Gregg's Posts

2 YEARS SINCE AVR WITH BOVINE TISSUE VALVE AND ALL IS WELL!! First, I want to thank everyone who helped with my journey. Dr. King, my PCP who set me up for a stress test - finally, after I insisted. My Echo Tech who knew I had a problem within a couple minutes. Dr. Travis Wilson who explained my condition to me and sent me for further tests and set me up with an awesome surgeon. Dr. Stephen Bailey, my awesome Surgeon who was both good and fast, making my recovery quicker My awesome wife Barb, who was supportive throughout while giving me plenty of space. Anyway, I'm doing very well. Absolutely no symptoms or pain or discomfort. I'm pretty active, so I still get out of breath when hiking up a steep hill, but I recover very quickly - probably more so than 5 years ago before I was symptomatic. I've been pretty good about keeping my weight down, exercising and eating right. However, I have to admit that I've slipped in all three categories a lot since this past summer. That's what New Years Resolutions are for! I went on a 10 day 100+ mile backpacking trip at altitude with the boy scouts this past summer and felt great throughout the trip. This trip was the primary reason on went with the tissue valve instead of the mechanical valve. I wanted to be as normal as possible for this trip - even if it meant I'd have to repeat surgery some day. I'm 56 years old now, so I suspect that some day I'll need a replacement, but I honestly don't think about it much. So, to all of you who are awaiting surgery or in the early stages of recovery, Enjoy the journey! I wouldn't wish it on anybody, but I have to say that it's a life experience that I'm really glad I went through. Gregg

Hello Heart Valve Patients! One year ago yesterday I went into the hospital a 5am for my Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery. The year went so fast and I feel so great now that I can barely remember the pain or discomfort. For those who are getting ready for surgery, please relax and say your prayers. At least for me, the whole experience was much easier than I thought it would be. The ICU wasn't too bad and the recovery slow but very steady and much easier than I had expected. My advice to everyone waiting to go in to surgery or just starting recovery: Stay positive and maintain a healthy diet. Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk. Stand up straight and hold your chest out. Take advantage of the time off and relax a bit - read those books you've been setting aside, watch movies you've always wanted to see, but make sure you get out and walk. This may sound strange, but you've actually been given a gift (assuming that all goes well) in that you get to experience something that very few people get to experience. Not that I'd wish it on anyone, but at least for me, it was a very interesting life experience.

Hello Heart Valve Patients! It was one year ago today that I went in for a stress test to try to figure out what was wrong with me. Why was I getting so out of breath every time I exerted myself - even going up stairs? Why did I almost pass out two times over the last six months after exerting myself. Why was I so out of shape and tired. Well, it didn't take long to find out. After only five minutes of looking, the Echo Technician knew that something was wrong and asked if I had had an Echo Cardiogram before. I said, yes 5 years ago but all was normal. She left the room to see the doctor and came back to tell me that they would complete the Echo, but not do a stress test. Eventually, the doctor came in to tell me that I had severe aortic stenosis and needed valve replacement surgery as soon as possible. Well, I was a shocked to say the least, but actually relieved to know that there was a cure for the problems that I was having. After a few more tests, the surgeon, Dr. Stephen Bailey, determined that I needed to have a full sternum incision to have my valve replaced plus a single by-pass. We picked a date, Dec 4, and I just had to decide between a mechanical valve and a bovine tissue valve. To make a long story short, I decided on the bovine tissue valve and my surgery and recovery went great without any complications. So, for all of you who are awaiting surgery, I'm a good case of how well things can go. Ten months after surgery, I'm back to 100% - I would say 110% compared to where I was three years ago. No more pain, no more discomfort, no restrictions. I know I'm one of the lucky ones - and I thank God for that - but I want everyone to know that there is life on the other side. So, for all of you getting ready for surgery or just coming out from the other side, get active as soon as you can. Walk, walk, walk. Do your breathing and other exercises, hold your chest out, remain positive, take the time off to relax a little, but be as active as you can be.