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Hi Ash-- I am not surprised that two renowned surgeons have different takes on your diagnosis -- it happens all the time. BTW, Dr. Chitwood did my AVR ... great surgeon, great person, and one that's been through OHS himself (a plus in my opinion). "His" hospital (East Carolina Heart Institute...

Hi Smiley-- I'm happy to hear of your great progress! Have a Happy Holidays! Bill

Hi all— I think my original post led to some misunderstandings which were not germane to my questions but should be corrected regardless. 1. My cardiologist did not tell me, but told my wife, of the significant murmur he heard but had not measured, the night before my first debridement. He...

Hi all-- I had AVS at East Carolina Heart Institute (Dr. Chitwood) on September 18 this year. I was admitted on an emergency basis to Aiken (SC) Regional Hospital on September 29th for a deep sternal infection. I had two debridement surgeries, sternal wires removed during second surgery, and a...

Hi Steve -- I am not a medical professional-- I was home for three days when my wound started to ooze, drain a clear liquid tinged with yellow. My temperature was never higher than 100.1 and consistently 99.6 or higher. However, my normal temperature is 97.4-97.8. Your discharge...

Just as a point of interest. the demand for artificial valves is expected to be flat next year with the market topping out at about 1.1B dollars. The tissue valve segment is expected to grow about 3-4% next year while the mechanical valve segement is expected to decline 1% next year. This...

I am really biting my tongue trying NOT to respond to this thread in a particular way ... So instead ... Thank you Bill B and Lyn for all of your past wise contributions to these forums and in particular to this thread. Both of you continue to impress with your WISDOM, which to me is...

For those that may have wondred what happened to me after the "perfect" AVR on 9/18, my recovery has turned into "Bill's not so great adventure." I went back into the hospital on 9/28 with a suspected sternum infection. Turns out that that was the right diagnosis and since that date, I've had...

Hi Folks-- This is the real Billr but thanks for bro' Car for posting in the interim while I was recuperating. Surgery (bicuspid aortic valve replacement) was performed last Friday morning, September 18 with the clock being started at 7:30 AM and closing completed at 11:30. I opted for a...

This is Bill's brother Carl. Bill asked me to fill everyone in. Thank you to everyone for the prayers and good wishes, as Someone was obviously listening. Both Bill and his surgeon are extremely pleased by the pace of his recovery. For those of you into details, Bill had his AVR surgery on...

Thanks for all the warm wishes. Less than a week to go now. Still very calm and relaxed. I think I'll visit the von Trapps at the top of the mountain before searching for the express elevator down. Warmest regards -- Bill

Hi all-- Thanks for all the best wishes. It appears Mentu's outlook posted earlier is very similar to mine. Only two weeks to go now. Best to all- Bill

My AVR surgery (straight forward minimally invasive tissue valve replacement) is sheduled for September 18th! Dr Chitwood at East Carolina Heart Institute at ECU is my surgeon. Some things along the way I've learned and will pass on but I'm a little beat tonight (short timeframe till surgery...

Hi ALCapshaw2-- I do not have all the answers to the questions you posed but of course will ask. My position is, and my cardiologist is in agreement, is that if there are KNOWN and significant complexities to the surgery, I would change the venue to Cleveland Clinic. Of course, the operative...

Hi Jacqui-- Thanks for the welcome. I forgot to mention in my original post that I'm going with a xenograph (non-mechanical) valve. Best-- Bill

Hi Jeanette-- Thanks for responding-- I plan on hanging out near the hospital post surgery for a day/two/three depending how I feel. I have no intention of driving myself as my wife or my wife's sister will be the designated driver(s) if we go ground. For some reason, despite having P.A.D...

Hi, my name is Bill (59 years old) from SC but most recently from NH although a native New Yorker. This is an unbelievably great forum, in small measure due to all the info but in larger measure due to the intelligence, generosity and compassion of the members of this community. I expect to be...