Wow!
Wow!
I couldn't believe it when I got on the website and had all this info. to respond to. Yippeee. It feels great to have a sounding board. I'll make this a blanket response and try and get all the answers in. Sorry this is long. I need to vent.
It sounds like it is a good idea I'm calling the surgeon tomorrow to set this up in February. I haven't received the cardiologist report yet (and of course, because of shock
didn't think to ask) since we just got back from the Mayo on Friday. The number I received was a valve size of 37 on 6/05 and a 55 on 1/07 which my cardiologist said went from moderate stenosis to severe.
In 6/05 my other number was 1.0, I believe, but because I was feeling good they didn't do anything. Lately, I have SOB (when going up; stairs or a snowhill), fatigue and the top (or tip) of my tongue has been periodically numb the last 3 weeks. Odd . . .
Most of my symptoms started in '95 after I gave birth to my daughter. It started out a week after my daughter was born when I went temporarily blind in one eye. I put myself on daily aspirin. I knew something was amiss. I started having double vision. I actually felt a twisting behind my eyes and felt as though one would feel if you try and cross your eyes. But nothing outwardly was noticed by my hubbie.
After going to eye doctors and cardiologists, I was diagnosed w/BAV. So here goes my 8 year trip w/TIAs. In '96, I went numb on the left side of my body. Periodically, my left leg was heavy and painful, my tongue would be numb, odd back pain in one spot, shooting up my arm, left little finger and side of hand numb, chest pains, heart skips and palpitations, still had consistent double vision and SOB (misdiagnosed as asthma in which I was on an inhaler for 3 years!).
Looking back now as I write this, I still can't believe they waited this long. I'm not one of those 'hysterical' women and not so stressed out that these symptoms would happen.
We finally got insurance in which I was able to go to the Mayo! Thank you God. I wanted a second opinion (more like 8th opinion). Mayo diagnosed me w/the PFO (hole in my heart) and FVL (clotting disorder) and I had my PFO fixed 1/03 and started my coumadin regimen. After about 6 months, I hadn't felt so good. My only restriction was not to run a marathon. Oh, darn. Didn't have to worry about that.
I also had and still have dizziness and vertigo. Even the Mayo hasn't figured this one out. I've had this for as long as I can remember. I'll be walking along and all of a sudden I'll start veering to the right and seem to want to pass out, but don't. Another 'EPISODE' (how I've come to 'not like' that word) happens either sitting or standing. All of a sudden it feels like something just slammed into my head and throws me for a loop. But I never pass out. I know there's more odd symptoms-can't remember them all. I saw too many cardiologists who just wanted me to go on Coumadin. I'm so glad I didn't at that time because my other diagnoses probably wouldn't have happened.
Right now, my only concern is for my daughter. I'm going to wrap up some small gifts for her and have my husband give them to her each day when I have the surgery. Like an inspirational bookmark, cross/angel necklace, inspirational sayings. We're not worrying about this. I told her it's out of my control and why worry? Not saying we don't have our moments.
Well, that's about it (you asked!).
Thanks,
jackie
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1995 - TIAs started, Aspirin started
2003 - PFO (hole in heart) plugged
2003 - FVL (clotting disorder) diagnosed, Coumadin started
2/2007 - BAV w/severe stenosis, Mechanical Valve likely, Dr. Suri-Mayo Clinic
Expect the best. Prepare for the worse.
I intend to live forever -- so far, so good.