Rich,
Congrats on so much progress. Your scar is barely noticeable. The competitors and audience thought it was another line of definition! Lol! Regards, ...Read more
Rich,
Congrats on so much progress. Your scar is barely noticeable. The competitors and audience thought it was another line of definition! Lol! Regards, Lisa
rich monoson Dear Lisa, thank you so much for you kind message! It's been a fun journey and one of deep gratitude ... Read more
rich monoson Dear Lisa, thank you so much for you kind message! It's been a fun journey and one of deep gratitude (especially to the HVS community).
Felix Sanjurjo jr. posted a note for rich that says:
You're an inspiration...may you have many, many blessed years to come.
rich monoson Thank you very much Felix. Sorry for the late response but I'm embarrassed to admit I'm still not cer ... Read more
rich monoson Thank you very much Felix. Sorry for the late response but I'm embarrassed to admit I'm still not certain how to navigate this website. I'm a tech dinosaur. Much appreciation Felix!
rich monoson Hi Liz, doing incredible. The surgery is a miraculous procedure. How are you? Sorry for the late resp ... Read more
rich monoson Hi Liz, doing incredible. The surgery is a miraculous procedure. How are you? Sorry for the late response. I still haven't figured out navigating this site!
Liz Draeger Same here on navigation! Feeling fabulous! Win the next competition!!!!
My name is kathleen my husband needs aortic valve replacement he has aortic regurgitation looking at the pictures of your scar and how you are doing gives us ...Read more
My name is kathleen my husband needs aortic valve replacement he has aortic regurgitation looking at the pictures of your scar and how you are doing gives us alot of hope thank you for sharing with us
rich monoson Hi Kathleen, please forgive my late response. I still dont know how to navigate HVS website. How is y ... Read more
rich monoson Hi Kathleen, please forgive my late response. I still dont know how to navigate HVS website. How is your husband? Ironically the scar was the least of my concerns going in but glad it healed pretty well.
Hey Rich,
Reading your valve replacement is incredibly inspiring. I’m in the on deck circle for mine. I wanted to ask, do you feel like your are back ...Read more
Hey Rich,
Reading your valve replacement is incredibly inspiring. I’m in the on deck circle for mine. I wanted to ask, do you feel like your are back 100% from your presurgery days? I’m an ex-runner who transitioned to strength training after chronic Achilles/bone spur issues took the fun out of it. I’ve always enjoyed challenging myself, but now I feel like I’m going to have to drastically modify my activities and workout regimen. If you don’t mind a couple of questions...What have been your post surgery limitations, if any? What have been your biggest surprises or challenges with the process?
Best Regards,
Mike D.
rich monoson Mike, I'm so sorry for the delayed response. IT and technology are not my specialties. The post surgi ... Read more
rich monoson Mike, I'm so sorry for the delayed response. IT and technology are not my specialties. The post surgical experience has been amazing. There are no cardiovascular limitations with post op training. I'm limited orthopedically (two shoulder surgeries, elbow and both knee surgeries etc). I cannot recommend strength training enough. The eliptical machine has been a great running replacement (bilateral achilles tendonopathy). Please let me know how you are doing at at least I know how to respond now!
Hey Rich. I think the Vikings are going to do good this year. Added some more pass catchers and also working on the offensive line in the draft. Hope the Giants ...Read more
Hey Rich. I think the Vikings are going to do good this year. Added some more pass catchers and also working on the offensive line in the draft. Hope the Giants rebuilding goes well. It will be a different team this year without Odell. Lots of Barkley.
rich monoson No Odell and No soap opera. He's amazing but became such a distraction. It will be a great football s ... Read more
rich monoson No Odell and No soap opera. He's amazing but became such a distraction. It will be a great football season knowing all this heart stuff is behind us. Take care Mike.
G'day Rich, what sort of aortic valve did you go with?
rich monoson Hi Tim. I went with the ON X valve. Dr. recommended highly and it's supposed to lessen the coumadin d ... Read more
rich monoson Hi Tim. I went with the ON X valve. Dr. recommended highly and it's supposed to lessen the coumadin dosage required.
