Totally Scared!!!

[Braveheart4]

Hi everybody!!
I was browsing around this web site and found the "In Memorium" section, which I read. It was very tasteful and well dome, but, it scared me so much, as many of the people were so young!! Also, many passed away after what seemed to be a successful surgery. While I realize their entire story is not there, its still a worry as I have to see my Cardiac Surgeon in London, Ontario next Monday, March 19th. I may get a date for OHS to replace my Aortic Valve. Bottom line, what kind would you recommend?? It has to be mechanical-but I don't want to hear ticking and clicking whenever I go to sleep. I'd like to forget the whole thing afterward!!! Has anyone here got a quiet mechanical AV??? How long have you had it and any complications??? I'd love to hear some success stories!! Thanks!!

 

[Rich]

There are always risks involved with something like open heart surgery.
However the odds are heavliy in your favor.
I don't know all the details regarding those who didn't make it, but there could have been other physical problems associated. In addition there were some who passed on due to a batch of faulty valves made in the late '90's.
This is all behind us now.
I have had my St. Jude mechanical for almost eleven years, and it has been great. Mine is an 'older model' prior to when the bad ones hit the market.
I never hear it at all and I don't know why. I am and always have been on the thin side, so just being a little on the heavy side apparently doesn't hide the 'clicking' either.
Valve selection is a tough choice, especially these days when so many choices are available.
I'm sure a lot of others will respond with stories about their valves.
In the meantime if you are a bit scared, that is certainly normal.
Think positive and don't let it get you down, you have a whole new life waiting for you.
Rich

 

[briansmom]

My 16 yr old son got an on-x yesterday. His is a long story, I won't go into it here. I listened to his heart with a stethoscope just a few minutes ago. I couldn't hear the valve at all, nor could my husband. The nurse said she could hear it.

 

[Kate]

Hi Braveheart!
Please keep in mind that many, many valve patients frequent this sight and only a very small proportion have died at an early age. The risks associated with this surgery for otherwise healthy people are extremely small. I had my aortic valve replace about 18 months ago at the age of 38, was home from the hospital in five days and back at work in six weeks. I'm currently training to run a 5k race and feel better than I ever have. Truly, for the vast majority of people, this surgery is just a bump in the road. It isn't easy - I won't try to tell you that as it takes awhile to feel like yourself again - but it is doable. I can't give you valve advice because I went biological, but others will be around soon I'm sure. Take care and try not to worry too much! Kate

 

[StretchL]

Greetings, O Brave One.

Ditto to what's been said above. The overwhelming majority of OHS patients go on to lead happy, healthy, and long lives. I plan on being one of them.

As long as you mention valves, I'll ask: Why does yours "have to be mechanical?"

 

[dick0236]

To Braveheart
Here is a success story for you. I have had a mechanical aortic valve since Aug. 1967. I still have that original valve. I have had no problems with the valve and I have no limitations other than those that come with ageing. I am now 71. I do remember hearing the valve after the surgery. It was a little comforting to hear it, because I knew it was still working. I no longer hear it. I guess I just got used to it. Your choice of valve type, material etc. should be between YOU and the medical professionals that you have put your trust in.

OHS is MAJOR surgery, but it is being done successfully, many, many times each day. I have a neighbor who has had a valve since 1976 and another who had one implanted in Feb. 2007. The one who had the surgery in 1976 and I played golf yesterday. The one who had the surgery in Feb. will probably be playing before the end of spring.

"Only sweat the big deals, and remember....there are NO big deals."

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Welcome Braveheart. Pull up a chair. Read some of the older posts. There are many members that are sucessfully living very active lives with replaced and or repaired valves. Though I got off to a rough start.....not always the case. Good news.....8 years this week since my MVR and all is excellent!

All the best to you during your decision process!

 

[geebee]

Braveheart,

Keep in mind that there are hundreds of members on this site who have made it smoothly through OHS (many of us more than once) and there are only a handful in the memorial section. Yes, people do pass away from surgical complications but it is rare.

As far as valve type, I have a St. Jude. I can hear it occasionally and others can as well but most of the time I do not notice it at all.

