Guestbook of Joe Lape

My Guestbook

Joe Lapegot a new guestbook post

1890 days ago

Joe Lape reacted to this

Tom McDonald posted a note for Joe that says:

Joe, Wishing you all the best for your surgery tomorrow and a speedy recovery! You got this! You'll be on the recovery side soon.

Joe Lape Thanks. This forum is full of great and supportive people.

Lifting you in prayer for a successful surgery. Let us know when you can how it went. God bless you

Mike Roskowinski Hey Joe hope the surgery goes well and the recovery way more smoothly. God Bless

Joe Lapegot a new guestbook post

1893 days ago

Joe Lape reacted to this

Rob Scilingo posted a note for Joe that says:

Hi Joe, good luck with the surgery this week. You will be on the other side very soon.

Joe Lape Thank you for your kind and encouraging words.

Joe Lapegot a new guestbook post

1941 days ago

Dana Keller posted a note for Joe that says:

Hi Joe, wow, I never would have thought to run across you or anyone I knew on this board! I never post, I just read and gather information. Not sure if you ...Read more

Hi Joe, wow, I never would have thought to run across you or anyone I knew on this board! I never post, I just read and gather information. Not sure if you know I'm home recovering from heart value surgery myself. I had my mitral value repaired on 7/31 at Allegheny General Hospital, it something I was born with too. I too had to have a back up plan for a value and didn't know what to do with my active lifestyle. Let me know if you have any questions or need anything. Take care, Dana

Joe Lape I guess it is a small world. I had no idea. So I guess you went through what I am about to go throu ... Read more

Joe Lape I guess it is a small world. I had no idea. So I guess you went through what I am about to go through. I had a repair done when I was 13 so replacement is my only option. Still not sure what I am going to choose but I really do not want to do this again in 10 years. I am having it done at Shadyside, and so far the surgeon and the team seem phenomenal.

I am glad you are doing well and it was very nice for you to reach out. So you had a repair and not replacement?

Dana Keller Yes, my surgeon was able to do a repair. My July was a blur with worry and this decision. I had to ... Read more

Dana Keller Yes, my surgeon was able to do a repair. My July was a blur with worry and this decision. I had to have a back up plan. I signed everything the day before for a mechanical but I panicked in the OR and changed it to tissue. Luckily I didn't need it. I hope the repair lasts a very long time. I went to AGH - Dr. Dr McGregor for his repair success rate and for robotic surgery. I'm hoping I never have to have this surgery again, or maybe science will be so advanced that it could be replaced via TMVR for me in the future. Now that surgery is over, I could kick myself for changing the value choices. I would have continued to live my life and adjusted the meds. I wish you best in your decision, I know it's a hard one.
So this is your second open heart surgery? We are so lucky to have great hospitals so close to us.

Kathleen Shore Hi Joe, let us know how you’re doing post-op, once you are feeling up for it.

Joe Lapegot a new guestbook post

1941 days ago

Joe Lape reacted to this

Joy Vera posted a note for Joe that says:

Hi Joe & welcome. What you've posted in your story pretty much sums up the decision to be made as to mechanical or tissue & the reasons why. Another option ...Read more

Hi Joe & welcome. What you've posted in your story pretty much sums up the decision to be made as to mechanical or tissue & the reasons why. Another option you might investigate is the Ross Procedure which involves moving the pulmonary valve to replace the aortic & replacing the pulmonary valve with a human tissue valve. Adam Pick who established this site & has a book out about his experience had this procedure. Like you, he was (is) a younger patient. It helps to read the journals & stories of others on this website too. Best wishes on your journey.

Joe Lape Thank you so much for sharing this information. I will definitely look in to that and discuss with m ... Read more

Joe Lape Thank you so much for sharing this information. I will definitely look in to that and discuss with my surgeon.

Joe Lape Thank you so much for sharing this information. I will definitely look in to that and discuss with m ... Read more

Joe Lape Thank you so much for sharing this information. I will definitely look in to that and discuss with my surgeon.

Bryant To Joe, I am 46 and had the Ross procedure on June 26 2019 with Dr. Paul Stelzer at Mount Sinai. It was ... Read more

Bryant To Joe, I am 46 and had the Ross procedure on June 26 2019 with Dr. Paul Stelzer at Mount Sinai. It was the best decision I have ever made. I had the same concern as you about the mechanical and tissue valves. When I spoke to Dr. Stelzer, I was convinced that the Ross procedure was best for me. I am doing great now and about 95% of myself prior to surgery. Fortunate for me, I had very little pain and no fibrillation.