Kristine55
Member
Thanks to everyone for keeping my thread alive. I'm glad that my situation has generated good discussion and debate.
It's been almost three months since my diagnosis and initial post. As many of you will remember, at my annual cardiology exam, a dilated aortic root (5.3mm) was observed in the Medtronic Freestyle aortic root bioprosthesis I had implanted 12 years ago. While the valve is in pretty good shape, the aortic root aneurysm is driving my need for surgery. The valve will be replaced at the same time the root is addressed.
During these last two months, I have spent lots of time talking to many people and thinking through options for my replacement. My first surgery was at Northwestern in Chicago, but I sought a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic (my aunt is a retired cardiologist and is my third opinion). Given the location of my aneurysm, all parties agree that open heart surgery is the only option for addressing the issue. I have debated, and debated (and debated some more) the decision between a mechanical valve and a tissue valve. As everyone on this forum knows, there is no right or wrong choice. It's such a personal decision. And given the great experience I've had over these past 12 years, I am going to have a Vascutek dacron graft with an Edwards Perimount valve. I am scheduled for surgery this Friday, June 29th at Northwestern in Chicago. The entire Freestyle bioprothesis will be removed, the aortic root will be addressed and the valve will be replaced.
A few things:
1) I am SO happy to have this decision made. We all know that once you've finalized what you're going to do, you just breathe easier. It's the indecision that is really unsettling!
2) I underestimated the emotional toll of these past 11 weeks. The last time, it was six weeks between my diagnosis and my surgery... enough time to find VR.org, do my research, make a decision and have surgery. Bang, bang, bang and it was over; I was on the road to recovery and feeling great. This time, the surgeon I wanted to do the procedure was traveling outside the country in May, so my surgery date was pushed out. Having twice the amount of time this go 'round felt like a LONG time, I think mainly because I was unsettled with the valve choice. (I now have great empathy for those of you that have been in the "waiting room" for years!) Time and indecision can play tricks with your head. Finalizing your decision really gives you strength and peace.
3) Thanks to this forum, as well as my past experience, I feel ready for Friday. I know what to expect and I feel very prepared. Apprehensive? Yes. But sooooo ready to have this behind me and move on with my life.
I'll make sure the forum is updated with my condition after surgery. Thanks again for all of your recommendations and good thoughts. I'll talk to you on the other side!
Kristine
It's been almost three months since my diagnosis and initial post. As many of you will remember, at my annual cardiology exam, a dilated aortic root (5.3mm) was observed in the Medtronic Freestyle aortic root bioprosthesis I had implanted 12 years ago. While the valve is in pretty good shape, the aortic root aneurysm is driving my need for surgery. The valve will be replaced at the same time the root is addressed.
During these last two months, I have spent lots of time talking to many people and thinking through options for my replacement. My first surgery was at Northwestern in Chicago, but I sought a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic (my aunt is a retired cardiologist and is my third opinion). Given the location of my aneurysm, all parties agree that open heart surgery is the only option for addressing the issue. I have debated, and debated (and debated some more) the decision between a mechanical valve and a tissue valve. As everyone on this forum knows, there is no right or wrong choice. It's such a personal decision. And given the great experience I've had over these past 12 years, I am going to have a Vascutek dacron graft with an Edwards Perimount valve. I am scheduled for surgery this Friday, June 29th at Northwestern in Chicago. The entire Freestyle bioprothesis will be removed, the aortic root will be addressed and the valve will be replaced.
A few things:
1) I am SO happy to have this decision made. We all know that once you've finalized what you're going to do, you just breathe easier. It's the indecision that is really unsettling!
2) I underestimated the emotional toll of these past 11 weeks. The last time, it was six weeks between my diagnosis and my surgery... enough time to find VR.org, do my research, make a decision and have surgery. Bang, bang, bang and it was over; I was on the road to recovery and feeling great. This time, the surgeon I wanted to do the procedure was traveling outside the country in May, so my surgery date was pushed out. Having twice the amount of time this go 'round felt like a LONG time, I think mainly because I was unsettled with the valve choice. (I now have great empathy for those of you that have been in the "waiting room" for years!) Time and indecision can play tricks with your head. Finalizing your decision really gives you strength and peace.
3) Thanks to this forum, as well as my past experience, I feel ready for Friday. I know what to expect and I feel very prepared. Apprehensive? Yes. But sooooo ready to have this behind me and move on with my life.
I'll make sure the forum is updated with my condition after surgery. Thanks again for all of your recommendations and good thoughts. I'll talk to you on the other side!
Kristine
"In the Waiting Room", June 2018, age 55
AVR May 2006, age 43
Medtronic Freestyle Aortic Root Heart Valve 29mm, Ascending Aorta Repair
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
