Curious conversation with my Cardiologist -- feedback welcome...

[james]

Martin,
I live in Shoreline and work in Fremont. I will be turning 40 this month and had AVR in January of this year. Last night I was carrying two bags of barkmulch over my shoulder to throw on the side yard that I dug up last week thinking about how great my life is. I really can say that I feel better now than I did pre surgery and I did not think I had any symptoms.
I would be more than happy to meet you and talk to you about my experience. The joys and frustrations of being treated by an amazing medical team. I will say I met with doctors at the UW and Swedish who were very qualified though I sought out the surgeon I went to for a number of reasons specific to my needs.
I know this is not an easy thing to wrap your head around.

 

[Martin]

Thank you all...

Thank you all...

Thank you all for your welcome advice... I have contacted a surgeon and will be heading over to Tacoma for a consultation with Dr. Nichols and some testing to see if I will qualify for the On-X / Plavix / Aspirin study.

All the advice was sensible and got me heading in the right direction...special thanks to James for the direction to Tacoma and Dr. Nichols...

I'll keep posting as things develop....

Martin

 

[Mentu]

Martin, I feel like I am gilding the lilly here but I just wanted to add my voice to those who have told you how they feel now after a valve replacement. I, too, thought I was out of shape and just needed to get more exercise but exercise was becoming more and more difficult as time passed. It looked like I was in a spiral and the direction wasn't upward. Walking up a hill this afternoon without getting out of breath was one indicator of how much better I feel today. I would seriously question the competence of any cardiologist who thinks that an otherwise healthy person is not going feel one hell of a lot better after an AVR. I am happy to hear to you are going to talk with someone else.

Larry