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palmaceae

palmaceae

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
280
Location
Eastern TN
My name is Randy and I am 46 and have a Bicuspid aortic valve that is severely leaking and needs to be replaced. I see a surgeon today to see what the next steps are. My journey started about 8 years ago when I found out I had GERD and a hiatal hernia. I have had trouble since then with health issues, but in the last couple years I noticed I was getting short of breath walking, I thought that I was just getting old and it was normal. 3 years ago my Father died suddenly of a massive heart attack, and all his brothers and sisters had heart attacks or other heart issues beginning in their 40's and 50's, so I thought I should get a check up. I took a stress test 3 years ago and found all was OK except for my cholesterol numbers, in which I have been working on for the past few years. But my cough was getting worse, I was getting chest pain and tightness and my breathlessness was getting scary so I saw my GP a few months ago. She referred me to a pulmonologist and after not really finding anything there I went to see a cardiologist. I had a pulmonary stress test and a regular cardio stress test, found my ejection fraction was a bit low at 45% in my LV. My cardiologist was concerned with my symptoms so he had me have a angiogram a month ago and found no blockages. So he had me take a echo and found that my aortic valve was leaking severely. To verify that finding I had a TEE done last week and they verified the severity of the leak and that is when I found out I had a bicuspid valve, they said the leak was a 3+ (I guess there is a "stage" of 1-4?). So I have 2 cardiologist recommending surgery, and today I get to see the surgeon to see what he says.
I know a lot of people hope they don't have to have surgery, but I want it because I want to get well again! I am anxious not because of the surgery but because of the process to get to this point. Of course that may change the moment I am in the hospital to get this done :D
I am really praying this meeting with the surgeon goes well today and that I can have this fixed asap!
Randy


Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
 
Welcome Randy,
Good Luck with your meeting the surgeon. Some times not knowing exactly how long you have to wait to fix the problem is actually worse than getting the surgery. I too had a bi-cuspid aortic valve which in fact gave me NO problem until about 1 year before my surgery, but like you I thought I was just too fat and getting old. Wrong!, anyway 5 months before my surgery I ended up in the hospital for an non-heart related matter, but they took a good look at my valve and suddenly I was the center of attention. I saw 2 cardiologists, to convince me something was truly wrong, then the surgeon at the beginning or May 2008 and had my surgery May 19, 2008. Now that I am fixed, I have never felt better. So hopefully you will get some good answers about mending your leaky valve. Best Wishes:D
 
Hello!! Welcome to our wonderful community. Indeed, you will almost certainly feel so much better once they have given you a new valve!!! Your head is in the game!!! Good job!!

The most important consideration at this point (and one that will make your head spin) is to choose your valve type. Tissue vs. mechanical. Because of your age, you will almost certainly be advised mechanical or there is a rather new valve, the On-X which many here are raving about. Be sure to have a good conversation with the surgeon about valves.

Also, don't be afraid to get another quick opinion from a different surgeon if you feel the need to. Many of us do, just on principle, but you may feel that you don't have the time. That's fine. You just want to feel confidence in your choice. That will make the journey so much easier.

Be sure to learn of any mild damage you may have already done to your heart and understand how long it will take the heart to repair itself (re-model) after your surgery. That can slow recovery down some, but ususally is not anything huge you have to worry about. Just something interesting to know.

Start a new thread, here, with each particular kind of question you may have. More members will see it that way and you'll get more info.

Our search button works great if you are wanting info. And we have a good resources forum.

Again, welcome aboard!!!

Best wishes.

Marguerite
 
Welcome Randy. Apparently we are in the same "Neck o' the woods." I was feeling so awful before my surgery that I was begging for it. So I know what you mean.
 
Welcome, I too had a bi-cuspid aortic valve. I chose the surgeon my Doctor recomended, I liked his record, and his office also did a bypass on my Brother. Good luck, you seem to know what you want.
 
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. I met with the surgeon today and I really liked him. I decided on a tissue valve and the surgery will either be this coming Friday, or March 9th. The surgeon is on vacation next week, but I really want it done soon, so hopefully Friday! He was a little tentative of being gone vacation when I am recuperating, but there are other good surgeons on his staff so they can take care of me while I recuperate. But it is in God's hands when it happens, I am just glad it will happen very soon.
Thanks again!
 
WOW! Good for you.
I just wanted to say "Hi" and Welcome to the forum Randy.

Remember to cut your toe nails before you go in. It may be a while before you can reach that low after surgery oh yea, bring ear plugs :)
 
Welcome in, Randy. If you're not impressed by your surgeon, don't be afraid to look for another. Make sure the surgeon does a lot of these every year. Experience helps.

Your case is another one to highlight just how useless stress tests are for diagnosis in most cases.

Be well,
 
palmaceae said:
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. I met with the surgeon today and I really liked him. I decided on a tissue valve and the surgery will either be this coming Friday, or March 9th. The surgeon is on vacation next week, but I really want it done soon, so hopefully Friday! He was a little tentative of being gone vacation when I am recuperating, but there are other good surgeons on his staff so they can take care of me while I recuperate. But it is in God's hands when it happens, I am just glad it will happen very soon.
Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Gee, that was quick!:eek:
When will you know if it's scheduled for Friday? Please let us know.
 
tobagotwo said:
Welcome in, Randy. If you're not impressed by your surgeon, don't be afraid to look for another. Make sure the surgeon does a lot of these every year. Experience helps.

Your case is another one to highlight just how useless stress tests are for diagnosis in most cases.

Be well,
Click to expand...

Yes, I am very impressed with the surgeon, he has been practicing for 42 years, taught at Loyola for a long time and started the cardiac center there at Alexian Bros.
 
Good Luck Randy.
Try to post when you can to let us know how your surgery and recovery progress. And yes, ultimately with God all things are possible. "If HE brings you to it, HE will bring you through it"
 
escargome said:
Good Luck Randy.
Try to post when you can to let us know how your surgery and recovery progress. And yes, ultimately with God all things are possible. "If HE brings you to it, HE will bring you through it"
Click to expand...

So true, as in Mark 9:23 "Jesus said to him, ?If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.?
 
Hi Randy and Welcome. WOW that was quick. I checked this site briefly before I went to work this morning and then now and this is the first I have seen this post. Went from going to see the doc to maybe surgery Friday. I am glad for you because I know this is what you want. Let us know what the surgeon decides.
 
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