Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery.......
 

My civilian Cardiologist just broke the news to me to prepare for Open Heart Surgery,to replace my Aortic Valve........ They have a new procedure that you can volunteer for..... Instead of open heart surgery they enter thru the same way they do a heart catheter....... (1st)They go in to remove the defective valve,then they go back in to put the artificial valve in its place(not quite that simple I'm sure)......... They only perform that surgery at Ochsners Medical Facility in New Orleans....... It's new and right now they will only take volunteers,which I've already done by signing the papers..........I also have blockage,but they said this procedure must come 1st and ASAP...... After I go thru some more tests in the next 3 days,I should be ready to go for it.......I'm bringing my computer,I sure hope they have Wi-Fi available for patients...... That's it,if you don't hear from me with in a few weeks,well then it's been nice knowing all you fine boys and girls...........:boohoo :boohoo :boohoo

Big Teddy :munchin

Positive thoughts and prayers out - give 'em hell - come back stronger than ever !

Someone has to root for the Blackhawks next season !;)

Good luck!

Clear mind, sound thoughts, not accepting failure as an option.....you'll do great.
Give them hell soldier....:D

ss

Sounds as non-invasive as possible, the way you describe it. I will have to mention it to my father as I know in his surgery they could not repair one of the valves, and it leaks.

Hang tough, QP!

Prayers for you, Maggie, and the kids....

Keep thinking positive.

After these next 3 days of further testing I'll give you as much feedback as possible as I learn more about the procedure...;):D

Big Teddy :munchin

Best wishes Teddy...Stay positive...prayers out for you, family and the medical team...


Have 'em add the Wifi Hotspot option while they are in there working....then you'll always have connectivity. :D

Best of luck.

TR

Good luck!

I hope all goes well.

How are those compression stockings working out? :munchin

I would definately appriciate that.

I was just thinking last night, after my post here, how you keep volunteering. Volunteering firstly in the service of country, and now, though circumstances could be better, in the forefront of medicine.

Thank you for both.

Good luck! Can't wait to read the AAR after you get back...

I hope that includes some really good pictures of very hot nurses. Best of luck, Big Teddy

Hang in there, Big Teddy.

I hope you do well. The surgery you are talking about is a lot less tramatic to your old body:D I hope you do well enough to make the Blottor in the French Quarter.

Best of luck, sir! Your attitude will go far towards a successful recovery.
Prayers for you, your health care team, and family.

You'll be in my prayers Big Teddy, hang tough!

Hang in there Brother!! Thoughts and Prayers will be with'ya!!

Martin

You are going to do just great Big Teddy. I think you made the right decision, and you will feel worlds better after surgery. Prayers out for you, Maggie and your family.

RF 1
j

Good luck Teddy. We will all think positive and the collective energy will see you through this.

Sending good thoughts your way!
Will reach out to you afterwards since I have an idea to make your life ($) easier with the VA once you feel up to some paperwork!

Prayers for you and your family, Big Teddy. Maintain that SF "positive" attitude!

Carl

Just got back home from the hospital.......... Swatsurgeon gave me some excellent follow up info on another medical trial using basically the same technique......... I took Oschners required tests for eligibility,but my cardiologist now has decided to do my angiogram first and do the stint work I need before he recommends me for the trial(2 weeks from now)...... I should receive my answer back from them(I hope)within a few weeks after the angiogram is finished and his paper work being submitted...... I've made up my mind that if I am rejected,I'm not totally sure I'll go with the "open heart option" right away.... I've been told by my primary that he has to put down my physical condition is at best "Fair" and advised me to consider waiting to see if it gets worse....So here is my up to date feedback,and thanks again to all those that commented and give me encouragement,you probably don't realize how much it means to me that you people do care enough to post those kind thoughts......;) :D :cool:

Big Teddy :munchin

We will see you back here shortly, keep us posted.

Hang Tough
 

The cardio vascular guys always use to tell us Ortho guys how the heart was the most important organ in the body. We always told them that without the bones the heart would be useless. All the heart was good for was pumping blood to the bones!
Good luck and a speedy recovery.

Hope all goes well and you and the Doc's get you fixed Teddy..


Be safe..

Hope you get the hottest nurse in the ward! :lifter

Sounds like you and the doc have a plan to start and I hope all goes well. I care greatly for ya, Big Teddy so you take care of yourself. :lifter

All my thoughts and prayers are with ya, ya old Walrus. :D :D

Take Care Brother!!

The Thoughts and Prayers are with'ya, (without an expiration date)!!

Later
Martin

Hang tough Teddy... :lifter

Got your candle lit, Uncle. Take care Teddy. Attitude will be 50%.

You'll be in our thoughts Big Teddy!

Good luck and do what the doctor says.

Schedule your procedure for Tue, Wed, or Thurs.

Do not, DO NOT!, roll around in bed or try to sit up in bed until they tell you it is ok. And don't even think about getting out of bed no matter how bad you have to pee.

Prayers for you (and the staff).

Did not qualify for trial program because "fair" condition isn't "poor" condition and since they only want those who can't qualify for open heart surgery and they're running only a 70% chance of living after a year,they felt it was in my best interests to go with open heart.........My response to my cardio is f**k it,I'm not going to go under the knife because after that operation I'll need not only medical help but it's a tremendous burden to put on Maggie who cannot be a caregiver since she's a terminal patient herself and unable to clean,cook,etc from a power wheel chair....
So I'll just hang in there and when it's time it's time....... Don't get me wrong guys I'm far from being a tough guy,but I have to do what I have to do and that's it.....:(

Big Teddy :munchin

:(

Teddy

I'm thinking you are over thinking what your thinking about this operation.

Not knowing your condition, other than you statement that your "fair" and I'm not a med student,, but most of the people I know, that have had open heart are up running around in a couple weeks or less...

My father lasted over 20 yrs and my father in-law 15 yrs.

Have another talk to your Doc's..

You need to get a bunch of CAN-DO back in your altitude.. :D :lifter :D