Patient Pictures of Clay Rowe

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Clay Roweposted a photo

3219 days ago

Wanda Mroz, Mark Caswell, Joh n De La Torre-Ugarte and 11 others reacted to this

Feeling much better a year later thanks!

Paul Doria Clay I'm almost in the exact same position as you were over a year ago. Your story is inspiring. Di ... Read more

Paul Doria Clay I'm almost in the exact same position as you were over a year ago. Your story is inspiring. Did you have any fears going into op and any denial. How did you finally overcome theses fears

Clay Rowe Hi Paul.
Absolutely. I had the "why me...after so much effort to stay healthy"...which turned into "w ... Read more

Clay Rowe Hi Paul.
Absolutely. I had the "why me...after so much effort to stay healthy"...which turned into "why not me...I'm so thankful I'm healthy otherwise".
From a logical angle, you have to separate the possible outcomes from the probable. Consider how many of us have this procedure into our eighties with success. From a spiritual angle, I accepted that there's only so much I can control to tip the outcome in my favor, and that the rest is in God's plan...whatever that might be...either way. Accepting those things settled me down.
For me, none of it was as bad as I'd prepared for.
Reach out to family and friends, know you have support, read and research, concentrate on recovery. You'll be fine.

Paul Doria Thanks clay, words have a lot of meaning with me. Why me, I'm particular, keep healthy don't smoke ... Read more

Paul Doria Thanks clay, words have a lot of meaning with me. Why me, I'm particular, keep healthy don't smoke all the usual but yet this is at my door. Part of the bigger plan. I have good days and bad days. Feel that it will be fine some days and living with the complete mindset that this ain't gonna happen there is no way I can put myself through this. I need to find trust and faith in the surgeons and gods plan for me

Clay Rowe I was suprised how resilient I was and I think you'll be too.
One of the benefits of my experience wa ... Read more

Clay Rowe I was suprised how resilient I was and I think you'll be too.
One of the benefits of my experience was having to accept that we're all mortal and then making a point to let folks know that I love and appreciate them. That helped. I don't go around handing out flowers all day but I appreciate folks and life more often.
Your upcoming angiogram isn't a big thing either.
You'll be fine.

Paul Doria Thanks clay

Jennifer Lorenz Inspirational!!!! Thank you for the wonderful updates!!!

Wiliam Height Looking good Clay, what a year huh?

Linda Yaff Hi Clay! Congrats! I'm scared to death about picking a date for surgery. Tomorrow I am flying to C ... Read more

Linda Yaff Hi Clay! Congrats! I'm scared to death about picking a date for surgery. Tomorrow I am flying to Cleveland Clinic for a third opinion. I hope to gain courage from all of you. Best of health to you! Linda

Tim Goff Great Job Clay! Thanks for posting your progress.
Right behind you at 10 months post surgery and fee ... Read more

Tim Goff Great Job Clay! Thanks for posting your progress.
Right behind you at 10 months post surgery and feeling great.

Donna Gavin Looking good, Clay! I had my mitral valve repaired in June. I'm back to 5 ballet classes a week, but ... Read more

Donna Gavin Looking good, Clay! I had my mitral valve repaired in June. I'm back to 5 ballet classes a week, but my heart rate is still in the 90's without metoprolol. I am hoping to run again, but I am still getting out of breath. It's so cold here right now, and I don't like the treadmill. What did you do for cardio?

Donna

Clay Rowe Hey Donna and all.
I just started a brisk walk on an inclined treadmill 20minutes every few days to e ... Read more

Clay Rowe Hey Donna and all.
I just started a brisk walk on an inclined treadmill 20minutes every few days to ease into a more challenging routine. I don't do cold either.
I really hope the updates help. I know I was looking for a long view when I came here.

Jim Kelly-Evans Congratulations on one year with your new valve, Clay! I'm at 11 months now. Had some PVCs in Novembe ... Read more

Jim Kelly-Evans Congratulations on one year with your new valve, Clay! I'm at 11 months now. Had some PVCs in November but they went away on their own. My gym workouts are half weights/stretching and half cardio. For cardio I do a version of the 123 workout on an elliptical machine...three five minute sets of increasing intensity with a 2 minute break in-between sets that gets my heart rate up in the max range that rehab established for me. I wish you a continued smooth recovery!

