Marie's Guestbook

Richard Munson  I guess he was happy to see me leave when i said i don’ t need a doctor to tell me i’m old. Of course my dearest wife had to ask me why i need to be like that once back in the car. 

Ana Brusso  Richard, I would have said the same thing. That’s why we are hvs siblings 😂. Mary is right sometimes it’s hard to get good help. 

Marie Myers  I knew several guys who kept working past retirement age just so they wouldn’t have to be home with “ The Little Woman”…🤪

Rose Madura  Richard I love retirement so we differ on that. And one reason I retired was stress of finding good help that were also a good fit for our company. Not to mention all the drama. And here's a funny story. When the CEO of our company retired, his wife asked me at the Christmas party if I was hiring for a receptionist. SHE wanted to apply because her newly retired husband was driving her nuts!  😂

Richard Munson  They told me that 5.0 was the tipping point and that a persons height is a factor. My 4.2 being not as dangerous being 6-5 as someone 5-6. 

Jacquelyn Erndl  I am 5-2. What you said makes sense. I feel like I could wrap my head around the surgery better if it was an absolute necessity. Which in my brain right now it’s not if my cardiologist is telling me to wait. 

Richard Munson  Slightly different scenario, but i was told to wait on my mitral valve surgery by a couple of cardiologists both very well respected even when my valve was in the top severe range. Their reasoning was that i was not showing symptoms like shortness of breath, swollen ankles etc. i finally spoke up after my echo and a see you in 6 months and said the following: can this get better on its own? Answer, no. Next i said i am now 79, get it done before i am considered too old and while i am still perky.  His answer was to consult with a noted surgeon and his best friend who specialized in mitral valve surgery at mass general in boston. 2 months later it was done. My point: sometimes you need to force the issue. Its your heart not theirs. A little push never hurts.

Jacquelyn Erndl  Richard thanks for sharing that. What you wrote makes a lot of sense to me and gives me some peace with the decision I’ve made to go ahead with surgery. I’m 52 yo and in pretty good shape. I wish I was as up for the surgery mentally as you seemed to be. Can you share how you harnessed your positivity? 
Also I live in NY and love to spend time in southern Mass/Stockbridge/Lenox area and hope I’ll be able to retire there someday. Thanks for your advice today 

Marie Myers  I was told my aneurysm was big enough to operate based on my body surface area. Someone here posted a chart for that purpose ; I will try to find it.  Are there any specific questions you would like to ask? When I learned about my 2 aneurysms, I was overwhelmed with the idea of having heart surgery. I really had no idea just how commonly done these procedures are early in my story. It can feel like there is too much information and too many choices. Let us know how we can help… Lastly, if you have a conflict between the cardiologist and the surgeon, I would get a second surgical opinion from a totally different group. Partners within a group may go along with opinions of their practice partners.

Richard Munson  I can crow about my positivity now, its all over. Let me tell you that i was more scared than anything in my life, including getting married. Trying to guard the late great john Havlicek at a summer basketball camp was nothing. A live ammo drill at night at ft. Sill was a piece of cake. Right up to the knock out drops i thought about backing out. When i asked the anesthesiologist if i could go home he said no, too late. When they called my name in the waiting room i never raised my hand. The nurse said you're the only guy in here. Busted. But, it was the right thing to do now 3 years later. I live quite far from sturbridge being down by cape cod but i have been there many times. You will do just fine. I can tell. 

Jacquelyn Erndl  Yes Marie I just haven’t been able to find any concrete information about my risk of rupture at the size it is now and when is the best time to correct an ascending aortic aneurysm. Did you find that aneurysm repair is very common?  Did you have a hard recovery or any challenging complications? I am very conflicted. I am getting another opinion this week but ultimately I guess I have to make the decision and it’s extremely scary. And Richard I haven’t ever felt this type of fear. Find it hard to concentrate at work..think of my kids all the time. It’s quite a ride. Thank you both for sharing your experiences and helping. It makes me feel less alone. 

Marie Myers  Yes, it seems aneurysms with  bicuspid valves are very common. I did not have a hard recovery, with only a small pocket of fluid that needed to be drained from the lung a day or 2 before discharge. I was in the hospital 5 nights. The most challenging things to me were the extreme exhaustion after surgery, and the aching, sore upper back and shoulders that I had post op. Sternal pain, which I worried about, was not an issue. I started cardiac rehab at 3 weeks, and felt well enough to go back to work a part time at 8 weeks. 

