Recent content by avr8913

I struggled with the studies and mortality rates at first, too. The reality is, there is simply not enough data to truly understand what it means for each person. There are simply too many variables not taken into consideration. The truth is, without the surgery, you die. With it, you live...

The risk one takes by waiting is much greater than having to change or even cancel some plans. The body can feel or seem normal, yet is simply hiding the internal damage. I was not aware of my functionally bicuspid vIalve until I went in for shots to travel out of the country. 5 weeks later I...

The risk one takes by waiting is much greater than having to change or even cancel some plans. The body can feel or seem normal, yet is simply hiding the internal damage. I was not aware of my functionally bicuspid valve until I went in for shots to travel out of the country. 5 weeks later I...

I was 44 when I had my functionally bicuspid AVR. At first, I thought I wanted tissue. I did not want to be tied down to daily taking a pill, as that seemed a loss of freedom and carefree type of living. On top of that, you read of all that fear folks have of bruising and bleeding, clots and...

I was scheduled to meet with the surgeon around 8 weeks after surgery, but due to the time it took to do x-rays, echo, blood work, etc. I missed the surgeon and met with nurse practitioner. She answered most of my questions, and then the cardiologist answered more, later, when they received all...

It has only been 8 months since surgery, but I am close to being as care free as I was. There is a difference in pre and post. Once you begin to feel like you did before, as you recover from the surgery, the care free mindset starts to return. There may be some new additional...

Not breathing immediately when first coming to. I remember thinking I was alive, but it was strange not breathing. Then I realized what breathing tube really meant. Never thought much about it before surgery, other than hearing and reading it is not exactly comfortable. I was also a little...

1. I chose mechanical, though it took a while to come to that choice. 2. I did not know I could choose which valve until I was so far down, CHF, I was not functioning well. I have a St Jude 25AGFN-756. Regent 3. Yes, since he made the choice. 4. 8 months 5. Yes, I would choose this valve.