Paul's Guestbook

August 14, 2016 Hello, Paul . . . . It looks like biking gets you around the corners. Our son just completed the Leadville 100 (Leadville, Colorado. It is a 100 mile mountain bike ride, starting in Leadville (10,150 feet elevation ) . The event ends in Leadville, too. During the 100 mile ride, one has an elevation gain of about 2500 feet throughout the race . . . not all on one mountain. Rusty is 49 years old and did the ride last year in 9 hours, 35 minutes. He had less time to train and did the ride yesterday in 9 hours, 53 minutes. VERY RESPECTFUL TIMES. Paul, I am 75. When I was 46 I had my mitral valve replaced with a St. Jude's mechanical valve. I have been on coumadin for 29 years, and I rarely think about it. I would rather have my St. Jude valve than have dealt with many more heart surgeries to keep replacing tissue valves. In mid April, my aortic valve was diagnosed as: severe aortic stenosis. I needed to have it replaced. On June 16, two months ago, I had my aortic valve replaced with an ATS AP mechanical valve. My triscupid valve was repaired at the same time as it had a leak. I recovered so well. I was out fly fishing with my husband after 5 weeks. I ride my bike and hike. I have a little device so I can check my INR at home and call in my results. I do not find it a nuisance, and I rarely pay much attention to my diet other than I eat healthy and avoid most rich foods. I am 5'7" and weigh about 120. I should get up to 125. My heart problems are a result of rheumatic heart disease. I had rheumatic fever when I was 16, a junior in high school. Hmmmm . . . . that caused me to stumble a little. I am, though, a graduate of CSU (Colorado State University) and I have my master's from CU (University of Colorado . Boulder). Please feel free to write me and ask any questions. I had my surgery done at the Cardiac Center . St. Joseph Hospital . Denver, Colorado. bjspinney@gmail.com Judy Spinney