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Guest
Hi to you all! I have actually been a member here since the beginning when this was a Canadian heart site. It has today become the primo heart valve forum! 15 years ago I was diagnosed with a congenital BAV. It was replaced with the St Judes artificial. Surgery and recovery were textbook terrific. Discovered this past summer (June-ish) that the valve was broken, one leaflet stuck up and valve covered with a stiff mucus like substance. Obviously, emergency surgery was required. Amazing I was alive. This time I got a tissue....cow....moo! For some reason, there was "electrical" dissonance between it and the mitral, so I also got a pacemaker. Apparently either I aspirated saliva into my lungs or there was a hospital cleanliness issue, but I ended up with double pneumonia and a couple of other issues. Spent 53 days in hospital with 41 of those in cardiac intensive care. Was on ventilator as long as possible without vocal cord damage then had to have tracheostomy and feeding tube. I remember nothing (fortunately my husband says) until some of the last week in ICU. Then transferred to rehab which was remarkable....hard, but very worthwhile. 2 weeks in rehab before a quiet homecoming and continued rehab. Will be a good while before I am back to "normal", but progress every day. Still also working out some muscle/joint issues from so many days flat on my back. Am back to work (CPA desk job!) but not driving yet. My husband has been my Hero! I would not be here were it not for his keeping tabs on everything. I don't fault the surgeon in any way, but will never use that hospital again. Fortunately I have great other choices and a wonderful cardiologist for these past 15-16 years. Heard he came to see me daily while in ICU. I tell you this just as information regarding valve choice as nothing is 100%. Good luck to you all and God bless!
