Derek's Guestbook

Derek Owens  My brother took the picture, I am actually not sure how he got the opportunity. I had my first at 16 and second at 23. So pretty similar. Both times I have gone with cow valve. I had to get a pacemaker because after the second surgery I had heart block due to scar tissue most likely. They waited 8 days in the hospital hoping my hearts rhythm would return but it never did so they had to implant a pacemaker. The second surgery was hard for me. I spent 10 days in the hospital compared to 4 days the first time around. You know mentally and psychologically its a battle more than anything else.

How are things for you?

Emily Rowley  Wow, I wonder how he got to take a photo. My last Surgeon said how healthy my heart tissue was and I am curious (and squeamish) as to what I look like on the inside.

Yes, very similar. Therefore I was wondering how long a tissue valve might last in myself since it only lasted 6 years in you.

How did they insert the Pacemaker into you? And any changes been made to your lifestyle due to the Pacemaker? How can the heart get blocked from scar tissue caused by your first Operation? Sounds scary :S

It defiantly would have been very difficult for you. I'm finding it more mentally tough the Second time around, I've done more research, learnt more, worry about more scar tissue and I'm abit more older now.

I've been in Hospital for a few days scared I was on the verge of having a Heart Attack or blood clotting in my Lungs. I'm glad my Surgery is coming up so I will be on my road to good health but very scared.

Derek Owens  They inserted the pacemaker between my pec muscles and tied it down. pacemaker has made things a little harder. it was painful for a while and sometimes still can be, its uncomfortable to lay on the side of pacemaker. Yeah mostly due to the scar tissue.

Yeah it is tougher mentally cause I think we are older and can grasp the magnitude of it a little more.

Yeah hope you have a successful surgery

Emily Rowley 
Do you feel or see your Pacemaker through your skin?

I heard about advances in making smaller Pacemakers and quicker battery changing techniques now.

Do you think you might go for mechanical valve once your cow one needs replacing?

That's true, more in-depth understanding.

Thank you.
I found out today for sure that my Surgeon does pig valves.

Derek Owens  No cannot see it. It is under the pec. I can feel it a little bit though. yeah when I got my pacemaker a year and a half ago I was the first patient to receive the new model.

I might...It's hard to even think about having to start thinking about that right now. I don't know what I am going to do. Hard to fathom going through another surgery if I go with tissue valve again tho

Darlene Stoudt  Kathy, my son was 33 when he became ill with endocarditis, and also had a Bicuspid Aortic Valve where the bacteria decided to grow. His valve was also replaced with a mechanical valve for the same reason. The docs would not even consider it. Glad you asked this question, because I was wondering the same thing. The blood thinners are no fun, but manageable.

Pat Bluemel  I'm 42 and got bovine because I am accident prone. I know it means another surgery in the future but given my activity level and medical history of situations that have caused bleeding in The past, we decided bovine is the best for now. There's always the hope that technology will make replacements easier in the future via TAVR or newer technology, until I have to deal with that, I'm cool with having bio and less meds to take.

Derek Owens  Hi Kathy, I have got a bovine valve replacement twice now. Surgeon didn't want me to be hindered by a mechanical valve. He is strongly against them for young active patients. Once you go mechanical, you can never go back. Plus I have heard stories of them not lasting a lifetime. However, my first valve only lasted me 6 years and a second open heart surgery by the age of 23 is no fun at all.

Derek Owens  Hey Joe, sorry I just now saw your post or I would have replied sooner! So there are a few reasons I chose the tissue valve again. First, my surgeon Dr. Sharro Raissi is a strong believer in tissue valves and the quality of life it lets you have while you are still young. I am very active and my tissue valve doesn't hold me back one bit. Second, mechanical valves are believed to last a lifetime. However, that's now always the case and my surgeon said once you go the mechanical route you can never go back. He seemed pretty confident about the ever improving developments in medicine and by the time I needed surgery again there would be better options for me to choose from. I think the biggest thing was that I was comfortable with the bovine valve and the normal life it gave me. I never felt hindered by it. I wasn't quite ready to go the mechanical route. With that being said, both Open Heart Procedures have been extremely tough on me, especially this last procedure when I woke up to my heart's electrical system not functioning properly due to swelling and scar tissue from the first surgery ultimately leading me to be miserable in the ICU for 8 days before they had to go ahead and implant a pacemaker in me. Knowing I have to go through a third operation is terrifying, but I still think I made the right choice. For now I will enjoy my third life and hope this valve lasts me longer than 6 1/2 years.

I hope this helps you in some regards. Thanks for posting and if you have questions feel free to ask. I see where you have your dilemma for sure. Are you leaning towards one valve or the other at this point?

Derek Owens  Thanks Jackie! I appreciate the kind words : ) I hope that we can all encourage others with our own stories

Derek Owens  Hi Mike, I'm glad you can relate with me and that I can be an inspiration to you. Crazy to hear you had two surgeries so close together and at such a young age. Better to hear that it never held you back. Regarding your question...When I had my first surgery at age 16 I had an aneurysm and a bicuspid aortic valve. I did have doctors who told me I would never play basketball again, until I met my surgeon Dr. Raissi who said there is no reason why you would not be able to continue to play sports and be very active. The only restriction I had after my surgery was to not lift really heavy weights. But even then I did do that due to my college basketball career. You will be just fine and continue to be active and live a healthy life.

Derek Owens  Hey Julia, I just now saw your post! Thanks for sharing. I again went with the same valve as my first surgery, a bovine valve. I am hoping now that I am done with collegiate basketball I will not be wearing down the valve as much and my valve will last longer