I have been diagnosed with Bicuspid Aortic Valve stenosis and want to meet my cardiologist 1 more time to get actual mesurements and to find out if this transcatheter aortic valve implantation is available in Toronto.I am in about 45 minutes south of Sudbury and here they only do the cracking of the chest. If they can do it through my arteries like the angiogram or through a few small insitions between the ribs, that would be preferable. I have a back injury that lets me live in pain every day but my fear is that because of my back injury, i have to cheat to move around, get out of bed even get off of the toilette. I use my upper body strength to do these things and fear that i won't be able to lift myself and if i throw my back out, i will be screwed. I am not a small guy either which makes this more complicated, 6'1'' and around 380lbs. I have been active all my life and have been gradually slowing down. I thaught i was getting old but now i know it's my heart. I keep to the positive and am greatfull for what i can still do instead of concentrating on what i can't do anymore. If i can get this transcatheder thing done , i think i will go will the Bovine valve but if it's cracking my chest i guess i have to go with the mechanical valve. It's a hard decision and i have never been 1 for taking medication. With my back i have learned that the pain is there for a reason(to stop me from doing stupid stuff) and if i take medication to mask the pain i will just do more damage. I am not crazy about being a slave to the medication or coumadin for the rest of my life. I don't know how to make this decision. I am 40 years old, married with 4 kids, a business to run plus run the house hold. My wifes a nurse but they won't give her time off to take care of me unless i am dying. So i can't go down. I don't know how to make this decision... If they crack my chest i won't be able to push my self off the bed or toiletetc and how long before i will be able to do that after the surgery? With the transcatheter technic I would be completely heeled within 3 weeks and i should still be able to cheat and push myself off the bed, toilet etc.... How do i make this decision?