Greg~
Well-known member
Hi everyone!
My name is Greg, I'm 52 years young and I live in Southern California. I started having episodes of shortness of breath on February 16th and went to the ER to find out what was wrong. My EKG was clear but my blood test had traces of troponin. A CT scan was performed and revealed an ascending aortic aneurism. The cardiologist performed an angiogram the next day and he discovered severe aortic valve stenosis. And if that wasn't enough, my aortic valve is bicuspid. During the entire time I did not experience any pain or other problems, just shortness of breath.
Of course, this diagnosis meant I needed to speak with a surgeon. And since the hospital I was in was pretty small, this surgery was beyond their capabilities. So my cardiologist referred me to Dr. Stahl at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA. I have to admit, I was very nervous going into the meeting with him because my cardiologist was very somber about my condition. Meeting with the surgeon was a very positive and encouraging experience. He put me at ease and explained to me in detail what he would do and how long each procedure would take. No doom, no gloom, just matter-of-fact, this is how we're going to get this done and that's that. He's going to repair my aortic artery with a graft and I've elected to replace my aortic valve with an SJ mechanical. I left his office feeling really positive and ready to take this on.
That was last Friday (2/24) and I’m waiting on my insurance to clear me for the surgery and to have this done at Scripps. I'm confident it will be approved, but I'm not good at the waiting game - I don’t think anyone is. So during all of this hurry-up-and-wait time, I've been able to do a lot of research on valves, the procedure, and the heart in general. And one very special and encouraging part of my research was finding ValveReplacement.org. I found you all yesterday and this site has really lifted my spirits. And I'm not giving into "theater of the mind" as much as before. It's really amazing what your mind wants do….
My family is very supportive and encouraging and has really made the difference so far. I can't imaging not having family around during this very trying and emotionally charged time. I know we've not met, but as I read these posts I feel as if you are all one big family looking out for one another and keep each other lifted up in prayer or positive thoughts. So I'd like to ask you all to do the same for me. Please keep me and my family in your thoughts and prayers and of course, I'll do the same for you.
My name is Greg, I'm 52 years young and I live in Southern California. I started having episodes of shortness of breath on February 16th and went to the ER to find out what was wrong. My EKG was clear but my blood test had traces of troponin. A CT scan was performed and revealed an ascending aortic aneurism. The cardiologist performed an angiogram the next day and he discovered severe aortic valve stenosis. And if that wasn't enough, my aortic valve is bicuspid. During the entire time I did not experience any pain or other problems, just shortness of breath.
Of course, this diagnosis meant I needed to speak with a surgeon. And since the hospital I was in was pretty small, this surgery was beyond their capabilities. So my cardiologist referred me to Dr. Stahl at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA. I have to admit, I was very nervous going into the meeting with him because my cardiologist was very somber about my condition. Meeting with the surgeon was a very positive and encouraging experience. He put me at ease and explained to me in detail what he would do and how long each procedure would take. No doom, no gloom, just matter-of-fact, this is how we're going to get this done and that's that. He's going to repair my aortic artery with a graft and I've elected to replace my aortic valve with an SJ mechanical. I left his office feeling really positive and ready to take this on.
That was last Friday (2/24) and I’m waiting on my insurance to clear me for the surgery and to have this done at Scripps. I'm confident it will be approved, but I'm not good at the waiting game - I don’t think anyone is. So during all of this hurry-up-and-wait time, I've been able to do a lot of research on valves, the procedure, and the heart in general. And one very special and encouraging part of my research was finding ValveReplacement.org. I found you all yesterday and this site has really lifted my spirits. And I'm not giving into "theater of the mind" as much as before. It's really amazing what your mind wants do….
My family is very supportive and encouraging and has really made the difference so far. I can't imaging not having family around during this very trying and emotionally charged time. I know we've not met, but as I read these posts I feel as if you are all one big family looking out for one another and keep each other lifted up in prayer or positive thoughts. So I'd like to ask you all to do the same for me. Please keep me and my family in your thoughts and prayers and of course, I'll do the same for you.