Clay Rowe Good to hear from you again Jim and glad you're doing well. I think my pvc issue is actually getting ... Read more

Clay Rowe Good to hear from you again Jim and glad you're doing well. I think my pvc issue is actually getting better. I'm taking magnesium 3 times a day...or could be coincidental. I really intended to go to rehab but kept putting it off for work until I just went back to gym on my own. My recent Dr visit didn't indicate I've broken anything so I'm gonna keep on! Summer is comming right? Take care.

Paul Doria Clay did you go for mechanical or bovine

Clay Rowe I'm a bull...bovine. I'm content with my choice which was the most difficult decision I've had to mak ... Read more

Clay Rowe I'm a bull...bovine. I'm content with my choice which was the most difficult decision I've had to make. But I wouldn't have cried if I'd awakened with that On-x mechanical either.

Mark Alafita Clay, so great to fast forward one year and see the results. Very happy to see how well you are doin ... Read more

Mark Alafita Clay, so great to fast forward one year and see the results. Very happy to see how well you are doing.

Clay Roweposted a photo

3407 days ago

Jim Kelly-Evans, Kelly Weisgarber reacted to this

12 mos ago in NY...my current trainer. See journal below.

Lora Lee Peterson Cute!

Bob M You're back! Take it easy heart brother!

Steven A Husted hey clay thats me popeye the sailor man toot toot your heart brother steve (popeye)

Clay Roweposted a photo

3605 days ago

Jim Kelly-Evans, Dan Crogan, Al Soares reacted to this

Enjoyed some time in the pre surgery "waiting room" on the NC Museum of Art trail today.

Jim Kelly-Evans nice photo!

Clay Rowe Thanks Jim. Was great day to be out. I'm already looking forward to recovering in the Spring with t ... Read more

Clay Rowe Thanks Jim. Was great day to be out. I'm already looking forward to recovering in the Spring with the rest of nature. I've got scuba on my list of new things to try!

Jim Kelly-Evans When is your surgery, Clay?

Clay Rowe January 12. Getting close. My surgeon's office sent a pre-op list to me today.

Clay Roweposted a photo

3605 days ago

1 person reacted to this

...and Raulston Arboretum

Adam Pick Stunning.

Clay Rowe I think so too. Lots to live and look forward to. Now tell me which valve to get...ha.

Clay Roweposted a photo

3603 days ago

Tammi Gunwall, Adam Pick, Vicki King and 1 other reacted to this

The Waiting Room: I find myself comparing grocery expiration dates to my 01/12/15 surgery. I Hope to be back at work before the orange juice expires.

Liking the sense of humor. Pretty good!

Adam Pick Is that orange juice pasteurized or from concentrate? You might be able to stretch the expiration dat ... Read more

Adam Pick Is that orange juice pasteurized or from concentrate? You might be able to stretch the expiration date a few days if from concentrate. :)

Wiliam Height I am told I can be back to work part time in 3 or 4 works, but I don't know about that and don't want ... Read more

Wiliam Height I am told I can be back to work part time in 3 or 4 works, but I don't know about that and don't want to push it...thoughts?

Tammi Gunwall Nice! :)

Adam Pick Hey Wiliam, Hmmmm. I'd be careful of broad recovery timelines. My research suggests that timelines pr ... Read more

Adam Pick Hey Wiliam, Hmmmm. I'd be careful of broad recovery timelines. My research suggests that timelines proposed by medical teams are not always accurate and can lead to patient expectation pitfalls. This is a big operation. We all heal differently... Here's some more personal thoughts on this topic plus 30 patient comments at https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2010/07/25/recovery-how-long/. I hope this helps! Adam

“How Long To Feel Like ‘You’ Again After Heart Valve Surgery?” Asks Patricia

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2010/07/25/recovery-how-long/

Patricia just sent me an interesting question about heart valve surgery recovery. She writes, "Adam - I had mitral valve repair via the Da Vinci robot on Dec

Clay Rowe I'm hearing 4 for desk dwellers like me...adjust longer for people who move. I'm thinking certainly ... Read more

Clay Rowe I'm hearing 4 for desk dwellers like me...adjust longer for people who move. I'm thinking certainly I'll be able to work a spreadsheet within a few weeks...God willing and no pumphead issues.

