another scared guy

[bc488]

I bookmarked this site a couple of months ago thinking I might never need it. Guess what happened.
1 x-ray normal, lungs clear
2 Echo showed moderate regurg in AV. Both AV and MV sclerotic. No remodeling, all numbers good or borderline high. My GP said probably nothing but sent me to cardioligist.
3 Nuclear stress test mostly clear except for one tiny possible blockage. Ejection fraction %69 and good to excellent tolerance for exercise with 13.5 MET's. Cardioligist said at that time that the regurgitation sounded mild but sent me to Holmes regional in Melbourne when I told him about two bouts of angina and fluid that feels like it sometimes backs up into my chest throat and sinuses.

Just got home from two miserable days in an open bay ward at the hospital. The heart cath showed clear pipes but a very leaky AV. I'm sure the stress and no sleep from being on that ward didn't help. The surgeon said my LV is 5.6 centimeters and he likes to cut at 5.8
I am a 46 year old police lieutenant and EMT who was up for promotion to captain this week. It may just be my imagination but i can already hear the skittishness in my supervising managers voices. I don't even know what to say when they ask how long I may be out of work.

Anyhow this all started a cople of months ago with severe stiff neck, fever, pre-syncope, diaphoresis, and heart palps. Lasted a couple of days but the heart problems lingered on.
Will try to get admitted to Sarasota Memorial, still waffling on what type of valve to get. Oh yeah. Still have to do the TEE.

God Bless VR.com

 

[Mary]

I wouldn't have a discussion about how long you may be out of work until after you have surgery scheduled. Your valve replacement might not take place as soon as you think.

In the meantime, welcome aboard. We're always glad to answer questions and provide a nonjudgmental* forum to vent about your experiences.

*sometimes it is judgmental, but just tell us to back off, and we will*

 

[Ross]

*sometimes it is judgmental, but just tell us to back off, and we will*

Not judgemental, highly opinionated with experience.

 

[bc488]

Point Taken

Point Taken

I wouldn't have a discussion about how long you may be out of work until after you have surgery scheduled. Your valve replacement might not take place as soon as you think.

In the meantime, welcome aboard. We're always glad to answer questions and provide a nonjudgmental* forum to vent about your experiences.

*sometimes it is judgmental, but just tell us to back off, and we will*

You're right Mary. I was venting. The truth is that the staff at the hospital were all very kind and helpful. Just the accomodations were lacking.
Thanks for the advice

 

[jwusko]

I bookmarked this site a couple of months ago thinking I might never need it. Guess what happened.
1 x-ray normal, lungs clear
2 Echo showed moderate regurg in AV. Both AV and MV sclerotic. No remodeling, all numbers good or borderline high. My GP said probably nothing but sent me to cardioligist.
3 Nuclear stress test mostly clear except for one tiny possible blockage. Ejection fraction %69 and good to excellent tolerance for exercise with 13.5 MET's. Cardioligist said at that time that the regurgitation sounded mild but sent me to Holmes regional in Melbourne when I told him about two bouts of angina and fluid that feels like it sometimes backs up into my chest throat and sinuses.

Just got home from two miserable days in an open bay ward at the hospital. The heart cath showed clear pipes but a very leaky AV. I'm sure the stress and no sleep from being on that ward didn't help. The surgeon said my LV is 5.6 centimeters and he likes to cut at 5.8
I am a 46 year old police lieutenant and EMT who was up for promotion to captain this week. It may just be my imagination but i can already hear the skittishness in my supervising managers voices. I don't even know what to say when they ask how long I may be out of work.

Anyhow this all started a cople of months ago with severe stiff neck, fever, pre-syncope, diaphoresis, and heart palps. Lasted a couple of days but the heart problems lingered on.
Will try to get admitted to Sarasota Memorial, still waffling on what type of valve to get. Oh yeah. Still have to do the TEE.

God Bless VR.com

I was out 6-weeks from a sedentary job...probably could've done it in 4, but I decided to use a little R&R when I actually felt ok...I found out about my possible surgery in February, but kept it under wraps until I had met w/ the surgeon and had a tentative date...that gave me a 4-week window to help transition things...


