18 Month Checkup

Had a routine check up with my cardio Dr. Keane yesterday at 18 months post op. Everything is fine. I see him again in six months. Found out that my wonderful surgeon, Dr. Wheatley, has moved on to another facility...he is a rising star in the heart surgery world.

One Year Since Open heart Surgery

"A heart will never be practical until it can be made unbreakable." - L. Frank Baum

One year ago today, February 16, 2015, I embarked upon the most profound adventure of my life, as I put myself in the hands of a young heart surgeon at Temple University. He had told me that my heart condition would kill me if not treated. I trusted him to use his great talent and training to help me and he did not let me down. A year later I feel fully recovered and I'm enjoying my new lease on life.

It was a difficult recovery at times. Only the love and support of a wonderful spouse, many good friends, and our beautiful pets got me through it. To them I offer my undying gratitude.

To those facing open heart surgery in the future, know that all will be well with the support of loved ones and the passage of time.

Birthday Post

I saw my cardiologist last week. Everything is well and my PVCs have gone away. He wants to see me again in July for an echo, but if all looks well then I probably won' thave to return for several years.

PVCs & PACs

About a month ago I started noticing a lot of irregular beats, which I believed to be PVCs. I contacted my cardiologist and he prescribed a Holter monitor for 24 hours. The results showed PVCs and PACs but not enough of them to worry about. Happily, the irregular beats decreased recently. i still have some but everyone has somne, but far less than I had initially.

One Year Since My Heart Attack/Stroke

December 9, 2014: I was sitting downstairs enjoying my model train layout when I began to experience an ill feeling, chest discomfort, and vision disturbances. It was the beginning of my medical-surgical journey through three weeks of hospitalization, two open heart surgeries, and months of recovery. Today I am fortunate that my treatments were successful and I feel fully recovered. It's great to have a new lease on life!

Echo Report FOur Months Post-Surgery

What a great echo report!

Summary 1. Left ventricle: Size was normal. Systolic function was normal by visual assessment. Ejection fraction was estimated in the range of 55 % to 60 %. There were no regional wall motion abnormalities. There was mild concentric hypertrophy. Left ventricular diastolic function parameters were normal. 2. Aortic valve: A bioprosthesis was present. It exhibited normal function and normal motion. The leaflets appeared normal. There was a normal-appearing sewing ring and no rocking motion of the sewing ring. There was trivial aortic regurgitation. There was no significant perivalvular aortic regurgitation. Valve peak gradient was 12 mmHg. Valve mean gradient was 7 mmHg. The aortic valve obstructive index (by VTI) was 0.68. 3. Aorta, systemic arteries: The root exhibited mild dilatation, but represents proximal aortic graft after reconstruction of the proximal ascending aorta.

Surgical Evaluation

I was contacted by the marketing department of Temple University Hospital, where I had my surgery. They asked my surgeon if he could recommend one of his patients who they could interview about the experience, and perhaps even make a video. I agreed because I am so pleased with my surgical outcome and I have so much respect for my surgeon, Dr. Wheatley. He is a young and up and coming heart surgeon who is already an expert in his field. It will be my pleasure to give him my recommendation.