Wiliam Height Thanks again Adam! Was hoping to work out with my boss work from home / part time ( desk dweller) bu ... Read more

Wiliam Height Thanks again Adam! Was hoping to work out with my boss work from home / part time ( desk dweller) but may need to rethink and go ST disability with HR.

Cheryl Batzing Clay...I did the expiration date thing as well before I went in for my MVP on Dec. 16! Been home 6 d ... Read more

Cheryl Batzing Clay...I did the expiration date thing as well before I went in for my MVP on Dec. 16! Been home 6 days now and feeling great. I'm 14 days post op and felt good enough to work from home today about 7 hours. I know everyone is different, though. I'm having to hold myself back a bit from doing too much because I'm feeling so good overall. Prayers coming your way.

Joan Napier Funny, I did the same thing pre-op with the expiration dates. I guess we all focus on the stuff we ca ... Read more

Joan Napier Funny, I did the same thing pre-op with the expiration dates. I guess we all focus on the stuff we can control :)

Tammy Pilcher Clay, I didn't have a chance to think about my date really. I met my surgeon for the first time on a ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Clay, I didn't have a chance to think about my date really. I met my surgeon for the first time on a Monday and had my surgery on Friday the same week! It was a true blessing!

Daniel Spurgeon Clay, my boss told me to take as much time off as I needed with full pay. I went back 3/4 time one ... Read more

Daniel Spurgeon Clay, my boss told me to take as much time off as I needed with full pay. I went back 3/4 time one week after surgery and was full time again within two weeks. Although I had no one pressuring me to go back to work I felt up to it, and working at my desk and client meetings was a better environment than sitting at home guarding against toddler acrobatics near my chest.

Bob M Take it easy, heart brother

Linda Crawford You all have made my day already -- got a good laugh over the expiration date business -- guess I'm d ... Read more

Linda Crawford You all have made my day already -- got a good laugh over the expiration date business -- guess I'm doing OK -- that hadn't occurred to me and I've been a bit OCD about everything else 😄. Also encouraged hearing about being able to do some work from home so soon.

Lenore Mitchell Enjoyed your humor! I agree with others that it's impossible to say how long recovery takes. One of m ... Read more

Lenore Mitchell Enjoyed your humor! I agree with others that it's impossible to say how long recovery takes. One of my daughters wanted to know exactly what I'll need and for how long after surgery on Jan 7. All I could tell her was...it depends.

Clay Rowe Glad I'm not the only one!. I'm lucky that my job is understanding so I'll ease back when I'm ready. ... Read more

Clay Rowe Glad I'm not the only one!. I'm lucky that my job is understanding so I'll ease back when I'm ready. Just gotta be careful mixing drugs and math ha.

Clay Roweposted a photo

3598 days ago

I've caught a cold a week before OHS. Wow. No big suprise...my office is a Walking Dead film set. I am now one of " the infected". not really severe, but I've ...Read more

I've caught a cold a week before OHS. Wow. No big suprise...my office is a Walking Dead film set. I am now one of " the infected". not really severe, but I've emailed my doc. Reschedule? Meanwhile, my usual strips and zinc lozenge regimen keeps me comfort

Bob M I pray your body will recover before your heart surgery.

Tammy Pilcher I hope you feel better soon, Clay. Cute post though!

Cheryl Batzing Prayer for quick healing Clay so you can continue on and get this behind you!

Jim Kelly-Evans Feel better soon!

Clay Rowe Thanks all...feeling better tonight than today. Hope it won't affect my date...but want to be carefu ... Read more

Clay Rowe Thanks all...feeling better tonight than today. Hope it won't affect my date...but want to be careful.

