dave1939
Member
Firstly, I'd like to thank all you kind folks for your support and advice. It certainly made the experience a lot easier.
My surgery was September 11, and I believe it went as well as could be expected. The pain and discomfort are now becoming a fading memory, and I confidently expect my recovery to be complete.
As noted in the pre-op post I am 74 and noted a dramatic decrease in my exercise capacity, more than could be attributed to just getting old. Echo-cardiograms confirmed that my aortic valve had deteriorated to the severe to critical range. The surgery was done at Mission Hospital, and Dr. Oliver Binns was the surgeon. I'm very happy about our decision to stay in Asheville.
Yesterday, I met with the surgeon who suggested that I wait another week or so before driving and go easy on lifting. Other than that, I'm good to go. He told us that the old valve was a 9 on a scale of 1-10.
Today, I went to the orientation for the cardiac rehab program and was favorably impressed. The nurse said I looked familiar , perhaps we saw each other at a local race. She asked me if I wanted to start running and I replied "Sure, Can I?" "Absolutely" she said.
I have started walking and today I walked 4.8 miles in 1 hour, 32 minutes. My short term goal is to be able to compete in the "Superhero 5K" on October 26.
I probably won't be bike riding, outside, for a while until the bones are healed.
Thanks again to all and I'll be posting on some of the other threads.
My surgery was September 11, and I believe it went as well as could be expected. The pain and discomfort are now becoming a fading memory, and I confidently expect my recovery to be complete.
As noted in the pre-op post I am 74 and noted a dramatic decrease in my exercise capacity, more than could be attributed to just getting old. Echo-cardiograms confirmed that my aortic valve had deteriorated to the severe to critical range. The surgery was done at Mission Hospital, and Dr. Oliver Binns was the surgeon. I'm very happy about our decision to stay in Asheville.
Yesterday, I met with the surgeon who suggested that I wait another week or so before driving and go easy on lifting. Other than that, I'm good to go. He told us that the old valve was a 9 on a scale of 1-10.
Today, I went to the orientation for the cardiac rehab program and was favorably impressed. The nurse said I looked familiar , perhaps we saw each other at a local race. She asked me if I wanted to start running and I replied "Sure, Can I?" "Absolutely" she said.
I have started walking and today I walked 4.8 miles in 1 hour, 32 minutes. My short term goal is to be able to compete in the "Superhero 5K" on October 26.
I probably won't be bike riding, outside, for a while until the bones are healed.
Thanks again to all and I'll be posting on some of the other threads.
