The aneurysm is my biggest fear... the valve is still clicking away quite nicely (so they say) with no apparent blockage or anything. Man, I just can't imagine going through all that again...please go ahead and post to valvereplacement.com. This type of thing does occur and the sharing of experiences is a good thing for all us "clickers".

Sure glad I ran Chicago when I did.... I hope that wasn't it for my "career".
I intend to get back out there as soon as there is resolution. Again, I really appreciate your support and look forward to meeting you sometime. I would prefer in Chicago, with sore legs and a medal around my neck but hey, life is life and it isn't always fair. (dammit...) I'll let you know the results of the meeting.

I will let Les know his story has been posted here and hopefully he will use this website to keep us posted on his progress.

Thanks.

PerryA

p.s. check out his personal story on the St. Jude Medical website: http://www.onevalveforlife.com/patient_stories.shtm

 

[Nancy]

Hi Perry-

Is Les a member here? I didn't see his name on the members list. Why not get him to join. I'm sure he'd get some benefit out of it.

You can tell him about my husband who has had 3 valve surgeries and is still ticking along.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Will keep Les in my thoughts and prayers. Did they consider that he may have a connective tissue disorder?

 

[RobThatsMe]

Hi Perry,

Thanks for posting the letter from Les. I will surely keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

Also, I had my dissection, and due to that, my valve had to be replaced. I have several other areas my doctors are watching that are along my aorta and are at this time small aneurysm development. Luckily they have remained stable over the last 2 years. I have CT Scans done regularly so that they can continue to monitor those areas.

Like GIna asked, does he have a connective tissue disorder? They seem to have said that in my case I have a congenital connective tissue disorder.

If I can be of amy help to him, please tell him it is OK to e-mail me.

Hope your workouts are still going well!

Rob

 

[Perrster]

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks for your replies thus far. Les is now an official vr.com newbie.

I hope he comes along and responds to your questions and concerns on this thread.

Rob, I'm working out more on the golf range/course than the gym, but still go at least two/three days a week.

I was thinking of working up to and participating in the 2005 Chicago Marathon with Les and some other friends, but now I'm worried that the type of training for such an event is not a wise thing to be doing!? I'm positive Les had his doc's permission to do what he was doing, but what's the deal with you guy's aneurysm's? How do you get them? Any weird symptoms?

Connective tissue disorder? I take it your tissue doesn't like it when prosthetic things are attached to it? Can't they test for that sort of thing beforehand?

Take care.

 

[Bill Hall]

I wanted to welcome Les to the web site. I am certainly interested in the doctor's answer about the running. My guess is that marathon running should be avoided, since it is so much stress on the heart, even if you are in shape. I would guess that running in general is good for your heart, but maybe someone has information about how much, how often and how long. Anyway, I am no expert and just thought it was a good question. Les, I really feel bad for someone who has to go through this a third time, but at least you know what you're in for. Good luck and hope your cardiologist tells you that you don't need the surgery.

 

[Rain]

Welcome Les!

Perry... The cardio told my son that he wouldn?t know it if he developed an aneurism.

Rain

 

[hensylee]

Les is in my prayers, too. I am sorry he has to give up this year's marathon. But, maybe next year, Les - And welcome to our home. God bless

 

[Les]

Thank you all so much for your support. I am in awe how everyone responded so quickly to Perry's introduction of my "plight." I'll get through this better than ever now that I'm a member of vr.com. I want to and will be there for all of you in return. Will update as this saga continues. 'Expect the worst...Hope for the best!"
Les

 

[Christina]

Welcome to our cyber home!

Welcome to our cyber home!

Hi Less,

Welcome to our wonderful on-line family. You've come to the right place. Everyone is here to help and support. You'll NEVER have to feel alone anymore.
Sorry you'll have to give up this years marathon, but think positive, there is always a next one!
I've had two valve surgeries in August 2000 and am doing fine. Took me a while though!
I sincerely hope you won't have to go through a 3rd surgery, but please keep us updated on how things are with you.
I am also interested in what the doctor has to say about the running.
I know I am scared to run anymore. It just doesn't feel right!
I do power walking and it is okay! My priorities have changed a lot since August 2000..

