Thank you everyone for the messages of encouragement. It really means a lot. I've been advised by a surgeon I trust that I should go for the mechanical, it's just hard to accept as I am asymptomatic now and I feel like the mechanical will feel like a step down from where I am in terms of quality of life. The Ross is so tempting as it provides this illusion that nothing is wrong your heart, although I'm quite aware that you pay for this illusion, with interest, 15 years +/- 5 down the road.
This is exactly what I would be worried about. I'm glad you came out OK but how did you know you (and at what point do you know) when it's appropriate to seek medical care?
I am really glad I did the mechanical and don't have to have another aortic valve surgery. Just go into it with a positive attitude and then go get your skis and scuba stuff and go kick a$$.
I have had an Onx mechanical for only a little less than 3 months so I dont have the experience of some of these other people. But honestly I feel 100%. The concerns and worries I had beforehand were way overblown. Warfarin has been a non event. I take the pills, i get the test, thats it. I am getting a coagucheck machine soon, which is the same thing the nurse does the check with and its idiot proof. It doesnt really need to be checked that often. I am on metoprolol, and i was worried about that but i have no side effects from it at all. The dreaded ticking or clicking is nothing. I hear it when i am sitting quietly but it too is a non-event. I was only in the hospital 3 nights. The first two days were rough but after that i felt pretty good. I have had knee surgeries that were a hell of a lot worse.
As for the aneurism situation, a have a spot in the ascending aorta that they had measured as “moderate” and the surgeon said he would make the call when he got in there and probably fix it, and I was fine with that. When he was in there he decided not to. Which is also fine. I just had an echo and it hasnt changed, so will get it checked and keep an eye on it over the years, but the Dr is the expert, I am not, so I am not going to worry about it at all. As an aside, my aortic valve was actually alot worse than they expected, soI am glad I didnt wait. Early is better than late.
I think if you worry about all these things and strategize in your head too much it can sometimes create extra worry. Get it done, and get back out there.
