Robert's Journal

Rose Madura  Poor Robert.  God only knows.  My Richard seems to do things in the computer that have me scratching my head at times.  Did you do anything on your profile recently?

Richard Munson  I think its those 2 siberian husky pups he just acquired. Or possibly its the ghost of mass general past as i had my surgery right before his. Which is why he refers to me as mentor.

Robert Young  I really don’t know what is going on. This is the second time    Maybe Adam can look into. This is weird.  

Robert Young  Mentor I figured it out! If your fingers linger on a photo while you’re scrolling it uploads the photo to your profile picture. That is really strange. And I have no idea about computers 

Susan Lynn  It's -7 this morning in northeast Pennsylvania. Now that I've read your post, I'm going to stop complaining. Stay warm, Robert!

Richard Munson  I just took shadow outside to pee and his stream was frozen. We both wanted back in. Left under sink cabinet doors open last night to avoid frozen pipes. Warming up tomorrow. Maybe 80 ? Maybe not.

Terry Tannenbaum  Record breaking heat yesterday in Ft Lauderdale (87 degrees)  but temperatures cooled last night into the sixties. You all hate me right now, right? 

Richard Munson  Rub it in terry. You did get to miss the thrill of frozen pipes and frost bite  walking shadow. Wish you were here.

Ana Brusso  Ha ha ha everybody, it’s a terrible cold storm and I have been praying for All in the path of such terrible weather. We had 77 degrees today and wish all of you were here. God bless you all and keep you warm and not frozen pipes. 🙏❤️

Klara Čičić  Congratulations Robert on your anniversary, must be a good feeling. I couldn't agree more with you, especially on that last part. Diffent countries, different continents, different backgrounds, even political views if you wish, but still - there for eachother, helping eachother, sincerely praying for eachother... Human kind at its best.

Rose Madura  So good to hear from you Robert. I was thinking about you the other day and wondering how you were doing. Happy Anniversary! Glad all is well.

Louise Moore  Bravo, Robert, Congratulations!  The one year threshold is truly a happy day.  Mine is coming up in a few weeks and I'm excited for that day and so grateful, like you, for all the support, knowledge and friendship right here on this site.  Here's to Adam and Adam's Angels and many more Anniversaries for you, Robert - keep on ticking'!   Happy HeartsR'Us! 

Richard Munson  His every day collar is a martingale which tightens up if he pulls. For training class or a walk on the street she insists on a herman spranger prong or pinch collar. I can tell you that he responds the best to the prong. I will post a picture of both. The prong collar has blunt ends so no skin penetration. My daughter thinks they are cruel. No way. Usually a quick pop is all that is needed. She calls it pop and release usually with a no command. Most often they are loose. Cassie was a lot bigger of course and a prong collar was all that would work on her. A bigger one of course. Sled dogs are very powerful as you know with a thick coat to boot. Also their strength is in their chest and neck , not their rear ends. Look for my pictures.

Marie Myers  I don’t think that is unusual. With time, healing, and rehab, I believe your EF will increase. Let us know what the doc says.

Richard Munson  Beautiful robert. Same litter? I like the gate .Thought i was looking at my kitchen. Destructive little devils. Our first siberian over 50 years ago was insane, our second 14 years later was an escape artist and got hit by a car but limped from a pin in his leg after $15 grand at tufts, he then fathered our next. And they went 14 years. She died a month after him from a broken heart. Then we switched to malamutes being calmer but lots bigger and after 2 we are back full circle again. Still insane but smaller. Afraid guinea pig humans in name only. The real versions would be lunch. Lol. Thank you for those great pictures. Be well. Mgh was terrific but not itching to return any time soon. Sure you feel the same.

