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Hey, Ann! I remember you well from the early days! I drifted away for a long time, myself (old screen name Lisa). I hope you're in the pink of health soon! You and Bonnie were always so kind to me.

True, I did state that I don't want irreversible heart damage - who does? I did not ask for a surgical consult. I talked with my cardiologist's nurse yesterday and it turns out this 2nd opinion is as much for my doctor as it is for me. Dornhole, I agree it sounds like you were indeed in an...

Hi, Rufus. I don't have any knowledge of aneurysms/repairs but I can commiserate with you on feeling scared. Heart surgery is an emotional journey; not to mention that we have to go about the business of healing and getting back to living. There are tons of people that have had multiple repos...

Yes, Paleogirl, the EF is the concern. I got my echo report today. My LV is normal in size, systolic function normal, and EF 50% as I stated above. Grade 1 diastolic dysfunction - I have to look that up. The aortic valve is moderately leaking with mildly calcified leaflets. The mitral and...

I had my annual Echo on 11/10 and saw my doc today to get the results. I don't have my copy of the echo report yet but he told me my AVA is 1.0cm, my EF is 50%, and that my valve problems are moderate to severe. I asked him for a reasonable expectation of when I need to have surgery and he said...

Hi, Glen. I'm glad you found out now so that your little guy can be followed. I come from a BAV family - my Mom, my uncle, my brother and myself. My brother had OHS starting at age 3. I was 31 when I had my surgery and my uncle was in his mid-fifties when he had his valve replaced. My Mom is in...

I posted a "light" comment elsewhere but I wanted to chime in with the others. I was eerily calm in the days before surgery and it was mainly because I had done everything I could to prepare myself. It wasn't up to me anymore. The hard part was over(the watching/waiting/deciding) and I was ready...

Aw, I hope you fInd some peace soon. And there's nothing wrong with a little liquid relaxation! I plan to enjoy myself to the fullest the week before my surgery!

So funny. Every time I had my pulse taken before AVR the medical assistants would look at me funnily and then change arms. I've been told over the years that I must be dead. LOL

That's funny, Scott. I love her. She's the best, even if she does cause my blood pressure to spike A 0? Wow! Thanks for the responses , all. I'm thinking it was a one-off but I will start monitoring it. BP was 132/60 today. I will post about my results in another thread.

Tjay, for years my BP has been 110/70 or 120/80 range. We do have a monitor and I must confess that I haven't been checking it because it's always been normal. I just started thinking and wondering if anyone has experienced a raise in blood pressure so many years after AVR and with a current...

Hi, Arne. Yes, mine were left open. They closed on their own. I have three small scars at the end of the incision scar line and the whole thing sort of reminds me of an anchor!

I went for my yearly Echo this past Monday and my tech, who is coincidentally my sister-in-law, got a little excited because my BP was really elevated for me. It was 140/90. I know that my valve has been moderately leaky and that I am approaching surgery time. I'll find out tomorrow at the...

True, Neil. We all have to choose what is right for us. I think it can be overwhelming if you overthink things. It's hard to balance emotion and intellect; you hit the nail on the head when you said both choices are good.

Hi, Carolyn. We have similar stories. I had my aortic valve replaced with a homograft almost 11 years ago. I've decided that my next, and hopefully last, valve is going to be a mechanical. I chose a homograft the first time because I was a newlywed, wasn't sure if there were going to be any...

I knew about my BAV for most of my life. Actually, I can't remember not knowing about it. It didn't change the way I live my life. I do agree that dwelling too much on the subject can make you a bit crazy. I think that's our kryptonite.

I agree with Steve. I wouldn't have noticed if I was in my birthday suit and they sold tickets to the public to view the show :-) I was out of it!! My surgery was on Fri. And I didn't really become conscious until Sun. I vomited in CCU and was given a bath while still under the anesthesia (sorry...

Hi, Alex. It seems that you are in a good place. I remember feeling calm and ready before my surgery, much like you. I was very, very sick and really looked forward to having it all behind me. I wasn't scared. I had a checkup with my cardio in Dec. and I told my husband before going to the appt...

I pray it works.

That is simply awesome! Congratulations!!