7 Weeks Post Op and Feeling Great

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Dave Mires

Hello,

I want to thank all of the posters on this site for the information that helped me through the dark days leading up to a surprise surgery!

Here is my story....I was in for a routine physical when my PCP said, you have a slight murmur, we should get an echo for a base line evaluation. Well, I went in for my echo two days later, and I knew something was up when the tech asked me if I lifted heavy weights, and if I did, he would stop, and if I didn't, he wouldn't start! On the way home from the visit, the cell phone rings....hey guess what you need open heart surgery, you have 50% regurg, and a 1.5 diameter aortic root....and it needs to be sooner, not later! YIKES All of this happened in a blink of an eye. I wondered how this could be the case, I ran a half marathon 5 months ago, and I have no symptoms what-so-ever!

I relied on this and other web sites for information and answers to the many questions that were running through my head during the next month. I was able to relieve a majority of the stress by relying on your life stories.

I had a Modified Bentall Proceedure, with a Dacron aortic graft and mechanical valve performed 8-18-08 by Dr. Gabriele Aldea of the University of Washington Med Center. There are no words to describe the care and attention to detail I received from my team at Northwest Hospital....my hat is off to everyone in the medical field!

Something I would like to pass on to future patients.....there are going to be some bumps in the road to recovery, but look to the future, everyday you will feel better!

I am now back at work and loving the second chance modern medicine has given me!

Thanks to you all!

Dave
 
Your's sounds a "little" bit like mine. I went in for a full physical before an overseas trip and the doctor said I had a slight murmur. That's the little bit. That physical was 30 years ago. My cardiologist looked at it about 4 years ago and said it would have to be done within 2 to 3 years. He was only off by a couple years.

Mine didn't sneak up and when it came I was pretty sure before I even went in for my regular 6-month echo.

Since I swim/swam, my surgeon did say that I should quit swimming or I would find my self on the bottom of the pool and very short of oxygen.

My only bump since surgery (8-21-08) was a little uncontrolled fever. After I whined enough the surgeon go tired of listening and kicked me out of the hospital.

I do have a slight increase in white count so I'll need to get blood work this week so they can figure out why.

I walked/ran 2 1/2 miles this afternoon and felt pretty good during and after. Since I can't swim for another 5 weeks, I'll try light running for awhile. I did start back to work part time last week and I'll probably go back to full-time in a week or two.

I wish you luck and prayers on returning to full normal including marathons.
 
Hi Dave nice warm post you handed out,
especially for all of us waiting for surgery
it's so promising and well delivered,waiting
for 2nd surgery this month on miral valve
to get a mech.No date not sure if will have
it,s one of those have your bags packed could
call tomorrow deals.
last surgery was 16 years ago for me and anxiety
still arises from then to now.
Glad to hear your doing so well,keep up the
good work........thank-you for the encouraging
message you delivered.:)

zipper2 (DEB)
 
Dave,
I had my operation Aug. 25th,2008, I am also doing great too. My wife and I are walking 4 to 5 miles a day, riding our motorcycle, and hiking. I thank the docs. for the surgery and God for the healing. Happy Healing!!!!!
 
Dave ~ I'm glad to hear that you're doing so well....keep it up!!! Dawn-Marie
 
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