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Every day is a bit better. I had open heart surgery a week ago Monday. We’ve been tracking a leaky Aortic Valve for some time. The most recent echocardiogram showed a marked change and it was time to investigate more. I was sent for an Angiogram . I’ve had a lifetime of high chloresteral, so I assumed my vessels would be filled with blockage. I had started taking Statins in Feb. The great news is they found no blockages and my heart was healthy except for the one valve. I was a good candidate for surgery. We decided on a tissue valve. I was supposed to have a partial sternotomy, but the first valve they put in ended up being defective and needed to be replaced. After an ultrasound in The OR, they found I was bleeding, so the gave me a couple of units of blood. So, I ended up with a full sternotomy. I’ll be home for sometime now. A couple of notes. My only outward symptom was shortness of breath over time. My family Dr. detected some backwash in the valve. I was sent for an ekg, then echocardiogram. Then I saw a Cardiologist. The Cardiologist sent me for the Angiogram. Surgery was set up, and here I am. Recovery is going well, but it’s a long process. Get yourselves checked. Cheers...
This is definitely a surprise. We all like to believe we are invincible but sadly the truth is a little different.
I and our gang here wish you a speedy recovery!
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8740 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Duncan, I too wish you a speedy recovery...
-------------------- Mark Kottwitz Kottwitz Graphics Ridgely, MD www.SeeMySignWork.com -------------------------- Imagination is more important than knowledge. -- Albert Einstein Posts: 749 | From: Ridgely, MD | Registered: Oct 2000
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Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6734 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Wow! Great news that you are on the road to recovery. Eight years ago, I developed some arythmia from being exposed to some black locust seed dust from mulching my yard 4 times with my mower. Shortness of breath and real tired. Went to my internist and then into the hospital for 11 days! They did about every test available and it was slowly abating with drugs. Put me on blood thinners, coreg, statins and various other drugs. Today, I see the chief cardiologist at the local heart unit once a year and get my blood checked twice a year for my local internist. All is OK now. Very minor arythmia and blood pressure very low. My cholesterol is under 100. It really gives me comfort to know all is well and thaqt I feel 100%. Thank god for good insurance and medicare! Good luck with your valve. Just know it does get better and in no time you will be back to your normal self.
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1561 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
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Following my OHS, it seemed like it took four months for me to feel not only strong, but confident. There was a day when the cardiologist said "you no longer need a cardiologist." Life gets better. Mine was the mitral valve.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6734 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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