So....yeahh.... 10 days since I went under the knife. I will not go in
too much detail about prior to surgery. Basically, I was ready to have
my valve replaced due to moderate to severe stenosis. For the last three
days since release from the hospital I am noticing improvements as was noted
while in the hospital. I think the pivotal point to this process is to note that
I switched doctors due to the feeling I wasn't going to make it to the next echo and seeing
I already moved several hours away, it would serve me well to both get a third opinion. The effort
to due simple things I felt was always a bit of a risk and efficently finding a network of health professionals
nearby was very important. Although, I don't know what my other cardiologist would have
recommended had I gone to him this one wanted to operate. I didn't argue. From
the echo, TVE, and CTscans it was enough to say let's go in. In hindsight the second
pivotal point was after surgery to discover the leaflets were almost non-existent. I can't
put a guesstimate as to how much time I had left.
With a St. Jude mechanical valve now in place the hospital staff said I recovered very quickly without
some sketchy standing moments initially. I did feel coming out of surgery different on all levels. Maybe,
the meds were really good but nonetheless have a proper functioning valve was liken to being a person with
a different body type. The blood flow to the brain and the cognition improvements that go along were reassuring.
Fromadvice and preparation, expectations were always in the back of my mind and yet I know those preconceived notions
can cloud ones judgement. I'm in a bit of disbelief that I am feeling well again and that after passing hurdles and goals
everyday, the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle is within reach. I am told that in about a month I will feel really good. That is
happening now. I can't fathom what will be available in ten years.
too much detail about prior to surgery. Basically, I was ready to have
my valve replaced due to moderate to severe stenosis. For the last three
days since release from the hospital I am noticing improvements as was noted
while in the hospital. I think the pivotal point to this process is to note that
I switched doctors due to the feeling I wasn't going to make it to the next echo and seeing
I already moved several hours away, it would serve me well to both get a third opinion. The effort
to due simple things I felt was always a bit of a risk and efficently finding a network of health professionals
nearby was very important. Although, I don't know what my other cardiologist would have
recommended had I gone to him this one wanted to operate. I didn't argue. From
the echo, TVE, and CTscans it was enough to say let's go in. In hindsight the second
pivotal point was after surgery to discover the leaflets were almost non-existent. I can't
put a guesstimate as to how much time I had left.
With a St. Jude mechanical valve now in place the hospital staff said I recovered very quickly without
some sketchy standing moments initially. I did feel coming out of surgery different on all levels. Maybe,
the meds were really good but nonetheless have a proper functioning valve was liken to being a person with
a different body type. The blood flow to the brain and the cognition improvements that go along were reassuring.
Fromadvice and preparation, expectations were always in the back of my mind and yet I know those preconceived notions
can cloud ones judgement. I'm in a bit of disbelief that I am feeling well again and that after passing hurdles and goals
everyday, the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle is within reach. I am told that in about a month I will feel really good. That is
happening now. I can't fathom what will be available in ten years.
