Im new, and have a date.

[Bilymac]

I?ve been lurking here for a while, just collecting information, but now I need to post. I am a 45 y/o fire investigator in CA. I am active, healthy, with no signs or symptoms of cardiac problems. Back in March of 2006, I was diagnosed with a dilated aortic root, and an ABV. The root did not grow for two years, but results from a MRI this March, showed that it had grown significantly. My wife Kim and I met with the surgeon last week, and we set the surgery for May 28th. Monday we called them back to see if the could do it sooner, and they said yes?.this Friday.

The surgeon is Nilas Young, at the UC Davis Medical center in Sacramento, CA. He is the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and not that it counts, but a genuinely nice guy. I go in for a cardiac cath on Thursday, and then stay over night.

Needless to say, my wife and I are a bit scared, but trying to stay optimistic. Thank you for all the great information on this site.

Bill

 

[DeWayne]

Your age your condition are all good things to help you get through this. There are hundreds of us on this site that know the agony of anticipation. But heart surgery today is way way beyond what it was when I had my first back in 1959. Today this stuff is pretty much routine. By that I don't diminish its still a risk, but they have done so much for so long they have gotten very good at it and mortality rates are very small, in the 1%-2% range.

Here is hoping you have a smooth surgery and recovery and if you have questions post em we will help as much as we can.

 

[kfay]

Bill, I too am 45 and am 4 weeks post op this week. I have a different condition than you do, but your odds are VERY good that everything will go well. Trust me, this time before your surgery is the toughest. Good luck to you.

Kim

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to VR. Glad you found us. Being scared is natural, but you've got lots of reasons to be optimistic. You sound otherwise healthy which puts the odds in your favour. Now that I am post-op, I can honestly say it was as bad as I feared. Best wishes and good luck.

 

[Bina]

Bill, welcome to the group!
It's true.....OHS is very common and almost routinely done these days.
You will do great.

 

[Phyllis]

Welcome, Bill I will put you on our calendar. Glad you opted for sooner and wishing you a successful surgery and uneventful recovery.

 

[ctyguy]

Im 42, had a biscuspid aortic valve replaced with a mechanical but no issues with the Aorta thankfully. You made the right choice by getting this dealt with sooner rather than later. I was lucky in that I went from initial diagnosis to the surgery in 15 days. Not too much time to ponder all the possibilities but still more than enough to make me nuts. Im a numbers guy so I found alot of comfort in the 1% to 2% mortality rates.

Your in the home stretch now just try to relax (I know that hard to fathom) and you will be back on your feet in very short order. By this time next week I bet your about ready to head home. My surgery was also on a Friday and I was released the following Thursday. I could have gone home Tuesday but my INR wasn't in the theraputic range yet so they kept me a few extra days till I was.

Best of luck !

 

[Cooker]

Bill...welcome to the zoo...I was 49...went in for the cath and surgery the next day, same as you....I'm sure you will do fine....sounds like you are in better shape than I was and I did fine.....Godspeed.

 

[Superbob]

Bill,

Welcome to the Forum. Will be sending you best wishes and prayers. Sounds like you are in a good frame of mind (being a tad nervous is par for the course) and you should do well. We look forward to hearing good news and to your further posts...

 

[MNmom]

Welcome and best of luck!

Welcome and best of luck!

Great call - getting an earlier date- less time to worry about it! Can I ask how big your aortic root is? Im interested as I am waiting for my surgery with a similar condition.
Best of luck, you will get lots of support here!

 

[Freddie]

Hi Bill and......

Hi Bill and......

Welcome to this wonderful family.

I'm sure you'll do fine, young and in good shape.

It would be great if your wife could post for you.

Sending best wishes and special prayers for a successful surgery and a uneventful recovery.

(((((((hugs)))))))) to you both

 

[Dawn-Marie]

Welcome to this wonderful group! Best wishes and prayers for a successful surgery and a complication free recovery!

 

[Bilymac]

Thank you...and a little bit of good news.

Thank you...and a little bit of good news.

Hello All,

First off, I just wanted to say thank you?..your words of encouragement have been a blessing the last two days.

Secondly, the hospital just called with some good news??the powers to be reviewed my angiogram from March, and decided it was clear and no need to do another one tomorrow. Surgery is still on for Friday, but one less procedure, and one less night in the hospital?yeh.

Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers.

Bill

 

[rocksoldier]

welcome! sending positive vibes your way! trish

 

[ALCapshaw2]

SNIP
Now that I am post-op, I can honestly say it was as bad as I feared. Best wishes and good luck.

Hey Wayne,

I'm guessing your fingers couldn't keep up with your brain. Having read previous posts from you, I'm sure you meant to say "NOT as bad as I feared".

I confess I smiled and chuckled at the omission.

'AL'

 

[Bilymac]

I saw that also, and figured he must have been typing too fast....but it did make me smile.

Bill

 

[JCSydney]

Hi Bill,

My wife and I wish you all the best. I am 48 and almost 12 weeks post surgery. We hope you have an unremarkable and speedy recovery.

Jeff.

 

[spartangator]

sending good thoughts your way

sending good thoughts your way

Glad you've found such a valuable resource, Bill. You know from reading all these posts that there's no shortage of people who've been in your situation and are doing great now. You also know that there's plenty of support when you need it. Keep up your positive outlook--it'll carry you a long way in this process.