C
Curtsmum
Just wanted to wish you luck with your valve choice, it must be really hard to do. Will be thinking of you and i hope all goes well.
Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:
choices? choices?
choices? choices?
Hi Zach,
I am from the east side of washington. Spokane that is.
I am 39 and also have 3 children and a supportive wife.
I had my Aortic valve replaced in June of this year.
Mine was attacked by bacteria and had to be replaced.
I also was set for a mechanical valve and when I talked to my surgeon (Dr. Leland Siwek), I was surprised with the response of options leaning towards tissue valves. However my cardiologist was pushing towards mechanical valve choices. UUUUGH!!!! What do I do????
I did tons of research online, and asked as many friends as possible, who have had this surgery, about their choices. I was surprised that I know about 4 people who have had AVR done. (friends of friends, or parents of friends, etc.) Two chose mechanical, and two chose tissue valves. Ultimately, after MUCH prayer, I went against the recomendation of my cardiologist. (That was hard!)
And I chose the "Medtronic freestyle" (stentless pig valve).
It's been 6 months and I am back to "normal". I am coaching softball, wrestling and baseball again. No drugs except 81mg of aspirin daily.
I figured I want to live as free of drugs as possible until my 1yr old is in college. That will be the time that I will have to start thinking about options again. I pray longer, but time will tell.
Have you read about all the improvements that are on the way? My surgeon told me that he was confident that if or when I need to replace my valve again It will be done without cracking open my sternum/chest cavity. It will be done through your arteries and veins.
Time will tell about that as well.
I am praying for you and your family!
Remember either choice you make is better than not being able to make a choice. Fifty years ago our conditions were a death sentence. Now we hem and haw about which type of valve is best. Reality is that there is no perfect choice yet. You will become comfortable with either one in time.
Remember God has nothing but good plans for you and your family.
Read about Steve Goldberger's experience on this sites "Stories" or on his "bum ticker" web page. It really brought my anxiety down just knowing what to expect!!!
-josh-
choices? choices?
Hi Zach,
I am from the east side of washington. Spokane that is.
I am 39 and also have 3 children and a supportive wife.
I had my Aortic valve replaced in June of this year.
Mine was attacked by bacteria and had to be replaced.
I also was set for a mechanical valve and when I talked to my surgeon (Dr. Leland Siwek), I was surprised with the response of options leaning towards tissue valves. However my cardiologist was pushing towards mechanical valve choices. UUUUGH!!!! What do I do????
I did tons of research online, and asked as many friends as possible, who have had this surgery, about their choices. I was surprised that I know about 4 people who have had AVR done. (friends of friends, or parents of friends, etc.) Two chose mechanical, and two chose tissue valves. Ultimately, after MUCH prayer, I went against the recomendation of my cardiologist. (That was hard!)
And I chose the "Medtronic freestyle" (stentless pig valve).
It's been 6 months and I am back to "normal". I am coaching softball, wrestling and baseball again. No drugs except 81mg of aspirin daily.
I figured I want to live as free of drugs as possible until my 1yr old is in college. That will be the time that I will have to start thinking about options again. I pray longer, but time will tell.
Have you read about all the improvements that are on the way? My surgeon told me that he was confident that if or when I need to replace my valve again It will be done without cracking open my sternum/chest cavity. It will be done through your arteries and veins.
Time will tell about that as well.
I am praying for you and your family!
Remember either choice you make is better than not being able to make a choice. Fifty years ago our conditions were a death sentence. Now we hem and haw about which type of valve is best. Reality is that there is no perfect choice yet. You will become comfortable with either one in time.
Remember God has nothing but good plans for you and your family.
Read about Steve Goldberger's experience on this sites "Stories" or on his "bum ticker" web page. It really brought my anxiety down just knowing what to expect!!!
-josh-
I almost forgot!
I almost forgot!
Another big part of my decision was that I figured that I am so young that I will probably need another valve put in at some point be it either mechanical or tissue. Why not go tissue now, and choose mechanical later if I have to.
