Life is Full Of Surprises!

[Bike Writer]

I'm sorry you got that unexpected news! In the hopes that hearing of good outcomes makes you feel better, I will share a couple.

I have two friends, both in their late 40's, early 50's, who got the same news. One went with the replacement option that does not require taking coumadin (pig valve instead of artificial, I think?) because he is very active and did not want to be on coumadin. He is doing great and was back to his kayaking, wave boarding, etc. by the summer after he had it done in Jan. The doctors ended up being able to repair my other friend's valve instead of replacing it. He had it done in the spring and just did 75 miles on the MS Ride in New Bern.

Many of these are done, and they achieve very good outcomes. Best of luck!

This is good to hear, thank you. I have a niece who is only 4 years younger than I am and her husband and I are the same age, he had 4 way bypass (at way too young of an age!) in December and was back with his golf league this summer. The surgeries aren't the same but both are open heart so he will be giving me pointers along the way.

[malkin]

Oh dear!
Hang in there.

[Bike Writer]

Thank you to all for your warm thoughts and wishes. As Crankin and Catrin have pointed out I am quite relieved that this was discovered before hand instead of while on the operating table going into cardiac failure. Yikes. I'd like Thursday to get here soon so I can find out more details.

Thank you again, you women of TE!

[emily_in_nc]

Yikes! Wishing you all the best with the surgery and an easy recovery. Life certainly IS full of surprises...not all of them welcome!

Healing thoughts,
Emily

[solobiker]

Wishing you all the best. I am so happy they found this before your knee surgery. Keeping you in my thoughts.

[azfiddle]

Take it easy and I wish you the best possible outcome with your surgery and recovery. Ditto about finding it before the knee surgery.

[Norse]

Thank goodness they caught it before you went under for knee surgery. Best wishes for a smooth valve procedure and a speedy recovery.

[ny biker]

This is good to hear, thank you. I have a niece who is only 4 years younger than I am and her husband and I are the same age, he had 4 way bypass (at way too young of an age!) in December and was back with his golf league this summer. The surgeries aren't the same but both are open heart so he will be giving me pointers along the way.

A few months ago my 53 year old cousin had a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery. I just saw him this weekend and he's doing great. Daily walks and bike rides have been an important part of his recovery.

Best of luck with your surgery.

[AppleTree]

Good luck Bikewriter! Let us know how you are recovering... meanwhile you can dream bike dreams till you are back in the saddle...

[Bike Writer]

A few months ago my 53 year old cousin had a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery. I just saw him this weekend and he's doing great. Daily walks and bike rides have been an important part of his recovery.

Best of luck with your surgery.

Thanks NY Biker! Another young'un. Modern medicine is a wonderful thing!

[Bike Writer]

On Thursday I met the heart surgeon. I like and him and have confidence in him. I'll have a cardiac catheterization on this coming Thursday followed by valve replacement surgery the following week. There are three different options for the valve and he went over all the pros and cons of each one. It's my decision but also dependant on the circumstances they will find when they get in there so he advised to have a backup choice.

This is big and scary and I find in the last two days I can burst into tears for no apparent reason and it can stop as suddenly as it comes on. I have my faith and a strong relationship with my creator and that sustains me. The support of family and friends and online friends too adds to my comfort.

Thank you all.

Now I know why no matter how much I practiced hills there were some I just could not conquer. Next year I'll be climbing them all!

[redrhodie]

I know how scary this is, but I wanted to let you know that my dad had a cardiac cath many years ago, and he was like a new man afterword. He had become really grumpy and ill tempered over the years, which must have been caused by the heart problem, because after the surgery, he got his joy of life back, and was a real sweetheart from then on.

Big hugs to you. I know you're going to make it up those hills!

[malkin]

I was pretty terrified for my 'non-surgical invasive cardiac procedure.'
I'm glad you have a good support system and that you like your doc.

Keep your eyes on the prize of pushing up those hills (and all the rest of the good stuff).

[Crankin]

Yep, my DH was out riding 5 days after having angioplasty and 2 stents put in. Probably not what most people would (or could) do, but he hasn't stopped since.

[Amira]

Now I know why no matter how much I practiced hills there were some I just could not conquer. Next year I'll be climbing them all!

No doubt! SO glad you caught this before the knee procedure. Things do seem to come all at once, but it sounds like you have a great support system to help you get through to recover and being back on your bike.

Thinking good thoughts for you this week!