Paul's Guestbook

Hi Paul, Thank you for your message. Tomorrow is my surgery at Tufts Medical and as you can imagine form my story this is all new to me. And yes I am petrified as you can imagine. I arrive tomorrow at the hospital at 6am and my valve replacement and maze procedure is at 7am. The unknown is whats frightening so any advice or what to expect from arriving for prep of surgery, do I see the OR and all the machines and when I wake up in ICU will I freak out with all the tubes, etc? To going home and how I feel after having my chest cut open. It's all so scary so any words would be greatly appreciated. And wonderful to see you are doing so well so soon, when did you feel you could actually go out side and feel a bit like yourself? Thank you

Paul, what kind of valve did you get? I'm going with the on-x valve. The more I read, the more questions I have, but I'm ready to move on and get this over with. My surgery is being done at Emory/St Joseph's Hospital near Atlanta. Thanks for your feedback and hope you have a quick recovery. Tim

Hope you are doing well, Paul. Each day you will exponentially get better, keep that in mind. Enjoy the walks around the unit. They get easier and easier!!!

Almost near, Paul! You will soon be in a recovery mode and so happy (and relieved) that you are all fixed up. You will have one highly skilled nurse 24/7 there to only take care of you. So, anything you need, don't hesitate to ask!! The pain will not be as imagined, much lower and tolerable. You will be really exhausted for a host of reasons, including a low hemoglobin, but you look pretty young so you will gain strength readily. If you don't have much of an appetite the first couple of days, I had my family bring in protein shakes to get me the needed protein and start working on my low hemoglobin. You will be back on the golf course and in way better shape. Godspeed.

Hello Paul! I want to wish you a successful operation and smooth recovery on your upcoming operation. I'm 14 months post op. I had a Ross procedure done by Dr. Chu in London, Canada where I live. I noticed you mentioned your having taken a break from your lifelong pursuit of golf. Yes, our motivation to do some of the things that have played such important roles in our lives waxes and wanes prior to, and following, surgery. That's been my experience around my passion for paddling and skiing. Surgery, the idea of it more than its reality, can feel somewhat like a train derailment. But you will be able to climb back onto the tracks, and you will probably want to do so sooner than you imagine at the moment. And if you decide not to get back on the those same tracks, it may be because some other pathway presents itself to you and you find the new one equally rewarding. I suspect that wonderful times await you not far around the next bend. Maybe two holes-in-one in the same round. And who knows, maybe you'll trade in your golf clubs for pen and paper and you'll try your hand at mangling a metaphor as I've done in this message to you. After all, let's face it: golf can be such a soul destroying exercise! Goodbye shank! Goodbye slice! Goodbye sand trap! Goodbye triple bogey after perfect drive off the tee! Surgery and recovery will give you a perfect reason/excuse for giving it a trial separation! All the best, Paul!

Hi Paul. I just saw your comment. Thanks for your encouragement and the same for you on Thursday. I waited for about an hour and a half after prep, but no complaints. Best part was hearing that I don’t need bypass. I’ve had high cholesterol for years but I have apparently dodged the bullet. Good luck to you on Thursday.

Hi Paul, just wanting to wish you well with surgery this week. I hope everything goes perfectly and your recovery is easy and smooth. Extra prayers for you on Thursday. Former patients always say the waiting is the hard part and your wait is almost over. You'll be back out on that golf course in no time!

Hi Paul, I am 65 and had my bicuspid aortic value replaced 4/12/2016, 5 and a half years ago now. I only found out I had the bicuspid valve about 2 weeks before surgery. I really had only minor symptoms but the valve was very damaged and needed to go. I now have a bovine valve which is doing well. My surgeon at Sacred Heart in Pensacola, FL said "I can fix you." That was great news and I was in the hospital only 4 nights. Find a wedge or hopefully you have an adjustable bed for sleeping the first few weeks. It's not a breeze but life is good a few weeks after. Prayers for you and the surgeon!!

Hi Paul, Your story sounds just like mine. I had SAVR in Sept. 2021. You will be so glad to have the waiting and worrying behind you that recovery will be a breeze. Best wishes as you move to the recovery side!

Paul....you got this. I was in your shoes about 10 years ago. This part is a very anxious time, even being as prepared as you can. Just keep in mind, that when your day comes...it will be over in the blink of an eye and you will be over the mountain. A bit sore, but all your focus can then be on your recovery road and you are on your way! From your photo, you and I share a common interest...and you will be back to swinging your clubs very soon! You will do great Paul!!!

Hi Paul, I had the same diag. 2009 had valve replaced. 62 years old. All went well with very little pain. Home in 4 days. On to 2017. Went to Cleveland clinic. Had valve replaced again. What a difference. Cleveland clinic could not do enough for me. Care was outstanding. It's my "go to hospital" from now on. Again no pain pills after the second day and very little pain. Nothing to fear. My worst problem was sleeping on my back and then on our water bed at home. I will be praying for a great result for you. Let the peace of Jesus be with you as you sail thru this little bump in the road. Sandy carbone Concord nc.

Hi Paul, Four years ago, I had a bicuspid aortic valve surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, and Dr. Svensson was my surgeon and had great success. I also saw doctors in Boston. I believe that both Cleveland and Boston are comparable as they both have hospitals that are rated in the top five hospitals for cardiac surgery in the U.S. I truly believe it is important to go where you feel the most comfortable and that your outcome will be successful. My best wishes for a quick recovery and that you are feeling 100% again very soon. Please keep us posted how you are doing.

Hi Paul, I wasn't aware of my aortic stenosis or bicuspid aortic valve until a syncope in the middle of the road while out for a walk. Ten days later I had valve replacement and 2x CABG. It's complex and a bit scary to contemplate, but our surgeons know what they're doing. As Ron just noted, "trust the process." The surgery will make a huge difference in your quality of life. We will all be thinking of you next week.

Paul, I too had a bicuspid aortic valve. I'm 66 and knew about it since my 30's. I had my surgery Feb 3rd this year and sir, it has changed my life! Trust the process and you will be fine. After this, you will no longer fear much in life and have a new appreciation for....oh....EVERYTHING!

Welcome Paul, and glad you join us finally. Yes this site is amazing and have helped many of us in our OHS journey. It seems you have done all the right things and are ready to take care of your heart. Your choice of Hospital and surgical team seems perfect for you. May God bless you and may your surgery and recovery be smooth and successful. Let us know how it went 🙏❤️