Hi I'm New

[churchmouse]

Hi Jane,
I too am fairly new here! I did not find the website until over a year post surgery. There is so much to read and learn here. I was told around age 15 that "someday" would come. At 28 they did a cath. to repair my valve with balloon plasty.I was told it would buy me a "few years" eighteen years later the someday came(age 46) I never really researched anything about it just went in on blind faith. I wish I had, knowledge is power! After finding this site (by accident) I understand so much more. So keep reading and you'll do great managing your care. Best of luck.

 

[zipper2]

Wecome Jane luv your picture,
I had a cockitiel for 12 years name was beaker he chirped to tv tunes
Glad u found us i tooo had endocarditis and a avr and another surgery for mitral coming up at some point and time.I hadn't had this site with my avr 16 years ago,but glad you've found it in time,lots to obsorb and learn here.
Look forward to your posts.

zipper2(Deb)

 

[zipper2]

Just wanted to say hi, and wellcome. I am in the same boat as you I have told that I need my Aortic valve replaced at some point but I am still in the waiting room. I find this site very good and you gets lots of really good anwsers and heart related info. I have asked quite a few questions, since I have joined the anwers have been very usefull for me. I find that you can ask any question that is heart related. I wish you all the best.

Sorry Jane it's bird Lady with the picture of the cockitiel
you'll need to find an avetuer of leaping lizard,thats my grandaughters fave
icecream.

zipper2

 

[Ice Cream Man]

Thank you for the welcomes.

Adrienne, I don't know anything about the results of my tests. My doctor told me, but it's just a bunch of numbers to me. Since I'm not an expert I figure I have to trust him. I know my heart is still normal size because he said that is one of the things he will look for. I can hear my murmur through his stethoscope, but he says it's not very loud.

Debster, He doesn't call it prolapse, he calls it insufficiency. Is that the same?

Aaron, are you the kid who always paid in dirty pennies? Actually, I never had a truck. We had a small store on the square and a cart that went behind my bike when there were town events or at the end of the school day. I had to give up the cart after I got sick and then we decided to sell the business to another family because it was too much work for me and made me so tired. It was just kind of a fun thing anyway and I got to meet all the local kids. Never made a great deal of money!

Thanks again to everyone.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Thank you for the welcomes.

Adrienne, I don't know anything about the results of my tests. My doctor told me, but it's just a bunch of numbers to me. Since I'm not an expert I figure I have to trust him. I know my heart is still normal size because he said that is one of the things he will look for. I can hear my murmur through his stethoscope, but he says it's not very loud.

Debster, He doesn't call it prolapse, he calls it insufficiency. Is that the same?

Thanks again to everyone.

The Best Way to learn about your disease is to get copies of ALL of your Test Results and maybe even copies of the letters from your Cardiologist to your Primary Care Physician. You may need to fill out and sign a "Release" to get those records. Large practices usually have a "Records Department" with pre-printed forms to fill out. I fill them out everytime I go in for a test and ask to have them mailed to my home address.

With a little help from the Guidelines on how to interpret test results in the Reference Section, or a Medical Dictionary, or the members of VR.com, you too can learn to read your reports reasonably well and what to watch for.

You might also want to get a stethoscope (and Blood Pressure Meter) of your own so that you can monitor yourself for changes in your symptoms.

"Insufficiency" is the same as "Regurgitation".
It means that the leaflets of your valve are not closing fully and "leaking" blood back into the 'pumping chamber' from which it came. This makes your heart have to 'work harder', eventually leading to muscle enlargement which can become permanent damage if left untreated for too long.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have at any time. Chances are that someone in the group will know the answer or how to find it.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[ALCapshaw2]

The Best Way to learn about your disease is to get copies of ALL of your Test Results and maybe even copies of the letters from your Cardiologist to your Primary Care Physician. You may need to fill out and sign a "Release" to get those records. Large practices usually have a "Records Department" with pre-printed forms to fill out. I fill them out everytime I go in for a test and ask to have them mailed to my home address.

