If someone refuses valve repair/replacement surgery?

[MarkU]

My symptoms presented over about an eight month period prior to my surgery. I had the classic symtoms: shortness of breath triggered by even slight exertion, chronic fatigue, and fluid build up in my lungs so I had to sleep sitting up. I had also developed an enlarged left ventricle as my heart tried to compensate for my leaky bicuspid valve.

I was miserable and could barely function. My worst day was when I couldn't get out of bed to help my wife and kids decorate our Christmas tree.

My cardiologist told me that without surgery my symtoms would continue to progressively get worse and I had less than a three year life expectancy.

It was an easy decision. That was eight and a half years ago. I like to think that everything past those three years is "bonus time".

Mark

 

[Eva]

Thank you all for your reponses. It seems I have needed to hear this information for some (unknown to me) reason. Both my surgeries were successful and my recoveries excellent but I have not gotten past the 'what if'. Perhaps this is because I have an echo coming up soon and am getting anxious?

I asked my ex-cardio when he dumped the need for surgery news on me: what if? he answered me briefly (which I did not like): "little by little, you will just disappear"!

Good luck with your echo, and let us know the results. Wish you well.

 

[Nancy]

"little by little, you will just disappear"

Eva-

That is about the best answer yet. And it is so true. As your organs become increasingly unable to function, the lights go slowly out.

 

[Jkm7]

Thank you, Eva. I will never lose that unease leading up to echo, I don't think. I hold my breath just a little bit each time. I suppose that isn't totally irrational.

 

[Jkm7]

There is a very good book, How We Die: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter, by Sherwin Nuland, that might interest you. He is a very good writer. Your library is likely to have it. I just checked the reviews on Amazon, and the first couple will give you a good view of the book.
I think about re-reading it from time to time. I know who has our copy, and we might get it back some day.

Debby,
Thank you for your recommendation for reading. I ordered How We Die: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter as well as another book by Sherwin Nuland, The Soul of Medicine - Tales from the Bedside. The latter arrived today and I thank you for recommending this author as I know this is going to be interesting reading. I am waiting for the other book to arrive.

Again, thank you.


(Anyone else who may be interested, I got them from Amazon.)

 

[zipper2]

Debby,
Thank you for your recommendation for reading. I ordered How We Die: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter as well as another book by Sherwin Nuland, The Soul of Medicine - Tales from the Bedside. The latter arrived today and I thank you for recommending this author as I know this is going to be interesting reading. I am waiting for the other book to arrive.

Again, thank you.


(Anyone else who may be interested, I got them from Amazon.)

Great reading material i have both books here at home