meetingwith surgeon/decision time

[fisher6476]

Hi Everybody.
Todays meeting verified what I already knew. Aortic valve in "critical condition", and ascending aortic anuerysm at 4.5cm.
Surgeon want's to operate right away,but want's clearance from a dentist first. He said the number 1 source of infection for new valves comes from mouth and teeth. Has anyone heard of this?
I have appt with dentist Monday 11/10/03 and pending a clean bill from the dentist, surgery could be as early as 11/12 or 11/13.
Things are starting to go fast now. One other surprise. I had been
leaning towards mech valve. Surgeon said it was my decision, but he would go with tissue valve if it were him having the surgery.
Now I am confused again and will have to sort this out soon

 

[Ross]

I sure have heard of the teeth. I think everyone has to get any final dental things taken care of, at least I know I did. 4.5--Your very close to the danger zone, so it's a good thing you have someone who's on the ball and not screwing around.

As for the valve of choice, you know that's your own personal thing, but like of told so many others here, you really don't want to be going through this surgery anymore then necessary.

Let us know when you know what the date will be and we'll get you on the calendar.

Also, when you go to the dentist, have him premedicate (2000mg of Amoxicillin or Trimox 1 hour before the appointment) you with antibiotics just to play it safe for now. After the replacement it is an absolute must to be premedicated for any dental visit.

 

[fisher6476]

valve choice

valve choice

Hi Ross,
Thanks for always "being there". I have read enough of your posts to know how you feel about susequent surgeries. And I have read a lot about the people who have no real problem with coumadin. What surprised me was this guys "matter of factness".
I asked for his opinion on vavle choice and he said without a doubt, he would go with tissue valve knowing ther was 100% chance of redo in 15 to 20 years. That was worth not having to be on coumadin the rest of his life. It is hard for me to question the guy who is gonna have my life in his hands, but I know you folks say you may have a better working knowledge of coumadin than many in the medical field. Sure makes it a tough choice.
Steve

 

[Ross]

I'm not going to sway your decision one way or the other, but this guy who's going to save your life, isn't the guy who has to have the surgery the first, second, or third time. It's easy for them to spout out an idea, but in reality, this is not a game to play. I just want you to realize that unless this person has been through it himself, he has no clue what he's really saying.

While that sounds very harsh, the only wrong choice is doing nothing about the situation. It doesn't matter what's installed as long as the threat is done away with.

 

[Karlynn]

Steve,
I'm sending prayers for clear discernment for you. This is a tough choice to decide in a few days. So many on this site have the benefit of taking months or years to weigh their options.

I'm glad to hear you have a doctor that doesn't want to mess around with waiting.

Keep us posted.

Karlynn

 

[Heather Fisher]

Hi Fisher,

I was much like you. I had pretty much set my mind on mechanical but was talked into the Ross procedure by the surgeon. No regrets so far but who knows in a few years??? Is your surgeon more comfortable putting in tissue vlaves. sometimes they have a specialty. Mine said he would do what ever I decided but the decision is a hard one. Good luck. whatever you choose will save your life and that is the most important thing.
Heather

 

[tommy]

Hi Fisher,

Crunch time, huh?

I had not heard about going to the dentist prior to surgery, but sounds like a smart idea. I was never sure, but always suspected that the original source of my bacterial endocarditis was from the mouth.

I'm not going to twist your arm about the valve choice either. Just remember that the final decision is yours. Once you decide, don't look back. You'll do fine either way.

Keep us posted.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Steve-

Nice to know that there will be an end to all this waiting for the other shoe to drop, right? It's pretty common to have dental clearance done prior to surgery..

So let us know the date so we can keep track of you.

It'll soon be the birthday for your shiny new heart.

 

[Kevin M]

Fisher, Ross is right. Get the dentist to pre-medicate with antibiotics. That way if there is something going on, it won't be aggrevated by them poking around in your mouth.

After surgery, you will always need pre-meds before going to get teeth-cleaning or any work where your gums could bleed.

