Surgery set for May 8

[jpattillo]

AVR with ATS mechanical valve on May 8 by Dr. Clifton Lewis of Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons PC in Birmingham, AL.

 

[Madsometimes]

All the best for your surgery. Did your surgeon encourage you to take an ATS valve, was it down to your research, or a bit of both?

I'm just curious, because as I said in my PM, my valve was selected by my surgeon, once I had opted for mechanical. Her choice seems to have been a good one. The warfarin took three months to settle, but that would have been the case with any mechanical valve.

 

[valdab]

Very best of luck. I'll think positive thoughts for you on the 8th
best,
Valda

 

[RTZdad]

Welcome to the site. My thoughts and prayers will be with you on the 8th. I'm guessing that you're in pretty good shape, so the surgery should be a breeze. You will feel better than you anticipate after it's all over. You'll be back running around (with no worries) in no time. Good luck you! Take care.

Tom

 

[Bina]

I've put you on the vr.org calendar for May 8th. Best wishes

 

[Sarah_Louise]

Good luck for the 8th may
Will be thinking of you
Love Sarah xx

 

[escargome]

Very best wishes for a successful surgery and a bump free recovery. I will be thinking of you on the 8th.

 

[jpattillo]

Thanks to all. I ran a short race on Friday (5K) and set a personal best of 22:47 (=7:21/mile) so I'm in pretty good shape. I'm hopeful that replacing this leaky valve will actually help my running in the long run, but recovery will obviously take some time and I have no expectations...

 

[TheGymGuy]

You seem to be in great physical condition. If you take same approach to recovery as training, you will recover fast and in no time. My day 1 in the hospital was like first training week in the 5 week cycle. I treated each hour as a training day and wanted progress. Things are going to work out great.

 

[DavesMom]

All the best to you on the 8th! You'll be back and better than ever before you know it. Good luck!

 

[tabitha]

You go in 2 days before I do. Good luck and I will be thinking of you

 

[Boston Tiger]

Best of luck when you go in.

 

[jpattillo]

I had a mechanical AVR on Tuesday. It's now Friday evening and I'm nearly pain free, eating full meals and back to work (albeit from the hospital bed). I think the biggest difference lies in the fact that I had a right anterior thoracotomy instead of a mini-strernotomy. Dr. Clifton Lewis here in Birmingham is the only doc here doing this procedure. Oh, and the incision is only 2 inches or so with no broken bones.

I'm also starting to sleep pretty well too. My biggest fear was being bothered by the click. While I definitely hear it, it isn't bothersome at all.

The worst part about the recovery has been the back pain I've had from the posterior chest tube on the right side. That cause some major pain for a while. The percocet really helped but it made me nauseated. I've finally gotten past that after about 48 hours. I ate some good ole Birmingham BBQ tonight and didn't leave a single bite on my plate.

 

[Scott]

Wow. That is so great. Glad you are recovering so well.

 

[pgammo]

Good to hear!