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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services Comcast deal dropped along with Pac-12 Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 7: Lilia Caballero, Kevin Christiansen and Don Libby Charlie's hat case linked to earlier east Medford break-ins Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Charlie's hat case linked to earlier east Medford break-ins Butte Falls man shot at brother over dispute involving guns, documents claim Thieves steal disabled veteran's $20,000 wheelchair Medford man charged with attempted murder in domestic assault Politics and Elections Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Education Medford School Board, Position 7: Lilia Caballero, Kevin Christiansen and Don Libby Medford School Board, Position 5: Kim Wallan vs. Michael Campbell Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Ashland, Scenic win Brain Bowl competitions Needs improvement Environment Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Residents say armed mine supporters sully Josephine County's reputation Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste State News Oregon Senate backs ban on ivory sales Oregon considers gun control bill targeting domestic abusers New bill may curb Oregon medical marijuana growing operations 'Louie Louie' singer Jack Ely dies at 71 in Oregon Municipal officials object to proposed Oregon public records measure Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Kenneth Lee Barger Tanner Pascoe Helen Caster Death Notices James Bortvit Eike Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Spurs edge Clips on late call Bumgarner outduels Kershaw as Giants win Nats' huge rally overtakes Braves Third time’s a charm Crater crushes Ashland in MWL tilt Varsity 541 College Sports Oregon coaches, players ready to ‘split up and play’ Donahue, Beavers down USC at home King's single lifts OSU over No. 10 USC Emmert, Silver not on same page with one-and-dones Addison gets back into rhythm with Ducks Pro Sports Spurs edge Clips on late call Bumgarner outduels Kershaw as Giants win Nats' huge rally overtakes Braves Dolphins’ Jordan caught again, suspended for year Cavs' Love not expected to return for playoffs Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Comcast deal dropped along with Pac-12 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option Cars We Remember: Mr. Hot Rod’s 1966 Chevelle 396 Ride & Drive: 2015 Ford F-150 FX4 Real Estate News Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical People In Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Our View: Don't wait on public records reform Letters to the Editor, April 29 Kathleen Parker: Comedy, tragedy and fear of free speech Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting Letters to the Editor, April 28 Editorials Our View: Don't wait on public records reform Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting Our View: Sensation and sensibility: a balancing act Other Views: UO president search happened in the dark Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 29 Letters to the Editor, April 28 Letters to the Editor, April 27 Letters to the Editor, April 26 Letters to the Editor, April 25 Columns Kathleen Parker: Comedy, tragedy and fear of free speech Michael Gerson: Weighing the baggage Hillary brings With a song in prisoners' hearts George Will: A Graham candidacy's fun factor Dana Milbank: The TPP is an abomination Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Lifestyle Latest stories Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints Set a table from your local farmers market Let's do brunch! Lost in Suburbia: Tie a yellow ribbon ‘round the old oak bathroom Wry & Ginger: Birds of a feather flock and talk together Food Food for Thought: Grill up a storm as the weather gets warm Season Stepp: Make seared steak fajitas for Cinco De Mayo Prudence Hilburn: Funnel cakes range from sweet to savory Prudence Hilburn: Mayo now used as binding agent in baking Community blog: 'Good' sushi may be more rare than real wasabi Home and Garden Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints Home Help: Upgrade your entryway with simple DIY projects Costa Living: Basking in flower power Garden Cameos: Spring is time for azaleas in the garden Dear Monty: Seven costly mistakes of new real estate investors Health 'Game changer' for heart patients Health Watch: Tips for protecting your eyes Dr. Jeff Hersh: Could severe cramping mean endometriosis? Dr. Murray Feingold: Is pre-op testing for cataract surgery necessary? Community blog: What about Lucy? Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Milestones and Achievements ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' 5 picks for live entertainment this week A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Theater Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland REVIEW: 'Secret Love' strikes comical, poignant balance Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director Music Maria Muldaur at the Unitarian Fellowship Genticorum at Paschal Winery Southern Oregon Repertory Singers Live Music in Local Clubs The Farr Side: Slow disappearance of physical music Community Events A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Movies Movie review: ‘Lambert and Stamp’ doc tells who was behind The Who Reader Review: 'Danny Collins' a sentimental and funny tribute to John Lennon Reader Review: 'Birdman' for the birds Movie review: ‘Ex Machina’ is the droid you’re looking for Movie review: Fairly smooth sailing for ‘The Water Diviner’ Dining Set a table from your local farmers market Let's do brunch! Restaurant inspections: April 26, 2015 Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Don't wait on public records reform ... Oregon Senate backs ban on ivory sales ... Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) ... Our View: Don't wait on public records reform ... Oregon Senate backs ban on ivory sales ... Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) ... HEALTH 'Game changer' for heart patients New, less-invasive heart valve replacement surgery in place at Asante By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 27, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 27, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Sally Robisch has a lot more energy than she did a few months ago. The constant feeling of being worn out is gone. "I just feel happy," says Robisch, 83. "I just feel a lot better. You know, I'm not going to be the one running the marathon or going on the treadmill or all that, but I'm going to be a lot better off than I was." Robisch got a new aortic valve two months ago from a team of cardiac surgeons at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center who used a new procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement — or TAVR. Instead of opening the patient's chest, surgeons using the TAVR approach guide the valve into place through an artery in the top of the leg. The new valve, typically from a cow, is attached to a stainless steel mesh frame with a polyester wrap, then to a tube-like device called a balloon catheter, and inserted into the artery via a small incision. Surgeons guide the new valve through blood vessels until it reaches the aortic valve that needs to be replaced. Once there, the balloon at the catheter's tip crushes the old valve and expands the new one into place. "Don't get me wrong, this is still complicated, it's just much easier on the patient from their standpoint. We don't take anything out. We basically go in and move their valve aside to put this one in," says Angel Cross, Asante Heart Valve Program coordinator. The traditional surgery involves weeks of recovery and a host of physical limitations during the interim. With TAVR, patients are up and moving within days. About 10 Southern Oregon patients have undergone the procedure, including Robisch. Her problems began a few years ago when she started to feel extreme fatigue, especially after walks in the neighborhood around Rogue Valley Manor, where she lives. "It took a long time for this to come on," Robisch says. "We've been living at the Manor for 15 years, and when we first moved in — you know how hilly it is up there — we walked everyplace constantly." At first she chalked the exhaustion up to age. But bit by bit, it got worse. The nurse practitioner she usually meets with at the Manor sent her to get checked out.  "They realized I had a problem," Robisch says. "The aortic valve had just worn out from time." Dr. Kent Dauterman, an interventional cardiologist at Asante who heads up TAVR procedures with cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Charles Carmeci, said the procedure is relatively new. Since 2011, the Food & Drug Administration has approved two valve models that can be used, he said. "Frankly, this is a big game changer in how we treat people with valve disease," Dauterman says. "It'll be interesting to see how things evolve over the next five years. The TAVR procedure is for high-risk patients, he adds, including people who are frail or have severe liver or lung disease. Risk of death is about the same as with traditional open valve replacement surgery, and the risk of stroke is slightly higher. The tradeoff is decreased recovery time. "I thought that nobody my age was available for something like this," Robisch says. "Dr. Dauterman explained all of this to me, and it sounded like a piece of cake. And it was." She went in for the surgery on Feb. 12. Recovery was quick. Robisch says she doesn't recall any pain or difficulty following the procedure. "I was just amazed," Robisch says. Her journey isn't over yet. Two days a week, she's in physical therapy using different exercise machines to keep the valve working. She's still taking it easy, but there's ease in the breaths she takes. "It's just very, very slow, which made me happy," Robisch says. Beth Coker, a cardiac rehab supervisor, says the post-op therapy involves exercise and education. It's also a way to keep doctors apprised on how patients are faring. Robisch has been a joy to work with, she says. "It's her positive outlook that's turned her around so quickly," Coker says. "She's just a can-do kind of person." At a recent session, Robisch sat at one of the machines and moved her legs with ease. Hovering nearby, Coker gets updated on how she's doing. "Did you exercise yesterday, missy?" Coker asks. "I walked," Robisch says. "Alright, girlfriend," Coker says. "You keep smiling and keep your legs moving." Robisch does, beaming all the way. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 27, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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