Aortic Valve replacement scheduled for Dec. 9

[sruss]

I've been lurking for weeks, reading all your posts and finding out as much as I can about my oncoming surgery December 9. It will be at Summit Medical Center, Oakland, CA, Russell Stanten, surgeon. I note from the net that he's a member of Physicians for the Medical Use of Wine, so he must be good! He recommends a cow valve, as I'm 75 and unlikely to outlive it. As I have AF and have had problems with bleeding, a mechanical one seems unadvisable.

I've been doing water aerobics for 12 years, and increased it to 4 times a week last year and am trying to lose some weight before the surgery.

I see from your pictures that most of you look pretty young. Does that mean we oldies don't make it, or that most of us older people are computer unfriendly?

 

[Ross]

Hi, wondered when your were going to post.

Congratulations on your date and making the choice. You've been lurking long enough to know the routine around here. We go with you all the way. We hope someone can post on your behalf while your out.

I think the majority of the older crowd are too intimidated by computers or forums, I haven't figured out which just yet. Glad to see they haven't phased you. We need others such as yourself to project the image that they can learn and have fun too!

If you have anymore questions or concerns, just ask. I'm certain you'll get a lot of help and advice.

Welcome officially to the forums!

 

[Jan]

Welcome

Welcome

Hi just wanted to say welcome,

It is wonderful to have new members regardless of there age

You seem to be very prepared for your surgery that is good, and I am sure you will benefit by that,

Take care

keep smiling

Jan

 

[Nancy]

Hi and welcome-

My husband is 72 and he's still hanging around. He's had three valve replacements, the last one in 2001. They operate on people older than you are by a lot and they do just fine, and so will you.

Don't have too much time to chat right now, gotta do turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving, and congratulations on getting a date for a shiny new fixed up heart.

 

[bvdr]

Welcome,

You don't have long to wait for your surgery do you? I'm glad that you have been spending some time here with us and that we get a chance to "meet" you before your surgery.

It sounds like your plan for a bio-prosthetic valve is a good one for the reasons you name. I've read too that as you grow older the valves tend to last longer since they calcify more slowly. I'm sure that by staying in condition by doing your water aerobics not only keeps you in better shape but will help you in your recovery following your valve surgery.

Have you been aware of your valve problem for quite a while? I would be really interested in hearing your story if you ever feel like posting it.

I hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving today.

 

[Tony]

Hi sruss,

I had my valve replaced last year at age 69, so I am close to your age.

My surgery went quite easy for me as I hope yours does also!

Best regards,

Tony

 

[hensylee]

Another oldie goldie! Glad to have you here to join me. R0ss, intimidated? Us? Who are you talking about anyway! Not us, surely! The CAR intimidates me - and the stove - and the lawn mower - not the computer! lol

Nice to see you, Russ. There have been others your age who had the procedure and worked it out just fine. Please keep us posted on how you are getting on and if you have questions, somebody can answer - well, several somebodies. You might have something that you haven't found on the site that you want to know.

 

[fisher6476]

Welcome

Welcome

Glad you have joined us. I am scheduled to have surgery Dec.5th
so I can be with you from the other side of the mountain. I am also have bovine poericardial valve implanted and Dr says with a little luck I will get 20 years out of it. That makes me 72 the next time I need this done, and you will be 95!. Do you think we will still be members of this Website? Hope all goes well with you before,during, and after. We will all be with you.

 

[sruss]

Update on sruss

Update on sruss

Thank you for all your kind replies to my message. Betty asked how long I had known about the problem--actually, I had thought I had a slowly calcifying mitral valve, but when I went to see the surgeon I was told that the worst problem was with the aortic valve. I had a stress echocardiogram a couple of weeks before the visit to the surgeon. The tiredness, shortness of breath, etc., has been with me for some time, but increased last summer and now it's really slowing me down. I can't walk more than a block or two before having to stop for a minute. In the water, though, I can go for an hour and feel just great. I highly recommend that exercise to anyone.

The valve problem might have been exacerbated by a bad case of pneumonia caused by a strep strain that can hurt the heart valves, about 4 years ago. I was in Oregon at the time visiting my daughter: we had left on a camping trip and got as far as Joseph, OR, when I got sick. That ended that camping trip. I spent several days in a small hospital in Enterprise, and then went back to Hood River, my daughter's home, to the very nice hospital there. Then spent a month wearing a backpack with a constant penicillin drip before they let me come home to Berkeley. We are still waiting to try that one little length of the Lewis & Clark trail. Next year maybe?

I will ask my other daughter--Ann--to post progress notes after the surgery.

------

Sylvia

 

[Heather Fisher]

Welcome to the website and good luck with your surgery. I'm sure you will do great! The water aerobics are sure to pay off in recovery. We had a friend about your age who had the bovine put in. When she woke up after surgery she immediately felt better. (I think it takes most of us longer to feel a difference). Thanks for having a daughter post your progress. Good luck!!

Heather