-Jeff

 

[rbl1999]

Hi, I hope all goes well for you. Wanted to let you know that I had my Aorta Valve replaced at Sarasota Memorial in July, I highly recommend the hospital, the care was excellent. My surgeon was Dr. Thomas Kelly who actually started the open heart surgery program at Sarasota Memorial. Again , I highly recommend him, he was not only an excellent surgeon but very kind. I am older than you (59), I went with the bovine tissue valve, so far so good!!!! All the best, keep us posted, I don't know what I would have done without this site the first few weeks after my surgery... Rose

 

[JohnnyV_46]

Well, I wouldn't worry about recovery time..Just get it fixed before you have any serious problems. I'm 46 and had a mild heart attack on 8-16 while working.
had my Cardiac cath on 8-18 and my OHS on 8-19 . I got the Bovine aortic valve replacement. I don't want to have to deal with Cumadin but that's just me. I know I'll surely have to have it replaced again someday. I also had 3 coronary arteries by-passed. They're what caused my Heart attack.

Scary ain't it.....

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome!

I'm glad you had a good experience with the hospital staff. The beauty of our "little family" here is that we all know your inner feelings on this situation. Having people who have Been There Done That, whom you can't vent with, is invaluable.

As far as valve choice goes, you may want to check with your department on their policy of their EMT's being on Coumadin. If you go mechanical, you will have to be on Coumadin. While it's a very manageable, very livable drug, I do know that some Fire Depts. will not allow their EMT's or fire fighters to be on it. But you should also know that going with a tissue valve doesn't completely eliminate the possibility of having to be on Coumadin. There is a small percentage of post-VR patients who develope atrial fibrilation, regardless of valve choice, and this also requires Coumadin.

Just rest assured that this is a highly perfected surgery that has been done a lot! Don't feel any question is stupid and don't be concerned about venting. We all vent here from time to time. My 14 year anniversary of my valve replacement is next month - and I STILL vent! Sometimes about my valve.

 

[Mary]

You're right Mary. I was venting. The truth is that the staff at the hospital were all very kind and helpful. Just the accomodations were lacking.
Thanks for the advice

Now, I wouldn't call that post venting! I would say it falls more under the category of "factual first post narrative." When the time comes that you need to vent, you will recognize it as such! We will too!

The beauty of it is, we won't mind at all. We've all been there, done that, to some degree or another. It is impossible for anyone else, that's not facing this surgery, to understand what you're dealing with. So when you vent, we will just shake our heads in agreement, and think, "Yeah, I remember when I went through the same thing."
Glad you're with us.
Mary

 

[McCranky]

Don't Worry...........

Don't Worry...........

I live in London, England and 3 years ago I went to hospital to get my chest checked out after a 6 week bronchial infecton. Guess what! My respiratory system was fine but I had a heart murmur. Subsequent visits to the cardio dept. revealed a bicuspid aortic valve with moderate to severe aortic stenosis. The upshot was that on June 6th I had my 7mm diameter valve replaced with a St Jude 27mm. 4 times as big. I hadn't had many symptoms except for having to breathe deeper and I had I put this down to getting older.(I am 64).

The op was a breeze. My surgeon only offered the St Jude as he said that it has been tried tested and improved over 20 years and would still be ticking when the rest of me has ground to a halt. Thanks to reading this web site I was aware of the possible downsides and so there were no nasty surprises, apart, that is, from the catheter which was very uncomfortable.

12 weeks on I have so much energy that I can't take it easy. 18 holes of golf followed by 3 hours digging the vegetable patch put my back into spasm.I would sooner have had open heart surgery again as the pain from my back was infinitely worse. Added to this, because of the warfarin I am not allowed Ibuprofen. A friendly doctor advised me to eat something, take a Zantac then the Ibuprofen and thanks to his advice there has been no bleeding. I am on a 10 mg dose and my INR ios still on the low side (2.4) so maybe I'm lucky. The warfarin hasn't changed my life at all. I seem to eat and drink what I like. However, an older friend who is on 1 mg and whose INR is 3.5. can't drink more than a teaspoon of the lovely amber liquid without his INR going sky high.

