BCMike
Member
I would like to introduce myself. Hello everyone!! I'm Mike. I have been reading for weeks now and still haven't figured out how to contribute, so I just thought I'd jump on in. I can't thank you all enough for helping me so much with all of the very useful information I have found on this site.
I had AVR pig in 1999 at the age of 20 (I knew about the valve functioning poorly at the age of 10, but the Dr's just waited and watched me get sicker and sicker until they felt it was time).
I was fortunate enough to get 12 years out of this puppy, but it has finally packed it in. Also, my aorta is dilated and will need replacing. I will be getting the ON-X aortic valve with ascending aorta prosthesis. (special order in Canada as Health Canada is still in the approval process). Hopefully this will mean no more OHS!
I'm scared. There - I said it. I wasn't at all worried back when I was 20, but now I am having nightmares!! I have to keep it together for my family as they are more worried than I am. Dreams of waking up in the OR. So vivid and traumatic they actually affect me throughout the day and I'm jittery and anxious. Crazy stuff.
That said, I can't wait until I have my energy back (I hope). I also have MS and fatigue is a major symptom of MS, so it's not really clear to anyone how much of the fatigue is due to this or the heart. I remain cautiously optimistic.
Again, thank you to each and every one of you - especially the regulars- whom I feel as if I know like family already!
Oh yeah, any ideas on how a newbie can contribute? I want to help but it seems like everything I could possibly add is already here. Please advise because I'm off work and I don't go in until mid October.
I had AVR pig in 1999 at the age of 20 (I knew about the valve functioning poorly at the age of 10, but the Dr's just waited and watched me get sicker and sicker until they felt it was time).
I was fortunate enough to get 12 years out of this puppy, but it has finally packed it in. Also, my aorta is dilated and will need replacing. I will be getting the ON-X aortic valve with ascending aorta prosthesis. (special order in Canada as Health Canada is still in the approval process). Hopefully this will mean no more OHS!
I'm scared. There - I said it. I wasn't at all worried back when I was 20, but now I am having nightmares!! I have to keep it together for my family as they are more worried than I am. Dreams of waking up in the OR. So vivid and traumatic they actually affect me throughout the day and I'm jittery and anxious. Crazy stuff.
That said, I can't wait until I have my energy back (I hope). I also have MS and fatigue is a major symptom of MS, so it's not really clear to anyone how much of the fatigue is due to this or the heart. I remain cautiously optimistic.
Again, thank you to each and every one of you - especially the regulars- whom I feel as if I know like family already!
Oh yeah, any ideas on how a newbie can contribute? I want to help but it seems like everything I could possibly add is already here. Please advise because I'm off work and I don't go in until mid October.