First off thanks to the staff at Centennial Heart Nashville. Amazing care and a great experience from the whole team. My Surgeon was proactive and I am really glad he empowered me to do my own research.
At age 28 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease. After a splenectomy and radiation at age 28 I have been in remission ever since. However the radiation caused calcification of the aortic valve.
1. I am 55 and choose the INSPIRIS RESILIA Aortic Valve. So far so good, although its early.
2. First 24 hours were the hardest, Those tubes against my chest as I lie down were brutal. It wasn't until I got in a chair that I felt I could breath.
3. I was up and walking the next morning. Back pain was the worst for me. My pain finally got managed on day two. I slept in a chair the nights 2-4 By day 5 I was off my pain meds 95% and heading home , I only have had one pill since coming home last Monday.
4. My Dr Subramaniam put this this plate in my chest. He has used it for professional athletes with great success. And so far I love it. My healing has been quick.
5. Been walking and riding stationary bike daily. Did mild Yoga today and started stretching.
6. I am on 12.5 mg of Metoprolol twice daily, 80 mg aspirin, 10 mg Statin and Eliquis twice daily, Lasix and potassium. The Eliquis is temporary for 30 days. Then the hope is to be off of it.
7. I have always had a high resting heart rate 90-105, although the Metoprolol is supposed to slow it down that has not been my experience so far. However I am hoping getting my health back will slow it down. Still in the same range.
So I want to share a little story and only time will tell if I made the right decision. But perhaps it is a lesson in research. My heart team first recommended a double mechanical valve replacement. Mitral and Aortic. Even though the Mitral valve was working and barley leaking they saw calcium build up. Then I did my pre op MRI. My Dr and I discussed the MRI and he said after further review that valve appears to be in much better shape than we originally discussed.
So I choose to go with the Aortic valve replacement only, I also choose the INSPIRIS RESILIA because I travel a lot and I was hoping to continue that life with out thinners.
After surgery the Dr came in and Said "I want to give you credit, Once I got to the Aortic valve it was clear that is was so calcified that it actually was infringing on the Mitral valve. Once I remove the Aortic Valve it allowed the Mitral to work even better. I cleaned up a little bit calcium and the Mitral valve was almost like new. I think you made the right choice, had I gotten in there and saw it different I was ready to do both valves."
All in all a long road to go, but I wanted to thank this board. It was a life saver for me. I was scared to death pre op and this helped me calm my nerves.
At age 28 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease. After a splenectomy and radiation at age 28 I have been in remission ever since. However the radiation caused calcification of the aortic valve.
1. I am 55 and choose the INSPIRIS RESILIA Aortic Valve. So far so good, although its early.
2. First 24 hours were the hardest, Those tubes against my chest as I lie down were brutal. It wasn't until I got in a chair that I felt I could breath.
3. I was up and walking the next morning. Back pain was the worst for me. My pain finally got managed on day two. I slept in a chair the nights 2-4 By day 5 I was off my pain meds 95% and heading home , I only have had one pill since coming home last Monday.
4. My Dr Subramaniam put this this plate in my chest. He has used it for professional athletes with great success. And so far I love it. My healing has been quick.
5. Been walking and riding stationary bike daily. Did mild Yoga today and started stretching.
6. I am on 12.5 mg of Metoprolol twice daily, 80 mg aspirin, 10 mg Statin and Eliquis twice daily, Lasix and potassium. The Eliquis is temporary for 30 days. Then the hope is to be off of it.
7. I have always had a high resting heart rate 90-105, although the Metoprolol is supposed to slow it down that has not been my experience so far. However I am hoping getting my health back will slow it down. Still in the same range.
So I want to share a little story and only time will tell if I made the right decision. But perhaps it is a lesson in research. My heart team first recommended a double mechanical valve replacement. Mitral and Aortic. Even though the Mitral valve was working and barley leaking they saw calcium build up. Then I did my pre op MRI. My Dr and I discussed the MRI and he said after further review that valve appears to be in much better shape than we originally discussed.
So I choose to go with the Aortic valve replacement only, I also choose the INSPIRIS RESILIA because I travel a lot and I was hoping to continue that life with out thinners.
After surgery the Dr came in and Said "I want to give you credit, Once I got to the Aortic valve it was clear that is was so calcified that it actually was infringing on the Mitral valve. Once I remove the Aortic Valve it allowed the Mitral to work even better. I cleaned up a little bit calcium and the Mitral valve was almost like new. I think you made the right choice, had I gotten in there and saw it different I was ready to do both valves."
All in all a long road to go, but I wanted to thank this board. It was a life saver for me. I was scared to death pre op and this helped me calm my nerves.
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