My 26 year old daughter has just discovered that she too has a bicuspid aorta with leakage and a slightly distended rising aorta. She has modified her fast living but because of my experience she is not at all worried by her condition.

If you were up for promotion before your op. Believe me, after the op you will be twice the man that you are now.

 

[geebee]

I just want to welcome you and say this really shouldn't affect your promotion. It should be only a temporary setback and you should be back at work even better than ever.

As Karlynn says, definitely check on the coumadin issue with your department. You may want to go tissue if coumadin is an issue (no rhyme intended ). The station I work at does not allow coumadin for field personnel.

You should plan on being out for at least 3 months because of the physical requirements of your job. You could go back to a desk job at about 6-8 weeks depending on your situation.

Best of luck and please stay in touch.

 

[bc488]

Thanks To All

Thanks To All

Took a nap and then woke up to read these posts. It is the usual outpouring of emotional support and good practical advice that I have seen on this website time and time again.
I'll keep you posted and maybe some day when I am an 'old hand ' I will be able to do the same for someone else.

Thank you,
bc

 

[bc488]

Welcome!

I'm glad you had a good experience with the hospital staff. The beauty of our "little family" here is that we all know your inner feelings on this situation. Having people who have Been There Done That, whom you can't vent with, is invaluable.

As far as valve choice goes, you may want to check with your department on their policy of their EMT's being on Coumadin. If you go mechanical, you will have to be on Coumadin. While it's a very manageable, very livable drug, I do know that some Fire Depts. will not allow their EMT's or fire fighters to be on it. But you should also know that going with a tissue valve doesn't completely eliminate the possibility of having to be on Coumadin. There is a small percentage of post-VR patients who develope atrial fibrilation, regardless of valve choice, and this also requires Coumadin.

Just rest assured that this is a highly perfected surgery that has been done a lot! Don't feel any question is stupid and don't be concerned about venting. We all vent here from time to time. My 14 year anniversary of my valve replacement is next month - and I STILL vent! Sometimes about my valve.

Karlynn,
I had not thought of the coumadin angle. I guess I could be flying a desk for the rest of my tour of duty.

 

[bvdr]

Welcome to this board. Has any date for your surgery been mentioned. I would hope that if you are symptomatic, as you sound like you are, then waiting on any further ventricular enlargement doesn't make much sense. It's better to get it over with than wait for additional damage.

No wonder you feel as you do considering the timing of your potential promotion. I guess even in the best circumstances it is never convenient though. .

Many years ago I spent time in Sarasota Memorial hospital as a nursing student and have some fond memories of the place. Let's see, that was in the 70's....it has probably changed some. We have several members who have had heart valve surgery there and I don't remember reading anything negative about it at all.

We are real pleased that you bookmarked this site since that is exactly what has brought us together and why we stay around to help those who are new at this. The damage to your heart fits the profile of rheumatic heart disease, is it?

 

[bc488]

You Are The Man

You Are The Man

I live in London, England and 3 years ago I went to hospital to get my chest checked out after a 6 week bronchial infecton. Guess what! My respiratory system was fine but I had a heart murmur. Subsequent visits to the cardio dept. revealed a bicuspid aortic valve with moderate to severe aortic stenosis. The upshot was that on June 6th I had my 7mm diameter valve replaced with a St Jude 27mm. 4 times as big. I hadn't had many symptoms except for having to breathe deeper and I had I put this down to getting older.(I am 64).
The op was a breeze. My surgeon only offered the St Jude as he said that it has been tried tested and improved over 20 years and would still be ticking when the rest of me has ground to a halt. Thanks to reading this web site I was aware of the possible downsides and so there were no nasty surprises, apart, that is, from the catheter which was very uncomfortable.

12 weeks on I have so much energy that I can't take it easy. 18 holes of golf followed by 3 hours digging the vegetable patch put my back into spasm.I would sooner have had open heart surgery again as the pain from my back was infinitely worse. Added to this, because of the warfarin I am not allowed Ibuprofen. A friendly doctor advised me to eat something, take a Zantac then the Ibuprofen and thanks to his advice there has been no bleeding. I am on a 10 mg dose and my INR ios still on the low side (2.4) so maybe I'm lucky. The warfarin hasn't changed my life at all. I seem to eat and drink what I like. However, an older friend who is on 1 mg and whose INR is 3.5. can't drink more than a teaspoon of the lovely amber liquid without his INR going skyhigh.

