Adam S.
Member
I thought some of you might benefit from hearing about another persons journey through getting an Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR). Hear is my experience, now 11 days postoperative.
9/14/09 being completely a-symptomatic threw what is called an executive physical exam encoraged by my wife; lead me to a Dr. here in Miami where I live.
The vary first thing they did was an echo and then some sort of nuclear echo and then I went into a room with a treadmill. Dr. walks in closes the door and the first thing he says is why are you here? I explained, I was getting a baseline for the future because of family history. He then proceeds to explain my condition to me “Severe Aortic regurgitation with moderate to sever aortic stenosis”.
Obviously completely freaked-out and thinking this guy has been taking too much of his own drugs. I quite smugly told no one except my wife. Neither of us having any idea of the diagnosis , got home entered the diagnosis into the computer and out popped what I thought would be, nothing much. - HEART SURGERY “what – no way”?
Sept 21 – Almost all-direct family knows now
Sept 22 – 2nd opinion Cardiologist confirms diagnosis.
Sept 24 – Follow up apt with original cardio doc and local surgeon at UM here in Mia.
Sept 28 – 3rd opinion Local Surgeon confirms diagnosis.
Sept 30 – 4th opinion Local cardiologist confirms diagnosis.
At this point I have exhausted all my options so me and my wife talk about it extensively and decide we are going to pay for someone to tell me, that I don’t need surgery, so I contracted with a company called “Pinnacle care” I need strait answers, my answers.
Oct 14 – Arrived in Cleveland
Oct 15 – First Apt at Cleveland clinic met with a Dr. Had my pre-op echo, ECG, X-ray and 12-hour fasting blood work.
Oct-16 – “Cardiac Cath” "BTW this also sucked" cleared for (MINI-AVR)
Oct 17 – Met with operative staff and My Surgeon
Oct 18 – Had AVR procedure done, I still don’t @#!& believe it!!!
The next 4 days where difficult, I was not happy got A-Fib everything
I am on day 11 feeling and doing much better.
I Hope this helps one person!!!!
Adam
9/14/09 being completely a-symptomatic threw what is called an executive physical exam encoraged by my wife; lead me to a Dr. here in Miami where I live.
The vary first thing they did was an echo and then some sort of nuclear echo and then I went into a room with a treadmill. Dr. walks in closes the door and the first thing he says is why are you here? I explained, I was getting a baseline for the future because of family history. He then proceeds to explain my condition to me “Severe Aortic regurgitation with moderate to sever aortic stenosis”.
Obviously completely freaked-out and thinking this guy has been taking too much of his own drugs. I quite smugly told no one except my wife. Neither of us having any idea of the diagnosis , got home entered the diagnosis into the computer and out popped what I thought would be, nothing much. - HEART SURGERY “what – no way”?
Sept 21 – Almost all-direct family knows now
Sept 22 – 2nd opinion Cardiologist confirms diagnosis.
Sept 24 – Follow up apt with original cardio doc and local surgeon at UM here in Mia.
Sept 28 – 3rd opinion Local Surgeon confirms diagnosis.
Sept 30 – 4th opinion Local cardiologist confirms diagnosis.
At this point I have exhausted all my options so me and my wife talk about it extensively and decide we are going to pay for someone to tell me, that I don’t need surgery, so I contracted with a company called “Pinnacle care” I need strait answers, my answers.
Oct 14 – Arrived in Cleveland
Oct 15 – First Apt at Cleveland clinic met with a Dr. Had my pre-op echo, ECG, X-ray and 12-hour fasting blood work.
Oct-16 – “Cardiac Cath” "BTW this also sucked" cleared for (MINI-AVR)
Oct 17 – Met with operative staff and My Surgeon
Oct 18 – Had AVR procedure done, I still don’t @#!& believe it!!!
The next 4 days where difficult, I was not happy got A-Fib everything
I am on day 11 feeling and doing much better.
I Hope this helps one person!!!!
Adam
Best wishes for a happy and healthy new life.
