F
Frank
Hi gang,
You may have read my reply to Scotty that contains some info on my situation. For 18 months I've been struggling with the decision to have mitral valve surgery. My condition is that I have severe mitral regurgitation with some dialation of the LV and the LA. My LV is 6.7cm and my LA is 4.7cm. Although I really don't recognize many symptoms, I seem to avoid much physical activity and spend a lot of time on the Internet researching my condition and watching TV. 18 months ago I played basketball every week and worked out several times a week as well. I stopped all that when I found out about my condition after an annual physical.
My cardiologist has encouraged me to have the surgery all along. I even got a second opinion and he also concurred. My surgeon concurred but knowing I was nervous said I could wait until my LA was 5.0 cm. Even though it has maintained the same size (4.7cm) through three echoes taken every 6 months, when I look at the distance on a scale .3cm is very small.
As I have been racked by anxiety for this entire time I called the surgeon Dr. Dennis Pupello the other day and scheduled the surgery. I go into the hospital next Wednesday for the cath, the surgery is scheduled for next Thursday. Now I'm really nervous. Upon waking in the morning I find my self questioning my decision. My question to the veterans is how did you endure those final days before the surgery. Any thoughts, support or opinions on my conditon would be much appreciated.
Over about the last year or so I've been reading the posts on this forum and praying for those approaching surgery. I,m getting relief from praying and taking Xanax but this waiting is tough. Again any advise and prayers would be appreciated.
Sorry for the long email, I just had to vent.
Frank
You may have read my reply to Scotty that contains some info on my situation. For 18 months I've been struggling with the decision to have mitral valve surgery. My condition is that I have severe mitral regurgitation with some dialation of the LV and the LA. My LV is 6.7cm and my LA is 4.7cm. Although I really don't recognize many symptoms, I seem to avoid much physical activity and spend a lot of time on the Internet researching my condition and watching TV. 18 months ago I played basketball every week and worked out several times a week as well. I stopped all that when I found out about my condition after an annual physical.
My cardiologist has encouraged me to have the surgery all along. I even got a second opinion and he also concurred. My surgeon concurred but knowing I was nervous said I could wait until my LA was 5.0 cm. Even though it has maintained the same size (4.7cm) through three echoes taken every 6 months, when I look at the distance on a scale .3cm is very small.
As I have been racked by anxiety for this entire time I called the surgeon Dr. Dennis Pupello the other day and scheduled the surgery. I go into the hospital next Wednesday for the cath, the surgery is scheduled for next Thursday. Now I'm really nervous. Upon waking in the morning I find my self questioning my decision. My question to the veterans is how did you endure those final days before the surgery. Any thoughts, support or opinions on my conditon would be much appreciated.
Over about the last year or so I've been reading the posts on this forum and praying for those approaching surgery. I,m getting relief from praying and taking Xanax but this waiting is tough. Again any advise and prayers would be appreciated.
Sorry for the long email, I just had to vent.
Frank