My Dad

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I am not sure if the surgery will be done at Danbury or Yale. My dad had a heart procedure back in 1996 at Yale, then went thru his groin and snipped something near his hear to STOP his palputaions he had his whole life, this was back in 1996 - so maybe the valve will be at Yale. I dont know.
My dad and mom are pretty set in there ways with this cardio. I will mention maybe speaking to the surgeon, but I think right now my Dad is ok with things. Its my mom and I that are a nervous wreck, if you know Italians, we are so emotional, this whole thing feels like the end of the world is coming. Today I am doing better but it really takes a toll. I know my Dad is nervous, but I think he is having faith. He seems to be.
Yes, he will be going with the mechanical valve. When I find out more about it I will post for sure.
I will try and mention causually about the surgeon when I see him this weekend. I dont want to do it over the phone.
I am so nervous, you all have been great.
Does anyone know anyone that has had valve replacement on blood thinners AND a slighly enlarged heart?
 
I appreciate all the kind words and advice. I really dont think my Dad is going to get a 2nd opinion, not right now anyway, its still a bit of a shock for all of us I think. I am so worried, but something in the back of m head tells me that things will be OK. I am just worried with the waiting period. I dont like that part. I still wuold like to here experiences from all, espeically if anyone has known anyone that has had valve replacment with a slighlty enlarged heart already.
 
JoJo, slightly enlarged hearts are not unusual with valve replacement. Dick's was slightly enlarged before surgery. Sometimes, they go back after surgery and sometimes they don't. The important thing is to have surgery before there is too much damage to the heart.
 
Do you know what your dad's enlargement is actually called, Jojo? Because, depending on the terminology, a lot of us here had some enlargement of certain parts of the heart before valve replacement; sometimes that issue can at least partly resolve with the new valve.

HOWEVER, IF I'M NOT EXPRESSING THIS CORRECTLY, any members please correct me for accuracy.
 
hi jojo,
i can totally understand how your family must be reacting. jewish- italian, very similar.
listen, most people going in for this type of surgery have some enlargement in their hearts. when not all is working smoothly, the heart has to work harder. the heart is a muscle and so it increases in size when working harder.
i think, probably, more than not , many of these surgeries are done on enlarged hearts.

i see that your dad is comfy with his cardio. is he as comfy with the folks at yale? especially since he had his last procedure done there? that's an amazing place and maybe he would be okay with doing it there?
once you have a dr and date things seem to fall into place and it seems to take a load off.
good luck convincing/discussing this all with your dad and mom.
i know it can't be easy. we've been there.
keep us posted, please.
be well, sylvia
 
Hi Jojo,
my son as been waiting just other 7 years for is valve replacement under very different circumstances as my son is only 9. I sometimes worry about my sons health but he as got this far with no problems, so i guess cardios really do now what there doing and if your father is happy with the cardios advice then im sure he will be fine. Hope everything goes well for you, just wanted to wish you luck, all the best Paula x
 
Hi there: I'm 55, and a year ago was told I was "on the cusp" of needing the surgery to replace av. But, they said I could wait a year. Another doctor told me my valve would last "several more years" and to just walk on the treadmill uphill for an hour a day! This is a very well-respected doctor.

Well, I didn't want to wait, and scheduled surgery fairly soon (within a couple of months).

I knew I could go out and play tennis and jog, etc, but still didn't want to wait a long time.

Hope this helps.
 
Hi JoJo-

I just wanted to reassure you about your dad's situation. My husband, Joe, passed away in December, BUT he did not pass away from anything valve related. He had two mechanical heart valves, one was 29 years old and still going strong. His heart was strong and true right up to his last seconds. He was 75 years old. He had his first valve implanted when he was in his forties. And he had been on Coumadin since that time.

During his lifetime, he had 5 thoracic surgeries, three heart valve operations, and two lung surgeries and many, many other more minor surgeries and procedures. He was on Coumadin throughout all of these except for the very first one.

There is a whole method of doing surgery with a patient on Coumadin, and your dad's surgeon will know EXACTLY how to do all of this. You won't have to worry about it.

Joe didn't get any second opinions for his surgeries. But he DID a lot of research and checking about who was the best for him. He met the surgeon, they clicked right away and it worked out just fine.

So, do as much background research as you can and encourage your dad to do so as well. It is the most important step in his life and deserves great respect. And it is something that has to be faced directly and squarely. You have to have a clear head, you have to gain as much information as you can. Educate yourself and your dad and mom about what all this entails. Use this waiting time to LEARN. Knowledge is the most important tool at this point in time. One may want to run away from all of it and hide, but that's not the right thing to do.

Read, read, and read some more, until your eyes feel like they are going to fall out:) . And listen to these great folks here. They got me through many, many very difficult years and helped me to help Joe.

Wishing you all the best.
 
Thank you Nancy, thank you everyone. Right now we really havent talked about it much, but we will I am sure. I think the initial shock is slowly going away. I am going to try my hardest to talk to both of them about getting online and researching and joining this message board. You all have been great. Thank you. More insights would be wonderful.
Thank you all - Joanne:)
 
I lived in the Brooklyn Section of Waterbury, many years ago. Used to work at Colonial BanCorp, when it was still Colonial Bank and Trust. Then again, maybe it's been bought out by another bank by now. Even went to the Waterbury Branch of UConn.

The waiting is the toughest part. Your dad will believe what works for him, and once you have made the effort, you must remember that he's gotten himself this far, and will likely be able to get himself to the next step as well.

