Long Time Lurkers First Post

[hobbysdad]

Surgery for AVR and MV repair takes place, unless something changes, April 6 at the Ross Heart Hospital at Ohio State. I'm employed at the OSUMC and that helps a ton. My problem began as a prostate infection which lead to endocarditis. I'm a young, athletic 56, and leaning toward tissue valve. I'll meet with the surgeon, Dr. Juan Crestanello, on March 31 at which time the decision will be made. And did I mention the triple by-pass to be added? I'm also experiencing some neurological symptoms (visual changes) that could result in an earlier surgery date. If the origin of the visual change is embolic, they won't wait with the prospects of stroke. Meet with a cerebrovascular neurologist March 30. He may have me undergo a brain scan.
It's been a series of things added to an already bizarre and complicated picture. Despite this I plan to be part of a 20-mile cycling event about 5 weeks removed from surgery. Concentrating on a speedy recovery is what keeps me up.

 

[Lynlw]

Surgery for AVR and MV repair takes place, unless something changes, April 6 at the Ross Heart Hospital at Ohio State. I'm employed at the OSUMC and that helps a ton. My problem began as a prostate infection which lead to endocarditis. I'm a young, athletic 56, and leaning toward tissue valve. I'll meet with the surgeon, Dr. Juan Crestanello, on March 31 at which time the decision will be made. And did I mention the triple by-pass to be added? I'm also experiencing some neurological symptoms (visual changes) that could result in an earlier surgery date. If the origin of the visual change is embolic, they won't wait with the prospects of stroke. Meet with a cerebrovascular neurologist March 30. He may have me undergo a brain scan.
It's been a series of things added to an already bizarre and complicated picture. Despite this I plan to be part of a 20-mile cycling event about 5 weeks removed from surgery. Concentrating on a speedy recovery is what keeps me up.

Welcome, I'm sorry you've been thru so much. Are you talking about riding your bike in a race 5 weeks post op?

 

[spartangator]

Welcome, sorry to hear about all this, but it sounds like you have everything well organized and that you're in hands you trust. It'll be great to get all this behind you and return to your active lifestyle.

Just a heads up, there's a solid chance the cardio's not going to be a fan of a bike ride five weeks out. It takes the sternum longer than that to heal, I believe, so you might not get support for that one.

Please don't take that comment as any indication that you won't feel solid at that point, however. Your concentration on a speedy recovery is that right choice to make it happen, and at five weeks, you're likely to feel quite good.

All the best.

 

[Lionheart]

It's been a series of things added to an already bizarre and complicated picture. Despite this I plan to be part of a 20-mile cycling event about 5 weeks removed from surgery. Concentrating on a speedy recovery is what keeps me up.

Keep your sights high. I say, "GO FOR IT! and make them restrain you from riding!" Good luck on your March 30 appointment.
John

 

[ChouDoufu]

Despite this I plan to be part of a 20-mile cycling event about 5 weeks removed from surgery. Concentrating on a speedy recovery is what keeps me up.

if this is post-op, then no. don't do it. (and i'm someone that is constantly
scolded for doing too much, too soon!!)

i'm sure that given your condition at five weeks, you will decide not to
participate. planning to do so will only set you up for disappointment.
it's just not a reasonable expectation.

if you're very lucky, and recovery quickly, at five weeks you MAYBE could
survive a couple slow, careful circuits of the wal-mart parking lot, but only
if you can avoid the speed bumps. even then, you'll be in serious pain the
following day, assuming you haven't damaged your still-healing sternum.

 

[Marguerite53]

Welcome to our wonderful community! You have a lot going on! Your attitude is fantastic! Optimism and trust are key.

We have lots of experience here. Please feel free to ask anything. It is usually best to start a new thread with each in-depth question that you have so that the more people will see it and have a chance to express their opinion.

As you can see in my "signature" I was 52 when I chose a tissue valve. There are many reasons we each have for making the choices we make. Read as much as you can about all the valves, here, and then have a solid conversation with your surgeon. He will guide you to the best choice for you. My only comment would be to advise you to go with something HE is familiar with because his experience is invaluable.

