Hi everyone

[Heather Fisher]

What a great group of people you are. I have been lurking for a couple of months now ever since my Ross procedure on July 30. So far everything is great with me. I returned to work 3 weeks ago and have not had any trouble. From what I have read, the decision making process is the hardest of all. It certainly was in my case. Since my surgery I have read some opinions here pro Ross and some against. All I can say is for now, I feel great. The doctor said I was an extremely boring surgery with no surprises. So far the general consensus is that it was the right surgery on the right person. It took 4 1/2 hours and I was off the respirator in 2 hours. My past heart history includes a coarctation of the aorta repaired at age 4 as well as the bicuspid aortic valve. My last echo was "normal" for the first tme in my life. what a strange feeling!

I went to my neighbor's house for a house blessing ceremony this morning and there were 2 other people there who are in the waiting room for valve replacements. I recommended this site to them. If there is one thing I have learned from this site is that there are far more of us than I would have ever imagined. The information here is unbelieveable and a lot of help to many people. Keep up the good work and I hope to join in a little...

Heather

 

[Ross]

Why for did you wait in the cold cold dark so long to come out and join it?

Welcome aboard. Now you can have some fun too know that your surgery has come and gone. I'm glad to hear it all went well and you seem to be doing just fine. I do hope your Ross lasts as long as you want it to. Mine was kind of iffy right out of the starting gate. When I was discharged from the hospital, it was already a 2+ regurg and that was the best the surgeon could get. Well it last 7 years like that, so I guess it's not all that bad.

Did I ask why for did you wait in the cold cold dark so long to come out and join in?

 

[McCln]

Welcome

Welcome

Hi Heather.

It is nice that you are shring us wih others. It is never easy wating for any kind of bypass surgery. You must have learned a bit for the past two months now. You come in when you want to visit or share an idea or have a problem you want advice on. We are all here for you and everyone else who wants to joins us here. Take it easy though, do not push to the limit till you are ready. Take care and be good.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve

 

[mamsram]

hi Heather,


Since you said everyone--then I'm included.
I'm glad to hear everything is going well for you. Thank you for sharing info. It is nice to hear from various experiences, especially at different times, and different places and Drs.
Welcome and stay well

 

[Heather Fisher]

Dear Ross, McCln and mamsram,

Thanks for your welcomes. Why did I stay in the dark? Who knows, guess this has been a secret part of my life for so long. I always knew it was there, just never thought there was anyone like me. My dad had a coarctation as well as an aortic anuerysm...The aneuyrysm was repaired in 1964 or so and his coarctation many years before that. He always thought there might be Marfan's syndrome involvement. Now, I don't really think so, but who knows. He was a professor at the University of Arizona. He taught Anatomy and Physiology for 30 years. He passed away from a stroke secondary to a fib in 1991. My dad was started on coumadin prior to his stroke but it must not have built up enough in time to prevent the CVA. Maybe that is part of my underlying fear of coumadin...

My old college roomate, now a Dr. in Phoenix said one of her patients told her about this website. Anyway, it is really comforting to know there are others, and so many of us out there.

Heather

 

[Nancy]

Hi Heather-

Welcome aboard! You've got lots of new friends who share a lot in common.

I'm glad you finally came out of hiding. Maybe we'll pick your brain for information.

Hope to see you posting often.

take care,

 

[liamty]

Hi

Hi

Hi Heather,
I too am new to this group, and am as impressed as you!!!!!!
I am the wife of an avr patient (aren't we good picking up the lingo!) and have found this group of people amazing! This is an essential group to many people, they're full of information, and a great laugh too.
I am in Australia, and believe there are members in lots of other countries. Pretty impressive I think.
Donna

 

[Les]

Hello Heather,
As all have stated...Welcome! Glad you're no longer "lurking" and look forward to hearing more from you. Great bunch of people here....
________________
Les AVR '93 / '95

 

[chilihead]

Heather,

Congrats on the Ross success. How long did they estimate it will hold up for you? I'm 39 and seriously considering a Ross in about 4 weeks.

Regards,

Jim in Dallas

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Heather

Hi Heather

Welcome to our great web site. I think ( Not sure) you are our first member from New Mexico. Just saw on t.v. this past weekends the air balloons..It was beautiful. Just cut the corner of N.M. 2 years ago coming from Co. in our motorhome. Would love to come back some day. Probably next year when we go to VR. reunion in Denver. You must plan to come too. I am the noisy one on VR. due to my age.:You must write more about yourself. Where is Rio Rancho. sounds beautiful..your family? Did I see where you are age 49 on your user info? Where do you teach. Lordy, please excuse my english I live in the Mountains of North Ga. and we say yall.. a lot We have a lot of valvers who live in Co and Ariz. Let us know if we can answer anything. Ross, usually beats me to it. That's him, standing behind me in my avator. Bonnie

 

[Heather Fisher]

chilihead, I guess I really didn't get an estimate of how long they expect the Ross to last. We just hope for the best. As the surgeon explained to me, the risk of a reoperation is about the same as that risk that comes with taking coumadin. With any luck the pulmonary transplant will be good for life and if the homograph has to be replaced, it is a very simple procedure. My surgeon does Ross procedures on children all the time. He went to Med School and got his training in Houston. He wasn't listed in the registry of doctors who perform the Ross (according to him you have to pay money to be listed on it). Apparently he does well enough to not need the advertisements or referrals. I came across him quite by accident. The lady that cuts my hair has another customer, the valve rep, who is present in all the surgeries. We called him and asked which surgeon he recommended. He said this one was the only one but that he would trust him in any operation. The guy's wife is a cardiac nurse and she repeated the same opinion.

Granbonny, let me see if I can answer all your questions. Rio Rancho is located on the northwest side of Albuquerque. I'm actually just over the border. I have great views of balloon fiesta from my house. We have friends who own a ballooon. Occasionally we work the balloon crew for them. This is always a busy time of year for us, in fact, I just got rid of the rest of my company! I work, believe it or not, on the Indian reservation (Navajo) and travel close to 800-1000 miles per week servicing kids in Gvernment, BIA schools. Occasionally I get detailed to other locations. Last year I did a stint in South Dakota. I'm 47 years old and have a son who is going to law school at Arizona State University. My other son, my baby, just turned 18 and joined the army. He will leave on the 29th of this month. (That's when the depresssion will kick in) I think he will be going to jump school in Georgia after basic.

Thanks again for all your welcomes. I look forward to getting to know you all better. Yep, Denver sounds good for a reunion next year. Hopefully I'll get to meet some of you in person then!
Heather

 

[sylviayasgur]

welcome!

welcome!

hi heather!
welcome! so glad you finally decided to join in here. i'm also glad to see you doing so well.
as you mentioned, i've read pros and cons for the r.p.
i have also read about other valves _ pros and cons, so i am convinced that in the end it is a personal choice and a toss up.
it's great to have you among us. i look forward to seeing you back again.
be well, sylvia

 

[Sherry]

Hi, Heather,
Welcome to this wonderful site. Thanks for your response on my MRI thread. I hear neurontin is awesome stuff. I'm still in the early baby stages of working my way up the dosage ladder; glad to hear it has worked so well for your husband. I may private message you a little later as my dosage increases. Again, welcome to our heart world