I will cross that bridge when I get there.
I almost forgot!
Another big part of my decision was that I figured that I am so young that I will probably need another valve put in at some point be it either mechanical or tissue. Why not go tissue now, and choose mechanical later if I have to.
I will cross that bridge when I get there.
S
Susan BAV
This reminds me of a thread I read when I was new here; I believe it was called "One Valve for Life?" I found it very informative and personally very helpful.Earthsciencerocks said:Another big part of my decision was that I figured that I am so young that I will probably need another valve put in at some point be it either mechanical or tissue. Why not go tissue now, and choose mechanical later if I have to.
I will cross that bridge when I get there.
I'll look for the link and post it here: http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4630
S
Swede
Some more thoughts
Some more thoughts
Hi Zack, Thoughts after speaking to my doctor and surgeon - Most important I think is that you feel comfortable with the surgeon and that he is confident in the valve/procedure you decide upon. The pros and cons as I have seen them are - with a tissue valve I haven´t felt that I have had a heart problem at all - set back of course having to do it all over again and it is sooner than later with a biological valve. Whatever you choose you will feel a lot better in a couple of months and will have a much better life with your family. I wish you all the best with the choice a great Christmas and a very good new year.
PS
If you feel worried pills are good then you will feel better and also can find other ways of handling your worries.
DS
Bryan B
Thanks - I will most probably go for a mechanical this time.
Surgeon as well as doctor recommendation and I feel the same. OHS once in a while I can take but I do not want to do a third OHS in another six years.
Some more thoughts
Hi Zack, Thoughts after speaking to my doctor and surgeon - Most important I think is that you feel comfortable with the surgeon and that he is confident in the valve/procedure you decide upon. The pros and cons as I have seen them are - with a tissue valve I haven´t felt that I have had a heart problem at all - set back of course having to do it all over again and it is sooner than later with a biological valve. Whatever you choose you will feel a lot better in a couple of months and will have a much better life with your family. I wish you all the best with the choice a great Christmas and a very good new year.
PS
If you feel worried pills are good then you will feel better and also can find other ways of handling your worries.
DS
Bryan B
Thanks - I will most probably go for a mechanical this time.
Surgeon as well as doctor recommendation and I feel the same. OHS once in a while I can take but I do not want to do a third OHS in another six years.
Z
zlever
Well I finally made a decision.....
Well I finally made a decision.....
Going with a Pig valve Mosaic valve version #3!
I tell ya I am completely relieved to finally have made a decision. My decision was nailed shut today when the surgeons informed me that if I go with a mech valve, the fact that I would be on Coumadin would prevent me from getting back "in the fight" as we call it in the military. I think in an earlier post I had stated that the type of valve I chose did not have an impact on my military service. Well I was wrong on that part. If I had chosen a mech valve I would be left with a damn desk/admin job for the duration of the time I spend in the military. I am at 16 1/2 years of service now-and may just stay another 10.
Although many of us (even I) have doubts about the war in Iraq/Afghanistan--reasons why etc? It is after all--what I do and it’s my job. The thought that I can no longer go were all my soldiers and brothers in arms are forced to go (if I had to take Coumadin) weighed heavily on my mind. Maybe I'm being selfish to my family and more loyal to the Amy--who knows. I could have taken the easy way out and gone with a mech valve and never would have been deployed in a combat environment again-ever-but that’s just not who I am. I deployed the first time in 2003/2004 and quite frankly am over due to deploy again. Why should another guy go for a third or even fourth time while I sit my butt here at my desk. I just couldn’t do it. I feel confident that by the time I need another valve I will be more ready for a mech valve. In 10 to 15years I will be retired and in a position to settle down more so than I am now --with regards to the military.
My surgeons Dr. Myer (who will be returning to Iraq in just a few weeks to work in the trauma ward saving soldiers life’s as they come in from the fight outside the wire) and Dr. Havenstrite have performed 100s of these types of valve surgeries and are very confident I will get at least 10 years out of it.
