Echo Results

[Lisa]

Well, had my echo on Friday and it looks as if my positive life changing event is about to happen! It seems that my AS is definitely severe and my valve is .583 or 6cm2. And we have a peak gradient of 95. We also have a pesky leak in the mitral valve and a trivial leak in the tricuspid. Aortic root appears to be fine.

Al, I have to say thanks to you for your comments on this forum. Your encouragement pushed me to seek another cardio..and I'm glad I did. And Steve, I guess this is gonna leave one less woman in the waiting room.

I have an appt. on Thurs. of this week to discuss timing and a referral to UAB in Birmingham. There is a specialist there that he feels should do my OHS.

I feel such a sense of relief! It's finally here and I can get on with my life. There are so many things I want to do and hopefully I'm going to have the energy to be out there doin' it.

I have a question for those of you that had to travel to have the OHS. Did you drive or fly? Birmingham is about 4 1/2 hours away from where I live in Pensacola. I'm going to check on direct flights this week. Flying out of Pensacola is usually an ordeal....we generally have to go through Atlanta to get anywhere. The standing joke is that when we die we'll have to go through Atlanta to get to Heaven!

 

[fisher6476]

CONGRATS!!!

CONGRATS!!!

Now we can get you better and you'll be catching those Florida Strain Bass before you know it. You know we will all be with you.
Steve

 

[Georgia]

Well, Lisa, I'm sure you had that big stomach-dropping reaction when they first told you; but you've certainly got a great attitude and that, combined with your knowledge and all the prayers and good thoughts and vibes from us, will get you through this just fine.

 

[Lisa]

Steve: I just wish I was boating a few bass! The last time we went fishing, I watched my husband boat 8 or so bass....and finally, during the last hour I caught 3....bream that is...and one baby bass. I'm not sure about the fishing part, but I sure do like the 'catching!'

 

[ccrawford]

Lisa - Glad to know that you'll soon be on the healing side of the mountain and looking forward to feeling a little better every day. Let us know all the details as you get them so we won't worry. Chris

 

[medtronic of borg]

driving?

driving?

Lisa,
We drove. 167 miles one way. But when we left , I asked for an extra pain pill, it makes a difference to stay ahead of it.

Med

 

[SJJ]

LIsa-glad to hear things are moving forward for you. If you end up scheduling your surgery at UAB around the 25th, we can wave as we pass each other shuffling down the hall. I'm going to give you a response to your question regarding air vs. car travel after surgery. While I can't make a direct comparison, I can comment on the trip my husband and I made by plane 3 years ago following his prostate surgery at the Mayo Clinic. We'd never do it again! Our flight out of Baltimore was late so we missed our connecting flight. There were no more flights til the next day so we ended up flying to Nashville to get to Atlanta so we could then take a flight to Columbus, GA. It was exhausting and uncomfortable for my husband as one of the flights was a little turbulent and caused him some pain when we were tossed about. I'll be coming back from my surgery at UAB by car. It's a 3 hour drive, we'll be in control of the timing, I won't be smashed in some tight plane seat (I'm 5'9"") and we can make stops at least every hour so I can get out and walk around which I'm sure I'll be instructed to do. Like you, Columbusites always have to fly to Atlanta and then make another hop. All of this adds time and discomfort possibilities to your travel. You've got a bit farther to drive but I think the same principles apply.But...if any of the folks who've already had their surgery suggest flying, I'd go with that. They've been there, done that...but at least upgrade to first class!

Sue

 

[Lisa]

Thanks to everyone for the support.

Sue, I'm glad you're getting 'fixed'....and who knows? Maybe I will pass you in the hall. I'll know more after Thursday.

Geez...this consumes you. It's all I can think about. And I have plenty of other things that need my attention

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hello Lisa,

It sounds like you are on the right track with a good attitude.
I also went to UAB but it was only a 2 hour drive from my home. Stopping every hour for a 5 minute walk was recommended.
Your surgeon may elect to let you stay a little longer before discharging you to drive home. Or, you may stay for a day or so in a local hotel before going back home.