Best wishes to you!

Marguerite

 

[Curtsmum]

Welcome to the forum and very best wishes.

 

[skeptic49]

Welcome to VR! Glad you have your date. Sorry to read about the prostate infection/endocarditis...never occurred to me that could happen. Keep posting and ask any questions you have.

Best wishes,

Jim

 

[tprice54]

Welcome....as already said, 5 weeks is pretty ambitous for a 20 mile ride...but a goal is a good thing. I was running 3 miles at 4 weeks...but everyone is different, and I mean that. The biking is more difficult due to the leaning over, and sternum healing....

 

[neil]

hiya am sure you will be fine,good that your getting it all sorted,be carefull about bike riding after 5 weeks,cricky my cardio said walking was about as much as i could do,sternum doesnt fully heal till 6 weeks,dont try to rush things take it nice and easy,imo and my cardios you got the rest of your life to live,dont rush it in the first few weeks,

 

[Mary]

You have been monitoring the site for awhile . . . I was going to put you on the calendar for April 6, and you have beat me to it!

 

[palmaceae]

Praying for a successful and trouble free surgery. Like most have said here, 5 weeks it really pushing it, I am a little over 2 weeks post op and I can not even imagine even getting on a bike in 5 weeks. Just do not try to over do it, this surgery was a lot harder then I ever imagined, and I am only 46.

 

[Karlynn]

Just wanted to say "Welcome"!

 

[TakeStock]

From one Ohioian to another (Bearcat fan and alumni, sorry), welcome to VR. I also got my valve damage from endocarditis but the surgeon feels he can repair it. Hoping you hear good news at your March 31 meeting (same day as my surgery). Good luck!

 

[hobbysdad]

You guys are good

You guys are good

Thanks for the words of encouragement, and yes, I hear you about the 5wks post op cycling event. But, that's the goal, and with a week and two days before surgery, I'm sticking with it.

 

[hall]

Wanted to say hi and Welcome. Yes, I am a Buckeye fan! Wishing you all the best. I can tell you at 5 weeks, I was not in any shape to ride a bide let alone 20 miles. Best of luck to you.

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to VR. Sorry for the circumstances but glad you found us. Set you goal high, but please don't try to achieve it at all costs. Listen to you body....if it's ready then go for it. If not, there's always another cycling event. If you push too hard too soon, it'll set you back. Best wishes wishes for a successful surgery and VERY speedy recovery so you can do the event.

 

[tobagotwo]

So-called "visual migraines" and related visual disturbances are common before and even after surgery for valve problems. They can be from TIA issues, which apparently is what your doctors are trying to confirm, or from tiny calcified particles losened from the valve. Most often, the cause is never determined.

As you have had endocarditis, and also have arteriosclerosis, it's probably a good thing to check.

However, I would not worry about it too much.

Good fortune with your surgery. We'll be here.

Best wishes,

 

[ctyguy]

Hey Neighbor...

Welcome to the forum. Lots of wisdom and experience on this site, ask any questions you may have. Sounds to me like your procedure isn't run of the mill so Im gonna guess that riding a bike at 5 weeks is gonna be seriously discouraged by your docs. Plus the fact that your sternum isn't going to be healed up enough. Since your having bypasses along with the AVR I suspect they will have to do a full incision instead of a minimally invasive procedure. I had a mini and while I was back to work after 5 weeks there was no way I could have rode a bike. It might not seem like your chest is all that involved but just wait till your on the flip side of your surgery. Im a runner not a biker but there are more than a few here who do serious riding. Im sure they will be along and will be able to give you some sound advice.

 

[Tbone]

Welcome Buckeye Fan. It is good to have goals, but the worst thing you can do is to overdo it. I hope you make your target, but be smart about it. After a surgery that last thing you want is to go backwards.

From one Buckeye Fan to another, welcome. Good luck & God Bless