Clay Roweposted a photo

3589 days ago

Mark Alafita, Jim Kelly-Evans, Adam Pick and 4 others reacted to this

Other side. I'll post tomorrow but doing great. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Cheryl Batzing Praying for your recovery Clay! You are on the other side!

Tammy Pilcher So happy for you, Clay! Prayers answered!

Carlos Ortiz Good deal Clay! I'm Scheduled for this Wednesday and looking forward to getting it over with and star ... Read more

Carlos Ortiz Good deal Clay! I'm Scheduled for this Wednesday and looking forward to getting it over with and starting my recovery.

Jennifer Anderson Yay! Keep on healing!

Mark Alafita Awesome! So happy for you. Let the recovery begin!

Daniel Spurgeon Get well soon!

tina fluhrer Yay!, awesome

Jim Kelly-Evans Congratulations! Best wishes for a smooth recovery!

Adam Pick Welcome to the "other" side Clay! Congrats and take it easy!

Joseph Ballett Recover well my friend!

Bob M God bless and rise up!

Terrie Syvertsen Welcome to the "Other Side"! Happy & Smooth Healing Heart Brother....

Eleanor R Good job, now on to a full recovery.

Kimberly Biddick Yay!!! Hope your recovery goes well!!

Lori Beuerlein Prayers answered!

Amy DiGiovanni Noack Get well Clay! Congrats on being on the other side:)

Clay Roweposted a photo

3586 days ago

tina fluhrer, Wiliam Height, Jim Kelly-Evans and 3 others reacted to this

about 24 hours after waking from surgery.

tina fluhrer such a great idea with the hat. Hospital hair cover up. lol ~ you look good! healthy and happy

Bill Hendrickson Clay,Love the picture,you look great considering the journey. The smile says volumes.

Don Netz Lookin' good. The gun show!

Elaine Foster Wow, love that smile. I was not smiling that soon! Way to go! Take it a day at a time. God bless ... Read more

Elaine Foster Wow, love that smile. I was not smiling that soon! Way to go! Take it a day at a time. God bless you

Cheryl Batzing We all recovery so differently?! So glad to hear you are moving onward despite "issues" and nausea.. ... Read more

Cheryl Batzing We all recovery so differently?! So glad to hear you are moving onward despite "issues" and nausea...that is so bizarre isn't it? Nausea being a huge issue?! Prayers you way Clay!

Tammy Pilcher Triumphant!

Bob M YES! You look great! Nice scar!

Linda Crawford All right! You look great. I hope your recovery is an easy road. Best wishes

Duane Beeman Now THAT'S what I'm talking about !!!

Jim Kelly-Evans Awesome! Congratulations!

Kathy Letsos Inspirational! Congratulations!

Tammi Gunwall Wow. Awesome! I totally coulda used a hat. You look great!

Joseph Ballett Nice zipper!

Edith Dim You look terrific! Would think that you you woke up after a good night's sleep instead of heart surg ... Read more

Edith Dim You look terrific! Would think that you you woke up after a good night's sleep instead of heart surgery. Keep up the good job.

Kimberly Biddick You look great !!!!

Patricia Garcia You look great.

Clay Roweposted a photo

3584 days ago

tina fluhrer, Jim Kelly-Evans reacted to this

Meds. I'm buying a 7 day pill box today.

Bob M Clay, join the 7 day pill box club

Edith Dim I have quite a collection, too, Clay. I have the bottles on a lazy Susan on a kitchen cabinet shelf. ... Read more

Edith Dim I have quite a collection, too, Clay. I have the bottles on a lazy Susan on a kitchen cabinet shelf...on the counter would be best for you now. The 7-day pill box is a good idea. I hope you're having a better sleep tonight. Sending caring thoughts your way.

Clare Auten I was on lots of meds after surgery but some were temporary. Hopefully you will be able to go off so ... Read more

Clare Auten I was on lots of meds after surgery but some were temporary. Hopefully you will be able to go off some soon.

Jim Kelly-Evans Wow...that's quite a collection!

