I need you guys to help me to my feet......:frown2:
Well, last Tuesday, Nov. 30th, my husband and I finally met with my new cardiologist to discuss the Echo that was done in October. The results were hard to hear but then, I had a feeling all was not good.
According to the Echo, both my right & left atriums are severely enlarged, pulmonary pressures are severely elevated again (upper 70's) even with the Revatio that I'm taking. The good thing, the AV that was replaced in 2006, is working good & the Pulmonary & Tricuspid valves are still functioning okay, with signs of mild regurgitation.
I was told by the doctors in Houston, in 2007, that the 35-year old mitral valve had also gone south and needed to be replaced then. I was angry, disgusted, saddened at these news because WHY in the world didn't they swap it out when they replaced the old Aortic valve in March of 2006??? How could that happen to me??
The explaination I got was that the mitral appeared to be working fine so they opted to leave well enough alone. They mentioned too that there was alot of scar tissue to deal with and the risks were extremely high. So, I just couldn't wrap my head around what they were telling me. Besides, I was still feeling crappy from the last OHS even after a year, so I chickened out! I told them I wanted to go home! They sent me home but they said that I'd be back. And they were right....the day is here.
In the last few months however, I have been noticing more symptoms but I've been downplaying them. There are moments I feel pressure in my chest, heart thumping loudly, dizziness, lightheadiness when trying to do chores like raking a few leaves or sweeping the patio. The inability to walk more than 1/2 mile now, frequent headaches, rubbery leg and PVC's. I have also had a constant pain & stiffness in my neck for months now, probably related to the high PH pressures. And if I didn't have to get up and take my medications, I could sleep all morning highly unlikely for me!
So, last week, I got my reports together, emailed Dr. Cooley's assistant and faxed them to her. She informed me that Dr. Cooley was out of the office all last week but was scheduled to be back today, Monday when he would review what I sent and then get back to me ASAP.
I also asked her about two surgeons there, Dr. Frazier and/or Dr. Duncan, who have trained under Dr. Cooley, their level of skill and experience with cases such as mine and/ or whether I should be looking at surgeons in CC?
She said that Dr. Cooley had the highest respect and confidence in either one of these men, if surgery was called for.
So now I just have to be patient and wait to hear from Houston. One thing is for certain.....I need to get something done soon or risk having a stroke or heart attack.
The possibility of being unable to care for myself or having to be placed on a list for a heart/lung transplant, too unbearable for me to think about! I'd rather take my chances with the surgery and if I die on the table, well, then that's the way it was meant to be. God's the driver and I'm the passenger so we'll see where this road goes....
I will get back to you once I have a date and/or more information.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated! Thank you & God Bless!
Well, last Tuesday, Nov. 30th, my husband and I finally met with my new cardiologist to discuss the Echo that was done in October. The results were hard to hear but then, I had a feeling all was not good.
According to the Echo, both my right & left atriums are severely enlarged, pulmonary pressures are severely elevated again (upper 70's) even with the Revatio that I'm taking. The good thing, the AV that was replaced in 2006, is working good & the Pulmonary & Tricuspid valves are still functioning okay, with signs of mild regurgitation.
I was told by the doctors in Houston, in 2007, that the 35-year old mitral valve had also gone south and needed to be replaced then. I was angry, disgusted, saddened at these news because WHY in the world didn't they swap it out when they replaced the old Aortic valve in March of 2006??? How could that happen to me??
The explaination I got was that the mitral appeared to be working fine so they opted to leave well enough alone. They mentioned too that there was alot of scar tissue to deal with and the risks were extremely high. So, I just couldn't wrap my head around what they were telling me. Besides, I was still feeling crappy from the last OHS even after a year, so I chickened out! I told them I wanted to go home! They sent me home but they said that I'd be back. And they were right....the day is here.
In the last few months however, I have been noticing more symptoms but I've been downplaying them. There are moments I feel pressure in my chest, heart thumping loudly, dizziness, lightheadiness when trying to do chores like raking a few leaves or sweeping the patio. The inability to walk more than 1/2 mile now, frequent headaches, rubbery leg and PVC's. I have also had a constant pain & stiffness in my neck for months now, probably related to the high PH pressures. And if I didn't have to get up and take my medications, I could sleep all morning highly unlikely for me!
So, last week, I got my reports together, emailed Dr. Cooley's assistant and faxed them to her. She informed me that Dr. Cooley was out of the office all last week but was scheduled to be back today, Monday when he would review what I sent and then get back to me ASAP.
I also asked her about two surgeons there, Dr. Frazier and/or Dr. Duncan, who have trained under Dr. Cooley, their level of skill and experience with cases such as mine and/ or whether I should be looking at surgeons in CC?
She said that Dr. Cooley had the highest respect and confidence in either one of these men, if surgery was called for.
So now I just have to be patient and wait to hear from Houston. One thing is for certain.....I need to get something done soon or risk having a stroke or heart attack.
The possibility of being unable to care for myself or having to be placed on a list for a heart/lung transplant, too unbearable for me to think about! I'd rather take my chances with the surgery and if I die on the table, well, then that's the way it was meant to be. God's the driver and I'm the passenger so we'll see where this road goes....
I will get back to you once I have a date and/or more information.
Your prayers are greatly appreciated! Thank you & God Bless!
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