Richard Munson  I get it about consuming your mind. Its always the elephant in the room. The alternative is not good however. 

Grace Mason   Table attached from a 2018 Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. "Height alone...suffices for risk estimation in (thoracic) ascending aortic aneurysm".

Marie Myers  I also laughed out loud when I read your post about your filthy cat!  Wishing you a smooth journey tomorrow! Post when you are able post-op, and let us know how it went.

Marie Myers  Of course you can reach out to me! I remember how emotionally difficult getting my diagnosis was for me, and I would like to help others through this scary time. 

Ana Brusso  I’m going to be in Hallandale Beach visiting my ailing onky biological brother left. Thought maybe we could connect. It might not be possible since it’s a little far from you. Thank you for responding, you know you are our favorite heart nurse practitioner on this site. God bless you 🙏❤️

Ana Brusso  Marie, read what Richard posted. You are going to laugh. No worries Marie, it’s not a pleasure trip for me otherwise I would renta car and meet you half way. 

Marie Myers  My aneurysms  were the driving factor for my surgery. I was not having any symptoms as far as I was concerned.  My first opinion doctor  was willing to do a short  period of “watchful waiting”, but my second opinion doctor said the  aneurysm is “big for your body size” and you should have this sooner rather than later”.  There is a formula that calculates your risk of aneurysm size/body mass. (Maybe you could google that info). I decided to just go ahead and do the surgery 7 months after discovery of the ascending and aortic root aneurysms. Valve choice was a very difficult decision for me, and I went back-and -forth for months before choosing the tissue valve. I was 63 at the time of my surgery, and the tissue valve choice was mainly one against having to take Coumadin. Because you are younger, you could also research the Ross Procedure or possibly aortic valve repair. Both are very specialized surgeries that should only be done by highly experienced surgeons. Has the doc given you any work restrictions? I am worried that the physical stress of your job could speed up the growth of your aneurysm. Many times, surgery is done for an aneurysm of 5-5.5 cm. If you have a family history like you do, the surgeons will want to proceed sooner because the consequences of dissection can be fatal. And an emergency surgery for impending dissection is not ideal compared to an elective approach. It is a tough decision, but in your case, i might want to err on the side of caution. Have you gotten a second opinion yet?

Rose Madura  I would definitely get a second opinion. My cousin recently had a dissection and nearly died. It was horrible for her. Listen to Marie. She gives good advice.  I think I remember another firefighter on this site. Hopefully he will chime in.

Klara Čičić  "I knew it, just took her awhile to agree"😆 I envy your level of confidence. Great story as always.

Yumiko Ishida  There are lots of recipes online you can check out. One helpful guideline I found is by Kelly Leveque, who says for 20-30g protein add 1-2 tbs of fat, 1-2 tbs of fiber, and unlimited greens. She limits optional fruit to 1/4 cup. Her product is beef protein, but I think the guideline works for whey as well. I don’t mind the taste of whey protein, so I just add MCT powder, which provides the fat and fiber. Beef protein has a stronger taste, so I would frequently add things like cocoa powder, avocado, spinach, frozen blueberries, etc, but I haven’t done that post surgery yet - too complicated. Post surgery I’ve just been doing whey with MCT powder, or if I want something warm, drink decaf with collagen and MCT powders. (Tea is not strong enough to hide the smell of collagen.) Collagen dissolves well so you don’t need a blender. Whey and MCT powder mixes just fine with a mini frother you stick in a mug (make sure to leave room at the top, or it will overflow). If you are adding anything solid, you need a blender. Hope that helps!

Rebecca J  Yumiko this is very helpful. I do something similar and like the additions you use. I can feel protein drinks coming on.

Marie Myers  My Richard would love to talk cars with you. He has a ‘65 Corvette that he bought from his big brother in ‘69. We love a good car show, too. I am leaving him home this time, so he can keep his mother amused and I can escape the both of them for a week…

Richard Munson  We richards never go away. There is no escape. Its why we were added to the wedding vows. For RICHer or poorer. 

Brady Busch  Yes,the part that I realized it the most,was checking in at the hospital,early in the morning,on a gray November day.Up until then,it was going through the preliminary testing,with some apprehension,about the unknown.
Sitting there waiting to be called for surgery,feeling a bit alone,with a little sense of dread.Then,the last thing I remember was being brought to a cubicle,with a bed,laying down and an IV put in my arm.

Marie Myers  Yes, I was a basket case when my cardiologist said “surgery is inevitable for you”. Then, my systolic pressure was 188 when meeting the surgeon… oh yes, I was a mess pre op!!

