my story

[williamsm18]

hi
in nov i found out i had a aortic valve that had fused together to make 1 cusp along with it a 5.3 c ascending anyrysm. after talking to doctors and surgeons i had my surgery at a high volume very reputable hospital with a fantastic surgeon. on the morning of my surgery(01/12/11) as my wife and other family members were waiting we met a man and his family he was getting aortic and mitral valve replacement surgery he was the captain of a fire station in a nearby city. my family and his became somewhat close in the waiting room. my surgery when over without any complications or problems and after a day in icu and getting my head together again i found out the fireman didnt make it through and was not so lucky. i dont write this to scare anyone that is facing ohs for the most part they are routine surgeries to a high volume hospital however there is a reality when it comes to this type of surgery. the last 7 weeks have gone well for me no complications and gaining most of my strenght back, but i wont forget that cold jan. morning and that fireman who hugged his wife and daughter for the last time, when my new mechanical valve wakes me up at night or my inr is low or high i will remember the 2nd chance i got and the one that some dont.

mark
avr and ascending aorta replacement st. judes mechanical
jan 12 2011

 

[Just ASK]

My heart and yours go out to that family. Sometimes you have to see the alternative to recognize how fortunate your own set of circumstances really are....everything is relative. Glad to hear that things are going smoothly for you!

 

[drivetopless]

Glad you made it. I had my surgery on 1/13/11 (simple AVR) and am grateful to be here. Had some minor complications with afib, which is common, but I am getting better every day.

The fireman who didn't make it--I wonder if he had other complicating medical conditions. Or perhaps his heart had deteriorated more before the surgery. It is so sad and my thoughts go out to his family. But when this happens, I always wonder why.

 

[williamsm18]

the fireman chose to have miniammly evasive surgery its my understanding they immediately had complications and hit a artery near the heart he went into cardiac arrest and later died as far as i know he had no other health problems just goes to show you never know.
mark

 

[Greg a]

Life is so very precious but those of us who "have been there" the other side is a warm and loving place that I no longer fear ....RESPECT YES but fear no as you can read in my bio (link below) I have been there a few times the fireman is "in a better place"

He is however a great argument against minimally invasive surgery BUT I do hope they do get the technology before I need it as i dont think i will ever be able to have OHS again

 

[timmyup7]

Happy to hear you are here. Yes life is very precious.

I was told by the doctors aswell, I was very lucky. Im very happy to be alive.

Very sad. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the fireman.

 

[Bina]

Hey Mark, nice to hear that you are doing okay.
I also wondered what happened to a couple of my hospital room-mates, we just never know what lies ahead.