My 26 year old daughter has just discovered that she too has a bicuspid aorta with leakage and a slightly distended rising aorta. She has modified her fast living but because of my experience she is not at all worried by her condition.
If you were up for promotion before your op. Believe me, after the op you will be twice the man that you are now.

McCranky,
You are the MAN. When you put it like that I feel like a sniveling wimp. You make me want to take a dull kitchen knife and give myself the operation right now. That's a motivational letter!

 

[bc488]

Welcome to this board. Has any date for your surgery been mentioned. I would hope that if you are symptomatic, as you sound like you are, then waiting on any further ventricular enlargement doesn't make much sense. It's better to get it over with than wait for additional damage.
No wonder you feel as you do considering the timing of your potential promotion. I guess even in the best circumstances it is never convenient though. .

Many years ago I spent time in Sarasota Memorial hospital as a nursing student and have some fond memories of the place. Let's see, that was in the 70's....it has probably changed some. We have several members who have had heart valve surgery there and I don't remember reading anything negative about it at all.

We are real pleased that you bookmarked this site since that is exactly what has brought us together and why we stay around to help those who are new at this. The damage to your heart fits the profile of rheumatic heart disease, is it?

Betty,
When I left the hospital they had just taken blood for the infectious disease testing and rheumatic fever had been mentioned.
Sarasota is listed at #19 in US News and World Report this year. They Can't be too bad.

 

[bc488]

Bovine Valve

Bovine Valve

Hi, I hope all goes well for you. Wanted to let you know that I had my Aorta Valve replaced at Sarasota Memorial in July, I highly recommend the hospital, the care was excellent. My surgeon was Dr. Thomas Kelly who actually started the open heart surgery program at Sarasota Memorial. Again , I highly recommend him, he was not only an excellent surgeon but very kind. I am older than you (59), I went with the bovine tissue valve, so far so good!!!! All the best, keep us posted, I don't know what I would have done without this site the first few weeks after my surgery... Rose

Rose (my wife's name too, she's a saint)
I am really leaning towards the bovine valve also. It seems to me that they last even longer than advertised. I mean, bulls are strong right? And I'm a Taurus.

 

[MarkU]

Had my AVR at Sarasota Memorial five years ago in December 2000 at age 47. Dr. Martin Beggs did the surgery and Dr. Rick Yaryura is my cardiologist.
Both are terrific. Have a lot of contacts at the hospital - let me know if I can help with anything.
I have a St. Jude mechanical and am on Coumadin. I am very active physically, training six days a week to do triathlons. Coumadin hasn't been much of an issue for me, but as was suggested above, you may want to check your department's policy regarding Coumadin.
Good luck. Keep in touch and let us know how things go.
Mark

 

[rbl1999]

I also am a Taurus!!! May 14th. We are made of tough stuff. There is a website lifeisnow.com that will give you some information on the bovine valves, like everyone here is telling you it is an individual decision there are pros and cons to both. My decision was quick as I saw the cardiologist on a Tuesday for a follow up appointment and was admitted the next day for surgery. Because of my age and a history of ulcers it was decided that I would go with the tissue valve.. Keep us updated, we will all help you thru this.. Rose

 

[bc488]

Sarasota Memorial

Sarasota Memorial

Had my AVR at Sarasota Memorial five years ago in December 2000 at age 47. Dr. Martin Beggs did the surgery and Dr. Rick Yaryura is my cardiologist.
Both are terrific. Have a lot of contacts at the hospital - let me know if I can help with anything.
I have a St. Jude mechanical and am on Coumadin. I am very active physically, training six days a week to do triathlons. Coumadin hasn't been much of an issue for me, but as was suggested above, you may want to check your department's policy regarding Coumadin.
Good luck. Keep in touch and let us know how things go.
Mark

Thanks Mark. I will definately keep you on "speed dial".