THE JOURNEY SO FAR .........ONE YEAR ON !!!!

[Ticktock61]

Hi Everyone

It’s exactly a year since my Aortic Valve Replacement and for those of you that were kind enough to follow “my journey” you may remember it didn’t exactly run smooth. I decided at the outset it would be a “warts and all” account and I definitely gave you that talking about subjects such as severe constipation, Erections and sex drive for men or the lack of them initially due to medications. The best thing I ever did was to have an open and honest conversation with my cardiologist telling him there was a lack of sex drive post op to pre op and I asked if it could be the bisoprolol I was on and he said yes for sure ........... my GP had previously Pooh poohed the suggestion and said that was not the case so I put up with it for a while until I told my local cardiology consultant who took me off Bisoprolol and put me on Ramapril instead . What a difference I’m back to my old randy self and it’s fantastic lol 😂😂😂😂😂😂 so all you men out there don’t be afraid to talk about it don’t put it down to age or stress it could simply be your medication causing the problem.

After my disaster in Tenerife when everyone in the hospital thought I was having a heart attack which eventually turned out to be trapped nerve in my shoulder and neck I became a little obsessed with my blood pressure I bought a machine by Omron the ones the doctors use and set very strict perimeters on it as unfortunately I’m a perfectionist which can sometimes be good but can also be a curse. I was checking my blood pressure about six times a day and getting disappointed if it wasn’t what I considered to be perfection which in my narrowed view was 120/80 as every website states that the ideal blood pressure is 120/80 . After this had gone on for a month I realised this was becoming an issue and told my best mate who like best mates do called me a “dickhead” and took the machine off me which did break the cycle and my focus went elsewhere. I do have the machine back but rarely use it it’s away in a cupboard but I used it on the 31st August and I almost wet my pants as the photograph at the top shows the result was perfect at 120/80 . I think what I’m trying to say is no matter how well or bad your recovery goes you may at some point in your journey become obsessed with something because of the experience of this operation it could be anything from exercise, diet, alcohol, blood pressure, sex, mortality, medication etc etc and why I’m even mentioning my experience with the blood pressure is that I know there will be loads of you out there if your being honest have experienced something similar with one of the suggestions above the good thing for me is that I’ve realised being obsessed with one thing can mean your missing out on just enjoying life especially the second life we have all been given so review what your doing and cut out any obsessions which may be barriers to just having fun 👍👍👍

It’s been one hell of a year lots of fun and laughter with a few speed bumps thrown in along the way I go away with a few close friends to Spain on Monday to celebrate my first anniversary I foolishly agreed to foot the bill 6 months ago when we had had a few beers and they have held me to it ....... Bastards !!!! No seriously I will never be able to thank my best friends enough for their love support and down right honesty which we all need from time to time.

I’m currently in a really really good space I’m happy and enjoying life and genuinely thankful to be here. If my blog helped one person come to terms with there own journey then it was a worthwhile exercise and it achieved what I’d intended it to do.............if it didn’t then bugger the lot of you lol 😂😂😂

Along the way I’ve spoken to some lovely people learned from other people’s experiences and made some friends along the way. Whether you are pre op and worried or post op remember your on your own journey of discovery and no two journeys are the same just be kind to the people around you because this is not just your journey your friends and family don’t have a choice they get taken on this journey as well sometimes kicking and screaming but most of them go willingly and we should all be grateful for the love and support they give us

I send you all hugs and kisses and hope you fulfil your dreams as I intend to fulfil mine

“THE JOURNEY SO FAR” IS OFFICIALLY SIGNED OFF ............and will now continue in private

Lots of love

Pete xx ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Great to hear you are in a good place! I am actually planning to buy a BP meter as last spot reading was 105/51 and am wondering if that is why I flop in heat? All the best going forward, MichaelJH

[Ticktock61 in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi Michael great to hear from you from the research I’ve done on blood pressure for myself would suggest tnat reading is low especially the Diastolic that is low and yes you will wilt in the sun if I was you I’d have my dosages checks on my meds maybe one of the doses is too high lowering your blood pressure too much ......... only a thought

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Ticktock61]

I tend to agree but when I was in doctor's it was slightly higher. This afternoon I picked up an Omron, with memory, so I can collect some readings. When my BP dropped to a similar figure when I had a leg angioplasty they were thinking of giving me a pint (blood not Guinness)!

