Do you remember what were you doing 6 weeks ago today (5-5-10) - Cinco De Mayo day? I do! I was on the operating table! And I could NOT be happier about it! Those guys and gals extended my life by who knows how many decades (yet to be determined). And you guys and gals in here supported me all the way through it, and I thank you all from the bottom of my newly repaired heart!!!
Trying to be more brief (taking after my mentor, Gil)...
Doing great! The end. NOT! But really will try to be more brief. And will cheat by including links to my historical posts for the details![Wink ;) ;)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Mowed yesterday for first time since surgery (son started mower for me). Started lifting light weights today at Cardio Rehab. Have my "numbers" back now (many of my records from cardiologist, play-by-play of surgery, etc.). Went from .76 Aortic Area before surgery to 1.3 after. Have a small (19 mm) valve for a dude like me with a BSA of 2.4, but it's what was needed to fit my aorta. Mean gradient (which is what cardiologist was most concerned about 'cause it was like the highest he'd seen or something) went from 85 before surgery down to 31 after. My INRs continue to stay very steady. Never below 2.1 and never above 2.7. My official target is 1.8-2.2 but keeping it on the higher end intentionally. Below are links to my previous updates for anyone that wants detailed (too detailed lol) info on the timeframes below.
Oh, and below is a pic of my my scar taken tonight - my 6 week anniversary. See week 4 update for previous pics for comparison. The dark spot at the bottom is from some irritation I had, and subsequent poking on it by the docs, where stitches didn't disolve at first - think they're disolving now.
My original post before surgery (when I was leaning toward tissue):
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?34663-48-year-old-newbie-Lots-of-questions-to-come&highlight=
36 hours after surgery:
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?34942-36-hours-Post-Op-As-I-Write-This&highlight=
One week after surgery:
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?34987-One-week-anniversary&highlight=
3 Weeks after Surgery:
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?35115-3-Week-Post-Op-Update-Andy&highlight=
4 Weeks after Surgery:
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?35167-4-Week-Post-Op-Update-Andy&highlight=
PS - holy cow - that pic is big, sorry about that... took it on my digital camera this time... AND NO, THAT'S NOT MY BELLY BUTTON. That's my chest tube hole (or cavern)... My belly button is about 5 inches below that hole (out of the picture). My scar is almost exactly 7 inches long by the way.
Trying to be more brief (taking after my mentor, Gil)...
Doing great! The end. NOT! But really will try to be more brief. And will cheat by including links to my historical posts for the details
Mowed yesterday for first time since surgery (son started mower for me). Started lifting light weights today at Cardio Rehab. Have my "numbers" back now (many of my records from cardiologist, play-by-play of surgery, etc.). Went from .76 Aortic Area before surgery to 1.3 after. Have a small (19 mm) valve for a dude like me with a BSA of 2.4, but it's what was needed to fit my aorta. Mean gradient (which is what cardiologist was most concerned about 'cause it was like the highest he'd seen or something) went from 85 before surgery down to 31 after. My INRs continue to stay very steady. Never below 2.1 and never above 2.7. My official target is 1.8-2.2 but keeping it on the higher end intentionally. Below are links to my previous updates for anyone that wants detailed (too detailed lol) info on the timeframes below.
Oh, and below is a pic of my my scar taken tonight - my 6 week anniversary. See week 4 update for previous pics for comparison. The dark spot at the bottom is from some irritation I had, and subsequent poking on it by the docs, where stitches didn't disolve at first - think they're disolving now.
My original post before surgery (when I was leaning toward tissue):
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?34663-48-year-old-newbie-Lots-of-questions-to-come&highlight=
36 hours after surgery:
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?34942-36-hours-Post-Op-As-I-Write-This&highlight=
One week after surgery:
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?34987-One-week-anniversary&highlight=
3 Weeks after Surgery:
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?35115-3-Week-Post-Op-Update-Andy&highlight=
4 Weeks after Surgery:
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?35167-4-Week-Post-Op-Update-Andy&highlight=
PS - holy cow - that pic is big, sorry about that... took it on my digital camera this time... AND NO, THAT'S NOT MY BELLY BUTTON. That's my chest tube hole (or cavern)... My belly button is about 5 inches below that hole (out of the picture). My scar is almost exactly 7 inches long by the way.
![Scar6WeeksPostOp002.jpg](https://proxy.imagearchive.com/a0f/a0f4d897c3106adb5ff792a05656d9a6.jpg)
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