Dilip's Journal

Gerald Schaffer  If his valve is that bad he has a choice of replacement or he will eventually develop heart failure which will eventually result in death.

John Jones  I am 4 weeks out of aortic valve replacement. I am 57 years old. I have had some bumps and starts with recovery but the alternative is early death. I have begun to feel better every day. I strongly encourage you and your father to gather information with the goal of replacement in mind. Keep watching this website. it is a huge help. I would not hesitate to do it again. I understand the fear associated with it, but for me, when the day came for surgery I was prepared and recovery for me has not been near as bad as i thought it would be. That fear of the unknown is very paralyzing. Get educated and march forward.

Meredith Bray  It is not as terrifying as you think it will be. Many people have the surgery and never come back to this page to say they are doing well.

Jean Raber  Dilip, I understand how upsetting and frightening this is for your family. But there are no medications that will slow the calcification or make the valve better. Surgery is the only option.

It may help your father to know that my mother was 81 when she had emergency aortic valve replacement. This is the same procedure the doctors want to use with your father. Two years later, she is doing very well, still living in her home and doing everything for herself, feeling very well.

However, the recovery period can be difficult. I took care of my mother for several weeks. There is a lot of monitoring someone will need to do at home. Medications and changes in medication have to be kept straight. There will also be physical therapy later on, though she was pretty quickly able to manage much of this herself.

Your father will also have days in the first several weeks when he feels very sad or irritable. He may even tell you sometimes he wishes he'd never had the surgery. These feelings will pass, and he should live for many more years.

You are a good son to try to get this information and help your father with this decision. Please let us know how things work out.

Sonny Abbasi  I just had surgery 3 weeks ago for the same thing. Not as bad as I anticipated. Some minor complications but nothing that can't be beat.

Mary K  I am seven weeks out from an aortic valve replacement. My incision is only three inches long. It is a serious surgery, but it saved my life. I recommend going to the best heart surgeon possible at the best hospital possible for the best outcome.

Sonny Abbasi  I agree with the Gentlelady above from the great state of Florida. My surgery saved my life. I would have been dead within months. I too like Mary K went to Cleveland Clinic. Instead of her surgeon, I had Dr. Douglas Johnston who was also outstanding as was the whole hospital.

Tammy Pilcher  Dilip, I agree with all the above. Tell him this is something that can save his life. The surgery and recovery are not as bad as he probably thinks. I had mine 9 months ago and I've done great! Prayers and best wishes! God bless!

W. Carter  I'm with the rest of these guys, to put it bluntly your Dad can either suffer the ohs and recovery, or quite possibly suffer an early demise. With all major surgery there is a small mortality rate on the operating table or shortly thereafter. No matter what the quality of life after the operation may be due to meds or continuing congestive heart failure etc. the new valve will save his life.

Jeanette Davidson   I completely understand his fears. It is a very frightening process. I believe once you know the damage is severe, move quickly and find the best surgeon for him! The benefits clearly outweigh the risks. The surgery is a gift of life. I am 53 and I'm four weeks out from having your valve replacement triple bypass. It is not a walk in the park but it is doable ! A positive attitude and good self-care prior to surgery really helps. I wish you all the best !💕

Bill Cherry  Age 73 - Coming up on 7 months post op. for AVR with a bovine tissue valve. Went into phase II cardiac rehab at week 3 and continue to get much better with no complications.

Terrie Syvertsen  I am a 66 yr. old and had open heart surgery 11 months plus ago. I have a bovine tissue valve and my post surgery and recovery have gone well. It is not worth the risk of an early death letting the worry of surgery keep him from getting his heart fixed so that he may continue on with LIFE. Good luck to you in helping guide him with his decision.

Lora Lee Peterson  In March, I was so afraid when I heard that I had to have my aortic valve replaced. They had me wait awhile, and now I am so excited to get this over with next week, so I can move on with my life and feel better again! It is so scary, but I read so many posts on here that the people say it was not as bad as they thought it would be. And I keep reminding myself that I'm lucky to have found it out now when I'm younger and not to the critical stage, because that should help too. I'm 52, and your Father is the same age as my husband, and I sure don't consider him old by any means. I am so happy they CAN fix me, and they will! Sure, complications come up, but there are lots of things in life that have complications, and we have no control over that. Maybe that is why we get scared - we think we have no control. Actually, we can pray, and everyone can pray, and IMO, that's the best control! God Bless your Father and your whole family!