For those who remember my struggle with valve choice, any everything else pre-op, thank you for all your replies. In a nutshell, I had the huge aneurysm in my proximal arch repaired and aortic valve replaced by Dr. Vincent Gaudiani on 11/5/2013 at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, where I live. There were no complications at all, including no leaks. I'm just over 7 weeks post-op and feel pretty good. My heart rate can still be 90bmp at rest at times, and fatigue comes on much easier than normal still. But over all, its a world of difference from my first week home.
Why have I shied away? Well, I think it was much more stressful than helpful for me to consult disembodied voices on the Internet. Most of it was me, though there are some voices here that were difficult for me. A few days pre-op I just logged off VR.org. It was a good decision for me, and that is in no way a comment about VR.org or all of you. I'd recommend coming here for anyone facing VR, especially when done via OHS.
Other than learning how small so many things are in life which I previously took as big and important, I've learned just how completely unfair the VR choice is for someone in their 40s. At 44 I was just on the rotten cusp of what made sense in either direction, tissue or mechanical. Nothing medical or anecdotal or statistical could really convince me either way. I know most of you would agree with that. Anyone reading this who's still pre-op, believe me that in your 40's, baring specific medical needs, this is 100% a matter of personal preference, nothing more. At any rate, my simple life in this busy town with my family is so packed already, I just wanted things for now to go back to normal as they possible could. All other things being equal, the tissue valve has afforded me that opportunity. Thank you again for all of your input.
I think part of things going back to normal for me is not spending as much time on VR.org as I did pre-op. I know this is common for tissue recipients and that VR.org has a much higher retention of MHV recipients since you folks deal with your VR in a much more consistently conscious manner. The reality is, I wouldn't be much help with that any how. However, my VR.org mailbox will continue to trigger my regular e-mail should anyone have any comments or questions for me. I will also do period checks for folks who unfortunately enter the position I was in try to advise and comfort them the best I can... I do want to give something back.
Thank you all for the part you've played in this very important period in my life,
jyg
Why have I shied away? Well, I think it was much more stressful than helpful for me to consult disembodied voices on the Internet. Most of it was me, though there are some voices here that were difficult for me. A few days pre-op I just logged off VR.org. It was a good decision for me, and that is in no way a comment about VR.org or all of you. I'd recommend coming here for anyone facing VR, especially when done via OHS.
Other than learning how small so many things are in life which I previously took as big and important, I've learned just how completely unfair the VR choice is for someone in their 40s. At 44 I was just on the rotten cusp of what made sense in either direction, tissue or mechanical. Nothing medical or anecdotal or statistical could really convince me either way. I know most of you would agree with that. Anyone reading this who's still pre-op, believe me that in your 40's, baring specific medical needs, this is 100% a matter of personal preference, nothing more. At any rate, my simple life in this busy town with my family is so packed already, I just wanted things for now to go back to normal as they possible could. All other things being equal, the tissue valve has afforded me that opportunity. Thank you again for all of your input.
I think part of things going back to normal for me is not spending as much time on VR.org as I did pre-op. I know this is common for tissue recipients and that VR.org has a much higher retention of MHV recipients since you folks deal with your VR in a much more consistently conscious manner. The reality is, I wouldn't be much help with that any how. However, my VR.org mailbox will continue to trigger my regular e-mail should anyone have any comments or questions for me. I will also do period checks for folks who unfortunately enter the position I was in try to advise and comfort them the best I can... I do want to give something back.
Thank you all for the part you've played in this very important period in my life,
jyg