Robert Young  Yes they are sisters. I have to go down to MGH next month for a follow up echo    Still waiting for a response from the FAA on getting my medical approval to fly again. What a slow painful process that is. Was hoping to hear from them before going down in case they wanted additional testing but it has been since April and they have not responded. Painful dealing with a government agency 

Richard Munson  Everything they touch turns to blank. And there are folks that want more ? I finally dropped mgh for testing as it was a duplication of effort, tough to get to, and i was only seeng his nurse. I can always reconnect if need be. One of the great features of siberians and malamutes is the variety of colors and markings and coat lengths even within litters. Some other breeds can be pretty much the same. My village is big on goldens . A popular breed but they all look alike in my eyes. Yuppy land. Go to a sled dog race sometime and most dogs are different although a pure bred siberian that races has become rare. 

Robert Young  I agree with the blank statement wholeheartedly 😀 I am thinking about testing and getting a local doctor again as it appears that I will not be seeing the doctor only the nurse( not hacking on nurses as they are the glue in the hospital) yes the different colors and markings are plentiful with the Siberian and they can go to work day after day and are happy to do so. I just love the spirit. It’s a challenge right now when people or grandkids come over. Having a time from keeping them from jumping. It’s getting better but taking more time than I remember?

Richard Munson  Ha, ha, you’re older my friend. That is also shadows achilles heel. Its a big one however as they can unconsciously hurt someone. Very powerful dogs. Our trainer gives shadow a pretty good pop with the choker when he acts up. She did the same with cassie with the prong. She wants me to switch to the prong as he gets bigger. I bought a herman spranger version with the quick disconnect. Her attitude is you need to get their attention and a please and thank you is not the answer. Sled dogs rank up there in toughest to train category. Stubborn but smart. Agree with the nurses but when i drive all the way in to mgh, i want to see the doctor. Maybe i’m old fashioned. I recall your surgery was aortic and mine was mitral. Who was your surgeon and did you like him? I ask because i have a 4.1 cm aortic aneurysm that has been the same for a couple of years but it could grow and if it does i would want someone that specializes in aortic aneurysms. I like to be prepared. Thanks.

Robert Young  I had the Aortic valve replaced (bicuspid)the ascending aorta replaced (I think it was 4.9 ) as well as a pulmonary vein isolation and a atrial clip put on. The vein isolation was to help prevent Afib down the road and the clip was to prevent blood clots from entering the atrial appendage. Hopefully next month I’m off eliquis for good and will only be on beta blocker and Lipitor 

Dr D’Alessandro was the surgeon. I think he is the best( as we all think that) but he also does heart transplant too. It’s who DrPasseri in the Mgr heart valve program recommended. Who knows he could of had an opening lol. But again I do have the highest regard for the skill.
yes the masked girl is built more like the traditional husky and runs like one. The dark girl is much lankier and kinda runs like a loping  wolf. They are from the same litter so go figure. You have a great eye

Richard Munson  Thanks robert, i wrote his name down but hopefully will never need him. Well, off for our nightly walk. Getting dark earlier. 

Susan Lynn  Wow! Three months have flown by. Glad you're doing so well, Robert. Life really is good! We get a free reminder of that with every heart procedure - no extra charge! Wishing you continued success with your recovery and new pups!

Patsy Stewart  Robert, years ago, I stepped on a treadmill not knowing anything but how to turn it on….and I had help doing that. That thing kept speeding up and I was soon running as fast as I could go and didn’t have enough sense to know how to jump off. The owner of the gym saw what was going on and ran to my rescue. The machine had been programmed to gradually speed up until you were running. Whew!!😰 I never got back on another one until I had to have a stress test when I was 24. I failed it too. Ha!! My point…..don’t let your new ‘treadmills’ run you through the mill! They are absolutely adorable!!🥰~❤️

Robert Young  PatsySage advice! I have had these kind of treadmills for the last 35 years. We put in a 3/4 acre fenced in kennel for them to have a good size exercise area to try and wear them down …..then walk them 2-3 times a day. But I hear ya!

Richard Munson  Robert: That was why our first 3 dogs were siberians and our last 2 were malamutes. A little calmer, but much larger.  Less escape artists. If and when we feel we can love another dog again, we will probably return to the smaller version due to our age. Did you find them locally or far away? We also built a fenced in fortress with underground wires. Must be a mass general thing. 

