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Diagnosis: Aortic Regurgitation, Aortic Stenosis, Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Aortic Aneurysm

Member Since: August 27, 2023

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Rich Butela added photos to a journal post

1 year ago (September 21, 2024)

Hi Everyone. Been a while since I last updated this page. I'm doing well and want to encourage anyone having to go through this. This is me, 4 days shy of my one year anniversary. Yes there is life after Valve replacement.

❤️ 🥰 Rose Madura, Sean Adkins and reacted to this

Grace Mason

Woot! Look at you Rich! We were going through recovery together, so it's great to hear and see how well you are doing. What kind of obstacles do you do in a savage blitz? Congratulations on your anniversary ðŸ’–

Ana Brusso

Wow Rich, itâ€™s been a while. So glad you are doing great. Continued good health and God bless you ðŸ™â¤ï¸

Rich Butela

Hey Grace. How are you doing ? You were a big inspiration for me after surgery. The blitz is 3 miles of cross country running, climbing walls, crawling under barbed wire, getting wet and muddy, a couple of rope swings and a big monkey bar obstacle. Challenging, but a lot... Read more.

Michael O'connell

Keep it going!

Grace Mason

That is nice to hear, Rich, I am glad that my story inspired you. I am doing great. I just had my one year follow-up and was told I can do anything I want, no restrictions. My valves are looking good ðŸ‘ðŸ¼ Your race does sounds challenging and fun, except... Read more.

Sean Adkins

Awesome

J Alexander Lassally

Hey there. It was so nice to see your update and shirt saying - indeed, failure is not an option for us !! I also want to thank you again for being a key advocate in getting that recliner lined up ahead of surgery. It was an essential part of... Read more.

Rich Butela added photos to a journal post

2 years ago (November 16, 2023)

Seven Weeks with my new Piggy valve. Feeling pretty good this week. My chest is still a little sore, especially around my solar plexus area. I think it's muscle pain from all the coughing I've been doing. My BP & Heart rate are holding steady. Still doing at least 2... Read more.

Valerie Allen

You look terrific! Glad you feel so too.

Jennifer Fuller

That must have made your pups so happy to take a walk with you! Iâ€™m a little over two weeks out, and I canâ€™t wait to feel normal. Iâ€™m foggy, and I seem to have the attention span of a preschooler.

Grace Mason

Great news Rich and great picture ðŸ˜€. Your pup looks like an older wise dude with half closed eyes, arm stretched along the back of the couch like a person would sitðŸ˜„. Made me smile.

Deena Z

Wow, you look great, Rich. What a relief that it is over, huh?! And your incision seems to be healing really well too.

Rich Butela

Grace, that's Earl Grey, he is hilarious. He thinks he's a tiny lap dog. His newest trick he taught himself is how to open the back door to let himself and my other dog outside. It has a lever instead of a knob so he can turn it with his... Read more.

Grace Mason

Earl Grey, love his name! He definitely looks like he is great entertainment â¤ï¸ðŸ˜„

Rose Madura

Rich, what a great update. Congratulations!

Richard Munson

We love earl grey. Shadow says hi earl.

Delise Becker

Wonderful news, Rich! You look wonderful. So glad to hear that you are feeling normal again.

Dennis Shaffer

You look great, glad to know things are normal again! Good luck on the 8th!

Rich Butela added photos to a journal post

2 years ago (November 8, 2023)

SIX WEEKS ! Last week was rough. got a full blown cold (or flu or whatever it's called these days post covid.) Coughing , sneezing , runny nose, feeling run down. (even more run down than normal) . and on top of all that, I got stung by a wasp,... Read more.

🥰 Grace Mason reacted to this

Dewayne Adamson

👍

Marie Myers

Hope you feel better soon! Glad you arenâ€™t badly allergic to stingsâ€¦

Ana Brusso

Hoping you are feeling better. Iâ€™m allergic to waspâ€™s stings and mosquitoes, I get hives. I stay away from crowds still, I also wear my mask wherever I go. Too many deseases out there. Feel better heart warrior ðŸ™â¤ï¸

Rose Madura

Get better soon! That eye looks pretty nasty. I had the same cold like stuff recently and it lasted nearly 3 weeks! Hang in there.

Grace Mason

Oh, Rich. I feel for you. I'm sorry you are feeling crummy and hope you are feeling better soon. Your Halloween wasp sting looks uncomfortable! My husband has similar reactions to stings and was stung in the face a few years ago. We said his face looked like a mug... Read more.

Deena Z

Ouch, Rich, has to hurt to open and close your eyelid. Plus a cold. Not what the doctor ordered. That said, your BP is outstanding and your are doing really well as your go through your recovery journey. And this is what counts most.