Good morning. I am new to posting in the forum although I have been reading and learning from the posts for a couple of months or so.
I am a 65y/o female with severe aortic steosis and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve contributing to the gradient. I am from northwest Arkansas with family in Memphis, TN so I chose Dr. Todd D. Edwards of the Stern Cardiovascular Clinic in Memphis, TN as my cardiologist. He worked me up with a transthoracic echo in his office. He then did a TEE (a breeze thanks to versed) and cath (also no problem) at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis.
I am scheduled to have both my aortic and mitral valves replaced with St. Jude mechanical valves on January 13th at BMH by Dr. H.E. (Ed) Garrett. I will be the 3rd person in my family to have surgery done by Dr. Garrett. He replaced a cousin's husband's mitral valve and did bypass surgery on another person.
Because I had read some of your postings I knew to ask how many valve replacements he does in a year (approximately 100, also transplants and placing external left ventricular assist devices, plus research) and how to talk about bioprosthetic vs mechanical valves. Dr. Garrett took all the time I wanted and needed to talk about the surgery and answered every question I could think to ask him.
I also was very encouraged by the postings I have read about ACT and think I can manage it.
I am very much looking forward to having energy again, feeling strong and doing the things I took for granted in the past.
I want to thank John and Joann for encouraging me with her-their story and the rest of you who are willing to share your troubles and triumphs with those of us who are just starting the journey.
The mountain looms ahead but I know the One Who Carries Me when I cannot walk.
Iris
I am a 65y/o female with severe aortic steosis and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve contributing to the gradient. I am from northwest Arkansas with family in Memphis, TN so I chose Dr. Todd D. Edwards of the Stern Cardiovascular Clinic in Memphis, TN as my cardiologist. He worked me up with a transthoracic echo in his office. He then did a TEE (a breeze thanks to versed) and cath (also no problem) at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis.
I am scheduled to have both my aortic and mitral valves replaced with St. Jude mechanical valves on January 13th at BMH by Dr. H.E. (Ed) Garrett. I will be the 3rd person in my family to have surgery done by Dr. Garrett. He replaced a cousin's husband's mitral valve and did bypass surgery on another person.
Because I had read some of your postings I knew to ask how many valve replacements he does in a year (approximately 100, also transplants and placing external left ventricular assist devices, plus research) and how to talk about bioprosthetic vs mechanical valves. Dr. Garrett took all the time I wanted and needed to talk about the surgery and answered every question I could think to ask him.
I also was very encouraged by the postings I have read about ACT and think I can manage it.
I am very much looking forward to having energy again, feeling strong and doing the things I took for granted in the past.
I want to thank John and Joann for encouraging me with her-their story and the rest of you who are willing to share your troubles and triumphs with those of us who are just starting the journey.
The mountain looms ahead but I know the One Who Carries Me when I cannot walk.
Iris
