P
PeterBBandy
This is getting to be too much for me to digest! In 1991 I had a double bypass. While I did not have a heart attack, sudden angina got my attention and four days later two mammary were rerouted before I had opportunity or reason to consider options. Yes, I was told about angiographs but not encouraged to go that direction. It all went fine, so when, two years ago, I was told my aortic valve leaked both ways (yes there is medical terms for it but I can neither remember or spell them), I just accepted the fact that some day I would have my chest cracked again. Since then I have had several ultrasound tests with the thought that when the wall of my heart got too big (or whatever) I would have a valve replaced.
Well base on a test in November, that time has arrived. Or has it?
I am scheduled for surgery on Jan 9. That is in four days! I was told I should consider having a mechanical or tissue valve and told some of the pros and cons of each. Since it seems like I am going to have to participate in the selection, I decided I would hit the net to get educated, or better yet, to get the answer. Well by now you the reader are getting an understanding how nieve I am.
I was blown away by the information in this forum. It scared me. I realize just how uninformed (stupid) I am. Perhaps I trust the famous Mayo Clinic more than I should. I live in Rochester MN and consider the Clinic as a big family doctor. I simply ?do what the Dr. says?. But from the forum I can see things are not that simple and the mechanical vs. tissue question is not a binary one since there are variations of each. Moreover, there are serious implications for either or any choice. Life is not as simple as I would have it.
One message that really caught my eye was the one from Jennie talking about the new CryoValve that seemed to lay a lot of the concerns about Coumadin to rest. I sent her a PM and that wonderful gas responded with a long and informative response. Thank you Jennie! She had some great advice and I will be talking to my doctors on Monday a more informed patient. More informed, but under informed none the less.
So the intention of this long winded message is to solicit additional ideas and suggestions from what is obviously a very informed and caring group of folks. After I meeting with my cardiologist who has been following my case and the surgeon who is scheduled to make repairs, I will have to make a decision; some sort of mechanical valve, a tissue valve, the new CryoValve if it is available, or simply not to have the operation done until I am comfortable with all aspects of the plan. I will be watching the forum for any responses which will be appreciated.
Thank you for reading this very long message.
Pete
Well base on a test in November, that time has arrived. Or has it?
I am scheduled for surgery on Jan 9. That is in four days! I was told I should consider having a mechanical or tissue valve and told some of the pros and cons of each. Since it seems like I am going to have to participate in the selection, I decided I would hit the net to get educated, or better yet, to get the answer. Well by now you the reader are getting an understanding how nieve I am.
I was blown away by the information in this forum. It scared me. I realize just how uninformed (stupid) I am. Perhaps I trust the famous Mayo Clinic more than I should. I live in Rochester MN and consider the Clinic as a big family doctor. I simply ?do what the Dr. says?. But from the forum I can see things are not that simple and the mechanical vs. tissue question is not a binary one since there are variations of each. Moreover, there are serious implications for either or any choice. Life is not as simple as I would have it.
One message that really caught my eye was the one from Jennie talking about the new CryoValve that seemed to lay a lot of the concerns about Coumadin to rest. I sent her a PM and that wonderful gas responded with a long and informative response. Thank you Jennie! She had some great advice and I will be talking to my doctors on Monday a more informed patient. More informed, but under informed none the less.
So the intention of this long winded message is to solicit additional ideas and suggestions from what is obviously a very informed and caring group of folks. After I meeting with my cardiologist who has been following my case and the surgeon who is scheduled to make repairs, I will have to make a decision; some sort of mechanical valve, a tissue valve, the new CryoValve if it is available, or simply not to have the operation done until I am comfortable with all aspects of the plan. I will be watching the forum for any responses which will be appreciated.
Thank you for reading this very long message.
Pete