His cardiologist would have the echoes more frequently, if he felt it were needed. Meanwhile, if your dad gets symptoms, he needs to tell his cardiologist, as that's a good part of the diagnosis. Without his echo numbers, it's impossible to armchair second-guess the cardiologist. As it's his privacy, you really shouldn't share them, even if you know them.

Be patient. You don't have many choices in this. So for now, worry about him less and love him more.

Best wishes,
 
**update***

**update***

The docs called today with the results of my dads echo - he had one 6 months ago as you can recall from my posts above. Well, they wouldnt talk to my mom of course (HIPPA) so my dad called them back while he was at work. They said it was "slightly" worse. So, in another 6 months he has to go for another ECHO. I am getting so nervous. If he really need this valved replaced would this have happened already. I am a little relieved and also still worried. Another 6 months till the next ECHO. My dad is ok with this I think. I hope.
 
Make sure your dad gets a copy of the echo reports and if you can, post the results of the latest echo. Without knowing the numbers, no one can say.
 
Hi JoJo

We are certainly sad about your father's condition but you came to the right place. I am also one of the many who was in the waiting room for a period of time. My waited lasted about four years.

I am glad your father will be seen every six months. However, you stated
"They said it was "slightly" worse. So, in another 6 months he has to go for another ECHO. I am getting so nervous. If he really need this valved replaced would this have happened already. I am a little relieved and also still worried. Another 6 months till the next ECHO. "
Click to expand...
Not to alarm you but if your father has any changes such as increased shortness of breath, swelling or any other unsual changes, get him an appt. with the cardio as soon as you can or take him to the ER.

Like your father, I was told my valve was starting to go bad. Six months later, I was told it gotten even worse but not bad enough for surgery, nor was I having any symptoms. Three months later I had severe, I mean severe heartburn. My RN wife made me go to the ER because I could not get an appointment with my family doctor. She wasl also afraid it may have something to do with my heart. The ER admitted me because of my history. An echo and heart cath showed my valve had to be replaced. Two months later, my valve was replaced. It would have happened sooner but that is another story thanks to my now fired family doctor. The pain did turn out to be from the heartburn.

My second opinion came when the surgeon reviewed my record during our initial consult with him. He aggreed the valve was shot.

Please continue to keep us posted.

Karl
 
I was in the every 6 month's echo mode for a while, and then even to every 3 months, so I know how anxious a time it can be. As Ross suggested, post the echo numbers after you get a copy of the report (you're entitled to it) and results from the earlier echo, too. There are plenty of knowledgeable people who can give you unofficial insight on what they seem to mean. They don't substitute for the medical people's take, but they can help you know what to ask them.
 
HI again
Well, the other night my husband and I sat down with my parents about everything. We talked about all his medications, my father is on a lot, and one of them Dialantin, he can come off of but needs at least 3 months of NO DRIVING, which cant happen now because he is working, so he cant come off of that now. They think he had a seizure in the ambulance during his stroke 11 years ago, also this thyroid medicine is coming down, maybe off of that too?per the doc he was taking too much of it?

My father is going to get me the numbers from his ECHO in a few weeks when he goes for this stress test. I told him I was posting them on here. Also, my husband and I got my parents into thinking of a second opinion! Unbelievable, after all this time, but the only stipulation for the second opinion would be if the doctors say OK, time for surgery, then my dad said he will go get another ECHO from another doctor. I think this is OK. I mean he was so SET on this one doctor, which is fine because he is a great doctor. The only thing that scares me is waiting another 6 months for another ECHO. Is this common? AND they told my dad to watch out for signs such as shortness of breath, dizziness and being tired. My dad is ALWAYS tired, he works real real hard.
Are all these normal steps? Help me ? sorry, I am trying hard here.
Has anyone gone to labor jobs and work all day and waiting the 6 months to get another ECHO? I mean, how real is that? My dad is not the only one right ???
 
Everyone is different of course, I was a stubborn one and refusing surgery.
I used to muck out the manure in my horse stall every morning and have to sit down because of being dizzy and SOB, but I would not go for surgery.
I saw my cardio every 6 mths, then every 3 mths. When I could barely walk anymore, I agreed to surgery.
My AV diameter was 10mm, 6 mths later it was 8mm and desperate for replacing. My new valve is 21mm.
Don't wait too long......
 
Hi Jo Jo,
All that I can tell you is that my metral valve was replaced this past March. I was on warfarin for a week prior to surgery. I had no time to think or get a second opinion......everything was said and done in 10 days with no problems. I too have/had an enlarge heart. Apparently my heart had been enlarging for the past 5 to 7 years,without my knowledge or having no systems. All before surgery.

Take care,
I'm sure everything will be fine
Freddie
 
hey everyone
My Dad has a golf size bump on the back of us upper thigh. Not sure how he got this, he says its sore to touch...Could this have anything to do with his heart? Anyone ever hear of that before? It could be a bug bite, or my Dad could have banged this thigh while at work...which he bangs himself often, he has a physical job - and on Warafin for 12 years too...He said he is going to keep a close eye on it...and see the doc if it doesnt go away.
I am having a 40 th anniversary party for my parents 2 weeks from this Sunday, I am so nervous. Other than the bump he has been doing OK.
any comments?
Love Joanne
 
My mom just called me, she talked to my dad at work, she said the lump went down a little bit but its ITCHY now...I think if it stays like this Monday he will get it checked out...
 
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