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[dhudson]

I was diagnosed last year with a leaking valve. I believe it is the tricuspid. My caridologist said it was the most common congenital valve problem, which still did not make me feel better. Anyway they wanted to do a valve replacement last year, i wanted and got a second opinion. the doc said i should have it done, but we could wait awhile, but that i would probably have to have it done in a year. Well it's been a year, and it has gotten worse. Even my wife says it's time. I really am ok with it now, after a lot of research, and finding this site. I read alot of your responses, and decided to join. I will be 59 in july. am in relatively good shape considering the leaky plumbing. My cardiologist thinks i should be fine. At first i didn't know what kind of valve to go with, biological or mechanical. My cardiologist suggests a mechanical, and says i should be good to 90 yoa. I see him again on Monday, Feb 27, 2012, and i suppose i will tell him it's time, because my wife told me it is. I am not anxious or afraid, i just don't want anybody opening me up till i have too. But if i'm honest, i know it's time too. Can't even walk my dog around the block without getting winded. Guess it's about quality of life, and really not wanting a heart attack, or going into CHF, and mostly not wanting to leave my wife alone and on her own. Too damn young for that!! I printed off a bunch of questions to take with me from this site. Man that was good stuff. Some things i never even thought of. Anyway, any suggestions on a valve. My own leaky one is suppose to have 3 leaflets, it only has 2, gee thanks mom and dad, just kidding. I am thinking an On-X carbon. I can deal with blood thinners, I'll just need to be really careful with knoves and sharp objects. My wife says i am an accident looking for stitches. Sometime she right, but little knicks and scratches come with the territory. Anyway, i hope iam not boring anyone, jst need someone to talk too now and then, and that is really hard for me to admit. Pretty much have kept my own counsel most of my life, and have really been the picture of health till about 5 years ago. first the thyriod quit working, and now this litlte speed bump. I know this won't be easy, but by GOD, i are going to whip it, and be semi normal again. Never really been normal, so semi is best i can do.

 

[selma]

Hi, dhudson.
I found this site about a month or so ago myself and it's been incredibly helpful. I'm 60 and just scheduled valve repair surgery for a 4+ leaky mitral valve. I know you'll get lots of help and encouragement here. Someone probably will know -- is it possible to repair one's own tricuspid as it is with the mitral valve, or does it always need to be replaced if there are issues? Because if repair *is* possible, that would be my preference. Your own newly spiffed up valve should last you forever and you wouldn't need to deal with the anti-coagulant issue. Either way, you're gonna be fine!

 

[Adrienne]

I agree that if it can be repaired, that would be the best scenario. I have to say that I have read some things on this site that say that for the right side of the heart, if you need a replacement, it is better to have a biological valve rather than a mechanical one because the pressures are less and there is more risk of blood clots. I am not at all an expert on this subject, but I would check it out.

 

[dhudson]

I had to go through all those tests. they took pictures and everything. The first cardiologist and the second, whom came highly recommended to me by a friend, and I eventually chose, told me it need replaced. my own valve is to stiff, and my doc thinks is un repairable. He's been doing this over 32 years now, and i have researched inside and out. I fully trusted, and what's more is, my lovely bride trusts him. I am really glad I found this, and my wife thought it was a good idea too. Nobody really knows what it's like, or what you are actually going through until you have too yourself. Heart desease runs in my family on my dads side. My grandpa had a quadruple by pass at 58, and lived 10 more years. He decided to go home to Jesus on his own. My dad has had 3 stents put in. I was in myearly 20's when grandpa passed. got my attention cuz he half raised me. I been pretty much taking care of myself since then. eating good low sodium, no drinkin, no smokin, all the stuff your suppose to do. So hopefully it pays now

 

[Lynlw]

Hi, You got alot of good advice, my main concern would be IF it is your tricuspid valve that needs replaced, I would make sure you are going to a surgeon who has alot of experience in tricuspid replcements Patients who need tricuspid valves replaced, really should go to Adults with CHD or CHD specialist/centers and as other said MOST would reccomend a tissue valve on the right side of the heart.

