Have scheduled consultation CC Florida 5/12

[towerman]

Hi All

Just came across this site today.. Very good information. I'm 63 with a bicuspid congenital valve that needs to be replaced. No real symptons except that every once in a while it feels like my heart is changing gears. Could be a skip heart beat I guess. Will know more after the 12th. The lists and questions were great.

Thanks

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome to our world Towerman!

Since you have BAV, I suggest you read as much of the Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Connective Tissue Disorder Forum as you can BEFORE your appointment at CC/Fla.

The main thing is to have your Aorta checked for signs of aneurism(s) and/or Connective Tissue Disorder. The Best Way to do this is with a Chest CT or MRI to view the entire Aorta.

You would be wise to select a Surgeon who has Lots of Experience doing Surgery of the Aorta which is a Big Step Beyond "mere" Valve Replacement. This way, if he finds that your aorta needs attention 'when he is in there', he will have the skills to Recognize the situation and to do 'what needs to be done'.

That should keep you busy for a while.

Let us know if you have any other Questions as you prepare.

I'm curious, how did you come to choose your screen name?

'AL Capshaw'

 

[towerman]

Thanks

Thanks

Al

I've seen a lot of your posts, very helpful and encouraging. I need to added a couple of things based on your suggestions.

Trust me I can't tell you how many web sites I've been. So far this seems the most helpful.

I've used towerman for a number of years, mostly on car forums. It's really pretty simple, I work in a control tower.

Thanks Again, Bill K.

 

[ccummins]

Hi Bill,

Welcome! So glad that you found VR. I don't know what I would have done without everyone's help here. Do lots of reading here and ask any questions. Just be careful not to make yourself crazy. Or try anyhow...

 

[skeptic49]

Hi to you! Yea, we're in the same BAV boat. You've come to the right place!

We'll get 'er done!

Jim

 

[BackDoc]

I had my AV replaced and ascending aortia repaired there on 12/12/07. Dr. Boyd and Dr. Dullum are excellent. My care there was 1st class. I would recommend that anyone looking at this type of surgery and living in south Florida seriously consider CC Weston, Fl.

Dr. Boyd did my surgery with Dr. Dullum assisting. Dr. Boyd was on vacation shortly after my release from the hospital so my first post op check-up was with Dr. Dullum. I have no concerns with either doc.

Either doctor will insist on a CT scan as well as current echo and TEE prior to discussing any surgical procedure.

 

[CA Pigg]

Hey Towerman/Bill,
Just wanted to say Welcome!! Yes, this place is great, so much information here and such caring people.

 

[Eva]

Welcome aboard, Towerman, and good luck.

 

[Tbone]

Always glad to see another person on here. I hope all goes well for you. Good luck & God Bless.

 

[towerman]

What is a TEE? I'm sorry its probably some where in these posts

What is a TEE? I'm sorry its probably some where in these posts

I had my AV replaced and ascending aortia repaired there on 12/12/07. Dr. Boyd and Dr. Dullum are excellent. My care there was 1st class. I would recommend that anyone looking at this type of surgery and living in south Florida seriously consider CC Weston, Fl.

Dr. Boyd did my surgery with Dr. Dullum assisting. Dr. Boyd was on vacation shortly after my release from the hospital so my first post op check-up was with Dr. Dullum. I have no concerns with either doc.

Either doctor will insist on a CT scan as well as current echo and TEE prior to discussing any surgical procedure.

My appointment is with Dr. Dullum. Very glad to hear your endorsement although I already had some recommendations or I wouldn't even be there. Its great support to get other input. I've been on a 6 month echo schedule so I hope the folks have a fairly good idea of what they are working with. The rest of tests are expected. I guess the the TEE is the heart cat?

So I will have the initial meeting the tests and then what's the discussion/protocal from there?

Regards

Bill K

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Not Exactly...

A TEE is a TransEsophageal Echocardiogram where they put an ultrasonic transducer down your throat and place it right behind your heart to get better images (without having to send signals through your bones).