Meredith Bray There's hope in teh future! After 6 months I was on only maintenance meds - atorvastatin, 81 mg aspi ... Read more

Meredith Bray There's hope in teh future! After 6 months I was on only maintenance meds - atorvastatin, 81 mg aspirin, and warfarin. Once a day is much easier to keep track of!

Tammi Gunwall Getting the 7 day (morning/evening) pill box today after my husband gave me an accidental overdose of ... Read more

Tammi Gunwall Getting the 7 day (morning/evening) pill box today after my husband gave me an accidental overdose of Cumadin last week because the complicated list of instructions from the hospital. Needless to say, he's been fired as my pill distributor. Time to get organized!

Clay Roweposted a photo

3583 days ago

Mark Alafita, Jim Kelly-Evans and 1 other reacted to this

Day 7 will be treadmill day.

Jim Kelly-Evans Looks good! Hope you can meet your expectations on the treadmill.

Bob M Take it easy heart brother

Clay Roweposted a photo

3579 days ago

Jim Kelly-Evans, Mark Alafita, Adam Pick and 1 other reacted to this

Dinner and bingo with friends last night...good to be out!

Duane Beeman You're bad to the bone brother. Did you win any money ?

Jim Kelly-Evans excellent! easy on those nachos...

Clay Rowe My first bingo outing. Burger in one hand... marker in the other! I won nothing ha. You got it Jim. ... Read more

Clay Rowe My first bingo outing. Burger in one hand... marker in the other! I won nothing ha. You got it Jim...good for me and my arteries I've never been a bar food guy.

Bob M Outstanding! Continue to enjoy the good life, heart brother

Penny Prichard Great news your recovery is going so well

Clay Roweposted a photo

3575 days ago

Jim Kelly-Evans reacted to this

Possession and consumption of controlled substance. See journal below.

Bill Hendrickson Clay I have a question,how much free ice cream did they offer you when you walked into Ben &jerry's w ... Read more

Bill Hendrickson Clay I have a question,how much free ice cream did they offer you when you walked into Ben &jerry's with the HAT and exposed scar?? Also did they empty the cash drawer?
The hat look great,multipl uses skiing,etc

Jim Kelly-Evans What a photo!

Clay Rowe This stuff is like frozen crack...should be illegal.

Bill Hendrickson Clay do you visit So. Point mall.

Joseph Ballett Great picture

Clay Rowe Thanks guys. Bill I'm about 30 min from SP Mall...Will be including it in my mall walk tour this wee ... Read more

Clay Rowe Thanks guys. Bill I'm about 30 min from SP Mall...Will be including it in my mall walk tour this week!

Bob M LOL!

Clay Roweposted a photo

3568 days ago

Wiliam Height, Raleigh Chilton and 1 other reacted to this

I lost my zipper today...47 staples total (including watch pocket on clavicle). Was great for show-n-tell. See journal below.

Peter Duplin Very clean scar I could never match that at show and tell

Jim Kelly-Evans Healed really nicely!

Tim Goff Congratulations

David Brunkhorst Wow. Impressive.

Patricia Garcia Lol..

Bob M LOL! But no zippers, we're not open our chests again!

Clare Auten I didn't get staples. They used glue on mine.

Kenneth Cole Holy Mackerel!

Clay Roweposted a photo

3557 days ago

Jim Kelly-Evans and 1 other reacted to this

Happy Valentines Day...coincidence that it's next to Friday 13th? No...I think not. See journal below.

Patricia Garcia Hi heart brother. Love the balloons. We share the same surgery date and similar symptoms. I have n ... Read more

Patricia Garcia Hi heart brother. Love the balloons. We share the same surgery date and similar symptoms. I have numbness on my left two fingers and up to my wrist. Great that you got your independence back and can drive. I don't see my surgeon till the 25th to be cleared. Happy to see that you are recoverying well and converted back on your own. Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Adam Pick Once again, your picture brings a wide smile to my face. Congrats on the your 1st monthly anniversary ... Read more

Adam Pick Once again, your picture brings a wide smile to my face. Congrats on the your 1st monthly anniversary!

Bob M Awesome angle! You must be a professional photographer...