Recent content by tomflies1

Left side sleeping Left side sleeping It's been a year now since my aortic valve 'fix', but I'm still uncomfortable sleeping, or even prolonged pressure on my left side. After about 3 or 4 minutes, it feels like the pressure inside my chest builds up, not a pleasant feeling at all. It's...

I'm also an AVR/aorta replacement patient, 9 weeks out. But, I have to say that I'm very glad I'm in the rehab program, I've learned a lot, and as I did have damage to my left ventricle (LVH) from being over worked for so long, I can see the progress I'm making. I guess if you know how to build...

Aura and migrains after surgery Aura and migrains after surgery I've always had some migraine symptoms since I was a teenager, and now in my 50's, perhaps one episode a month. But, after surgery I got the aura almost every day, even twice a day on a couple days. Then something new was added...

I was just searching for info on this I was just searching for info on this I had my BAV/aortic replacement surgery last Monday, I'm home now and starting my recovery. It's not at bad as I expected it to be, at least pain wise. But, since I've been home I've had Aura/migraines, even had one...

Home from Surgery Today! Home from Surgery Today! Hello Everyone! Surgery was on Monday, and I'm home today (Sat.) and things went almost as planned. They did have to replace my ascenting aorta with a 28mm Hemashield, but they fixed my bicuspid aortic valve, using some heart tissue and...

Off to the hospital in 15 minutes Off to the hospital in 15 minutes Thank you so much everyone for your kind words, they mean so much to me. Everyone here has been so helpful, from the day I learned about my BAV, to my wonderful send off. I won't have my laptop in the hospital, but I will...

Nightmares & anxiety Nightmares & anxiety We had relatives and friends over today, went out to lunch and everyone was glad to talk about the upcoming surgery. It actually did help to get it out in the open and discuss it with everyone. A lot of support! Thanks for the advice on xanax, I've...

I guess I'm down to the final stretch now, trying to get things ready here at home and trying to get myself mentally ready. Question, did anybody find themselves having nightmares about the surgery ahead of time? I sure am, maybe because I'm not a big talker or big into sharing feelings. (guy...

Mechanical/bovine Mechanical/bovine I just met with my surgeon and I'm scheduled for July 21st,(Cedars Sinai) and we had to go over the choices for the valve. I went in thinking mechanical (I'm 55 now with BAV) but after talking about it and seeing all the options, we decided to go bovine. I...

different views different views Well, I guess this will be one of those 'surprises' when they go to take it out. Most of you said it's not a big deal, I'm going to stick with those thoughts. I've never really thought of the urethra as being very expandable. I didn't realize it was like a...

That brings up another question, I've never had a 'foley' catheter before, and I assume they put it in after I'm out. I guess for the first couple of days I'll be real happy it's there, but what about when they take it out? Is it an easy process without much pain involved....I hope????

I know this sounds kinda weird, but after having my angio last week, being stuck in bed with sand bags holding me still, well....after a couple hours I really had to P, and of course they wouldn't let me up to go to the bathroom. They gave me the little bottle to P in, but there was no way...

BAV and m.i.s. or wide open surgery BAV and m.i.s. or wide open surgery Thanks for all the fine responses from everyone, it really helps to get all the different viewpoints. It sounds like I'm worried about cutting the sternum a bit too much, maybe it's not as bad as I imagine it to be...

I received the results of my angiogram today, pretty much what I expected, a BAV that is giving up, going caput, throwing in the towel. My cardiologist says 'sooner rather than later' for surgery. I've heard about the Da Vinci surgeries, but my cardiologist said he wasn't sure they did them on...