Tim Saint đź‘Ťthanks for the response Rich, I am leaning towards the same decision. Continued strong recovery t ... Read more
Tim Saint đź‘Ťthanks for the response Rich, I am leaning towards the same decision. Continued strong recovery to you & a long healthy life ahead. All the best.
rich monoson Tim, thanks for the very kind words. Please update on how you are proceeding. Best of health Tim
Hey Rich! Checking on you. Hoping your recovery is going smoothly. Update when you are up to it.
rich monoson Joey, Thank you. I'm doing beyond incredible. I can almost say I enjoyed the experience. Had some pos ... Read more
rich monoson Joey, Thank you. I'm doing beyond incredible. I can almost say I enjoyed the experience. Had some post surgical Afib but doing amazing! Thank you Joey!
rich monoson Joey, Thank you. I'm doing beyond incredible. I can almost say I enjoyed the experience. Had some pos ... Read more
rich monoson Joey, Thank you. I'm doing beyond incredible. I can almost say I enjoyed the experience. Had some post surgical Afib but doing amazing! Thank you Joey!
Joey Hardee Awesome news, Rich! Made my day! You are really doing fabulous. Thank you for the inspiration, Rich!
rich monoson Joey, with a 99% plus success rate and the chance to have a long and quality life.....it's a miracle ... Read more
rich monoson Joey, with a 99% plus success rate and the chance to have a long and quality life.....it's a miracle that we have available to us. Go in strong and hard which I get the feeling you will do.
Joey Hardee Thanks Rich! I am following your lead, as well as many others that have been through and will go thro ... Read more
Joey Hardee Thanks Rich! I am following your lead, as well as many others that have been through and will go through before me. I am sure the anxiety will build a bit as the date approaches but I have set a lot of goals for recovery and I am focused on getting to those and starting to work toward them now, as if the surgery is a step in the process. It is certainly amazing what can be done now and we should all feel blessed to be living in this time.
rich monoson Joey, great attitude and perfect approach. Concern yourself with what you can control. Let the surgic ... Read more
rich monoson Joey, great attitude and perfect approach. Concern yourself with what you can control. Let the surgical team do their thing while you're taking a nap. When you wake up the balls in your court. Just like with Minnesota Mike youre going to do great. Joey, in a crazy way I almost enjoyed this experience/challenge. Where can you to a surgery with 99+ success rate, know your life will improve dramatically, have lovely caring nurses and hospital staff attending to your every need. They make it easy for you to be successful. Your attitude= a no doubt situation.
rich monoson Joey, great attitude and perfect approach. Concern yourself with what you can control. Let the surgic ... Read more
rich monoson Joey, great attitude and perfect approach. Concern yourself with what you can control. Let the surgical team do their thing while you're taking a nap. When you wake up the balls in your court. Just like with Minnesota Mike youre going to do great. Joey, in a crazy way I almost enjoyed this experience/challenge. Where can you to a surgery with 99+ success rate, know your life will improve dramatically, have lovely caring nurses and hospital staff attending to your every need. They make it easy for you to be successful. Your attitude= a no doubt situation.
Hey Rich! Sent a prayer out for you this morning. Hope everything goes smoothly and you recover well and quickly. Update when you feel up to it. Take care!
Good luck, tomorrow, Rich! We're here cheering for you! Looking forward to your post op updates! All the best!
Mike Roskowinski Good luck Richard you will do great. Recovery coming soon
rich monoson Mike, I know you're up to bat soon. It was an amazing experience that I can honestly say was incredib ... Read more
rich monoson Mike, I know you're up to bat soon. It was an amazing experience that I can honestly say was incredibly pleasant. A bit of discomfort for an amazing life restoring procedure I'll take anytime. Being a fitness guy you'll be amazed how your grinding in gym over the years will be a wind beneath your wings in your upcoming 4/5 day hospital vacation. Best to you Mike and I'm here if you have anything you want to know from an enthused patient perspective.
