BAVD John
Well-known member
Well, much has happened since my first post several weeks ago. VR.com has been down for maintence, I've met with two surgeons, had my teeth cleaned and an MRI of my aorta yesterday, an angiogram this morning, and all the other pre op screening earlier this week.
The first surgeon I met with recommended a mechanical valve, when my wife stated to him I was prone to nose bleeding he thought I'd do well with a tissue valve. The second surgeon Dr. McCarthy from Northwestern in Chicago recommended tissue from the beginning and stated that at Northwestern they don't use that many mechanical valves anymore. I understand the risk with both valves and it will be a aortic bovine valve for me, my surgeon will be McCarthy. Northwestern doesn't use pig valves any more.
I met with McCarty on the 20th. When I first asked him how far out I was looking for a surgery date he and his coordinator thought it be about 4 weeks, his coordinator then went to double check the schedule and came back in the room and said how about the 28th. After my wife and I picked both our jaws off the floor I said ok let's get this over with.
I look forward to getting over this surgery as this day has been on my mind for some time now. I was a lurker here off and on for several years before my first post and your words of encouragement to others have helped me deal with my condition.
BAVD John
The first surgeon I met with recommended a mechanical valve, when my wife stated to him I was prone to nose bleeding he thought I'd do well with a tissue valve. The second surgeon Dr. McCarthy from Northwestern in Chicago recommended tissue from the beginning and stated that at Northwestern they don't use that many mechanical valves anymore. I understand the risk with both valves and it will be a aortic bovine valve for me, my surgeon will be McCarthy. Northwestern doesn't use pig valves any more.
I met with McCarty on the 20th. When I first asked him how far out I was looking for a surgery date he and his coordinator thought it be about 4 weeks, his coordinator then went to double check the schedule and came back in the room and said how about the 28th. After my wife and I picked both our jaws off the floor I said ok let's get this over with.
I look forward to getting over this surgery as this day has been on my mind for some time now. I was a lurker here off and on for several years before my first post and your words of encouragement to others have helped me deal with my condition.
BAVD John