Wishing you the very best.

Christina
AVR's 8/7/00 & 8/18/00
TMC, Tucson. AZ
Dr. Gulshan Sethi
Mechanical

 

[Simon Gee]

Hoorah

Hoorah

A warm welcome Les,

and I'm really glad to hear from someone else who's run the Marathon courtesy of St Jude! I completed the London event in 2001, although in a miserable 5½ hours. However, this was only 6 months after my AVR and I'm still really proud of my achievement as I always hated running for running's sake before. I dipped out on the event this year as my left knee went on strike, but it's fixed now and I'm back in training for next April, provided I can get a place of course.
I've had nothing but encouragement from my doctors, although it's hardly been vigourous. I take training easy and make sure I have rest days as well as training days. I use a heart rate monitor when running and look to keep my heart rate between 140-160 bpm.
I really never thought I'd run a marathon until I started walking after my surgery and then one thing led to another. Having done one, I have a strong desire now to do it again and record a better time - I guess it's the male competetive thing!!
I'm sorry to hear of your complications and thank God that my own situation has been much more simple.
I wish you the very best and look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Simon

 

[fdegranville]

Welcome Les

Welcome Les

Hi Les,
Glad you joined the site. Your story has touched all of us and we wish you the best.

I lived in OKC for eight years and was treated at OMH. I don't know how far you are from there, or if that is where you are being treated. but I was always so impressed with the care i recieved there. They were one of the first to do Ross procedures and valveuloplasty and the world reknowned Dr. Jackman is from there also. My doctors really did specialize in valve disease. I am now in New Jersey (work in Manhattan) and wish I still had my OKC docs.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

Francesca

 

[BECKY]

Hello Les

Hello Les

Welcome to VR.com. Everyone here is very helpful and a wealth of information. You will like it here I'm sure. Everyone has helped me tremendously.

Sorry you are having so much trouble. I can't imagine facing a third surgery. I am now facing my second so you know all about that. Trying to stay positive. I hope they have some answers as to what is really causing this to happen before they do more surgery. I am sure this has been very frustrating for you.

I hope everything works out well for you.

BECKY

 

[Les]

Everyone's thoughts and prayers have worked! Received a call from the surgeon yesterday and the aneurysm is not too much of a concern to him at this time. The leak, while not good, is not presently worth risking a third surgery to repair, especially since I have no symptoms. Thus, they are just going to continue to regularly monitor the situation(s)...NO SURGERY!!!!! I thank everyone again for the support and concern. To Simon and Bill, I have asked the surgeon's office about continuing my running ("concrete flogging" I call it...) and they will be getting back with me and I'll advise. What a week of stress but the greatest thing to come of all this is I joined vr.com. and met all of you.
"I click...therefore I am!"
Les

 

[Nancy]

HI Les-

Great news. Facing a third surgery isn't very pleasant. My husband had to have a third surgery for a leak. They watched it for a while, but he became very symptomatic. His heart's good now.

I hope you never have to have it done.

Take care and be well.

 

[hensylee]

Wonderful to hear this news - it is just amazing how many personal miracles we see in VR. Keep on truckin and hope you can also keep running. God bless

 

[Perrster]

Waddle On!

Waddle On!

Hey Les,

That is GREAT news. Please do let us know about your continuing pursuit as a "concrete flogger."

Glad you're liking vr.com.

Cheers!

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Les

So glad to hear NO SURGERY!!! YAHOO!!! One was bad enough for us, I can't even fathom three.....good luck with your ru....er...concrete flogging, YUCK!

Evelyn

 

[Les]

After such an emotional trial, good news just keeps coming. The surgeon's office confirmed yesterday I may resume pounding the streets with my well-worn pair of New Balance. This is great! Going to take it easy as a precaution for now but there is another marathon out there in the future. Perry, I hope it's Chicago 2003!
Click On!
Les

 

[Bill Hall]

Les - Thanks for the info on the running and great news of NO surgery. Good luck on the marathons and please post sometime out in the future about your results and condition.