On my real 5 year date, I feared I'd be posting something quite different, as my valve appears to be wearing out faster than I'd hoped. My mean gradient with this valve started off high normal--23, 21, 22 the first three years, then 36, 43, 44 for the last 3 6-month checkups. It's also progressed from mild to moderate regurgitation. However, since I still have no symptoms, and it leveled off this time, my cardiologist may have finally convinced me to stop worrying and get on with my life. She says I'll need another one in several years. I'm hoping for at least 5 more...
We've been quite active since moving to Tucson. Even with the extreme summers, being outdoors is more often more pleasant than in VA. We've hiked more since we moved than in 30 years in VA, and been much more consistent with regular exercise.
I remain grateful for this forum, and really admire those who have been such a constant presence here. I look in often, but as memory has faded, and with an awareness of how fast things change in the medical field, don't often feel I have much to contribute.
We've been quite active since moving to Tucson. Even with the extreme summers, being outdoors is more often more pleasant than in VA. We've hiked more since we moved than in 30 years in VA, and been much more consistent with regular exercise.
I remain grateful for this forum, and really admire those who have been such a constant presence here. I look in often, but as memory has faded, and with an awareness of how fast things change in the medical field, don't often feel I have much to contribute.
