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This is a week late:redface2: but I celebrated the fifth anniversary of my valve replacement that was done on September 9, 2005. It was done by Dr. Albert Starr. He also did my original Tetrology of Fallot surgery in March of 1965. I'm happy to say that all is going well for me. A recent echo...

I thought you folks would find this story interesting.. http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100125-711169.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines

I'm over 3 years post op from my PVR. (how time flys!) Last October, my cardio noticed a few abnormal beats during my exam. He said I may be at risk for going into A-Fib.:( The past couple of weeks, I'd noticed the arrhythmia was getting more & more noticeable, especially in bed. Last Saturday...

Just thought I'd stop in & say hi, & mention that today I made the 3 year mark since my PVR.:D All is going very well, I'm happy to say! To those who've just "made it over the mountain"...hang in there. It DOES get better:D I've been thinking a lot about that day today. Strangely, my most vivid...

Well shame on me. It's been nearly 8 months since my last post.:o As some of you may recall, I fell, & broke my ankle last June. This was GREATLY complicated by the fact that I have Muscular Dystrophy. My ability to walk was rather marginal when I fell. Unfortunately, during the time I was...

:mad: Well, I've really gone & done a number on myself this time.I was out in the garage, "playing" with my beloved '58 Chevy. Getting her ready to take out for a drive. I got careless, & tripped on a doormat, & fell. I will never forget the sound of the pop, as my ankle broke in 2 places. I...

I finally got around to scheduling an appt. with my cardio last Friday. I last saw him Dec. '05. I was 3 months post op then. He said to come back in a year. When I called Friday, I asked to schedule an echo, assuming the Dr. would want one. They said they would check with the Dr. about it, &...

Today is my anniversary! YAY! ;) :D I'm happy to say that I'm doing pretty well, as far as my heart is concerned. There is still some minor soreness in the sternum. Nothing like it was before, however. I'm just so glad to have it all behind me now. I just wish I was better able to get out &...

I just celebrated being 6 months post-op. Woohoo! It's been a slow, but steady recovery. I must say that I still do feel some pulling, or tightness in the chest muscles. Especially if I raise my arms, or twist. Not really painful. It sort of feels like I have strips of duct tape stuck to my...

I recently watched a movie produced by HBO titled "Something the Lord Made". No, it's not really a religious story. It is about Dr. Alfred Blalock, & his assistant, Vivien Thomas. They developed the procedure in the 1940's that saved the lives of us "blue babies", with Tetrology of Fallot. It...

Childhood Heart Repairs May Not Last By LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical WriterMon Jan 23, 4:31 PM ET One of medicine's greatest triumphs is hitting a snag: Up to 1 million people born with once-lethal heart defects now have grown up, a pioneering generation largely unaware that heart repairs can...

Hi friends! I just thought I'd give you all an update on my progress. This coming Friday will be 17 weeks since my PVR in September. I saw my cardiologist last month, & it went very well. He was quite pleased with my progress ;) The echo that was done showed everything to be just fine. My...

Hello to all of you. So sorry to be such a lurker lately. I had just been a bit depressed by the slowness of my recovery. I didn't want to come on here & continue to whine about it. :o I was beginning to think I'd NEVER stop being so sore. I know it has been said depression is common after...

I had my PVR 7 weeks ago today. At 4 weeks, my cardiologist encouraged me to try & wean myself off the vicodin, which I did. Frankly, I've been in a pretty fair amount of pain from the sternotomy ever since. Today I finally decided this tough guy stuff wasn't for me, & saw my primary Dr. He...

5 weeks ago today I had my PVR. I just thought I'd let you all know how I'm doing. I saw my cardiologist this week for my first follow up. He was very pleased with my progress. The EKG was the best he'd ever seen from me :D I was able to be taken off Diltiazem. I think this has helped me...

My surgery was 2 weeks ago today. My, how the time does fly! ;) Since having been released from the hospital Monday, I have spent this week in a skilled nursing facility for some physical & occupational therapy. I continue to make amazing progress. So much so, that I have decided to go home...

Hi folks, George here. I was released from the hospital today...WOOHOO!! First I want to thank all of you special friends for your prayers & support. I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from so many people, toward me and my family. I did have some setbacks last week, as my...

At three days his heart decided to beat like a locomotive at 150 beats per minute. It didn't quit by the next morning so they had to shock his heart so it would beat right. He is out of the intensive care unit as of yesterday and feeling great. Both his lungs and his heart are doing fine...

Today he came off the ventilator at 6 am and sat up in the chair briefly-HOORAY!! It's great to see that smile again. He keeps asking if anyone got the license plate of the truck that ran him over. When I talked with Dr Starr today he said that George was doing great. Please continue to pray...

Just a quick note to let you all know that he made it through surgery with flying colors. Instead of a pig valve they used one made from cow tissue which is suppose to be stronger and thus last a lot longer. Seven hours post surgery he is alert but still a little sleepy. They say he should be...