M
MyBloodRunnethOrange
Hello,
Let me first introduce myself and say thank you for allowing me to be a part of this community. I have been lurking as a guest for sometime now but decided to join up today as my surgery is approaching fast.
I'm a 34 year-old father of a beautiful two-year old little girl and lucky husband of a beautiful and caring wife. I was diagnosed at age 22 with my problem quite by accident. I was seeing my GP for mononucleosis when he found my murmur. I had an echo done the following day and found out my aortic valve was leaking. I have been monitered annually ever since and was placed on a low dosage beta blocker and then later an ACE inhibitor. My heart has tolerated the leaking well until late last year when some noticeable changes were seen.
Fast forward to February of this year, and I had decided I was going to the CCF for my surgery based on their outstanding reputation. Dr. Lars Svensson is my surgeon of choice based on several references and also on my particular needs. I will have a mechanical valve with a dacron graft installed to also repair my aortic aneurysm. This surgery is now scheduled for May 3, 2007.
Here's where things get exciting. I had researched extensively trying to decide the best mechanical valve for me. With alot of help from this forum and other sources, I decided that the On-X valve was the right choice for me. However, Dr. Svensson indicated to me that he preferred the St. Jude valve due to it's proven track record. That was my second choice, so I still felt comfortable with his preference.... at least until last night.
Something has been nagging at me for the last few weeks causing me to revisit my thoughts on the On-X valve. After re-reading the stories of many satisfied On-X valvers here (particularly Randy from Wisconsin), I decided that it was worth a shot to try and convince Dr. Svensson to reconsider using the On-X.
Today, I contacted Ms. Burnett at MCRI in Texas to enlist her help. I inquired about a rep possibly meeting with Dr. Svensson to compare the On-X with the St. Jude... much like Randy did with Dr. Petterson in his quest to recieve the On-X. Ms. Burnett was outstanding! She was not only extremely compassionate about my situation, she was incredibly knowledgeable about her product and confident she could assist me. I highly encourage anyone wishing to learn more about the On-X valve to visit their website and give Ms. Burnett a call.
I am now waiting to hear what Dr. Svensson thinks... and hoping and praying that he will agree to use the On-X for the first time with me. Please keep your fingers crossed for me and keep me in your prayers. I'll keep everyone posted on how everything goes just as soon as I know something. Thanks again for the wealth of info here and making me feel like I'm not alone. It is indeed a great comfort to me.
Sorry for the novel.
Chris
Let me first introduce myself and say thank you for allowing me to be a part of this community. I have been lurking as a guest for sometime now but decided to join up today as my surgery is approaching fast.
I'm a 34 year-old father of a beautiful two-year old little girl and lucky husband of a beautiful and caring wife. I was diagnosed at age 22 with my problem quite by accident. I was seeing my GP for mononucleosis when he found my murmur. I had an echo done the following day and found out my aortic valve was leaking. I have been monitered annually ever since and was placed on a low dosage beta blocker and then later an ACE inhibitor. My heart has tolerated the leaking well until late last year when some noticeable changes were seen.
Fast forward to February of this year, and I had decided I was going to the CCF for my surgery based on their outstanding reputation. Dr. Lars Svensson is my surgeon of choice based on several references and also on my particular needs. I will have a mechanical valve with a dacron graft installed to also repair my aortic aneurysm. This surgery is now scheduled for May 3, 2007.
Here's where things get exciting. I had researched extensively trying to decide the best mechanical valve for me. With alot of help from this forum and other sources, I decided that the On-X valve was the right choice for me. However, Dr. Svensson indicated to me that he preferred the St. Jude valve due to it's proven track record. That was my second choice, so I still felt comfortable with his preference.... at least until last night.
Something has been nagging at me for the last few weeks causing me to revisit my thoughts on the On-X valve. After re-reading the stories of many satisfied On-X valvers here (particularly Randy from Wisconsin), I decided that it was worth a shot to try and convince Dr. Svensson to reconsider using the On-X.
Today, I contacted Ms. Burnett at MCRI in Texas to enlist her help. I inquired about a rep possibly meeting with Dr. Svensson to compare the On-X with the St. Jude... much like Randy did with Dr. Petterson in his quest to recieve the On-X. Ms. Burnett was outstanding! She was not only extremely compassionate about my situation, she was incredibly knowledgeable about her product and confident she could assist me. I highly encourage anyone wishing to learn more about the On-X valve to visit their website and give Ms. Burnett a call.
I am now waiting to hear what Dr. Svensson thinks... and hoping and praying that he will agree to use the On-X for the first time with me. Please keep your fingers crossed for me and keep me in your prayers. I'll keep everyone posted on how everything goes just as soon as I know something. Thanks again for the wealth of info here and making me feel like I'm not alone. It is indeed a great comfort to me.
Sorry for the novel.
Chris
