Derek's Photos

Vanessa Childs  Hi derek, I am a high school senior, I play varsity basketball and I am enlisted in to the army. I have just been diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve disease and Dialated aortic root. My doctor told me I can play my last two weeks of basketball but I can not lift more then 30lbs. What should I do about the army? And do you have any tips for me for playing basketball with this condition? Your story has been amazing to me, more then you can even imagine. Thank you for sharing

Derek Owens  1 year ago today this was taken out of me! This is what my first bovine aortic valve looked like after 6 1/2 years. They replaced it with a new bovine aortic valve. Notice the right leaflet of the 3 was frozen in place and all calcified. I played my senior season of college basketball on this valve. Surgeon said there was no explanation for why it didn't fail me during the season. He pointed to the sky and said "someone was watching over you". God Bless all going through valve replacements!

Pat Bluemel  That is an interesting photo for sure. So were you asymptomatic or did you find out via a check up it was time to replace? Not that I want to think about replacement time but I ponder what my next go round will be like in (hopefully) 10 years or so. Did your MD give advice on how long your new bovine will last? Congrats on number 2!

Derek Owens  About 3 weeks before I had my operation I was having trouble breathing and was in pain a lot. I could tell something was not right. I waited two weeks before I went to the hospital because I didn't want to believe my valve was failing me already and I thought whatever was bothering me would pass. Pain got worse, breathing got harder, I began getting light headed and winded easy. Surgeon said valve was worse than originally look from tests.

I know I don't like to think about my next replacement either. Yes hopefully at least 10 years this time because I will not be as active as before. Although surgeon said he didn't believe my level of activity was the reason it failed so early, but rather my body rejected it. I guess we will see.

Thanks Pat and Adam! Amazing to think how much has happened in a year already!

Robert Osmachenko  That's incredible. It looks like the other two flappies were compensating for the stuck one. Who knows?
Good for you and glad you are here to share your story. One question for you:
Why did they fit you with a pacer? Did you go for a tissue valve again?

Ericka Carlson  WOW, that is so cool to see, thanks for sharing! Derek, do you mind me asking how old you were when you got that one?

Pat Bluemel  Thanks for the response Derek, I do hope you are blessed with 10-15 years before the next one and that we have TAVR so it's easier to recover. Keep jumping off those cliffs and keep us updated!

Derek Owens  Robert- When I came out of surgery my heart had no rhythm. They kept me an icu for 8 days hoping that my pace would come back. Never did, that night my heart stopped and they put a pacemaker in me the following day. Yes tissue valve again. Hoping my next surgery is not as bad as the 2nd one.