ALCapshaw2
Well-known member
My ON-Again, OFF-Again Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery is OFF again.
After several tests including a TEE, the Cardiologist who performed the TEE and my primary Cardiologist, BOTH recommended "Waiting and Watching".
Bottom Line: My Mitral Valve area had been declining over a 3 year period BUT has stabilized ('just above the tree tops') for the last 3 years which was confirmed yet again by this recent TEE.
One Surgeon says "come on down" but in a letter, he referenced "Severe Regurgitation" and MV Area of XXX.
I have copies of ALL of my Echocardiograms and TEEs for the past 5 years and NONE of them ever noted SEVERE regurg. The last time my MV Area was XXX was 5 years ago. Makes me wonder WHAT (or whose) information that surgeon was looking at.
The High Risk Surgeon I saw 2 years ago said: "When your Quality of Life becomes unacceptable, give me a call". He was willing to proceed when I became more symptomatic last winter but an infection, a virus, his vacation, and other tests kept postponing the date.
After discovering that LASIX and better Fluid management lessened my symptoms, "Wait and Watch" seemed to make more sense, especially since this wlll be OHS #3 which is always 'higher risk'.
Deciding WHEN is the 'tricky' part!
'AL Capshaw'
After several tests including a TEE, the Cardiologist who performed the TEE and my primary Cardiologist, BOTH recommended "Waiting and Watching".
Bottom Line: My Mitral Valve area had been declining over a 3 year period BUT has stabilized ('just above the tree tops') for the last 3 years which was confirmed yet again by this recent TEE.
One Surgeon says "come on down" but in a letter, he referenced "Severe Regurgitation" and MV Area of XXX.
I have copies of ALL of my Echocardiograms and TEEs for the past 5 years and NONE of them ever noted SEVERE regurg. The last time my MV Area was XXX was 5 years ago. Makes me wonder WHAT (or whose) information that surgeon was looking at.
The High Risk Surgeon I saw 2 years ago said: "When your Quality of Life becomes unacceptable, give me a call". He was willing to proceed when I became more symptomatic last winter but an infection, a virus, his vacation, and other tests kept postponing the date.
After discovering that LASIX and better Fluid management lessened my symptoms, "Wait and Watch" seemed to make more sense, especially since this wlll be OHS #3 which is always 'higher risk'.
Deciding WHEN is the 'tricky' part!
'AL Capshaw'