Hi Rich - I was in the same boat as you about being proactive in making my decision to do the surgery. I really was torn about waiting or not but at this point ...Read more
Hi Rich - I was in the same boat as you about being proactive in making my decision to do the surgery. I really was torn about waiting or not but at this point game on it is this Tuesday and then hopefully will be in the rear view mirror sooner then later!!! Feeling really ready to be done not enjoying the waiting to say the least:-)
rich monoson Mara, sorry it took so long to respond. Cant wait until I hear your great story!
Hey Rich... Sherman Oaks? I grew up in Sherman Oaks! Right off Chandler... Drove by it today actually. Anyways, on to more important things... My thoughts ...Read more
Hey Rich... Sherman Oaks? I grew up in Sherman Oaks! Right off Chandler... Drove by it today actually. Anyways, on to more important things... My thoughts and prayers are with you now and on 4/16. You are in great hands at Cedars!!! If you need anything, please let me know!!!
rich monoson Adam, thank you so much for the kind thoughts and words. I'm on La Maida St and Sepulveda right acros ... Read more
rich monoson Adam, thank you so much for the kind thoughts and words. I'm on La Maida St and Sepulveda right across from the Sherman Oaks galleria. Adam, you've done a masterful service by creating this community allowing people to communicate, share and offer great support to each other. You have positively impacted numerous lives with your work. I'm excited and completely prepared mentally for the surgery coming up. There is complete peace of mind and you have provided an invaluable resource to prepare me for this challenge.
Rich, good luck with all of your heart stuff! You are so smart to stay on top of it! I neglected to go to my cardiologist for 3 years and during that time my ...Read more
Rich, good luck with all of your heart stuff! You are so smart to stay on top of it! I neglected to go to my cardiologist for 3 years and during that time my mitral valve went from moderate to severe. I just had my surgery Jan 10 and it turned out I also needed 2 other valves fixed! Recovery isn’t fun but knowing that this is literally life saving surgery helps me get through it. I have 2 adult children and they are my inspiration! Stay strong!
rich monoson Tee, thank you for reaching out with this. May I ask during the three years did your symptoms progres ... Read more
rich monoson Tee, thank you for reaching out with this. May I ask during the three years did your symptoms progress? What brought you back to the cardiologist? That must have been a shock to hear that two additional valves needed to be addressed. Tee, my November cardio exam and testing revealed my condition had worsened. When the doctor told me this I was in disbelief. I expected the Dr. to walk in and say it's the same as last year and it hit me like a sledgehammer when the findings were relayed to me. A month later I noticed my first ever bout of shortness of breath right after a good three strong palpitations. Then it really hit home. I'm contemplating a surgical consult with the Dr. my cardio referred me to. My cardio thinks it's too early but I would like to see his opinion. I'm really in no rush to get it done but I rather be on the early side. My running and aerobic exercise I feel great. Sometimes rapidly changing position or certain weight lifting exercises starts the symptoms. I'm definitely going to do 6 month follow ups instead of a year. I want to absorb all the great advice my HVS brothers and sisters are offering and embrace their kindness. In a crazy kind of way I'd like to get this done a put it behind me but I have the sense that this condition will dictate when it is time to jump in. Thanks for sharing Tee!
Rich.... welcome to the Forum. We have a lot in common! If I can be of any help or assistance with your pre-op journey then please let me know! U R in the ...Read more
Rich.... welcome to the Forum. We have a lot in common! If I can be of any help or assistance with your pre-op journey then please let me know! U R in the right place!
rich monoson John, Thank you very much. What a warm and compassionate group this is.
Gregory Ballard Rich, having been through this a few times now with 3 different surgeons, I can tell you first hand t ... Read more
Gregory Ballard Rich, having been through this a few times now with 3 different surgeons, I can tell you first hand that not all surgeons have the same skill level. It may cost you some $, but have as many consults as you need to, and choose a skilled surgeon that you feel comfortable with. Life after surgery is not the same for everyone, it will be what you make of it. Best of luck with your search.