I had my aortic root reconstruction on june 6th, and as I reported in an earlier email, I quickly got ahead of the curve on recovery. I was discharged on the 4th day, and 6 days after the operation was able to walk 1/4 mile out, rest, walk back. Things have continued very well. All the scabby bits have fallen off my scar, and the scar itself is flattening out and losing its color. I still have to sneeze or cough with great care to avoid chest pain, but other than that, I go hours without noticing any chest pain at all -- except that, riding in the car, the pressure of the shoulder belt makes it burn a little. For the first 2 weeks it was startling how easily I got tired. Just showering, dressing, and eating breakfast wiped me out and demanded a half-hour rest in the armchair. An hour at the computer, and another half-hour rest. This effect is starting to fade. I still poop out fairly easily, and sometimes in the late afternoon I come all over cranky and fretful and achy -- I wish I was a child so I could whimper and climb into my mommy's lap. ;-) But for several hours a day I feel just -- normal! After 2 weeks I set up my recumbent bicycle on a wind-trainer in the garage, and began doing cautious, half-hour spinning sessions. (The advantage of a recumbent bike is that there is no load at all on the upper body -- you don't lean on the handlebars.) I did check with my cardiologist first, and he said this was alright to do. Before my operation, people on these lists inspired me with their dramatic tales of crisis & suffering, and I'm sorry I can't contribute another one. But maybe it helps to know that for some people, at least, cardiac surgery goes pretty well. Dave Cortesi