Will be glad to get it over with
Will be glad to get it over with
Its been a long haul; I've had chest pains for 15 years of varying intensities. When first diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis back in 1992, it was diagnosed by echocardiogram as "mild", with "no restrictions on exercise", plus I also have mitral valve prolapse. I went back in 2000 for another echo, and same thing as in 1992. Let me tell you, I exercised my butt off, like a religion. To the gym twice a week for a half hour of weight machines, and then an hour of cardio on the stairmaster, elliptical, rower, or treadmill. Then on the weekends out for long bike rides of over an hour, with the heart rate between 140 - 165. I'd work through the pain, although I have to admit that I did not notice any appreciable increase in pain while exercising. Then towards the end of March I worked out four days in a row, and after that I started getting some awful symptoms; greater chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, headaches, etc. I almost passed out several times while sitting in business meetings. I was reduced to a slow walk like a 100 year old man. Well, another echo and then cardiac catheterizaton confirmed that the aortic valve needed replacing. The doctor put me on a couch potato regimen (i.e., no exercise at all), which was difficult for me, but after several weeks I started feeling better. I cheated a few times and went out for real easy bike rides, carefully monitoring my heart rate (I use a heart rate monitor while exercising). I also started researching AVR and decided that the On-X was the valve for me, although the standard at Washington Hospital Center (WHC) is the St Jude. I'll be the first On-X completed at WHC, at least by my doctor (Dr. Bafi). The clinical trial ongoing with On-X provides the potential that down the road at least I will have a chance at reduced anti-coagulant with the On-X, plus the valve seems to have been well engineered. I have gleaned much useful information from valvereplacement.com, and appreciate the time folks have taken to share their stories, pictures, etc. The photo montage by Stretch was extremely useful to me as it allowed me to visualize what I'll go through, which is very important to me. I will get word out as soon as I can regarding the outcome, which I am pretty optimistic about. Right now I just want to get it over with, and get on with the recovery and the rest of my life. The attached picture of me was taken at the AARP convention in Las Vegas a couple of years ago, with a Marilyn Monroe impersonator. Thanks much for your support. -Dan
