count me in!

[Megan]

hey all- glad to find this awesome forum. just wanted to say hey-im following a bunch of pages-sorry i mean threads!- and feeling like i know a bunch of you already!

anyhow...im having my 4th ohs in a few months- no date yet will keep you posted but i do have my cath set for april 2nd at columbia-presbyterian in nyc. i have an almost 10 year old bovine pericardial valve and just had my echo show a valve mean gradient of 60 and peak of 96 with some sob walking up stairs and walking or exercising fast.

anyone get a second opinion on the echo results?

so thats where i am. im sure you will hear from me soon!

ps-love the tawdry shirt page! i have an x marks the spot scar--the regular old zipper scar (although its pretty thin!) and an inframammary--i had a female cardiologist that insisted on it for me when i was young! ill have to figure out how to be decent and show it off!

 

[azpam]

Welcome Megan!! You are my hero! 4 OHSs!!!!You should write a book and all your "adventures". again welcome aboard.

 

[TakeStock]

Welcome, Megan! I saw your other posting about why you chose to go with a tissue valve, knowing you would need yet another OHS. You said you were concerned about scar tissue. But aren't you concerned about the pain and discomfort of the OHS itself or has the experience not been so bad for you?

 

[Lynlw]

YEAH Megan, you started a thread. We've gotten quite a few opinions from my son over the years, is there anything you want to know about getting them? Usually we contact the cardiologist or surgeon we want the opinion from and ask what they need us to send. Usually they make opinions from cds of his echo, caths MRIs ect. Have you had all your other surgeries at Columbia? Do you see a cardiologist that specializes in adults with CHD? Well I guess I asked enough questions, don't want to scare you away.
FWIW Justin is 20 has a bovine valve so will need more surgeries, but his is on the right side so the pressure is lower and most surgeons don't recomend mech for the pulm posistion, so that was 1 decision we didn't have to worry about.,

Ps I would definately go to a CHD surgeon that has alot of experience with multiple redos for the surgery

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome - glad you found us!

 

[BigOwl]

Welcome from another relative newbie--and a veteran, although of only one OHS, not 4. Can't even imagine that. I'll bet you've got all kinds of experiences and advice you can share. Glad you joined!

 

[Eva]

Welcome aboard, Megan. I salute all of you that have had multiple surgeries. May God bless your hearts and keep them safe

 

[Curtsmum]

Best of luck with your 4th OHS and all the best with the cath on the 2nd. Iam hoping my son will stop at 3. Tc

 

[Cooker]

Megan ..... welcome to the zoo

 

[skeptic49]

Welcome to VR, Megan! You're a real trooper having had four OHS.

Best wishes,

Jim

 

[Megan]

Thank you for all your notes. I do see an adult congenital cardiologist and i am planning on having the surgery with a pediatric surgeon, Dr. Ralph Mosca both at Columbia-Pres. My first two surgeries were at NY hospital/Cornell Medicall-across the city on the east side-that was where my pediatric cardiologist was. My third surgery was at Yale in Ct- I had great experiences at both but decided to switch because Columbia is the same distance as Yale for me and I wanted to have a female cardiologist- which I do now- she came very highly recommended from one of my old pediatric Dr's..

anyways, the reason i chose the tissue valve last time is because i wanted to have children in the least high risk way-which I did! 2 boys in fact ages 3 and 6! i of course was not looking forward to another ohs but honestly-for any of you moms out there...you kind of block out the bad memories. i dont have anyu recollections of my first surgery-when i was 12-other than my grandmother bringing me mcdonalds inthe hospital. the 2nd the worst was the removal of the chest tubes. the 3rd..the sternotomy pain in my shoulder blades. my fear today is the scar tissue that will be there when they open me up.. just getting tothe heart first i understand is maybe the more difficult part and can take alot of time.

all 3 surgeries i was in the hospital for 5 days and back up and on my feet back to college or school within 6-7 weeks. i pray for the same good fortune this time. thanks everyone.

 

[Christina]

What A Positive Attitude.

What A Positive Attitude.

Megan,

Welcome to the site and please know you'll be amongst friends. The people here care about eachother and we all will cheer you on and comfort you when you're not feeling so good.
Wow, I hope that all will go well with your surgery but with an attitude like yours you'll do fine. Please keep us updated so we'll know what's going on.

Very best wishes!

 

[hall]

Hi and welcome Megan. Look forward to hearing from you.

 

[Mary]

Megan,
Glad you joined us.

 

[marie]

So happy to have you. Welcome
Earline

 

[Ross]

Megan I think I'll rename you. Give me a while to think something up that fits.

 

[BDMc]

Welcome Megan, Just joining us, and you are already a veteran, and in my eyes a champion. What an asset you are here! Brian

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to VR. Glad you found us and decided to post.

 

[Gnusgal]

Welcome, Megan. I know exactly what you mean about blocking out the bad parts. I've got very fuzzy memories of most of my 19 surgeries (only 2 open heart, though)! Glad to have another ACHDer here!

 

[Marguerite53]

Welcome to our wonderful community. YOU, my dear, are amazing!!!!

With that wonderful attitude and zest for life, we are lucky that you have decided to join us!

Please come here with everything and anything. We are a multl-faceted and multi-experienced bunch.

Best wishes.

Marguerite