pnarciso
Active member
Thanks for all the info I could find here. It has been a lot of help.
I have known since I was 14, when I was diagnosed in a routine medical exam, that some day I would have to replace the valve. Well, 23 years after that, that day is arriving. "In the future" always seems far enough. Now I have an X in my wall calendar (actually an Event on my iPhone) - a lot scarier.
It turned out that my valve is still hanging in there (I have both insufficiency and stenosis, but none of them critical yet), but I have to go into surgery due to the TAA, which is growing fast (47 mm in March, 4 mm growth in a year). No good reason to postpone. The surgeon will see if my case will be for Bentall - de Bono (replace valve and the entire ascending aorta with a valved tube) or maybe preserve the aortic sinuses and coronary arteries insertions, replacing only the valve and the part of the aorta where the aneurysm is. He will only decide after he takes a good look at everything, with his own eyes...
Right now I am trying to finish a zillion projects at work and to dominate anxiety - at least one thing helps the other. keeping busy is a good strategy to me. Too bad I cannot sweat the anxiety away anymore - no more running or swimming for me since the last visit to the cardio three months ago.
If anyone needs help with info on how to go through this in Brazil, I can help. I have done some research, gone through some good and bad experiences dealing with private and public health systems, visited a few doctors and institutions before making my decision, and would be happy to share my experiences.
Good luck to all!
Paulo
I have known since I was 14, when I was diagnosed in a routine medical exam, that some day I would have to replace the valve. Well, 23 years after that, that day is arriving. "In the future" always seems far enough. Now I have an X in my wall calendar (actually an Event on my iPhone) - a lot scarier.
It turned out that my valve is still hanging in there (I have both insufficiency and stenosis, but none of them critical yet), but I have to go into surgery due to the TAA, which is growing fast (47 mm in March, 4 mm growth in a year). No good reason to postpone. The surgeon will see if my case will be for Bentall - de Bono (replace valve and the entire ascending aorta with a valved tube) or maybe preserve the aortic sinuses and coronary arteries insertions, replacing only the valve and the part of the aorta where the aneurysm is. He will only decide after he takes a good look at everything, with his own eyes...
Right now I am trying to finish a zillion projects at work and to dominate anxiety - at least one thing helps the other. keeping busy is a good strategy to me. Too bad I cannot sweat the anxiety away anymore - no more running or swimming for me since the last visit to the cardio three months ago.
If anyone needs help with info on how to go through this in Brazil, I can help. I have done some research, gone through some good and bad experiences dealing with private and public health systems, visited a few doctors and institutions before making my decision, and would be happy to share my experiences.
Good luck to all!
Paulo