The way I look at this is---- none of us are even guaranteed tomorrow let alone another 10-15 years after a successful heart surgery--so I will worry about the choice of another valve when the time comes.
Surgery date is set for 22JAN so I will see you guys all over at the pre-surgery site now--I guess that is were I am supposed to move to now.
You all have been terrific!!
Thank You--Thank You--THANK YOU!!
God Bless you all –Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas!! (Whatever one you prefer).
Zack
Well I finally made a decision.....
Going with a Pig valve Mosaic valve version #3!
I tell ya I am completely relieved to finally have made a decision. My decision was nailed shut today when the surgeons informed me that if I go with a mech valve, the fact that I would be on Coumadin would prevent me from getting back "in the fight" as we call it in the military. I think in an earlier post I had stated that the type of valve I chose did not have an impact on my military service. Well I was wrong on that part. If I had chosen a mech valve I would be left with a damn desk/admin job for the duration of the time I spend in the military. I am at 16 1/2 years of service now-and may just stay another 10.
Although many of us (even I) have doubts about the war in Iraq/Afghanistan--reasons why etc? It is after all--what I do and it’s my job. The thought that I can no longer go were all my soldiers and brothers in arms are forced to go (if I had to take Coumadin) weighed heavily on my mind. Maybe I'm being selfish to my family and more loyal to the Amy--who knows. I could have taken the easy way out and gone with a mech valve and never would have been deployed in a combat environment again-ever-but that’s just not who I am. I deployed the first time in 2003/2004 and quite frankly am over due to deploy again. Why should another guy go for a third or even fourth time while I sit my butt here at my desk. I just couldn’t do it. I feel confident that by the time I need another valve I will be more ready for a mech valve. In 10 to 15years I will be retired and in a position to settle down more so than I am now --with regards to the military.
My surgeons Dr. Myer (who will be returning to Iraq in just a few weeks to work in the trauma ward saving soldiers life’s as they come in from the fight outside the wire) and Dr. Havenstrite have performed 100s of these types of valve surgeries and are very confident I will get at least 10 years out of it.
The way I look at this is---- none of us are even guaranteed tomorrow let alone another 10-15 years after a successful heart surgery--so I will worry about the choice of another valve when the time comes.
Surgery date is set for 22JAN so I will see you guys all over at the pre-surgery site now--I guess that is were I am supposed to move to now.
You all have been terrific!!
Thank You--Thank You--THANK YOU!!
God Bless you all –Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas!! (Whatever one you prefer).
Zack
K
Karlynn
Congratulations on making your decision. You have to be who you are, and you are an active duty military man, so I'm sure whatever makes you you, is what your family wants for you. (I'm not surprised that a mech would have sent you to the desk. Firefighters have the same issue.)
Best wishes!
Best wishes!
H
heavyshot
Hi Zack,
Let me say thanks for fighting the good fight. The best advice I can give you concerning valve selection is to go with your gut instinct. Listen to all the good advice on this forum then "TRUST YOUR GUT". Merry Christmas and God bless you.
Let me say thanks for fighting the good fight. The best advice I can give you concerning valve selection is to go with your gut instinct. Listen to all the good advice on this forum then "TRUST YOUR GUT". Merry Christmas and God bless you.
S
South Sound Sailor
Awesome!
Awesome!
My hat's off to you, Zlever. I don't think you're being selfish. In fact, I got a lump in my throat thinking about how dedicated you must be to want to serve our country so UNselfishly.
Best of luck. The cup of coffee offer still stands but if we don't connect, please know that I'll be sending positive thoughts your way on 1/22.
By the way, I've got my first visit scheduled with cardio surgeon Dr. Nichols in Tacoma on 1/7. I'm hoping to get 2 things out of this visit... he agrees that we need to set a surgery date for my AVR within the next 30 to 90 days AND he gives me an OK to resume running 1 to 2 miles daily, just enough to keep myself in the game.
