Roller coaster going up!

[srwieland]

Saw my cardiologist last week. Says if I can get back in the shape I used to be, before I had all my problems this last year which severely curtailed my physical activity, then maybe my new heart valve will make it the rest of my life! The old SynerGraft may make it after all!

Pretty amazing after where I was 6 months ago, not even being able to walk without nearly fainting.

I still have some mild symptoms, general fatigue, occasional fluttering, and moderate edema when I'm up on my feet too long or get really exhausted.

Got another big boost to my heart rehabiliatation two days ago--the birth of a new granddaughter! Tara was born by scheduled Caesarian a week before due but still weighed 8 lb 9 oz with Apgars of 9/9. Not to mention that's she's the most beautiful little girl in the whole world!

 

[Jean]

Congrats

Congrats

Hey, Steve, that is great...about the valve and the granddaughter...I wish so hard that I had grandchildren...I taught too good a lesson about "waiting". But daughter and son in law are saying they will go off birth control summer of '03

Again congratulations!

 

[Nancy]

Hi Steve-

Congratulations on both wonderful events. I'm so glad to see you post and that everything is looking so good. It's been a little bit of a journey for you.

Nice holiday presents.

 

[Ross]

Congratulations on both events.
Doesn't sound to me that your a "Proud Grand parent". He he Life can be beautiful eh?

 

[alicia]

Congratulations Steve on both blessed events. I can relate to the proud granparent thing, I have 3 of them and love them bunches!
Life is good.

 

[Sully77]

Congratulations Steve, I'm only 38 so no grandchildren yet but I remember how proud my father was when my first was born eight years ago.

Keep up the good health.

Jay

 

[srwieland]

You guys are great! Thanks for all the encouragement and interest. Only we know to some extent what each other has been through, except for Ross, of course, who's way beyond most of the rest of us!

By the way, I already have seven grandsons, but this was my first granddaughter (although, I had my share of females before that--5 daughters!). Guess I can count my blessings, eh! If you live to see so many grandkids, that's already doing pretty good.

Thanks again.

 

[hensylee]

Hello Steve - sounds like you have come a long way since 'that day'. So good to see you. Keep on keeping on and so happy to hear of your blessed event! Being the only girl in that bunch, isn't she going to be spoiled! Good to be around, isn't it? God bless

 

[Jean]

Spoiled and a top notched tom boy too, I bet.

 

[mamsram]

hi steve--glad to read that you are progressing so well. its encouraging to read. congrats on the new one, pretty good size for an early girl (holy tara??) maybe.ha-ha...I am also a grandfather of 8, but its 5 boys and 3 girls. wishing you continued good happenings.

 

[Vicki448]

Congratulations on the grandbaby and your improved health. My mitral valve surgery is just over two months old and I'm looking forward to waking up and feeling absolutely wonderful! I'm just not a patient person, but I'm thankful for each day that the Lord gives me. It's always encouraging when someone writes about feeling better and the road they took to get that way! It makes me believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Best wishes to you and yours.

 

[bruizer]

Hey Steve,

That's great news regarding both your valve situation and new granddaughter. Were your doctors able to determine why your new synergraft was leaking earlier and what caused it to function properly now?

At any rate, congratulations. I know if has to be a tremendous relief knowing that you will not have to have another surgery.

God Bless

 

[BrooksM]

Great News!

Great News!

That is great Steve, nothing can beat exercise to get you feeling good again. Let's hope Cryolife can straighten out their quality control issues so this valve technology is able to continue to evolve. I'm 6mos post op with just a couple bouts of pericarditis for speed bumps. I exercise every day and feel better than I have in 5 years. Good luck with getting rid of your remaining symptoms and getting your heart strong again.

 

[srwieland]

Thanks again everyone.

Bruce: The doctors don't really know why my valve starting leaking so bad after doing so well at first nor why it improved again. They have their speculations about the SynerGraft, infection, etc., but all say they could only know more if they were to go back in, which hopefully won't be the case anytime soon.

By the way, my valve leaked from the beginning, but just very little, which the surgeon said was not uncommon. After 8 months, that leakage increased from moderate to eventually severe. Now it is still leaking, but more mildly. My other symptoms (edema, fatigue, flutterings, etc.) are still more than they were for the first 8 months.

So, I'm not entirely out of the woods yet, just doing a lot better. At the peak of my symptoms, the doctor said my murmur sounded like a 'pistol shot'; now, he can only barely hear it.

Has anyone else out there gone through such extreme pendulum swinging?

 

[John Cochran]

Steve,
I'm delighted to here you have improved so much--I was really worried about you for a while there! Congrats on the new family member

My 6 month checkup will be next month. Like Brooks, I feel better than I have in a long time. The only bump I had was some premature ventricular contractions the first few weeks after surgery, but those have gone away. With all the problems others have had, I kind of feel bad saying that I have absolutely no aches or pains, my exercise tolerance is hugely improved, and after next month, no drugs at all except a daily baby aspirin.

So far, the SynerGraft technology is looking good. Although you had some big bumps in the road, Steve, I suspect that your valve, being now populated by viable cells of your own, did some remodeling in the aortic position (Steve's valve is a pulmonary SynerGraft valve in the aortic position). This is, I speculate, testament that the technology really works as theorized.

Hang in there buddy, and best wishes on getting back into shape!

--John

 

[Mara]

Steve-
That is great news about your valve. Too cool.
I have to agree with John that it makes it seem as if the synergraft technology reallyworks! Wahoo!

Congratulations Grandpa! Now you can spoil Tara rotten and not have to worry about your valve.

 

[Mike in Florida]

Congrats Steve!

Congrats Steve!

Howdy Steve,
So glad to hear things are going your way
and the roller coaster is heading uphill!!!
I have'nt even had time to be a good lurker
here, with all the work going on at Shands. Been
working 70-80hr. weeks, remodeling ICU's on 2nd
floor, scheduled to be done with last one in
May/June 2003.
Congrats on your newest addition to the
grandchildren! Sounds like you're one proud
Grandpa! Been spoiling my little "babies" this
week. My 18yr. old twin daughters are heading
off to U.S. Airforce bootcamp shortly,so I'm a
little on the proud side these day's.
Hope your valve and health continue to improve!!
Take care buddy,
Mike in Florida


AVR/MVR St. Judes mechanicals
Dr. Tomas Martin Jan. 28 1998
2 yrs. chronic a-fib