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It was a "no" for surgery number 1. Too complicated to do, not having enough of it,and somewhat dangerous if I did, by all accounts. Aortic valve is causing the atrial fibrillation, and until that is gone, binned and replaced,I will always be prone to episodes of it. Moving onwards to plan "B".I've had my "moment"and moved on. It's in the lap of the gods for the 29th.I shall remain fabulous until then, and in good spirits. Regards to all.

Hi Quark, you'll always be fabulous and it's good to remain in good spirits. Hang in there and great to hear from you x

Great to hear from you Quark .... keep up the fabulousness

Hi Quark - this is Kallis's husband. She's not able to post at the moment due to circumstances beyond her control but she has askedd that I give you her best wishes and hope that all goes well on the 29th.

Sorry you couldn't get you original surgery.

Sorry to hear things haven't gone as hoped....fingers crossed for the 29th.....good luck x

Glad to hear you are OK Quark, fingers crossed for the 29th for you

Thank you for your messages.I send my best wishes to Kallis, hoping everything is okay, thank you Mr. Kallis for stepping in.I know this saga seems to be going on an on, believe me I know. It's all about timing, the appropriate type of surgery, the safety of it, risks of taking lifelong blood thinners, and whether due to the nature of my disease, they would cause a bleed in my brain. Cow and Pig valves only last so long being before needing more surgery to replace them.I know I will end up having a pacemaker as well as the other bits done, there are lots of things to consider, which I probably hadn't understood fully for want of rushing to get it all done. The docs know exactly what they are doing, I'm seen monthly and if I do deteriorate again, they will do whatever is needed.The team are only a phone call away.I am quite responsive to my medication and still very young(ish) however, they are all aware of how long I have been symptomatic and my desire to get back to normal life. Which will happen, but safely and timely. All good.

Kallis says 'Hi'. Things will be sorted soon and hopefully be back to normal.

She has just filled me in on your problems and I can sympathise. I've had two bypasses (one a triple, one a quadruple), I've got ischaemic heart disease, angina, COPD - fit for the knackers yard really!!

I hope that you will be fighting fit again soon.

Thanks Harpic. Yeah, Jan said you've been through quite a lot and it's encouraging to know you are still about after it all. I'm sure you aren't ready for the knackers yard for many years to come. Ticker trouble isn't nice at all is it ? At any age. Mine is stable for a while, then starts playing up again. I get a bit of angina in the night sometimes,usually when I've fallen off my pillows and am lying flat, the spray gets rid of it, but gives me a booming headache. Still, as I've said I'm in safe hands and constantly having my check ups. I have my "moments" but try not to get too miserable about things. You just gotta crack on with it, innit.

Quark - I'm now 65 (old git!!) and had my first heart attack at age 32 so I've done well to get this far!! I've had my fair share of hospitalisation and operations and had enough to be honest!!

I'm still going though and I'm sure you will get through this.

I hate the sprays as well and only use then when I absolutely have to.

65 is nowhere near "old" man, I intend to live to 100. You are still very young. I'm very sorry to hear that you had a heart attack so young, just keep going, and from what I can gather, you have the very wonderful Jan to make sure that happens, some of
her comments have certainly given me a nice boot up the arse ! Seriously though, as long as there are hospitalisations and surgeries to keep us going, no matter how fed up one feels, I feel very fortunate they are there. Medications are awful, taste revolting, make you swell, and are a constant reminder, take them though, enjoy every day and you can't go b***** wrong. 65 ? old ? I wanna still be clubbing at 65. Take care both of you.

Quark - thank you for that. Jan thinks you are wonderful and we both hope that you keep going!! We both you are still out clubbing at 65!!

I take enough tablets/spray/inhalers every day to keep the average chemist shop going!! Then again, we are still here.

My dad died of a heart attack at 51, as did one of my older brothers. My other brother has no heart problems at all and I'm thankful I'm still going.

You should see my lot of beans, I'm like a Brazilian Maraca of a morning. Still they keep me going, and I really cannot wait to be not needing them all anymore. I've just learned I have aortic stenosis, which means my dodgy leaking valve is starting to stiffen up and close, whence more angina. Not long now though hopefully, and the whole lot will be cut out and replaced. I shall be purring like a brand new Austin Allegro, remember those jalopy's ???

Listen to you two! You're like a pair of old women discussing your ailments in the doctors waiting room!

Seriously, long may you both carry on!