Oh well - September 9th, 2003

[ddarsch]

I want to thank all of you in the community for sharing yourselves and your experiences. As a porcine mitral valve quy (November 1991) having this community is a special thing.

I found out last week that my porcine has now deteriorated to moderate to severe regurgitation. The docs are saying go back in now to avoid atrial frib - so I have decided to follow his advice.

In looking at the who, what, when, where, and why - I have the who (great doc), I still have to decide the what (another biological or a mechanica), I have the when (Sept 09), I have the where (Fairfax Hospital in VA), and the why is the love of life.

I will talk to all of you on the other side :>)

 

[Nancy]

My goodness, I'm so sorry to hear that you are up for another surgery so soon. I put you on the calendar so we can keep track of you. Stay close until your surgery because there will be lots of folks who'll want to wish you well.

It's a disappointment, but if that's what it takes, then that's what has to be done.

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Take care

 

[EVELYN]

I too am so sorry to hear you have to have surgery again. I'm sure you will be fine, and I truly believe, the sooner the better....you don't want afib, enlargement, etc. if you can help it. Keep the faith, all will be well.

Evelyn

 

[Bill Hall]

Sorry to hear you have to go through this surgery, but I sure do love your attitude. You are doing the right thing and getting it done timely, not waiting too long. Also, Fairfax is a good hospital and you will be great after the surgery. Of course, you know how it works.

 

[Gisele]

Good luck!

Good luck!

Sept 9th is just around the corner. Wishing you the best and I will be thinking of you.

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi dave!
i'm so sorry that you have to go through this again.
sounds like you have everything in place though. sept. 9th is a week away.
we will be here to keep you company while you wait.
please try and keep busy in the meantime.
stay well, sylvia

 

[bvdr]

Hi Dave,
I will be praying for a really great outcome for you! I know you have gone through this before and I'm hoping this one goes much better. Do avoid a-fib if you can.

 

[hensylee]

We gonna go with you, Dave - you know that.

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Dave

Hi Dave

One of our new NEWBIES..Bart..is having his VR. the day before you. Now, we will all be praying for you both..and you both will be fine. Have someone to post for you..please.....Ross gets very nervous if he doesn't hear from yall. Where will you stay after hospital stay? Post again soon before surgery. Bonnie

 

[Christina L]

age at first surgery

age at first surgery

Dave,

Do you mind me asking what age you were at your first surgery. I am debating on which type of valve to use. I am 44 and want a tissue valve if I cannot have repair.

Thanks.

Chris

 

[coco]

Will be thinking of you. Take care of yourself. Give us your experiences soon, we'll be watching for you. Just wondering why you want a tissue valve if you are still so young? You may need another 2 surgeries in the future if you opt for the tissue valve. Food for thought. All the best!!!!

 

[ddarsch]

Back on-line

Back on-line

To all:

First and foremost, thank you for your support and prayers - I honestly believe that it had an impact.

I had the procedure on Sept 9th at 7:00 (mitral valve replacement, 2nd time for a porcine valve) and was out of the hospital on Friday the 12th. I have started cardiac rehab and I am walking on the treadmill and using a stationay bike 3-4 times a week.

The recovery had been incredible, and overall the experience much less troublesome than the first procedure in 1991.

Again, thank you to all of you.

 

[Ross]

So nice to hear from you! I'm happy to hear things are going great. Why for did you wait so long to tell us? You know how I get when members disappear on us.

 

[Christina L]

Dave,

That is all so great to hear!!! You sound like you are doing amazingly well after your second surgery (even though there are the naysayers out there regarding 2nd and 3rd surgeries). Thankfully, I have heard just as many success stories regarding this issue.

I am encouraged to hear of others who have had a tissue valve put in the mitral position who do so well, as that is what I am choosing IF I cannot have a repair of my mitral valve. It may not be the right choice, but it is my choice and I pray that things will turn out all right whatever happens - repair or replacement.

God bless - keep well and happy!

Chris

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi dave!
so glad to see you are doing well and you are well on your way to recovery.
wishing you a continued easy one.
please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.
be well, sylvia

 

[ddarsch]

Thanks again and good luck Chris

Thanks again and good luck Chris

Chris/Sylvia/Ross - thank you again for your support and kind words.

Chris, I wish you the best of luck with the MV repair. The doctors will do what is best for you, and whether it is repaired or replaced, it is wonderful to be alive. My quess is that the Doctors will ask you if you want a porcine or bovine valve in the event that they cannot do the repair (for me I have porcine, but I know two other folks, who like me did a second biological, and both of them did a bovine the second procedure)

Ross, please accept my apology on the delay, but I chose to not access the Internet or e-mail for 6 weeks. My job produces 50-60 work related e-mails a day, and did not trust myself to not get in a stressful situation during the recovery period if I was going on-line.

 

[Ross]

O.K., I'll let you slide this time, but next time it's "Smithers, Release the hounds" for you.

 

[hensylee]

And Miss Sally Sue will join those other hounds and hunt you down, Dave.

Glad to know all is well. three day in the hospital? That is just awesome. Thank God for the miracles.

 

[bvdr]

Dave,

It is so nice to get a good report from you. Cardiac rehab is helping me quite a bit and I hope it does the same for you.
I didn't stop in the "visit" at work for the same reasons. I thought it would just open up a whole bunch of ...Oh, why you are here sort of things.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Dave,
Glad to hear that you are doing good and that everything seemed to go OK. Keep up that rehab it will help you so much.
Take Care and Have a Great Weekend.

Dave
____________________________
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical