user 17402
Member
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2020
- Messages
- 5
Hi everyone,
I am a 20 year old who just underwent aortic valve replacement as of two weeks ago. They replaced my faulty and calcified bicuspid valve with a 25 mm Carbomedic "Top Hat" mechanical valve. Initially my surgeon was deciding to use the St. Jude Mechanical, however, based on his findings during the operation and my active lifestyle he opted to use the supra annular valve. A little about myself, I am a VERY active person and have been my entire life. I run an average of 30-35 miles a week and go to the gym 6 days a week to put it into perspective. I played football and basketball in high school and am a very passionate hunter and outdoorsman. After I graduated high school, I became a firefighter and worked two tireless summers before landing a job on a helitack crew. This job is very unique as it combines the fundamentals of wildland firefighting and air rescue hoist operations all in one. This job is very physical and you have to be in extremely good shape because after the helicopter drops you off you rely solely on your crew. On a crew like this, you are only as strong as your weakest link. I was very lucky to have been given the opportunity at such a young age and am hoping I will be able to come back next season. I have an end goal in sight to become a flight nurse and have been chugging away at my prerequisites for nursing school in the off season. As all things go, the valve replacement was a very large kink in my life plan. The doctor sat me down and we discussed our options. Being as young as I am, the best route for my life in my opinion was the mechanical valve. I was not afraid of taking blood thinners in the slightest as many people use them and can be monitored easily. As for bleeding, I will now carry hemostatic gauze and a tourniquet in my truck wherever I go in case of an accident. I do not see my life changing much in the future as far as daily life. I was reassured when the doctor explained that after I recover from my valve replacement I will be able to do everything physically I was able to do prior to surgery. That means no restrictions whether it be running or weightlifting. The only issue that I see arising in the future is me getting back to my job on the helicopter. Since I am on anticoagulation medication I am worried their might be a hang up with me returning to work. Either way, I am hoping for the best so that I can get more experience with that type of job. I am not the type of person to actually make an account and respond to comments on a forum, but this forum is very helpful and if my experiences help someone else with the what they are going through then it is worth it.
Look forward to getting to know you,
Tanner
I am a 20 year old who just underwent aortic valve replacement as of two weeks ago. They replaced my faulty and calcified bicuspid valve with a 25 mm Carbomedic "Top Hat" mechanical valve. Initially my surgeon was deciding to use the St. Jude Mechanical, however, based on his findings during the operation and my active lifestyle he opted to use the supra annular valve. A little about myself, I am a VERY active person and have been my entire life. I run an average of 30-35 miles a week and go to the gym 6 days a week to put it into perspective. I played football and basketball in high school and am a very passionate hunter and outdoorsman. After I graduated high school, I became a firefighter and worked two tireless summers before landing a job on a helitack crew. This job is very unique as it combines the fundamentals of wildland firefighting and air rescue hoist operations all in one. This job is very physical and you have to be in extremely good shape because after the helicopter drops you off you rely solely on your crew. On a crew like this, you are only as strong as your weakest link. I was very lucky to have been given the opportunity at such a young age and am hoping I will be able to come back next season. I have an end goal in sight to become a flight nurse and have been chugging away at my prerequisites for nursing school in the off season. As all things go, the valve replacement was a very large kink in my life plan. The doctor sat me down and we discussed our options. Being as young as I am, the best route for my life in my opinion was the mechanical valve. I was not afraid of taking blood thinners in the slightest as many people use them and can be monitored easily. As for bleeding, I will now carry hemostatic gauze and a tourniquet in my truck wherever I go in case of an accident. I do not see my life changing much in the future as far as daily life. I was reassured when the doctor explained that after I recover from my valve replacement I will be able to do everything physically I was able to do prior to surgery. That means no restrictions whether it be running or weightlifting. The only issue that I see arising in the future is me getting back to my job on the helicopter. Since I am on anticoagulation medication I am worried their might be a hang up with me returning to work. Either way, I am hoping for the best so that I can get more experience with that type of job. I am not the type of person to actually make an account and respond to comments on a forum, but this forum is very helpful and if my experiences help someone else with the what they are going through then it is worth it.
Look forward to getting to know you,
Tanner