With a little help from the Guidelines on how to interpret test results in the Reference Section, or a Medical Dictionary, or the members of VR.com, you too can learn to read your reports reasonably well and what to watch for.

You might also want to get a stethoscope (and Blood Pressure Meter) of your own so that you can monitor yourself for changes in your symptoms.

"Insufficiency" is the same as "Regurgitation".
It means that the leaflets of your valve are not closing fully and "leaking" blood back into the 'pumping chamber' from which it came. This makes your heart have to 'work harder', eventually leading to muscle enlargement which can become permanent damage if left untreated for too long.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have at any time. Chances are that someone in the group will know the answer or how to find it.

'AL Capshaw'

Something really WEIRD is going on here.

I just checked in (around midnight Sunday August 3, 2008) and saw this post that I wrote sometime in the past but it indicates that I posted it 26 minutes ago! HUH? What gives?

'AL Capshaw'

 

[zipper2]

Al, are you sure cus we should call Ross-911!!!

BOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

just joking Al,did you figure it out sorry Icecream Man im hijacking
your post abit but concerned for al


zipper2

 

[Lisa in Katy]

Jane, I had my mitral valve replaced 10 years ago. My damage resulted from Endocarditis related to Rheumatic Fever. I went 22 years between diagnosis and surgery, but that was in the old days. Now, most doctors recommend surgery before the heart is damaged.

However, I wanted to give you my advice regarding your doctor and how to emotionally deal with your condition. Circumstances were different for me because there wasn't so much information on the internet, but I pretty much went into my surgery with faith. Faith in my doctor, faith in the valve, and even more, faith in God. I knew a lot about my condition because I had lived with it for 22 years, but I certainly was no expert on the surgery. I depended on my surgeon to do what he thought was best. It worked well for me, and if I had it to do over again, I would do the same thing. Learn what you want about your condition, but don't feel that you have to know as much as or more than your doctor. I didn't monitor myself to the extent that some on this site do, and I still don't. Both before and since my surgery, I have been aware of what to look for, and when I am feeling bad, I pay attention. Other than that, I go on with my life. Your body is an amazing thing. It has a way of telling you when it needs a rest. My best advice is to pay attention to those signs and don't wait until you are extremely sick or fatigued. If you feel short of breath, call your doctor. If you feel very tired, even though you are getting plenty of rest, call your doctor. If you have a fever above 100, call your doctor. If you have a persistent sore throat, call your doctor. If you are feeling good, enjoy it!

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Welcome Jane...from another Jane (well, Janie really)

Just wanted to extend a welcome to you this morning from one who absolutely loves ice cream...

There is loads of info on the website for you and most questions can be answered by using the 'search' function above.

I don't know where in 'America' you are, but we have the best ice cream in the world here - called "Freddie's"..

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Jane

Welcome to a great place.....please feel free to ask any questions you may have. It's a wonderful site, filled with loving, caring and best of all, knowledgeable people. You will be fine......

Evelyn

 

[upchurch131]

I'd like to add my welcome to you. You will find this forum full of wise individuals who can enlighten you with there experiences and circumstances. One of the greatest groups of people I have found on the planet!

 

[Dawn-Marie]

Hi Jane ~ Welcome to this site...i'm so happy to have you here. There are so many wonderful, caring people here....they have all helped me very much and i know they will all be here for you too!

 

[Snoviper]

Hello and welcome Jane, I am kinda new here too. I just had my tricuspid valve replaced due to damage from endocarditis.

Gary

 

[Ice Cream Man]

Again, thanks everyone for the welcomes.

Truly at this point I don't know all that much and I'm not sure what I want to know. I've read lots of things here and I've learned lots. Really, I'm still scared by what's going on. If you don't mind, I probably won't post much, but I will be reading. When I go back to the doctor in 6 months maybe I'll be brave enough to ask more questions.