P
Prairie Heart
HI everyone. I?ve been sliding in out of this site for awhile now. Some 21 years ago while getting my physical for the Canadian Army I was told about the bicuspid aortic valve that I have. I remember the cardiologist saying "don't worry it looks good now, no restrictions, maybe 20, 30, 40, years from now you will need a valve replacement or maybe never". Good advice. But just over a month ago during my 3 yr annual checkup I slipped into mild to moderate bicuspid aortic stenosis (AVA 1.37, mean gradient 26.4, velocity 2.57, now moderate regurg). I was holding out to be the one who never had to have surgery, but it looks like the slow march to OR is starting to take place. That first week of knowing that my heart values had significant change from last time has put me into a tailspin for awhile. I'm a registered nurse and very good at researching ever possible bit of information out there (mostly not info I needed to know).When I was younger it did not seem to bother me at all (joys of youth), but now my wife and I have 3 small kids (10,5,2) and the worst case gets played out in my head over and over again( I was lucky enough to get extra life insurance when our second was born with the help of my cardiologist, some relief there). I have calmed down now. It is nice to read about everyone?s experience and it has great value to us and people like me. I did a master?s degree in nursing about men with prostate cancer and during an interview with an older gentleman he said when he was diagnosed with cancer that after a few weeks he stopped saying ?why me? and said ?why not me?. I remember that now and his explanation was that he was given a reminder to enjoy life and slow it down, connect with family and friends. His cancer had spread after his initial treatment when I had talked to him, he was so right. I?ve been given my reminder. I hope to stop by here now once in awhile and maybe a few updates. My new family Doc wants me to see another Cardiologist in our city who really trusts and feels would give us another good look at where I?m at. So, until later. Darren