S
Sean L
I put a post up several weeks ago regarding my situation. Just wanted to let everyone know that I made it and am out of the hospital with a new St Jude Aortic Valve. I appreciate all the information I obtained here that helped me make my decision.
I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve a year ago with minor to moderatee regurgitation. After attempting meds with little help, I was informed at my six month checkup that the regurgitation was severe and I needed the replacementn immediately. Due to my low heart rate which was hovering in the 30s, I had to have a pacemaker put in also.
On April 11, 2008 I went in for the angiogram which was expected to have no complicatiosn and I was suppossed to be able to go home that night and have the surgery the next week. Unforttunately in the recovery room I almost passed out and my heartrate went really low...the doctor was afraid of me flatlining at home so made me stay in the hospital. Because my heartrate was so low, he scheduled the pacemaker surgery the following day on 4/12. It went without complications. It was amazing about how I could notice the difference once my heart was beating over 60 bpm. I felt much more aware.
On 4/15 my valve replacement was performed. After it was done I was wheeled into the ICU and I started bleeding 15 minutes later. Interuppting the joy my family felt for a surgery without complications, the doctor stated he needed to take me back in due to bleeding. They opened my chest again and saw my aorta was bleeding. To the doctors suprise one of the sutures had broken. He states in his many years as a surgeon he had only seen that happen one other time. He was able to stop the bleeding, put some sort of extra reinforcment and closed me up again.
Since the surgery I was in the hospital until yesterday. It feels wonderful to be home from the hospital after being there for 13 days.
This entire ordeal has helped me see how God loves me and was looking out for me. I thank God for being there for me in the time of my deepest despair.
I thank all of you for the information you had provided me prior to the surgery.
Sean L
I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve a year ago with minor to moderatee regurgitation. After attempting meds with little help, I was informed at my six month checkup that the regurgitation was severe and I needed the replacementn immediately. Due to my low heart rate which was hovering in the 30s, I had to have a pacemaker put in also.
On April 11, 2008 I went in for the angiogram which was expected to have no complicatiosn and I was suppossed to be able to go home that night and have the surgery the next week. Unforttunately in the recovery room I almost passed out and my heartrate went really low...the doctor was afraid of me flatlining at home so made me stay in the hospital. Because my heartrate was so low, he scheduled the pacemaker surgery the following day on 4/12. It went without complications. It was amazing about how I could notice the difference once my heart was beating over 60 bpm. I felt much more aware.
On 4/15 my valve replacement was performed. After it was done I was wheeled into the ICU and I started bleeding 15 minutes later. Interuppting the joy my family felt for a surgery without complications, the doctor stated he needed to take me back in due to bleeding. They opened my chest again and saw my aorta was bleeding. To the doctors suprise one of the sutures had broken. He states in his many years as a surgeon he had only seen that happen one other time. He was able to stop the bleeding, put some sort of extra reinforcment and closed me up again.
Since the surgery I was in the hospital until yesterday. It feels wonderful to be home from the hospital after being there for 13 days.
This entire ordeal has helped me see how God loves me and was looking out for me. I thank God for being there for me in the time of my deepest despair.
I thank all of you for the information you had provided me prior to the surgery.
Sean L