Richard Munson  Brady, i refuse  to repeat how i tried to escape from mass general the day of my surgery right up to the needle. Glad i failed but the fear is real.

Ana Brusso  Brady, my first surgery was also on a grey November day, one day before Thanksgiving. I have related my experience before while laying in bed getting prepped, I saw Jesus holding my hand and I fell asleep. 🙏❤️✝️

Marie Myers  Ana, your story reminded me about a friend who was tragically diagnosed with a bad brain tumor in his 40’s. He still had young kids at home. At some point he dreamed an angel reached out and touched him, and he was never fearful about anything again. He lived another 3 years, went through numerous brain surgeries, all on an initial diagnosis of 6 months to live. What an inspiration that was for me!

Ann T  My cat does. I will see him moving his paws as if he is running and then move his mouth as if he is chewing in his sleep lol. 

Marie Myers  Don’t really know if regurgitant valves deteriorate slower. But My valve became regurgitant later in my life. Very few people could even hear my murmur in my 20’s-40’s. I didn’t start getting routine echocardiograms until i was around 45 years old, and the echos remained stable until age 63, when the echo showed i had developed both ascending aortic and aortic root aneurysms. So the aneurysms were the driving force for my surgery. The aortic valve was replaced at the time of my aneurysm repairs. One thing for you to check into is aortic valve repair, especially for regurgitant valves. I understand that more aortic valve repairs are being done now, and it may be a good option for you if you ever need surgery. Hopefully your valve will stay as it is forever, and you never need that information. But forewarned is for armed!!   Hope this info helps…

Marie Myers  Have a great visit with your Hokie!!  We just had my Richard’s sister (Rita) who is another Hokie in town for the last week…My own Richard said he was a “hobbling Hokie” this morning, as he was limping around the house due to his hip arthritis…

Richard Munson  I just purchased last month a new device for my hip arthritis as i have had multiple cortisone shots over the last couple years. Well, i have been pain free since i started using it. Amazon.com $35 and change. Worth a try maybe.? I will take a picture of it and post it with data. Stay tuned marie. 

Klara Čičić  Greg! Long time no hear!! I also had to google Hokie :) very nice photo, Richard....you are one lucky man

Marie Myers  Sorry, but I don’t have any smarts in that department…Have you had any blood abnormalities before this?  I am  sure the hematologist can ‘splain it all to you. Let us know what you find out.

Ana Brusso  Oh my Richard, my hvs brother. I wish I could give you some peace, but the only one that can give you that peace is our Lord Jesus Christ to whom I will be praying to so you can have it. Call my little Angel Susan Lynn. I never stop praying for you and will continue. You will be fine. God bless you. 🙏🙏❤️❤️✝️✝️😘🤗😍🥰

Ana Brusso  Oh my Richard, I don’t know anything about Hokies. My brother lived in Herndon, Virginia many years and I visited him many times. Now he lives in Florida and I have not visited there once. I don’t know what that tells me. 😂

Richard Munson  Snakes take no prisoners. Many moons ago i was in north carolina on business and took a jog on a trail thru the woods. Came around a curve and mr. Rattler was coiled up and ready to rock and roll. After screeching to a halt and almost having a stroke, i beat feet the other way. Not a snake lover. 

Marie Myers  I am not a snake fan either. I used to see rattlesnakes when horseback riding in Palm Beach Gardens. Luckily my horse never seemed to be bothered by seeing them, and we just moved away smoothly….I dislike snakes less when up on a horse, versus right  next to them on the ground!

Richard Munson  Yes, they might rear up and toss you on the snake. Be glad we don’t live in Australia. It seems like most of the poisonous snake stories on line come from there. Recently saw one come up out of the toilet when a person was on it. Make for some great one liners.

Rose Madura  Love the picture.  Absolutely HATE snakes. I screamed once when I saw a garter snake.  My neighbor heard me screaming and came out to see what was wrong.  He more that likely had to stifle a laugh when I told him. 😂

Ana Brusso  Same here, not a snake lover at all. Don’t ever want to have an encounter with any of them. Richard, your grandson is such a ham. Got to love him. 👍❤️

Marie Myers  No, I am afraid my Richard is beyond training at this point…After 42 years, maybe I am just not a good trainer!

Richard Munson  Try a prong collar, and treats. It worked on shadow and cassie. If he acts up, a quick pop and a no usually does the trick. If that fails take him to the pound for over the hill hokies. Lol.