David's Guestbook

Hi Dave, my 5th anniversary is coming up on December 4. But I really wanted to comment on your Mt Whitney picture. I hiked the last 65 miles of the John Muer trail back in 2006. I remember Forrester Pass quite well. We had to hike thru snow in August to get to it. Great trip. And congrats on your sixth anniversary.

Hey Dave, Just saw you back at the website! Hope all is well. Any new adventures? Still love this post - https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2015/09/22/hiking/

David great looking family.I had a bovine valve at 67 and now 75 doing great.l often look at my kids and grandkids and pray none of them have BAV did your family get checked.

Congratulations on your 2 year anniversary and great adventure! I just passed my 2 year anniversary on my Aortic Valve Replacement in June. Since then I went on my own adventure in spain and planning a trip to France next year. We're so lucky to live in this time when this kind of surgery is possible and successful.

Hi David, great story! I love to bike and hike as well. You've really helped understand that an active lifestyle is entirely possible. I just turned 60, and my "day" has not come yet, although my cardiologist says we may run the string for a long time. I have leaky aortic and mitral valves, some afib (seems when I play basketball trigger is, so I have stopped), and an expanded aortic root (under 5cm). Plus a bad family history. I am curious with your active lifestyle your choice of mechanical valve. There is the risk of accidents, etc. where having thinner blood may be an issue. I LOVE to hike mountains, and with a son in Boulder, CO. I hope to keep heading up the tall ones with him for a long time. Your video and pictures were great!

Hi David, I am a new member of this wonderful online community and just found your journal. First and foremost, Congrats on the great recovery. You have tonnes of information listed here and is helping me with my own research. I would love to chat with you if possible as I need to get my aortic root and valve replaced over the next couple of months. I did meet with Dr.Castro today for a second opinion and leaning towards him. I have few questions that I am trying to get that sorted out and any insight you could provide would be much appreciated. Thank You, Tapan 408-838-8487

Congratulations, David! What an accomplishment in the Grand Canyon. Glad that you are feeling great and doing so good. We should all learn to appreciate and enjoy life to the fullest.

Dave, It is interesting how things are meant to be. We found out a couple of weeks ago that my husband, Gary needed heart surgery and we were researching heart surgeons. Our friends Andy and Shelley came over and remembered that they have a friend who had similar surgery and contacted Sandy. Since then we have met with 2 heart surgeons, and you are absolutely right about knowing when you have found the right surgeon for you. It is very emotional and my hands are shaking as I write this to you. Thank you so much for your journal as it has helped us in making our decision in choosing Dr. Castro as Gary's surgeon. We are glad you are doing well. We would be happy to meet you and Sandy and talk with you about our hearts. Thank you

Dave, I don't know if Sandy has relayed this to you, but i want to thank you for sharing your journal so freely. We have a friend who was just diagnosed with needing his aortic valve replaced. Your journal has been a huge source of information, and I think reassurance as well. Just want to make sure you knew how much we appreciate it. Glad to see you doing so well. Thanks again.

Dave, we are so glad to see the photos from your 4-month anniversary hike. You look so happy! Very proud of you...you have come far in a short period of time. Can't wait to show you the Tahoe Rim Trail! Eva and Bruce

Hi David, Well it certainly seems as though you have gone through your share of ups and downs since we left the hospital. Jeff and I were glad to hear that things are going well for you now. In looking back over the past few months, did you ever think we would become such heart experts ourselves?? Here's hoping you can now enjoy some "boring" weeks ahead.

David, Thank you so much for your extremely helpful post. Glad Sandy was there to help you, but your message is clear. Be observant and report anything out of the ordinary (even if one thinks it might be a heart valve patient's normal). If it is, big deal. But if it's not, it can be dealt with in a speedy manner. Hope you are improving and all is going well. Please let us know how you are when you have a few minutes. And again, thanks for sharing your experience and the wisdom you gained from it!

Hi David. Sorry you had to deal with another issue after you have been moving right along doing all the right things! Great your wife is a nurse and probably your best "medicine"! Thank you for sharing your experiences as you recover as it is all part of this process we learn from as we go. Continued good wishes and prayers are with you from all of us out here in our heartland. I hope things go smoother from here on out!

Geez David! That's pretty scary to be so far along into your recovery and then have the fluid build up. Glad they were able to drain it. Sorry you had to go through another procedure though. Feel better and keep up the good work, I can't imagine walking 3 miles at once - but then I didn't do that prior to surgery either so the 1.5 miles I do is progress for me... :) Take care!

Hey David, those are really good write-ups about your recovery. It's the stuff we need to hear and how you dealt with it. You seem to have a good understanding of the mechanics of heart rehabilitation post surgery and I appreciate it very much. Peace be with you.

David, Glad you are doing so well! Three miles is quite a jaunt! So glad the AFib is tuning down for you, too. Will continue to keep you in prayer and lots of positive thoughts, Blessings,

Dear David, You don't know me, I'm a long time friend of your Aunt Dotty from Newport sense we were 14. You have been in prayers sense Dotty told me abut your condition. I an so happy to hear you are doing so well. I personally know some of what you went through. I had A-Fib for over a year before my doctor finally figured out is was my thyroid that was the problem. They have these "parameters" and they do not always tell the story. I lost 45 pounds and was going down hill quickly, I was literally dying. My doctor was looking for cancer, all kinds of tests. Finally he gave me an EKG and then we knew after another blood test what was going on, he did not pick up on the racing heart. I too would lie in bed and listen to my heart, I thought it was the end. Finally we got it together and I had a thyroid iodine ablation. The heart doctor had me on meds but it brought my BP too low and he was going to put in a pace maker if we could not get the thyroid under control. It took some time but the Endocrinologist I was seeing got the correct thyroid medication dosage. This all started in 2008 and now and again I will experience racing and or fluttering. I am at this time going through another correction of thyroid meds. You are a very brave man, but you are in very good hands, Gods hands. Keep up the good work, you will have fears, it is only natural. Just know you have been through the worst. Give yourself time and take deep breaths when you feel anxiety creeping in. You have a great family to helping you. A kindred soul, Ellen Bacigalupi