Aortic Root Replacement???

[vero1]

Hi all, my husband Genaro's Angiogram went o.k. The first time they tried to get him up he started bleeding and we had to stay an extra 2 hours to make sure he didn't bleed again. Anyway, doctor says he does need an aortic heart valve replacement ASAP, the valve is now very narrow and he also said he might need an aortic root replacement. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about that (aortic root replacement)? We now have to wait for the team of surgeons to call us to set up a meeting appointment and CT scan has to be ordered to make sure how much the aortic root has dialated and to make sure if it will have to be replaced. My husband seems to be a little scared but doctor assured us that since he is so young he should be o.k. I was a bit nervous at the hospital all day yesterday, I don't know if I'll be able to handle waiting through the surgery. Anyway, thank you all again for all of your support.

Veronica.

 

[momshell7]

Here is some information on aortic root replacement.

Here is some information on aortic root replacement.

Hi, I know what you are going through. My husband had his aoritc valve and part of the root replaced back in October. I was so worried before hand. My husband's surgery went very well and he is pretty much back to normal. He turned 38 last Sunday. He recovered very fast. He was back to work two weeks after the surgery ( he was going against his doctor's and my advice). He said he was feeling good and wanted to get back to normal.

Before his surgery, Jeff (my husband, twoboysdad on here) found some links to websites that show the surgery. There is also a website that deals with the before and afters of surgery. The first one shows the surgery.

http://www.or-live.com/wfubmc/1155/

http://www.heartsurgery-hawaii.com/...ation_video.htm

Jeff has posted a lot on here, especially before his surgery. If you want to read the things he has posted do a search for posts by twoboysdad. If you need to talk to another worried wife, Please feel free to pm me.

You will be in my thoughts
Michelle

 

[twoboysdad]

Hi, as Michelle mentioned, I am Jeff (twoboysdad)

I had my AVR on Oct. 18th I choose the Porcine Stentless Aortic Valve put in. Basically this valve is the entire aorta, The portion of the area leading into or out of the valve was replace with a dacron tube. Not sure if that is considered the root or what. I was always confused by that!

Anyway I am doing fine. Before the surgery i was on here all the time. This is a GREAT resorce that help myself and my wife very much. I am sure you will feel the same. I am back to work fully and find little time to post but i still check in from time to time. so feel free to post or PM me and i wil be happy to help

 

[vero1]

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you guys for your replies. I did'nt get the chance to view anything after the angiogram. I think we are now supposed to wait to get a call from the surgeons to have a meeting with them and maybe they'll show us pictures then. You both maybe can understand me, after the angiogram it all seems so much more real that my husband is really going to have open heart surgery. I am sooo nervous. I seem to think about it all of the time. I feel so much more love for my husband and just the thought of losing him makes me want to cry, scream, etc. Sometimes I feel like I won't keep up. I don't let him see me nervous, scared etc. I keep thinking negative thoughts and the more I want to be positive, the more negative I think. I don't know I guess I'm trying to vent and see if you guys can relate or if you were calmer, what did you do while waiting etc. Sorry, but I need some help. Thank you all again soooo much!!!
Veronica

 

[momshell7]

Calm??? What is Calm???

Calm??? What is Calm???

Hello, I can speak from my own personal experience to say that I felt every emotion imaginable EXCEPT calm. I was such a nervous wreck in the months before my husbands surgery. We found out in January of last year that his valve was leaking. They waited a few months after the initial echo and did a second one. It was after that when we knew there was going to be a surgery sooner than later. We were hoping, even though we both knew it wouldn't happen, that surgery could be put off a few years. He has his surgery on Oct.18. With each test or doctor visit I got more and more scared. I eventually went to my doctor and got something to help me relax. But the thing that helped me the most was this site!! Everyone on here is great. I remember Ross sent me an awesome poem the right before the surgery. It really helped. I think I still have it. I will pm you if I find it. It's so hard for friends and family who haven't been through this to really understand what you are feeling. Everyone on here has been through something heart related and can offer first hand experiences. Please don't be afraid of ask questions or just vent if you need to. Pam and I have been through almost identical experiences so we know what you are going through. Hopefully your husband isn't as stubborn as ours. They both tried to get back to normal a little to fast. But you gotta love them for feeling up to at least trying things. We are here if you need us!!