Robert Young  To my MGH mentor. We found them in Minnesota. Flew them here with a flight nanny. The 8’ fence and underground wires we did “may” work. Looking forward to many walks and joy in general 

Richard Munson  I just received an email from a breeder in north carolina that saw our grief on line concerning the loss of cassie. She sent me a picture of what she calls wooly siberians which i never heard of. We always liked the wooly look if you saw cassies picture. If and when, i might contact her. In our younger days ( much younger), we used to race our siberians, talk about a lot of work. One race , in mid straightaway they spotted a rabbit off the trail, took a hard right and crashed me into a stand of trees. All tangled up with some mild injuries to yours truly. One of our guys dug out of our pen. before we knew the ropes and got hit by a car which ended our racing. He lived till 14 but with a limp. You must be feeling better due to my mgh mentoring. I hope to see more pictures of your dogs as they mature. Our house seems very empty as you might expect. I still look out the window expecting to see cassie in her enclosure. 

Robert Young  Thank you guys they are all you have expressed! To my mentor: I hesitated to put the pictures on (we got them a month ago) out of respect for you and Cassie. But I came to the conclusion that you would approve. The breeder we got these from has some woolly pups also. They look pretty cool. And finally I am feeling better everyday. The advice and wit you provide are encouraging. All the veterans on this site are great! 

Louise Moore  Just what you hope to hear at your six week mark, YAY!  Keep doing what you’re doing, it’s working, Robert, applause!

Rose Madura  Wonderful news Robert. Whenever I see something from you I can't help but think of Father Knows Best and Marcus Welby MD.! Glad you are doing so well.

Marie Myers  Yes, 2 weeks was a positive turning point for me also. You will continue to notice small steady improvements. I felt pretty darn good at 8 weeks and went back to work part time..

Richard Munson  Been hoping you would post. Great to hear all went well at my alma mater. Don’t go home till you feel you are ready and walk a lot. Thumbs up robert.

Robert Young  Richard
I did name drop and that got attention immediately! Not that I needed to I just wanted them to know………..lol!

Robert Young  Finally home
I would like to thank all of you for your kind words
Adam , I was lost until I found your site It is a great discovery of knowledge and the most effective experience. Adam and all you warriors out there…..your the best in humanity

Richard Munson  Great your home. Do the rehab and things will go smoothly. I plan on the treadmill being a part of my daily life from now on. Its great especially in the winter

Karen Marvenko  Best of luck to you Robert, I face the same surgery on Feb 8th, aortic valve replacement and aortic root replacement to fix the aneurysm, I too have a bicuspid valve. I’ll be anxious to hear how everything goes, wishing you a speedy recovery period.

Louise Moore  Robert, I’m sure you’ll have a very successful surgery being in a renowned hospital with great surgeons. It’s safe to say we’re all nervous pre-surgery and the waiting is the hardest part, soon to be behind you, then on to healing and a much brighter future with wonderful experiences ahead. Keep us posted on your recovery .. it’s starting Thursday!

Tom Everson  Hi The bottom line is whatever one u choose is the right one. I was old when I had my replacement ( 77) so my choice was easy ( Inspiris by Edwards)If I am lucky enough to need a second surgery when I am 90+ I plan on a TAVR surgery ( or whatever is the best then). You are in between, if you go for inspiris you can plan as I am. If you go with Mechanical you are probably done , and will require getting used to medications. A lot of folks on this site state that they adjusted to the medications just fine, some complain of hearing the mechanical valve but at night sometimes I can hear my heat beat in my ears ( I like it better than the alternative ) . I believe faith and also faith in your Surgery Team will carry you to a successful recovery no matter what you choose. There is No Wrong Choice

Timothy Stoner  First off I love Acadia NP. I see you live right there, how cool. Second, Tom is exactly right. No wrong choice between on-x (which is what I had about a month ago) and bioprosthetic valve. I chose on-x because of my age(39) and that I didn't want to do another surgery later in life when the risk level goes up. You would have to be on a blood thinner with on-x, which to me is not a big deal plus there is currently a trial going on with on-x and Eliquis. Also, I can hear my valve ticking, but that's the least of my worry, I'm glad to be alive and breathing. Have faith in whatever decision you make and your heart team. The worst part of this experience was the waiting up to surgery really. You'll be fine Robert.

