my time has come

[pekster11]

Had a phone call from the hospital today.
They want me in for pre-opp next week.

Surgery will be in January or February

Aortic valve replacement , plus repair on my dilatated ascending aorta

Still feel fine, no symptoms

Just ran 7km on the treadmill a few hours ago at a decent pace (14 km/hr)...wasnt out of breathe or anything

 

[Agian]

We're here as always. Been there, done that.

 

[pekster11]

will no doubt have to discuss valve choice

this is the all important question...which one ?

 

[user 16827]

I was asymptomatic too , i was convinced they had it all wrong

Very similar in age

Best of luck

 

[pekster11]

I was asymptomatic too , i was convinced they had it all wrong

Very similar in age

Best of luck

thanks !

although i've known since i was about 9 i had a heart complaint, only when my annual appt arrives do i ever think about it

the run in as the opp gets closer is going to be a worrying time for sure

 

[spartangator]

thanks !

although i've known since i was about 9 i had a heart complaint, only when my annual appt arrives do i ever think about it

the run in as the opp gets closer is going to be a worrying time for sure

Similar here in that it was a known issue, but I was asymptomatic. I'd say it's great you're being well attended to, and the docs are being conservative. We're here as you process and need info.

 

[Seaton]

will no doubt have to discuss valve choice

this is the all important question...which one ?

As you’ve probably discovered, there’s unlimited stories and advice on valve choices here. It’s a global oracle of wisdom and support. I often wonder how I’d have been pre (and post) surgery had this forum not existed.

It‘s great you’re being monitored closely and in good time and given a window for surgery.

All the best for your pre op procedures and the days ahead.

Onwards

 

[pellicle]

I was asymptomatic too , i was convinced they had it all wrong

Very similar in age

Best of luck

did they?

 

[pellicle]

Hi
well I'm glad that your time has come. You can come out of the "will I or won't I" dilemma closet and into out into the world.

will no doubt have to discuss valve choice

this is the all important question...which one ?

my advice here is make your choice based on facts and evidence. Understand what your issues really are (for instance what are called "contra indications" such as bleeding diseases, age and stuff like that) and then once you've decided that is it.

Flip a coin if that helps, because in reality both choices are pretty good.

PS: does "chemist" mean pharmacist or chemist?

 

[pekster11]

Hi
well I'm glad that your time has come. You can come out of the "will I or won't I" dilemma closet and into out into the world.



my advice here is make your choice based on facts and evidence. Understand what your issues really are (for instance what are called "contra indications" such as bleeding diseases, age and stuff like that) and then once you've decided that is it.

Flip a coin if that helps, because in reality both choices are pretty good.

PS: does "chemist" mean pharmacist or chemist?

industrial chemist.
Analytical chemist as it happens...I work for a speciality chemicals company...use equipment like HPLC, ICP-MS, GCMS to characterise the chemicals we make (and what our competitors are making too)

Thanks for the advice, I'll certainly be asking lots of questions next week during the pre-opp

 

[pellicle]

industrial chemist.

ahh ... cos often it means the other one ;-)

Thanks for the advice, I'll certainly be asking lots of questions next week during the pre-opp

asking questions is good ... try to make a list before you go in. Given that you are getting an aneurysm fixed you have just covered the major driver for a reoperation of a mechanical. Given your (relatively young) age and (you should ask about this) how you may feel about reoperations and the inevitable Structural Valve Degradation (SVD, also ask about that) associated with bioprosthetic valves you may like to time line out possible dates for reoperations with that choice and what ages you will be at those junctures.

I recommend mulling over my blog post here too (in informing your decision)
http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2014/01/heart-valve-information-for-choices.html
There is good reason to come back here later and discuss the answers you got from you meeting with your specialists, if nothing else the diversity of answers you'll find among people here can give you different perspectives

Best Wishes

 

[jcgtok17]

Great bog post. In Japan, circa May 2017 no time was given to review the mechanical option. Tissue valve the way to go 100% based on medical advice. Edwards #1 in Japan (21mm avg. value size), mine was a 28mm St Jude GT bioprosthetic. No issues 2 1/2 years in incl. 5 day a week runs, but if it only lasted 10 years I'd explore mechanical options if TAVR was not an option (larger starting value a help in that regard I understand). Regards, #JCG

 

[pellicle]

Great bog post. In Japan, circa May 2017 no time was given to review the mechanical option.

sometimes due to the urgency of things we must just accept the options presented. And (as I mentioned earlier) there pretty much are no bad options (well ... death). Like you say, when it becomes a problem you'll cross that bridge using the available technologies on hand.
I'm glad I didn't have to make such choices when I was living in Tokyo.
(PS: agreed that the 28mm diameter will make a ValveInValve likely easier)
Best Wishes

 

[pellicle]

.... In Japan,

oh, and I hope that the whole thing is ok where you are.
#typhoonHagibis

 

[jcgtok17]

Friends displaced for a bit from typhoon Hagibis, but we were lucky overall in Setagaya-ku (Tamagawa area flooded, but on the mend). Amazing they got that Japan v Scotland match off on Sunday. 5 games at Tokyo stadium so far, incl. home opener, semis and final to go. Ganbatte Japan.

 

[Protimenow]

Well, I'd much rather see a thread titled 'My Time Has Come' than a thread that was titled 'Time has run out.'

We're all here for you.

 

[pekster11]

had my first pre-op appt today.
before a date for surgery can be set, they want to do a CT scan on me to check for clogged coronary arteries
they said if they find atherosclerosis they will sort that out at the same time as the valve replacement

I have v low cholesterol and dont have high blood pressure. Am fairly sure I dont have atherosclerosis.

Is checking for atherosclerosis standard procedure before valve surgery ?

 

[LoveMyBraveHeart]

had my first pre-op appt today.
before a date for surgery can be set, they want to do a CT scan on me to check for clogged coronary arteries
they said if they find atherosclerosis they will sort that out at the same time as the valve replacement

I have v low cholesterol and dont have high blood pressure. Am fairly sure I dont have atherosclerosis.

Is checking for atherosclerosis standard procedure before valve surgery ?

Before both of Mathias' surgeries, he had a cardiac cath at which they did an angiogram--IIRC.The docs said it was to check for narrowing of vessels, plaque build up, and overall heart/valve function. The can catheterize through the wrist or groin, depending on your unique anatomy. Mathias had his through his groin because his brachial artery had too many sharp turns for the catheter to be threaded smoothly. Of course, He had CT prior to his surgeries, but that's how they found the issues that needed fixing in the first place.

 

[pekster11]

i will be attending another pre-op meeting with the surgeons to discuss valve choice

they offer on-x mechanical valves at Liverpool CTC, which i never knew

 

[pekster11]

got my CT scan on 18th November, to see if my coronary arteries are furred up.
If they are, they'll fix that aswell when i have the valve replacement

looks like i'm about to have a mid-life MOT and service in a few months !