Michelle

 

[PKHUCK]

Valve replacement and Ascending aorta replacement

Valve replacement and Ascending aorta replacement

I completely understand your concerns. My husband just turned 46 and on November 6th underwent an aortic valve replacement and ascending aorta replacement. Very scary stuff. His aortic valve was a bicuspid and the doctors assume that is what cause his ascending aorta to enlarge and have to be replaced. I was terrified for several weeks before the surgery, but I did find that the more I learned the more comfortable I felt that everything would be fine and more than anything, we trusted our doctor. We did some checking on his background and reputation and the consenses was that there was no one else we would rather have do the surgery. His recovery went as expected, however, being that he is 46, he felt he should have recovered quicker. After 12 weeks, he is still not 100%, but the doctors say with a surgery as extensive as his, he should expect several months of recovery before he feels "normal" so to speak. He is still battling with a little heart rate elevation now and then, but that's about it. He still goes to rehab 3 times a week. I guess the best advise I can give to any spouse going through this type of thing is have your family and friends around you during the surgery. My husbands surgery was 8 hours and I have never been so frightened and stressed in my life, but I had family there to get me through it and everything went as the doctor put it, "beautifully". I know this is a little lengthy, but it is actually very theraputic for me and to know that I can reassure someone else that it's ok to be scared and unsure. Another benefit, (besides my husband being well again) is that he and I have a whole new perspective on life and our relationship has never been stronger. We went through this experience "together". Best wishes to you and your husband for a successful surgery and speedy recovery!
pkhuck

Hi all, my husband Genaro's Angiogram went o.k. The first time they tried to get him up he started bleeding and we had to stay an extra 2 hours to make sure he didn't bleed again. Anyway, doctor says he does need an aortic heart valve replacement ASAP, the valve is now very narrow and he also said he might need an aortic root replacement. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about that (aortic root replacement)? We now have to wait for the team of surgeons to call us to set up a meeting appointment and CT scan has to be ordered to make sure how much the aortic root has dialated and to make sure if it will have to be replaced. My husband seems to be a little scared but doctor assured us that since he is so young he should be o.k. I was a bit nervous at the hospital all day yesterday, I don't know if I'll be able to handle waiting through the surgery. Anyway, thank you all again for all of your support.

Veronica.

 

[Ross]

I know this is a little lengthy, but it is actually very theraputic for me and to know that I can reassure someone else that it's ok to be scared and unsure. Another benefit, (besides my husband being well again) is that he and I have a whole new perspective on life and our relationship has never been stronger. We went through this experience "together". Best wishes to you and your husband for a successful surgery and speedy recovery!
pkhuck

.....And this is exactly what this forum is all about.

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Veronica

Boy, girl, I know exactly what you're going through. I remember well Tyce's AVR (almost 3 years ago). I was the wreck, and you can ask any of the oldies on this site. I think all I did was CRY, CRY, CRY. I remember well sitting down at this very computer, typing and tears running down my eyes. I was absolutely positive I was going to lose him---if not on the table, then before they could schedule the surgery, which was about 3 weeks from when he went into the hospital with afib. You are in the very best place you can be. We all understand you, so don't worry about venting on us. Now that I think back, I was the wreck, Tyce was the strong one.....thank God. I guess he knew he had to be for me.

You WILL both get through this. The damned waiting is the hardest. Just lean on each other and all your friends, especially us here at vr.com.

Evelyn

 

[momshell7]

Thinking about you!

Thinking about you!

PKHUCK - WOW an eight hour surgery! We were told my husband's was going to be 6-8 hours but luckily it was only three. I was pretty much in shock when I got the update call that said they were taking him to recovery. I had only gotten one other call. The first one was when they first got him on the heart and lung machines. The next thing I knew, it was over.

The wait in the waiting room wasn't too bad, but I suggest taking a blanket and pillow if you think you may want one. The hospital provided some in the waiting room but the thought of using a community pillow was less than appealing

I had a book that I read while in the waiting room. Of course, it's hard to really concentrate on anything for very long. The best thing to have in the waiting room is company! I had my husband's parents and some of his uncles and his aunt there. It was nice just to sit and listen to them talk.

Hopefully, this site is helping you to understand more of what is going on with your husband. The information you gain definately helps to make you more relaxed with the surgery. It's going to be scary no matter what but at least if you are informed you understand the things that are happening.

Just yell if you need anything. Someone is always here and will to help!