Rose Madura  Hi Robert. Like Tom, I've always said, no matter which valve you choose, it's the right decision. Actually, it was one of the toughest decisions of my life. I was 59 when I had my surgery nearly 5 years ago and I chose a tissue. Alve, the Edwards Magna Ease, I think it was. I never looked back on my decision. A frank discussion with my surgeon and my brother (a doctor) about blood thinners helped me decide. I hope I never have to have another replacement but realize that chances are, someday I will. Godspeed.

Marie Myers  I was 63 at the time of my surgery, and I chose a tissue valve. It was a very difficult decision for me, and I went back and forth for weeks. Ultimately, my decision was one to avoid Coumadin.

Robert Young  Thanks for all the input. It’s appreciated. I am thinking the inspiris valve to avoid Coumadin . The information so far on the inspiris is promising but the hope of eliquis being a possibility for the on-x is exciting

Richard Munson  Eliquis has its own set of side effects like everything but at least being tested regularly is not required. My goal is to cut back on eliquis but my doctor is fighting me.

Robert Young  Richard I am on eliquis anyway for the possibility of AFiB , No side effects so far (2 years). Just trying to figure it out,.........................But when that will be is anyone's guess!

Richard Munson  Not sure if i have any side effects either. My point with my doctor is that i had the maze a year ago, have worn a monitor twice for 2 weeks each time and was a fib free. He says just in case. I say at what point do you say the maze worked. Do i live the rest of my days what if. In that case i should take a pill for every illness known to man on the what if theory. I could also get hit by lightning. Do i stay inside? On the flip side, i don’t want a stroke either.

Deena Z  CALLING ALL MASS GENERAL WARRIORS:

Hi Robert, welcome! Mass General - outstanding hospital. There are many heart warriors that have had successful open heart surgery there (yoo-hoo, R.M. from NH:). I am sure some will chime-in. And yes, of course you're nervous. We all were. The thing is if you go to an outstanding hospital, with an outstanding surgeon who does high volume heart surgery, your odds for a successful surgery is high, actually incredibly high. So, try to focus on what you can control and ask as many questions as come to mind. You already have a great start by choosing Mass General! Godspeed.

Paul Lechiaro  Hey Robert,
Just had avr at Brigham on Nov 18th. Excellent care. In on Thursday and out on the following Tuesday afternoon. Not normal if you are not nervous. Just have to remember these surgeons are experts at what they do. It will go by quick and you will be so glad its behind you.

Paul Lechiaro  Hey Robert,
Just had avr at Brigham on Nov 18th. Excellent care. In on Thursday and out on the following Tuesday afternoon. Not normal if you are not nervous. Just have to remember these surgeons are experts at what they do. It will go by quick and you will be so glad its behind you.

Paul Lechiaro  Hey Robert,
Just had avr at Brigham on Nov 18th. Excellent care. In on Thursday and out on the following Tuesday afternoon. Not normal if you are not nervous. Just have to remember these surgeons are experts at what they do. It will go by quick and you will be so glad its behind you.

Richard Munson  I had ohs last january at mass general. Great facility, wonderful people. You could not be in a better place.

Rose Madura  Hi Robert. It's normal to be nervous. Trust your doctors. They do this every day and are good at it. The odds are in your favor. Praying helped me tremendously - always does. Godspeed.

Mike Tirrell  Hi Robert, I had AVR at MGH in August with Dr Cameron. Dr D'alessandro was the doctor of my room mate so I got to meet him, nice guy. You are in good hands there, the cardiac staff are all top notch.

Civita Fahey  Hi Robert, I have my AVR at the Brigham 4.5 years ago. We are lucky to have outstanding health care in the Boston Area. MGH will take great care of you and you will do great.