Recent content by BillyG2

I know I said this elsewhere, but I'm pretty happy with mild leakage (although I'd certainly prefer zero leakage). Besides being happy it's just better, I've read many have mild regurgitation even with a replacement, so that adds comfort. Based on the body language when Trento and my...

No worries, I understood what you were suggesting! I'm not necessarily looking for responses because I don't really have any questions the doctor's haven't answered (yet).

cldlhd I have not yet received a copy of the surgical report, but I definitely plan to get a copy. I'm very interested to read it. It might be interesting to repair notes, especially since we were talking so much about different surgeons and their skills with respect to repair. And yeah, I'm...

Yes, I do have pericarditis causing a pericardial effusion. Perhaps I didn't read this entire thread closely enough and research your condition compared to mine, but the similarities I perceived were (1) fluid building up somewhere and (2) you having it drained (as I may also need it drained)...

Can you think of any signs to signal I may be overdoing it? There are probably some obvious ones, but any personal accounts anyone can share might be helpful.

I think I reached that point of needing to hold back by the second day out of the hospital. I'm not sure I am progressing at all, but I humbly feel there is not much I need to do except have my sternum heal. I cannot believe how great I currently feel, and I am quite grateful for that. I...

I briefly shared elsewhere the day after surgery that my surgeon was able to repair my aortic valve, but I figured a little more detail here might be helpful for others. My account is limited. I have not yet got my hands on the operating report, and most of this comes from a very brief...

honeybunny It looks like you posted an update here just in time for me! I'm 10 days post-op and feel great. The surgeon's PA told me last Friday that my chest x-rays were the best she has seen in a long time. The doctor ordered a last minute echo, but the PA said the surgeon said I was doing so...

Surgery wrapped up about 6 PM PT (21 hours ago). My girlfriend had been keeping my phone hostage, but she has now released it. Things went well. Dr. Trento repaired my aortic valve. I'm still in the ICU but sat in a chair earlier, walked 2 laps, can get 3 balls up but can't hold them long, had...

Before I even really commented or asked questions, Dr. Trento said basically the same thing. I certainly plan on reiterating that point before surgery for my own peace of mind, but I'm at the point at which I trust the guy to use his skill to do what he needs to do. Yeah, it's probably a...

That was the abbreviated version. :)

Too much time has passed since I last posted, so an update is long overdue. Since my last update, Dr. Svensson's nurse called me to give me his opinion after reviewing all of my medical history and tests. She said that Dr. Svensson did not think my aortic valve was repairable at all, which was...

I'm not sure how I could have not found it by now if something does exist that I could have access to. The two closest things I have found include the following: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons has a national database with mortality and morbidity rates by either surgeon group or hospital. It's...

Yeah, I saw that, but thanks for the warning!

Now that I've lived here for almost 3 years, I do see some awesome colors in the mountains and skies, especially in the mornings and evenings when the sun is setting. The different shadows at those times (and sometimes with clouds) is pretty impressive. And since we're in the middle of a large...