Introduction

[lee189]

I have been reading this forum for a couple of weeks and thougnt it was time to introduce myself. I am a 61 year old male who until I was 54 was in perfect health, and kept myself in good shape by running 8-10 miles a day. In Aug 2002 a tumor burst in my throat, found out that I had stage four esophageal cancer, the doctors said to expect about six months or so. I had chemo, radiation and a couple clinical trials and so here I am 7 years and counting. After treatment I was found to have a mild stenosis of the arotic valve caused by the radiation and the chemo. From that time until about a month ago I could walk about a mile and 1/2 before running out of breath and then I fell off a cliff now I can't walk from room to room. Just finished all the tests and now I have severe stenosis of the valve and meet with the surgeon next monday to set the date. I will have one bypass and valve replacement. This forum has been very helpful to me and I wanted to thank you guys.
Lee

 

[laurad37]

HI Lee and welcome to our family. I am so glad you have survived 7 yrs after your cancer given what they expected so its extra special to have you here. Sorry for the reason you are here but we have all been through this valve thing and we are here to support you, listen to you, answer you, etc. Someone will have an answer to any question. And the number one rule is no question is ever not important.

I found this forum to be so helpful before, during and after my surgery (6 weeks post op) and everyone is like a family to me on here. They get me, they understand what I am going through and they support me.

So once again welcome to our little, fun, crazy and informational family.

 

[JaneBerm]

Welcome Lee,

I'm also in RI and I had aortic valve replacement at the end of February. I was 62 at the time and found out that I needed the surgery six months beforehand. Mine was caused by a congenital bicuspid valve and I choose a bovine valve. I had my surgery at RI Hospital with Dr. Singh. Are you staying in RI for your surgery? I'm sure you'll be OK whatever you decide to do. Feel free to PM me if you want to ask any specific questions and good luck.

Jane

 

[MissMelis]

Hi Lee, and welcome!

Wow, sounds like you've been through the wringer...glad to have you here on VR, as Laura says, it's like a little family, everyone understands valve replacement and all that goes along with it. Dont be afraid to ask questions!

We are here to support you. You'll get through it just fine.

Melissa

 

[escargome]

Welcome Lee,
Sorry to hear about your valve. But so far you have proved that God needs you here for something special. Now ask whatever questions are on your mind, since there is always someone that can answer. Hang in there, soon you will be as they say here "on the other side of the mountain". God Bless You

 

[Bina]

Welcome, you are a super survivor already.

 

[ottagal]

Hi Lee,

Just wanted to add a warm welcome to the forum. We are all here for you. Best wishes,

 

[bugchucker]

Lee,
Glad you found us and welcome, though sorry for the circumstances! These are a great group of folks!

 

[kpearse]

Hi Lee, Just wanted to say welcome!

 

[john79t]

Lee Welcome and God bless. I will be praying for you.

 

[njean]

Hi Lee & welcome to our VR community.

We're glad that you found us & hope that you will find comfort & strength from our group of survivors. You have already been thru an awful lot & glad to know that you have already outlived drs expectations & will continue to do so once your heart matters are taken care of.

Best wishes to you!

 

[dick0236]

Hi Lee....welcome and wishing you well.

 

[Eva]

Welcome aboard, Lee,

I am happy you found us.

I always believed the last word is the Word of the Highest Doctor above. I am glad to hear about your success story and I am sure you will do fine with the heart surgery too.

Good luck

 

[CThrock]

Welcome Lee,
So glad you are getting the information you need on the vr forum. This is the best place ever. Sounds like you are getting things taken care of and have a great attitude. May God bless you and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[kschul]

Good luck! I am sure you will make some special connections with people that will get you thru this. You will find you are logging on more and more as things progress because it will be such a help to hear from everyone. Take care.

Kris

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to VR. Glad you found us. Best wishes and good luck.

 

[hall]

Just wanted to say welcome. Sounds like you have had your share. Wishing you the best of luck.

 

[Jkm7]

Welcome Lee. Happy you found us and hope we can help you through this journey. You know how to survive!!! Let those valuable hard learned lessons kick in now and you will get through your surgery just fine.

As is so often written here, the wait, for many of us, really is the hardest part.
Best wishes. Let us know how you are doing and if we can help.

 

[lee189]

Thanks for all the positive comments. I am new to this forum thing first time I have posted to one. Most of the credit for my making it thru the cancer goes to my wife and daughters, lets face it when I was too weak or too sick to care they are the one's who got me up and going. I worry about them the most, I don't know if I want to put them thru this again.
Lee

 

[skeptic49]

Welcome to VR, Lee. I'm sorry to read of your cancer and the resulting problems, but I'm sure that your family will stand by you as will everyone here on VR as you go throught the process of having your open heart surgery.

Best wishes,

Jim