Now if it turns out your problem is the Aortic valve, since Bicuspid (2 leaf instead of tricuspid- 3 leaflets) Aortic valves are the most common CHD, then pretty much disregard everything i said

 

[Greg a]

A heart felt WELCOME to our OHS family glad you found the site most of the community are OHS brothers and sisters,(read no medical professionals) there are some minimally invasive surgeries as well so ask away, there is a wealth of knowledge here for the future ..... it was a pleasure chatting in the chat room today.....keep the jumper cables handy you never know when or how you can use them LOL


Bob/tobagotwo has up dated a list of acronyms and short forms http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8494&d=1276042314

what to ask pre surgery http://www.valvereplacement.org/for...68-Pre-surgery-consultation-list-of-questions

what to take with you to the hospital http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?13283-what-to-take-to-the-hospital-a-checklist

Preparing the house for post surgical patients http://www.valvereplacement.org/for...Getting-Comfortable-Around-the-House&p=218802

These are from various forum stickies and there is plenty more to read as well


And Lynw added this PDF on what to expect post op
http://www.sts.org/documents/pdf/whattoexpect.pdf[/QUOTE]

 

[Jkm7]

Hi dhudson,
Really happy you found us and posted.
You most definitely are not 'boring' us so don't fret about that.
This site is a blessing for those of us who don't know anyone else who has been through open heart surgery or don't have others who have 'walked the walk'.
It sounds like you are otherwise in good shape, have a caring wife to help you through this, doctors you trust...... that is all good and you have every reason to think you will do absolutely fine. You will be more than 'srmi normal' after your surgery. You will be amazed how much better you will be, after recovery, than you are now.

Your healthy lifestyle absolutely pays dividends when undergoing serious surgery.
All best wishes.

 

[kfay]

I have to agree with Lyn's comments about a tissue valve for the tricuspid replacement as well, but I, too, really wonder if it's not your aortic. Tricuspid valve congenital issues are actually more rare and as Lyn said, aortic valve problems are the number 1 CHD. If it is your aortic, you will be fine with a mechanical if that's what you choose. I would definitely put in a call to your Dr. to clarify this. Also, many of us find it helpful to request copies of our tests and visit notes for our own files at home. That way, you will have something to refer to for comparisons.

Best of luck to you

 

[Boston Tiger]

Welcome to the club! All of us here who have gone through a valve repair or replacement know what you are going through. You've made a big step if you recognize that it is time for your repair. I can tell you that it is a wonderful feeling when you go out for the walk around the block and don't get winded for the first time in ages. You'll feel like a new man. I probably looked like a fool a few times when that realization hit me, since I just stopped and smiled at the feeling. That was one of the things that made any of the bumps in the road to recovery worth it.

 

[Sarah_Louise]

Welcome to the boards
Was good talking to you in the chart room the other day!
Love Sarah xxx

 

[dhudson]

I chatted with Greg a and Sarah_Louise on friday in the chat. That was fun, and great. Greg has a great sense of humor that I really enjoyed, helped to take away some stress, and Sarah, well what can I say, She's still my Hero, so young, and gone through so much already, and still has a great outlook on life. I look forward to chatting with them both again, and many other in the months and years to come. Well today, at 1:15 Pm mountain time, I see my cardiologist. We will start the process. I will be leaving work at 11:30 or 12:00 for the day. So it will be tomorrow before I have any updates at all. Have to do them at work, it's where I am at most of the time, and the computer at home died. Will have to try and get it replaced before the surgery, so I can chat and keep eveyone posted. Hopefully tomorrow, I will have better information on which valve for sure. I was in a haze last year and surprised, and yes in denial. Hard to deny when it just gets worse, and doesn't go away like a cold or the flu. I will definitely pay closer attention from here on out. Just want to get it over with, get back to work as soon as possible and put this nightmare behind me. Been havuing some trouble sleeping past couple months, any thoughts or ideas on this? Seems like I am up 3 to 5 times a night, and just plain looking at a ceiling. If I had something on my mind it would make it easier, but I lay there in blank. Thanks to all who replied, it gives me something to ask the Doc. I also wanted to tell Sarah, Sorry about dropping off on Friday withoput saying Good Bye, my server kicked me off and I couldn't get back on. Anyway, thank you all!!!