[Ticktock61 in reply to MichaelJH]

You can download the app and transfer the readings from the machine to your app as a permanent record to show your GP and consultant

[Lezzers]

Fantastic story and so positive. Thank you for posting. Best wishes for you continuing good health. Take care

[Ticktock61 in reply to Lezzers]

Thank you so much

Take care yourself

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

Glad to hear you're doing well. Your posts have given me quite a few laughs. Hope you enjoy your trip to Spain, and well done on the perfect score of 120/80

[Ticktock61 in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Lovely to hear you’ve had a few laughs and enjoyed the posts thank you so much ❤️

[Zena166]

As ever Pete a brilliant read as well as being thoughtful and insightful. I am sure many have benefited from your experiences which have been honest and open. I am sooooo pleased and delighted for you. What a difference a year makes. What a journey but you have made it and been able to support others along the way which is fantastic. I look forward to hearing from you in the coming years. Take care and sending big hugs and lots of love. Zxxx😘

[Ticktock61 in reply to Zena166]

As also Z fantastic to hear from you as you have always been one of my greatest supporters and a lovely lady

Big hugs and kisses

Pete xx ❤️❤️❤️

[Robinangel]

Congratulations on another inspiring post and yes, I am sure you have helped lots of people with your honest approach and great sense of fun. Certainly your posts helped me during some worried moments and for that I thank you. Enjoy your holiday and I wish you a long, happy and healthy life!

[Ticktock61 in reply to Robinangel]

Hi

Lovely to hear from you and for you to say I helped

I hope your journey goes well and wish you all the best for the future xx ❤️

[-fudge-]

Hi Pete sooo good to hear from you.

Was actually thinking only this morning how you were doing.... pyschic or what lol.

I'm so happy to hear your doing well and in a good place.

I am sure you have helped many of us with your journey......

You have certainly helped me and cheered me up with your fab sense of humour on many occasions. 🤣

I am still on the 'watch and wait ' for my aortic valve replacement.

Wishing you a great holiday with your friends. 😎🍺and lots of hugs and best wishes x

[Ticktock61 in reply to -fudge-]

Hi Fudge

It’s always lovely to hear from you

I can’t believe your still on the watch and wait list but it will happen when it happens and when it does please feel free to message me and I will try my best to help and support you

Cheers

Pete x ❤️❤️

[Hidden]

Hi Pete,

Can’t believe it’s a year since your op.! Despite all the ups and downs, there’s one thing that stayed constant, and that was your sense of humour! 😂 It’s great to hear that you are doing well, and I hope it continues.

Going to miss the posts!

All the best,

Keith

[Ticktock61 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Keith

Yes where has the time gone

I hope your doing well and enjoying life to the full

Pete x ❤️❤️

[invictaAlec]

Hiya Pete,

Nice to hear from you one more time. Glad to see you doing well. Thanks for the tip on Bisoprolol. It might come in handy if I can get the attention of the nice looking lady who has recently joined my local walking group (nudge nudge, wink wink LOL).

Congrats on the nice blood pressure figures. I just had a (delayed) annual review at my local surgery, and got congratulated on my good cholesterol score of 2.5. Then was told to reduce my carb intake! I was so pleased, I went and treated myself to a Chinese takeaway that evening.

Seriously mate - its been a nice bonus knowing you through this forum.

All the best.

Alec.

[Ticktock61 in reply to invictaAlec]

Hi Alec great to hear from you

I hope the nice looking lady in the walking group fancies you too and you guys get it together . I wish my cholesterol was 2.5 well done mate

All the best for the future mate

Pete x❤️❤️

[Suzy1954]

Fantastic. Enjoy your holiday 👍

[Ticktock61 in reply to Suzy1954]

Thank you Suzy

Hope your doing well

Pete x❤️

[Suzy1954 in reply to Ticktock61]

Fine thank you. I’ve probably said this before, but I’m post 33 years AVR and still here 🤣 Take care 👍

[Ticktock61 in reply to Suzy1954]

That’s great to know

You take care too x

[Nic25]

Hey Pete my old friend. So good to hear from you and equally so good that all is well and you're in a good place both mentally and physically. Wow, one year already! You've done so well - well then we all have haven't we! You're right about obsessing about BP. When the batteries on my (cheap) one died I decided not to replace them. After all if it is high what am I going to do about it but worry and make it worse? Ditto my Fitbit thing and always checking heart rate. Again it died the other day and was almost a relief almost not to be able to check and just get on with life! It does your head in this heart stuff!

