Hello,
Sorry for the slow reply. I've been busy getting everything ready for my pending surgery.

The trip we had planned was cancelled when wife's mom became ill. Mom is doing much better now. It went as far as here being placed in Hospice. Once in Hospice with all the machines and IV's disconnected her body started working again. She is back at her assisted living and we see her every day.
My Cardiologist said I was OK to fly. I went to see a surgeon early in December and I will be having my Aortic Valve replaced on the 31st of January here in Austin, Texas at St. Davids. This is my third chest opening and I was hoping for a TAVR but since my existing valve is Bicuspid it is not a candidate for that procedure. I am really bummed about having the chest opened. I work for myself now so the time away from work will be costly. I know exactly what I am in for. Recovering from my Aortic Aneurysm in 2005 was the most physically demanding thing I have ever done. This will be tough going for me in February.

Bruce