maxximom
Well-known member
Hi all..I just found out on Thursday that I have to have a aortic valve replacement. I am going for a Cath on Friday. I live in Raleigh NC and will be going to Duke for the Cath and probably there for the surgery.I have been on the computer non stop since Thursday..trying to educate myself. I am very computer illiterate..but can research fairly well. I must say this is all a shock for me. I have known for 10 years that I have had a "trivial" valve problem..and was told just to have an echo every year and that no problems were anticipated..DUH!! My husband and I moved down here to NC 21/2 years ago and about 20 months ago I noyiced I was getting out of breath when I walked and that I was also getting facila pain. I had a Echo and stress test at that time and was told that I had some moderate aortic valve stenosis..and that I was very de-contitioned and needed to excersise and lose weight (what else is new) I gradually was getting worse and I went into a excersise program ..the Doctor was thrilled..I was not. I just kept getting more out of breath when I walked and also started having some mild chest pain as well as the facial pain.I had not had a echo in 14months and the doctor said he would do one at the end of Aug..it was Feb at the time..so I have dragged along getting worse all the time. So last week I decided to see another doctor..they did and Echo and I received the bad news that my stenosis was now severe and that surgery was the only option. I am trying to stay calm and get informed but frankly I am scared out of my mind. I am 70 years old and a type 2 diabetic.om oral meds. I am also very overweight..so all and all..I don't imagine that I'm the greatest candidate for this surgery. I have read that it is important to ask a lot of questions..but what are the RIGHT questions to ask? I know what type of valve I would like(homogrft of tissue) if I have a choice..the Coumidin and clicking would drive me nuts with a mechanical valve..and I would prefer a minnimally invasive proceedure (but I don't think that is a option from what I have read. The surgeon here at Duke Dr. Glower does the procedure..so I will have to wait and see what he says when we meet. The first thing of course is to get through the Cath and make sure that there aaare no blockages. Any advise or help would be very much appreciated. I've been thinking of vgetting another opinion (maybe Cleveland) My kids think that my case is pretty cut and dry and that Duke is a top place..I'm not sure if I need to get another opinion or not. Sorry this is so long..I just had so much to say. Sorry for any misspellings..but if I go bacck to check..I'll never post this.
Thanks again
Joan Seide
Thanks again
Joan Seide