Having said that I'm also good. Busy with work, family and stuff - almost as if it never happened. Just the big scar fading. But yes do feel really grateful still and of course lucky that for me the whole process has (so far) been so uneventful. Long may that last! My one-year is three months away still but I'll definitely mark it! Fortunately I made no beer promises!

You helped so many of us with your "journey" - me especially when I was otherwise in a pretty dark and frightened place mentally. So thank you again. I've tried to do a bit the same ever since on here but you'll always be "the man" not to mention the most graphic/honest!

Good luck with life, the universe and everything - and do stay in touch if you want. If you're not too busy living life to the full of course 😊

[Ticktock61 in reply to Nic25]

Hi Nic

So lovely to hear from you as I always thought me and you were pretty similar in outlook. I think it’s great as blokes we can open up and be honest. I can’t off the site for a while but I’ve just read your six month update and it was great full of honesty and emotion ..... well done pal I’m sure it helped others

Keep in touch my friend and I hope your journey going forward us full of joy and happiness and you achieve everyone of your wishes

Pete x ❤️❤️

[Nic25 in reply to Ticktock61]

Thanks Pete. Very kind of you! Yep let's try and be very un-male and keep in touch. And if ever you find yourself on the south coast (I'm in Gosport) or even nearby it'd be great to meet properly and er compare scars or something. Ditto for you. Hope things stay positive and healthy. Nic x ❤

[Ticktock61 in reply to Nic25]

It would be fantastic to meet up at some point and put a face to the name I bet we’d have a right laugh over a beer

Stay safe my friend

Pete x❤️

[Green_55]

Hi,

Very pleased for you, I am glad it went well. I am still relatively new to the forum so I had to go back to read some of your earlier posts. The time will come when I will have to have an aortic valve replacement. I am currently weighting up the mechanical and biological valve options so I was particular interested in an earlier post when you said you went for the edwards valve with a potential lifespan of 30 years. That sounds attractive (for want of a better phrase) could you tell me where the figure of 30 years came from?

[Nic25 in reply to Green_55]

Hey Green_55. Good luck! Just picked this up. I too (about three months after Pete) had an Edwards Inspiris and both my surgeon and (at the eight-week post-op) registrar said 20-25 to me (still considerably better than the more standard 10-15). Basically it's coated in a special anti-calcificant that means it should run for longer, apparently. However they also emphasised it is so new little there is little if any clinical data and (obviously) little in the way of long-term evaluation data available as yet. Also I'm not sure all hospitals offer it, but it is worth asking your surgeon about it (and/or pressing) either way and at least having the conversation I guess?

As this is a different thread, I won't clog things up here but happy to give you my thought process as to how I decided to go tissue if any use as it's not an easy decision.

But best of luck either way.

Nic x

[Ticktock61]

Hi

That came straight from the surgeons mouth prior to me deciding which valve to go for

[Green_55]

Thanks for that. That will help me make my decision .

[ITSINTHEBAG9]

Wonderful. Xxx

[Ticktock61 in reply to ITSINTHEBAG9]

Thank you sweetheart XX

[Samgeorge]

Hi Pete,

Looking into this option myself as an active 52 year old with severe aortic stenosis. Not read all your posts but will be sure to do so, but can you just clarify what are the meds you have a to take on a daily basis with this type of valve?

Take care

Sam

[Ticktock61 in reply to Samgeorge]

Hi Sam

Just spotted your message

These are the meds I take on a daily basis pretty standard after an Aortic Valve replacement

Lansoprazole 15 mg

Ramipril 1.25mg

Atorvastatin 10mg

Aspirin 75 mg

With this kind of Valve there’s No need to take warfarin which is the biggest plus

The lansoprazole is to line your stomach for protection to be able to take the aspirin

I’m quite lucky as I think what I take is the bare minimum and all quite low dosages ..... but everyone is different some people take lots more tablets and need higher dosages

I originally took Atorvastatin at 20 mg but they gave me pain in my joints and muscles so reducing it to 10 mg sorted out the problem

I have no side effects AT ALL from taking the meds on a daily basis and I take them all at breakfast time and it just becomes second nature

My sister in law bought me two pill box sets with days of the week on so I sort my meds out once a fortnight and just grab the relevant days pills each day

Hope this helps

Pete

[Samgeorge in reply to Ticktock61]

Thanks so much Pete for the really useful info. I have no other conditions heart or blood related so hopefully could keep to the minimum too.

Thanks again and take care

Sam

[Ticktock61 in reply to Samgeorge]

Sam your welcome

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you want to ask anything at all

Enjoy the rest of your Bank Holiday in the sunshine

Pete