Hi,
I am new to this site, but have done my homework in advance. Guess what? I am going in for my aortic valve surgery during the middle of Jan '12. Being told most likely bicuspid because of my age...guess it is not showing up on echo...hard part for me is that this shouldn't happen to "me", an active adult that has played every sport growing up and maintained a relative healthy lifestyle - but I got over that quickly. Murmur to symptoms put me in front of the cardiologist that gave me the news that scared the heck out of me - open heart surgery. After discussing with my surgeon, I have opted for the tissue valve (Bovine from St. Jude) as I can't image being on blood thinners the rest of my life with three young children (6, 3, 1) and an active lifestyle even though I do understand the potential risks with re-op. I have put it in God's hands working through my surgeon to help me through. Funny, it's a catch 22 for me...having kids terrifies me to think of the procedure that I am about to have (thinking graphically), but I am ultimately having the surgery for my children so I can regain my health and continue to be there for them. There's a lot to do - blood work for cath; cath; echo for surgery; bloodwork for surgery; ultrasound for surgery; pre-op and finally the operation - that will certainly make the time fly by but remind me of my anxieties. I am thankful that I put my pride aside and was proactive with my doctors. I am looking forward to a seamless (not literally - LOL) procedure and a speedy recovery. I WILL either enter a Triathlon or bike 100 miles or run a 1/2 to full marathon next year with a reminder (i.e. scar) to how lucky and fortunate I really am. At the same time, I look forward to being a future resource to this site once I have had my surgery through recovery. I know some say misery loves company, but I firmly believe that a positive attidude is contagious! Happy New Year!!
Very respectfully,
SB42
I am new to this site, but have done my homework in advance. Guess what? I am going in for my aortic valve surgery during the middle of Jan '12. Being told most likely bicuspid because of my age...guess it is not showing up on echo...hard part for me is that this shouldn't happen to "me", an active adult that has played every sport growing up and maintained a relative healthy lifestyle - but I got over that quickly. Murmur to symptoms put me in front of the cardiologist that gave me the news that scared the heck out of me - open heart surgery. After discussing with my surgeon, I have opted for the tissue valve (Bovine from St. Jude) as I can't image being on blood thinners the rest of my life with three young children (6, 3, 1) and an active lifestyle even though I do understand the potential risks with re-op. I have put it in God's hands working through my surgeon to help me through. Funny, it's a catch 22 for me...having kids terrifies me to think of the procedure that I am about to have (thinking graphically), but I am ultimately having the surgery for my children so I can regain my health and continue to be there for them. There's a lot to do - blood work for cath; cath; echo for surgery; bloodwork for surgery; ultrasound for surgery; pre-op and finally the operation - that will certainly make the time fly by but remind me of my anxieties. I am thankful that I put my pride aside and was proactive with my doctors. I am looking forward to a seamless (not literally - LOL) procedure and a speedy recovery. I WILL either enter a Triathlon or bike 100 miles or run a 1/2 to full marathon next year with a reminder (i.e. scar) to how lucky and fortunate I really am. At the same time, I look forward to being a future resource to this site once I have had my surgery through recovery. I know some say misery loves company, but I firmly believe that a positive attidude is contagious! Happy New Year!!
Very respectfully,
SB42