Summer 2016

Long time, no posts!

I've had quite a busy year since my last post. Heart surgery with multi-valve replacement, trip to NYC, New Hampshire, Boston, and family trip to Sequoia Nat'l Park. Getting very proficient at the reloading bench has been fun... Also expecting child number two late next month... all the while teaching as a full-time sub and part-time Daddy Daycare. It keeps me busy!

Will flesh out this post more in the coming days. With so much stuff to write about I'll try to avoid the politics and stay on happy subjects (eek, nasty election year).

Shalom!

In April of last year (2015), I had a complex heart surgery. Technically it was a redo-redo-Ross Procedure to fix my torn valve leaflet. Sadly, this was goodbye to my Melody Valve. When you have a valve leaflet tear, it is totally painless and unrecognizable except for an onset of fatigue and tell-tale "cooing" sound where you should hear a tick-tick.

In-N-Out... of the hospital

So that went well. My cath lab procedure on Tuesday took four hours from beginning to end and then an overnight stay for observation. I had a chest echo done Wednesday morning to observe valve function and flow as well as an x-ray to show proper placement. Dr. Brent Gordon and his team did an excellent job. If you are ever in SoCal and need a heart valve replaced, he's the best. A really interesting part aside from having a pulmonic valve threaded up my femoral artery, was getting to handle a Gore-tex covered platinum stent.

My stent is stainless steel with cow vein sewn into it, but in Europe and other parts of the free world outside of FDA control, doctors have the option of using this fancier stent. I signed a form agreeing to be part of a Johns Hopkins study should my artery tear and the Gore-tex platinum stent become necessary during the procedure. Thankfully the Melody Valve went in smoothly with no drama. Just having the option available to use a more advanced material was exciting. I can't imagine what will be available seven to ten years from now! I'm sure the good folks at Medtronic are staying busy.

Melody Valve Procedure

The aforementioned minor heart problem I have requires an occasional corrective surgery. Three previous surgeries have been of the "open heart" variety. Firstly as an infant, second was a Ross Procedure at age ten, and most recently a Pulmonic Valve replacement in 2006. That seven year old donor valve is starting to wear out according to my cardiologist and he is a very clever man, so I take him at his word. Those earlier procedures were all performed at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, AL. On Tuesday, I'll have a cath-lab Melody Valve installed by the experts at LLU Hospital in Loma Linda.

After doing a small amount of research on it, I'm pretty happy about the deal. I'll be able to work Monday, have the procedure on Tuesday, rest Wednesday, and be back at work on Thursday next Monday. That beats the heck out of being laid up six weeks recuperating from thoracic surgery. Below are some interesting links to those who want to see what my new valve will look like. I appreciate prayers from anyone for success. Happy Everyday!

Melody Valve video on Youtube

P-E article w/ photo of my doctors

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Update Oct. 2014

So it has been fifteen months and all is well. I had a routine cardiology appointment in August that confirmed my valves are all functioning fine, and aside from my required aspirin regimen and 20mg Lisinopril I give it no thought. I stay too busy working and raising a beautiful daughter to worry about leaky heart valves. I am fit, and don't tire easily. I may need another surgery in 7-10 years, more or less... but that is far down the road and hopefully the technology will be even more amazing by then! 

I see that more than 150 people have read my initial post; most likely you found it by Googling "Melody Valve". I pray that wether it be you, a friend or family member facing Heart Surgery that you be of good cheer. I've been on the table four times, the first three involved cutting open my chest. Risks involved with Melody Valve procedures are minimal, healing time quick, and scar is non-existent. Remember that laughter is the best medicine; God Bless. :) Philippians 1:6