Good luck in making your decision. It's a tough one. Given your age, you are a good candidate for tissue or mechanical. It really does come down to your personal choice (unless you have other medical considerations that might sway the decision).

Keep posting your thoughts. Maybe it will help you to make the decision if you can 'talk' to the group here.

Kev

 

[KathyH]

Good Luck with your upcoming surgery Fisher. It seems some people really like the mechanical and some like the tissue valves. I guess you can't really decide until you are ready to have it done and talk to the Dr who is doing it. The mechanical sounds good to me, but some seem to have problems with those too, so like someone said, it's your decision and don't look back.
Kathy H.

 

[Gisele]

Steve

Steve

Looks like your surgery will be a day or two after mine. I wish you the best of luck with your surgery.

For the most part a lot of patients don't have any or much difficulty with Coumadin. Then every once in a while someone like me comes along and throws a wrench into the picture.

Good luck with your surgery and which ever decision you arrive to on your valve selection

 

[fisher6476]

getting ready

getting ready

Thank you all for your thoughts and concerns. I will make a decision by Monday on valve selection and then I won't look back.
I would like to know if some of you could point me in the direction of some threads or give me some advice. i see a lot of people saying that "since they were ready" they thought their OHS went better or that they had a better experience. Is there something about breathing tube for example that people prepare or practice.
Now that i am "looking up at this mountain" I need your guidance.
I am ready to climb, just want the right gear.

 

[Kathy]

Fisher,

I didn't have a lot of time before surgery to make decisions about valve choice, but like you I gave myself a deadline and decided to discuss it no further after that point. My surgeon spent a long time talking about valve choice. Given my age, he felt it came down to which I was more afraid of, surgery or medicine.

I was told a dental check had to have been completed 6 months prior surgery. I had one done several months before by the periodontist, but he was out of town and I couldn't get a letter from that office for the surgeon. My regular dentist was kind enough to open his office early and do a full exam.

I hope that your surgery goes smoothly.

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Fisher

Hi Fisher

I'm Granbonny..the nosey one on VR.com..Is Fisher your first name..I see by your user id..you are age 52 ?.. Surgery will go fine..BUT remember it takes the body a LONG time to heal..and get back to where you were before..like 6-12 months. You will not be able to drive for 3-4 weeks and certainly not a motorhome We have been motorhoming for 12 years now..Love it. Have a 36 FT. Rexhall from California. What brand do you sell? I have a mech valve and coumadin no problem. 18 months now. I have my own home-tester ( Protime) so I test before we go away and when we come home. Always in range.. Whatever valve you choose will be the right one for you..Just remember..you don't heal over-night. No pain but just the feeling of weakness, no appetite.. maybe some depression ( comes from having to let others take care of you)..but take 1 day at a time..Then 1 week at a time..and soon the weeks and months past and you wake up one morning saying..Hey, I feel pretty good. Remember the Ohio weather. You WILL need to get out and walk, walk, walk, that nasty stuff out of your system.. PLEASE don't be shy. Ask many questions....Bonnie

 

[fisher6476]

Steve is my name

Steve is my name

Hi Granbonny,
Thanks for your help. My name is Steve. I guess I am ready to get this behind me. I hope you realize that walk in ohio this time of year can be a challenge. (actually I don't mind Ohio winter. We sell Itasca Motor Homes by Winnebago and Coachmen Mo
tor Homes. Also Roadterk Class B, as well as trailers. I am pretty much settled now and just hope dentist gives ok and maybe by this time next week I can be on the other side. This site and all the people here really have made a big impact on me and have helped (and will continue to help me I hope) as I get on with life.
I will make it a point to try to give as much back in the future

 

[Ross]

Steve you sound like your just up the street from me. Did you say where in Ohio you were? Over toward Mansfield?

 

[fisher6476]

Ross,
I am Mansfiled. I have decided to have this procedure done here at Med Central. Go to support the local community. Plus they have a new state of the art Heart facility and I like the surgeon.