AlbusTigris

I don't know you, but I love you. Dogs are the best!

The future replacement is probably something like this:

http://www.medtronic.com/melody/patient/therapy.html

I had a cadaver valve put in 20 years ago that's wearing out slowly, so I'm a candidate for one sometime in the near future. If you need someone to talk to that's been down the same road, I'm happy to help!