Hubert's Journal

Rose Madura  Excellent post Hubert!  I agree with you.  I have so much more energy.  I had very similar surgery as you did.  So happy that you are doing so well.  Congratulation.  

Hubert Karreman  I had my surgery on Valentines Day to replace my bicuspid aortic valve (repaired in 2010) and also to implant a synthetic ascending aortic  as well as replace the aortic root. The aortic root was replaced due to a tiny abscess that was present from a bacteremia I had last summer. Dr. Joe Bavaria at UPenn did my BAV repair in 2010 and also this surgery. It went well but I had 4 chest tubes that came out one by one and also had A-fib on day 3 post-op (they told me it's highly likely on a re-do surgery) and so they ended up zapping me when the medicines didn't do it. I found the pain level wasn't as bad after this second surgery as I remember it after the first surgery 12 years ago. I also have a PICC line in until the end of the month for vancomycin and ceftriaxone due to the tiny abscess that was present. I spent nearly 2 weeks in the hospital as compared to 4 days 12 years ago. The team at UPenn is top notch *and* the hospital is brand new (just opened in November). I'm a veterinarian who specializes in dairy cows so with my new bovine valve I'm finally very close to the cows forever!

Susan Lynn  Hubert - It's good to hear from you. Sounds like you had a few challenges, but it appears you're making good progress. Penn's new hospital is pretty spectacular and very state-of- the-art! One of my childhood friends was on the team who helped design it. Very impressive facility!
Wishing you a quick and full recovery!

  I love cows and drink milk as if it’s going out of style. Love the picture and so glad for your recovery. Thank you for posting this picture and God bless you 

Richard Munson  Go ana with the milk. Strong bones and teeth. I never thought much about loving cows but they always look very serene chewing grass. And thats no bull. 

Hubert Karreman  One thing I remember Dr. Bavaria saying after my BAV repair surgery 12 years ago is that if I'm going to take in calcium, its better from ice cream than a pill. Amen to that
I'm both a veterinarian and a dairy farmer. We have 40 cows in NC. The picture is of October and her friends on pasture. I'm glad for all you dairy enthusiasts and want to add that if you can get A2A2 milk, it is easier digestion. We are a grain-free, grass-fed herd for the healthiest cud chewing cows I've ever known (and I've been on hundreds of dairy farms).
I walk 1/2 a mile a few times a day after a week of being home, looking at our bulls and horses on pasture. It is quite healing to both walk and have fresh air for full lung capacity.

Richard Munson  With the yellow cream on top of the bottle. We even had a rag man who came around on a horse and wagon.when he died they found a fortune squirreled away in his house. I also recall when they delivered the coal and my poor father shoveling it into the furnace. Our first oil burner was like heaven.