Awesome!
My hat's off to you, Zlever. I don't think you're being selfish. In fact, I got a lump in my throat thinking about how dedicated you must be to want to serve our country so UNselfishly.
Best of luck. The cup of coffee offer still stands but if we don't connect, please know that I'll be sending positive thoughts your way on 1/22.
By the way, I've got my first visit scheduled with cardio surgeon Dr. Nichols in Tacoma on 1/7. I'm hoping to get 2 things out of this visit... he agrees that we need to set a surgery date for my AVR within the next 30 to 90 days AND he gives me an OK to resume running 1 to 2 miles daily, just enough to keep myself in the game.
P
Phyllis
I put you on the calendar, so it's now official, zlever! I thank you again for your service to our country- where would we be without your dedication! Best wishes for a successful surgery and uneventful recovery. In the meantime, we will see you on the pre- surgery thread.
It's a great feeling to make that decision and move forward. However, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't undo all that surgeon's good work. So, if you do go back into it, please remember to duck appropriately.
Very best wishes,
Very best wishes,
Way to go!
Way to go!
Godspeed Zach! (Zlever)
Read this guys story! It's Awesome!
It should bring your anxiety level down. It did mine.
http://www.stevegoldberger.com/bt/BumtickerHomePage1a.html
I love my pig valve! Oink!
As John Travolta said in Pulp Fiction.
"Bacon's good!"
Way to go!
Godspeed Zach! (Zlever)
Read this guys story! It's Awesome!
It should bring your anxiety level down. It did mine.
http://www.stevegoldberger.com/bt/BumtickerHomePage1a.html
I love my pig valve! Oink!
As John Travolta said in Pulp Fiction.
"Bacon's good!"
G
geebee
Zack,
Your reason for a tissue valve is one of the best I have heard and is based on reality. I am happy for you that the decision is made and now you just have to "Let it be". Enjoy your time with your family and know that everything is now out of your hands and in the hands of highly compentent folks who want nothing less than an easy road for you.
You will soon be on this side of the mountain.
Your reason for a tissue valve is one of the best I have heard and is based on reality. I am happy for you that the decision is made and now you just have to "Let it be". Enjoy your time with your family and know that everything is now out of your hands and in the hands of highly compentent folks who want nothing less than an easy road for you.
You will soon be on this side of the mountain.
psalmist
Well-known member
What a ride!
What a ride!
I love this place. It is such a wonderful place to get great advice and encouragement on such a hard and sometimes personally lonlely journey. Don't let yourself get too depressed. I am 31 with 3 boys and 12 weeks out. . . so your story seems so close to my own and the feelings are all to familiar. Personally the emotional weight of the surgery and heart condition was a whole lot worse than the surgery. Being scared is absolutely normal. Don't be afraid to vent and ask the hard questions. There are so many here who are a lot farther down the road and have faced all that hard stuff and seen it through so you really don't have to be alone. Feel free to PM me if you like if for no other reason than to talk. Thank you for serving our country. God bless. Seth
What a ride!
I love this place. It is such a wonderful place to get great advice and encouragement on such a hard and sometimes personally lonlely journey. Don't let yourself get too depressed. I am 31 with 3 boys and 12 weeks out. . . so your story seems so close to my own and the feelings are all to familiar. Personally the emotional weight of the surgery and heart condition was a whole lot worse than the surgery. Being scared is absolutely normal. Don't be afraid to vent and ask the hard questions. There are so many here who are a lot farther down the road and have faced all that hard stuff and seen it through so you really don't have to be alone. Feel free to PM me if you like if for no other reason than to talk. Thank you for serving our country. God bless. Seth
S
Swede
Hi Zack,
You are not selfish - the choice you feel comfortable with is the best also for the family. Also great attitude - your worries seem far away now which is good. All the best for the operation.
Swede
You are not selfish - the choice you feel comfortable with is the best also for the family. Also great attitude - your worries seem far away now which is good. All the best for the operation.
Swede
