Old Salt wrote on Jan 17^th, 2020 at 2:13pm:


Thank you to all of you who posted good wishes and prayers.

OS--Did you have a myectomy?  I am having a septal myectomy, and also removal of a sub-aortic membrane and replacement of my aortic valve.  The surgeon says the latter will be the most difficult, as he has to enlarge the "root" of the aortic valve, as my opening is small and I need a larger valve.  Means more time on the heart-lung machine, and that is hard on other body functions.  He said perhaps as long as 3-4 hours on the machine, and a very long surgery for Neil to wait through.  Our daughter is coming to be with him and that relieves my mind somewhat.

They say it will be 6 weeks before I feel well afterward, and that is just about 'Copia time, so I am tentative as to whether we will make the trip.  But it is a good incentive.  (And yes, I know there will be rehab--I am weak now and have almost no stamina, so I will have to build back up some energy.)

Interesting.  The reason I asked is because I cannot find anyone in my group of friends who have had open heart that have had the same procedure.  It would be nice to talk to one.

I have been dealing with specialists since September on these problems.  I have no arterial blockages, so that is the good part, I don't have to have any bypasses.  But the myectomy is where they go in and take out some of the thickened, stiffened tissue on the septum (the wall between the two sections of the heart) and allow my heart to beat more efficiently again.  It is the procedure that this surgeon does all the time and he is supposed to be very expert at it.  From what he said, the trickier part is the replacement of the aortic valve, partly because I am overweight.  He has to put in a larger valve and that means enlarging the "root", whatever that is.  He is concerned about how long I will be on the heart/lung machine, and warned Neil that it would seem like a very long surgery.

I asked what would happen if I decided not to have the surgery (since I am obviously upright and have had no cardiac emergencies).  He said "Well, the things wrong with your heart will never get any better, and can only get worse and worse."

If I were 90, I would just opt to have no surgery, get weaker, and probably fade away, or have a heart attack like my mother did at age 77.  But I am 74, and I would like to have a few more years of traveling, spending time with my grandchildren on our annual "grandchild vacations", going to Spartan football games, etc.  So, in essence, I am taking the challenge and praying that the risks won't outweight the benefits.

Scary stuff. 

BillConner wrote on Jan 18^th, 2020 at 1:20pm:


The language was different, but he said my choices were "tissue" or metal.  If I took metal, I would have to be on coumadin for the rest of my life.  I chose "tissue", and I assume it is porcine.

And it looks like I have hi-jacked this thread about 'Copia with my issues.  Sorry about that.

I will have Neil give updates after next Wednesday, on both QJ and BWCA.com. 

As for now, it is just the waiting.  It has taken a while to get on the schedule, but I received a message from the surgeon's office today, so I know it is a "go" for the 29th.  Since I was originally told last August by my cardiologist that she was recommending surgery, it has been far too much "anticipating".  I am trying to keep a peaceful mind about it all, as I know I am in good hands at U of Michigan, my surgeon is experienced, and when this is successful I will have a new lease on life.  I have a little sign over my desk that says, "Good morning.  This is GOD.  I will be handling all your problems today".  That and Joshua 1:9 are what I use as my encouragement; as I know that I am in the Lord's hands in all things.

Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.   

Thanks, ST.  Perhaps I will check out that book myself.   

While it is difficult, I think I have maintained a positive attitude through all of this, and I know it is a good thing.  Obviously, a surgery of this magnitude on one's heart CAN go wrong, and I know that there is a small percentage of very serious complications that can result, even death.  However, having said that, I do have confidence in my surgeon, and I am not expecting those complications.  In my imagination, I see myself post-surgery, following orders so that I can have a successful recovery.  I do know that rehab will be necessary, and it will be work.  But I have rehabbed three artificial joints, so I am not unacquainted with pushing a bit, and dealing with pain.

Life is good here.  Spartan1 just celebrated the 11th anniversary of his kidney transplant yesterday.   We sent a big fruit basket (as we always do) to his donor, Leslie, and she called last evening to thank us.  She is healthy and enjoying life, and so is my husband.  Just another blessing of modern medicine.