 

[Sarah_Louise]

Aww thanks it's no problem,
Hope you got on okay today, will look forward to the update tomorrow,
Love Sarah xxxx

 

[dhudson]

Boy do I feel stupid. I really was in a haze a year ago. It pays to really pay attention and ask questions. Seems everybody was right. It's not my Triscupid, the Doc said he would just have repaird that. What I actually need replaced is the Aortic Valve. I know the left side is different from the right side. Anyway, Doc is scheduling me for a stress echo ekg to see if things are worse, and how much worse. He did say the heart sounded same as last year, and the ekg looked ok. I gotta do something about this weight though. When my thyroid quit working, I gained like 25 lbs, but put some more on here lately. Weighed 196 yesterday, not good for a little guys like me. I'm only 5'8" on a small-med frame. Really upsets me. I weighed between 135 and 140 till I was 40, then I gained to 150-155. Going to skim milk, no fat/low fat foods. Gotta shed some weight. Anyway the test will get scheduled before the end of next week. Will keep everyone posted. Now I've got to study the Aortic Valve now that I'm actually listening to what I'm being told. The Doc told me I wasn't ready to hear what was happening last year. Said that was somewhat normal. He said everybody comes around sooner or later, and he was glad i was asking questions now. No more denial, keep my head on straight and see what happens. You think I should ask for copies of my records and stuff?? Probably would not understand it anyway.
Ok will talk to you all later, and will look for you in the chat room too.

 

[Lynlw]

Don't feel bad. I personally always thought it was quite stupid "they" who ever "they" is that got to name the parts of the heart, would name one of the valves the "tricuspid" valve when the other valves are tricuspid-3 cusps/leaf- too, it just makes things confusing.
Its always good to get copies of your tests, I wouldnt worry about learning what everything means, but you can ask the doctor what the name things they watch for, to know when it is "time" for surgeryvalve area, size and volumn of left ventricle ect and you can see how yours is or compare how it is doing year to year.
Good luc with your test, and altho it is probably helpful to lose ectra weight and things will be a little easier the better shape you are in, I wouldnt beat yourslef up or cause even more stress worrying about your weight. You could use this time to learn about the different kinds of valves, FWIW many surgeons (and patients) would probaly reccoemdn tissue valve for someone your age, but your in the grey area where either choice is the "right" one, depending what you prefer to live with or dont want to deal with

 

[dhudson]

Thanks lynlw Makes me feel better. I actually don't look to bad, just a pot belly, I'd call it a beer belly, but don't drink, and never cared for beer when I did consume a little. I really think it is some water retention, and mostly the thyroid problem. My wife says thwe same thing. Shoot I'm only eating like twice a day, and around 1500 calories tops. oh well. I will just keep trying. I really ain't all that worried. I really do have a great cardiologist, and he said if I really need to do this this year, he will make sure I get the best surgeon available, and he knows them all. He's even working it out so my insurance will cover everything possible, even if he has to refer to me to other collegues to help keep my cost down in the testing area's. The hospital bought his testing facility out last year, so now they are far to high, want the money up front, and I bill the insurance. He hooked me up with a doctor he knows, and is really good to do my testing, and they accept and bill my insurance, and are not owned by the hospital. That took off some stress too See Ya!!!

 

[Sarah_Louise]

Good luck with the stress ECG and weight loss Doug
Thinking of you,
Love Sarah xxxx

 

[dhudson]

Well got home from yesterday, wednesday Feb 29th and Karen, my wife informed me I got the Stress Echo scheduled. Go in Tuesday morning Mar 6th. Now we just wait and see what the results will be. This kinda like the service, hurry up and wait. oh well will just have to buck up and play the game. Talk to you all later.

 

[escargome]

Well dhudson, it's one step at a time. Yes and like the military "hurry up and wait". Keep a calm head and remember that this test will give your cardiologist a better picture of what is going on with your heart. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts come the 6th.

 

[dhudson]

Sress echo tomorrow at 9 am. Taking day off, so will update on Wednesday. Hope I know at least something tomorrow, but will probably have to wait for my cardiologist to get results> Bummer, more waiting.

 

[bdryer]

Hi dh

Go get your On-X and don't worry about profuse bleeding from a nick or a cut. I have proved thru life's experience that the bleeding from a nick or trauma is no worse then pre surgery. Because I have an On-X product, I keep my INR close to 2.0, testing once monthly.

I was implanted Mar 21/11 with an On-X AV. I was the first to have this fine technology implanted by both my surgeon and in my home town. I was/am close to your age. 55 when implanted, 56 presently and soon to be 57. Zero regrets regarding MY decision to go mechanical.

God Speed!