OK, I'm curious, who was recommended to you at UAB?

I'll send you a Private Mail message shortly.

'AL'

 

[Heather Fisher]

Hi Lisa,

I just want to say, I'm glad things are rolling. With your measurements it definately sounds like it is time! Best of luck! I'm not much help in the travel department as I did not have to go any where. I'll be thinking of you.

Heather

 

[Bryan B]

Lisa,

I can definitely relate to being consumed by this since I got the news 2 weeks ago. While I feel like it's helpful to talk to others who have been through it and become as informed as possible, I have found that sometimes I just need to step away from the keyboard. I have read how important walking will be for our recovery, so I decided a few days ago to get a head start. It's really helped to get outside and get fresh air and just look at the natural beauty around me. It helps me stop thinking about me for a little while anyway. Good luck to you UABr's. I'm still playing the referral waiting game and don't have a date yet.

 

[Karlynn]

It's a good sign that you are "happy" that the light has turned green. My brother-in-law said that people would have thought I'd won a trip to Disney World, not had OHS scheduled. But I remember that sense of relief that something was going to be done.

Keep us posted.

 

[SJJ]

Bryan,
I so agree with Karlynn. It took a month for me to get a surgery date and I had a mini meltdown a couple of days before I finally got it. Once that was settled I was calm again, even jubilant and had a martini to celebrate. I couldn't have been more excited if I'd won the lottery. So go figure...OHS is just funny business! Your idea to start walking is a great way to relieve stress and get prepared for the big day. You're obviously a positive kinda guy so keep it up and let us know when you get a date. We've got a real lineup goin' in February and would love to have you in that surgery cluster. Keep talkin' to us when it's feels like the right thing to do. We can all be Nervous Nellies together here in the waiting room.
Sue

 

[Lisa]

Bryan, don't worry. It is scary but everything will work out for the best. Take care and keep us posted

 

[Bryan B]

Thanks Sue and Lisa!

Sue I think I may be slightly ahead of schedule for the meltdown.

3...2...1...Agggggghhhhhhhhh!

OK...better for now.

 

[Lisa]

O.K. I had my follow-up today and there is no question that it is time. Aortic valve is critically severe (.54) and my doctors office is setting up an appt. with Dr. McGiffin at UAB. I really don't know any more than I did last week...just that the consultation with the surgeon is being scheduled. And the standard "No strenuous excercise. I don't want to speed up your heart rate."

Also, my cardio is in strong favor of a homograft for me. He feels that 31 is too young to choose a mechanical because I haven't had any children. This doesn't really concern me. There are plenty of children in this world that need a good home. Whoever said you had to give birth to a child to love him/her? I'm a stepmother to a teenager that lives with us. So it isn't as if I haven't had the parenting experience.

I haven't read anything that makes me feel more comfortable with one valve type vs. another. For instance, the bovine and the homograft have about the same life expectancies...so why would a doc. prefer one over another???

Kenny F, if you're reading this: If you don't mind sharing, I would like to know why you specifically chose a homograft. I can understand the reticence with the mechanical because of managing a life on coumadin. But why the cadaver over the cow or pig? Any thoughts welcome.

 

[medtronic of borg]

Drs

Drs

A Dr. may perfer one over the other because he may find it easier to stich into place. He may also like how it heals and joins with the heat tissue. He may find the tool used to place the valve itself easy to use. They may already have one on hand.

Medtronic

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Lisa,

You raise some good questions. I recommend getting a notebook and writing all of your questions in it (or type them up) and show them to the surgeon when you go for an interview.

Generally, standard pig valves (as opposed to stentless ones) have a shorter lifetime than cadaver or cow valves. It is my understanding that standard pig valves 'typically last from 8 to 12 years but there have been reports, even here on VR.com, of people getting 20 years.

'AL'