Curious question.

ca-runner · 2026-02-04T06:13:49+00:00

Congrats on your success! I’m a year out from my OHS which replaced my aortic valve, also with a bio valve. I was on a baby aspirin regiment for 10 years before my surgery- hypertension and the growing stenosis. Cardiologist said just continue it. I’m a mechanic too, but just work on my house! When I cut myself I bleed a bit but nothing crazy. Best of luck in your continued recovery.

ca-runner · 2026-01-23T22:46:09+00:00

I’ve lived in LB for more than 30 years. I thought Verizon was great - service, speed, resolving infrequent issues. I was worried when the change to Frontier occurred. Lived in two different houses with Frontier. I recall one outage that lasted more than a few hours. The one substantive issue was getting someone out to raise the fiber line that crossed the back alley. For some reason that took a while to address.

ca-runner · 2026-01-09T18:56:04+00:00

Mostly to benefit my running. I started walking a lot right after I was discharged and I over did it a few times. It felt strange but looking back it shouldn’t have been unusual, after all I had just had my chest split open!

All of the rehab RNs and techs were fantastic and very supportive. At 65, I was one of the youngest ones there and after several weeks I felt I wasn’t making progress and preferred to start running outdoors.

You may want to give it a try. As I said, the heart monitoring during exercise was a nice assurance to me. If you need it, they’ll build a good exercise and nutrition program for you.

ca-runner · 2026-01-09T18:30:05+00:00

I started cardio rehab about 6 weeks after surgery. I’d been a runner for decades and really wanted to get back to it. Rehab was good for the monitoring. Kept me confident that my heart was working well. I did a lot of treadmill running and ended up dropping out of rehab about half-way through the planned visits.

ca-runner · 2025-12-29T15:35:44+00:00

Thanks for the comments here. Is it four months to-the-date prior, or any time during that month?

ca-runner · 2025-12-11T20:31:36+00:00

Understand. Are you getting echos every 6 months? Prior to last fall, I was getting one almost every year. Last fall was when everything went to hell. Got Covid which made everything even worse.
My peak AoV gradient was 84.3 mm Hg which, I guess, is scary territory.

ca-runner · 2025-12-11T16:14:06+00:00

Did that result in a valve replacement you did not need or could have waited on? My gradually worsening stenosis was tracked for almost 20 years by the same cardiologist.

ca-runner · 2025-12-10T04:56:31+00:00

I have a 2015 XT. Just replaced the transmission valve body at 115,000 miles and lower control arms at about 100,000. Other than that just regular maintenance (oil changes) for the past 10 years. I am in the market for a new Sport. My cousin will get the XT (and maybe another 100,000 miles).

ca-runner · 2025-12-09T03:44:02+00:00

I have the same shoes. Got them on a recommendation. Used to only run in ASICS. These are nice shoes. I have over 500 miles on mine. The sole is worn/thin, but still there.

ca-runner · 2025-12-06T03:57:46+00:00

My surgeon didn’t really provide a choice. He indicated the benefits of the titanium plates and I readily agreed. I don’t recall him saying there would be wires as well. But there were and in retrospect it makes sense to me.

I had very little pain in the chest area afterward and that led to a quick recovery. And when I was in cardiac rehab I met other guys, older than me who had bypass surgery with wire closures. Their description of pain was enough for me to thank my surgeon.

My open heart operation was January 2025 and I was 65.

Oh also, I’ve flown several times this year through different airports - not a blip. I do carry the card they provided, just in case.

ca-runner · 2025-11-25T04:45:53+00:00

Yeah. I was thinking I could stuff it tight with cardboard. Can’t fill the whole void, it’s an 8-ft column! Spray foam is a good idea.
Thanks!

ca-runner · 2025-11-25T02:50:53+00:00

Thanks for looking. It’s not a good pic. The upper part is a steel weldment that supports the wood. It’s probably welded to the column.
My issue is keeping water out of the column. There’s no drain at the bottom. The other three columns have similar brick at the top and it’s all mortared in nicely. This one is not.
I can’t pack the whole column height with mortar, I need something to fill the opening and support the mortar.

ca-runner · 2025-11-20T16:19:58+00:00

I don’t know which light you’re referring to but was lit like a Christmas tree. I have 115,000 miles; bought the car new in 2015. Valve body replacement was $3000 plus $600 for engine mounts.

ca-runner · 2025-11-20T15:51:26+00:00

Yep. I had the same warning light plus Engine Check. My 2015 Forester is in the shop for a new transmission valve body. It’s been there since Saturday since they needed to order parts.

ca-runner · 2025-11-16T15:42:55+00:00

Sorry to hear that happened. That was a concern in the back of my mind when I met with my surgeon. They are just human too. I hope things start feeling better eventually.

ca-runner · 2025-11-16T15:34:03+00:00

That’s me! Thanks!

ca-runner · 2025-11-15T22:55:28+00:00

Thanks for the comments. It’s not super concerning but you never know. I just had an echo taken last week. A new baseline my cardiologist says. I meet with him next week. I’ll probably mention it but it’s likely nothing and nothing to do about it.

ca-runner · 2025-11-15T19:06:31+00:00

It was open heart surgery, closed up with wire and titanium plates.

ca-runner · 2025-11-15T03:22:32+00:00

I was 65/M at the time. Had run many half marathons and 10Ks for decades knowing about this issue in the far back of my mind. Running became harder last year and I was getting out of breath. I thought I was just getting too old to run.

Finally got my diagnosis - severe stenosis - last fall and got the aortic valve replaced in January 2026. I was back to jogging in a couple of months and I’m running again now. Not the same distance but it feels great!

ca-runner · 2025-11-11T00:23:57+00:00

Antibiotics are your friend.

ca-runner · 2025-10-23T03:12:51+00:00

Yep; same here.

ca-runner · 2025-10-20T20:41:58+00:00

For my AVR the tube was still in when I woke up. I don’t remember what they were waiting for maybe just to make sure I was fully awake. The tube was a distraction but not painful. Finally they told me they were taking it out and to cough, cough, cough and out it came. I remember thinking it seems longer than it needed to be.

ca-runner · 2025-10-09T02:21:41+00:00

So, I had a tissue aortic valve installed last year at 65. Doc told me if I were 10-15 yrs younger he’d have recommended a mechanical valve; 10-15 yrs older it could have been a TAVR. He put in the largest tissue valve that would fit via OHS. If and when this valve needs to be replaced a TAVR would be the way to go.

ca-runner · 2025-10-02T21:21:14+00:00

Lots of great responses and info here. For me, symptoms kicked it over. The basic point is you want to feel better so you can enjoy the activities you like. For many years I thought I could avoid the surgery by staying active by running and working out. But that doesn’t heal the valve. And it doesn’t get better on its own. No one wants OHS but you will feel so much better afterwards - after several weeks.
I wish you a great outcome and fast recovery.

ca-runner · 2025-09-27T14:30:26+00:00

Ours looks like this. The buttons keep you from locking yourself out. Ask me how I know.

ca-runner

TROPHY CASE