Hi all im the new kid on the block

[msdonnamom]

Hello all,
first i have to say how wonderful it is to find such a site with such wonderful people healping and supporting one another in this time of a health crisis.It has done my failing aortic heart valve good to be reading all of your posts..I will find out wednesday when my surgery will be, I have severe aortic stenosis and severe aortic insufficiency along with a bad mitral valve.I am also blessed to have a wonderful family, husband and children and grandchildren. All of whom support me and will be here to help, but its so nice to actually be able to read and talk to the people who have actually gone through this and will be going through this soon. May god bless all of you and I thank you for being here
Donna

 

[Superbob]

Welcome to this funny farm, Donna! Glad to have you here. Let us know how your appointment goes Wednesday. And feel free to ask any questions. You'll hear from lots of folks with lots of experiences here.

 

[Magic8Ball]

Welcome

Grandchildren...you must have gotten good mileage out of that valve of yours.

Let us know what your doc's say and we will give you some feedback to make sure you're not talking to a qwack.

Being Bicuspid please make sure you also discuss with the doctor your aortic root and ascending aorta. We bicuspid's tend to have week tissue in that area which is prone to aneurysm's...sorting it out at the same time as your valve surgery is usually the best option.

Regards.

 

[Curtsmum]

Hi Donna,
welcome to the forum, best of luck with your appointment tomorrow, let us know how you get on.

 

[South Sound Sailor]

Welcome! You will find friends, support and understanding here at vr.com. Best of luck with your future decisions.

Steve

 

[Phyllis]

Welcome, so glad you found us! Please let us know how things go on Wed. and the date of surgery so we can put you on the calendar and support you through this climb over the mountain!

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to the VR community. Sorry for the circumstances but glad you found us. Best wishes and good luck.

 

[Mary]

Donna,
I'm glad you found VR.com, but I wish it had been under less stressful circumstances!
Please let us know what you find out at tomorrow's appointment.

 

[rgmcguire]

Welcome Donna. Myself and the rest of us are glad to have you on board. Waiting can be difficult but once your on the other side of the mountain life is good. Praying for you. God bless.

Bob

 

[netmiff]

I was in much the same situation as you; I've said it in other posts (you can search for them, use the button/arrows above on the blue line) but I'll briefly tell the story again :

1985 at age 30 : diagnosed with heart murmur
around age 45 : diagnosed with aortic stenosis, moderate; annual followup with echos.
spring 2007 : referred to a surgeon (age 52) - the time had come; I was mildly symptomatic, but was thinking it was age - dizzy when bent over gardenting and stood up quickly, that sort of thing. Did not believe it was valve related - or at least, didn't want to think it was!
Sept 6 2007 : valve replaced with mechanical; aortic aneurysm "tucked in" while he was in there (surgeon's words !); surgeon found out when he was in there that I had a bicuspid - it was news to me. Was released Sept 12th (they could not find a bed in stepdown ward for for 2 days or it would have been two days less); I have my own business, so I was e-mailing, telephoning etc. on Sept 13th - between naps and walking, of course. Opened my first retail store on October 1st - yeah, I am crazy

Now, at 5 months out, I have lost all the symptoms I thought I never had - tiredness, dizzyness, hot sweats (again, I thought they were age-related).

It has been said before, the waiting is the worst part - for me, it was a huge releif to get it over with, and there was a lot waiting for me on this side of the mountain to keep me going. Take this time to get organized (freeze some dinners, teach your DH how to grocery shop, vacuum and do laundry) and you will be fine. I am sure your DH will want to help out as much as he can. Do not do anything strenuous, no lifting (each cardio has a different limit, mine was 5lbs).

Hope this helps ! Keep us posted, and ask any questions.

 

[Freddie]

Welcome Donna

Please let us know how your appointment went today.
There are so many knowledgeable people here that can help you.
Take care and God Bless

 

[Cooker]

Hi Donna....welcome!! Wishing you the best on your upcoming surgery and recovery....Keep us posted.

 

[msdonnamom]

went to cardiologist today

went to cardiologist today

he said it was badhe sent me for some tests had tee yuck had blood work and chest xrays, then scheduled for heart cath on monday that my surgeon wanted done. he said if symptoms get worse or i passs out again to go to emergency dept and i would be admitted but actually im not too bad right now..he also took me out of work. Im lucky enough to have one of the best heart hospitals in the area peninsula regional medical center in salisbury maryland and surgeon will be dr nicholas ogburn he is awsome.so i gues i really wont know when the big surgery is till monday when i have the cath done..not looking forward to that as they will go in my left arm, i have two iliac artery grafts from a blood clot when i was younger and he doesnt want to take a chance in damaging them,
again thanks for all the support and replies hopefully it wont be much longer for surgery

 

[ruth]

Welcome - New Kid on the Block!

Welcome - New Kid on the Block!

Glad you found us, if you need a question answered it's amazing, somebody here will know the answer. Hope all goes well for you.

Ruth

 

[Phyllis]

Best wishes for the heart cath and we will be here waiting to hear and willing to help any way we can.