 

[Ross]

When you first come out of surgery, I think that is when you hear it the most. After that and sedation wears off, most people cannot hear them at all. I can hear mine if I'm in a totally quiet environment or if I get excited, but that's it. Chalk it up to another thing that you need not worry over.

 

[Susan BAV]

Even the tissue valves can be noisy for awhile post-op. And from what I've read here, it seems that replaced valves in the mitral position tend to be noisier than in the aortic position.

 

[gijanet]

Here's one for you!

Here's one for you!

I'd love to hear some success stories!! Thanks!!

My six year old has survived five - yes, FIVE! heart surgeries! all within her first four years of life. She is now two-thirds of the way through kindergarten. She hates the finger pokes and blood draws, but she is doing great!

I'm assuming that you are going mechanical due to your young age, but you might be a candidate for the Ross. Not recommending it, just mentioning it. We have some folks on here who have had very successful Ross procedures and some who have not been so fortunate...........not deaths, just additional surgeries. It might be worth checking into, though.

P.S. We rarely hear Katie's valve. Sometimes late at night when I can't sleep, but most of the time not!

Hugs. J.

 

[WayneGM]

You've come to the right place for success stories...

You've come to the right place for success stories...

...there's lots of them here....tissue valves, mechanical valves, repairs, Ross Procedures, you name it.....somebody here is sure to have been through it or knows somebody close who has. Search the forum for "anniversary" or valve "birthday" threads...there's lots of them. I think you'll find them very comforting decriptions of successful post-op lives.

I can't help you with valve section as I had a mitral valve repair. However, there's definite lots of knowledge and many opinions on that subject in this forum that's for sure.

Best wishes on Monday.

 

[Superbob]

We were all scared when we first found out we had to have VR, but here we are telling our stories. You've gotten some great responses here. I will second what Wayne said: Read the posts on surgery anniversaries, the success stories. There are far more of those than there are the sad endings.

Try to focus on the positive. You'll do well. Keep in touch with us. We'll be here for you.

 

[hensylee]

Hi everybody!!
I was browsing around this web site and found the "In Memorium" section, which I read. It was very tasteful and well dome, but, it scared me so much, as many of the people were so young!! Also, many passed away after what seemed to be a successful surgery. While I realize their entire story is not there, its still a worry as I have to see my Cardiac Surgeon in London, Ontario next Monday, March 19th. I may get a date for OHS to replace my Aortic Valve. Bottom line, what kind would you recommend?? It has to be mechanical-but I don't want to hear ticking and clicking whenever I go to sleep. I'd like to forget the whole thing afterward!!! Has anyone here got a quiet mechanical AV??? How long have you had it and any complications??? I'd love to hear some success stories!! Thanks!!

Success stories? Everyone in here is a success story. I have been a member for 7 years now and we have had very few who leave us forever. I could also say that anyone who goes under anesthesia could leave and that includes any sort of procedures. Medicine has come so far that the chances of losing one's life because of this surgery is a tiny percentage.

I went into a different sort of heart surgery (4 bypasses) with the faith that I would be just fine. My general health was good, my recuperative powers were good, my attitude was excellent. I just KNEW I'd be fine. I was. Mine is a success story. Yours will be, too. Blessins.....

 

[Cooker]

When you first come out of surgery, I think that is when you hear it the most. After that and sedation wears off, most people cannot hear them at all. I can hear mine if I'm in a totally quiet environment or if I get excited, but that's it. Chalk it up to another thing that you need not worry over.

Agree 100% with Ross. I don't hear mine at all anymore. I was a bit suprised Ross that the excitement is an issue

Tom

 

[twinmaker]

I've had two open heart surgeries and those were many years ago. A mitral repair in 1974 and a mechanical replacement in 1981 with a St. Jude mitral valve. It's still in me. I noticed the clicking at first, but got used to it very quickly. I don't hear it at all unless my heart is beating at a high rate or I'm very quiet and listening for it. It's normal to be scared about having heart surgery, but the majority of people do just fine. There's lots of us here to prove that. Keep us posted on your check-up and what you find out. LINDA