They will spray your throat with some Yucky Tasting Gunk, ask you to Gargle it, and then Swallow it. Just Do It. :-(

You will also have an IV with a mild painkiller such as Demerol and something to 'control your level of awareness', typically Versed and sometimes Valium. They can take you anywhere from "I don't care, can I watch" to "I don't want to Know or Remember Anything" based on dose. Versed can have an amnesia type effect for several hours so you will be asked to have someone to drive you home for the rest of the day. You may act normal, but you might not remember anything for a few hours. Tell your wife to ignore you if you tell her to take you shopping !

You will almost certainly have a Heart Catheterization and Angiography where they insert a catheter through your groin, guide the catheter through the Coronary Arteries, and Inject some 'warm' dye to check for blockages. You will again be on Versed and may be asked to cough or turn your head at various times. It's pretty cool to watch!
(Yeah OK, I was scared ****less the first time but had one of those "Is that all there is" kinds of reactions afterwards. Ever since, I just lay back there and watch the screen . Oh yeah, all you will feel is some tiny needle sticks as they numb your groin and some pressure. 99.9% of patients do NOT feel the catheter moving around. I've only seen one report where a patient was able to tell the cardio where the catheter was.

One more thing. Ask the Cath Tech's to fold a hand towel lengthwise and pull it through under the small of your back and to put a pillow under your knees. You're Welcome

Hope this isn't "Too Much Information" for you.
Long Time Heart Patients become a little numb to it all and develop a bizarre sense of humor. It helps to get through all we go through.

It sounds like you will be in Good Hands.
You'll do fine.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[SMS]

My appointment is with Dr. Dullum. Very glad to hear your endorsement although I already had some recommendations or I wouldn't even be there. Its great support to get other input. I've been on a 6 month echo schedule so I hope the folks have a fairly good idea of what they are working with. The rest of tests are expected. I guess the the TEE is the heart cat?

So I will have the initial meeting the tests and then what's the discussion/protocal from there?

Regards

Bill K

A TEE (trans esophageal echo) is like a TTE , only the probe goes on the inside, not the outside.
Still confused? OK, you will have your throat numbed, and be sedated with Versed most likely, and a echo probe is inserted into your esophagus. It generates much clearer images than a TTE (trans thoracic echo). I've had two of them so far. Not the most pleasant thing in the world, but tolerable with good drugs.

Steve

 

[BackDoc]

TEE: you swallow the transducer. They will make sure that you are out of it. Short acting sedation. Nothing unpleasant about it.

My cath was done the morning of the day before my surgery, then I was admitted to the hospital. The last thing I remember prior to my surgery was joking with Dr. Boyd and Dr. Buterra (anesthesiologist) just before being wheeled into surgery. Next thing I know I am waking up in ICU. All in all, not a bad day.

 

[towerman]

I swallow what! This is starting to sound a lot like an--

I swallow what! This is starting to sound a lot like an--

TEE: you swallow the transducer. They will make sure that you are out of it. Short acting sedation. Nothing unpleasant about it.

Yes an alien(s)movie. All I need is for Ms. Weaver to show up. OK, which came first? The movie or this procedure?

As you all can tell I'm not really thrilled this idea, but I know I'll get through it with your support.

Regards

Bill K

 

[ponytaila1a]

I was terrified of the TEE...canceled it twice before I went through with it......it turned out to be no big deal....they spray....you gargle and then they "turn on " the IV with the drug......good night!! They get good info....that's the important part. Also....I thought of this procedure as an unusual test......but as I understand it .....it is the same as an "upper GI" only the camera does not go down as far with the TEE as with the upper GI.......sounds less scary when you think how many upper GI's they do each day.

 

[WilliamJE]

Bill K,

Welcome aboard from another Florida Bill. I'm in Palm Beach County but graduated from a Broward County High School and have a sister-in-law down in Miramar.

I didn't go to CC but had surgery here at JFK by my house. The surgeon here never brought up, he talked about Texas Heart and Gainesville Shands. I had lots of medical issues going in, complications post-op, but with the exceptaion of a brachial plexus injury or carpal tunnel damage as a result of my surgery(A cardiac rehab nurse at the same hosp. I had surgery says she has seen many patients with a similar injury to mine), I'm doing great today just a few days short of 9 months post-op.

My surgery- AVR and repair of an aneuyrsm on 8-13. Up to 9 a.m. on 7-30 I had no idea I would be having OHS before the next month was over. Talk about wake up calls.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

Bill J