Nigel, I am in a situation similar to that you were in a year ago. I am 34 years old but other than that the details are similar. I am scheduled for surgery in late January.

Your page really helped me think about stuff and arranging my life. Thanks so much for putting it up on the web.
Ben Kavanagh

Your helpful website
Congratulations on the quality of your site, but more importantly, thank you for the moral support it's given me. I'm a fair bit older at 58, but also a hill walker (100+ Munroes and three treks in Himalayas and Andes). I'm also a working commercial pilot, so the result of my TOE before Christmas was a bit of a shock.

Angiogram on Tuesday next, then surgery as soon as the decision on who and when.

Good to hear someone else's experience, which all ties in pretty well with what I've been told to expect, so we hope for the best. Good luck with the continuing recovery and enjoyment of life!
Howard Hollingsbee

Thank you
Just a note to give you thanks for the "my heart op" webpages. Such a relief to read. My husband was told last week that he has a serious leak from his mitral valve and that it will need repair. Unfortunately he wasn't told what would be involved in that repair and so while we await a medical appointment and the opportunity to ask questions, we've been imagining all kinds of surgical options. It was so good to come across your webpages and read about your experiences. I've printed them off and we'll both read and re-read them I'm sure.

Thank you so much for taking the trouble to commit your experience to the web. Its made a huge difference. I'll let other people know about it.
'Maureen Browell'

Hello Nigel

After 24 years with a diagnosed prolapsed mitral value, and ongoing monitoring all that time, technology has finally caught up with me. My specialist, with the benefit of equipment that can now more accurately monitor and benchmark the performance of the value and heart chambers, is now talking about elective surgery. That is likely to arise in either late 2004 or early 2005 (the timing actually being influenced by several months of unrelated surgery in the intervening period upon one of my children).

A cousin in Mansfield, Notts, alterted me to your website and it has proved to be an excellent lead. Prior to this I was definitely having difficulty finding advice from either individuals or support groups to give me insights to the surgical procedures, the risks and the rehabilitation. Sadly, though predictably based on our experience with surgeons this last 15 years, General Practitioners and specialists are also poor communicators and/or providers of information.

I'm still digesting both the details of your own account, and some of the data to which you have provided links. However, I'm in a far more aware position as a consequence and the next time I meet with my specialists, there will be many more direct and pointed questions to which responses will be sought.

I hope things are continuing to progress well in your own recovery.

Regards
Pat McQuin Adelaide, South Australia

Dear Nigel,
I am involved with service improvement for cardiac surgery - with the aim of improving experiences and outcomes for patients and carers using Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
Your web site is a great source of information - and I feel would be very reassuring to anyone who may have to undergo valvular surgery.
Sara Quickfall, Cardiac Surgery Redesign Manager
www.modern.nhs.uk

Dear Nigel
I have just re-read your website and I think that it could be very beneficial to people with the same problems. I will recommend it to anyone I hear of who is waiting for valve surgery. Keep up the good work.
Gill Impey, Cardiac Rehab

I have also had Mitral valve repair, but not so fortunate as a fortnight later I received a metal valve - ticking away happily. I am a year younger than you, and had suspected rhumatic fever as a child, and a murmur throughout my active working life at sea. I am responsible for the BCPA website, and hope it has been helpful.
I will be in Blackpool at the end of February for a Volunteers conference, representing Papworth Hospital - so I'll hear about the local Cardiac Hospital. Nice to hear from the Lake District (my wife hails from a little village called Barrow-in-Furness!)
Regards, David Smith (Trustee BCPA Zipper club)

As promised, just had a look at the updated web site, that is to the 28th. December. I believe the lay -out is about right. As I said on the phone when I get a reply from the N.H.S. people I will be in touch. In the meantime, I wish you all the best for a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Regards, Eddie