Newbie intro

[Will B]

Hello. William from Ft. Lauderdale FL here. I am 37 years old and had valve replacement surgery 9 weeks ago. I found out Dec 16 that I had an issue and Dec 23 that I needed surgery. I went for a second opinion to the University of Miami Medical Center January 5th and was scheduled for surgery January 10th. The first surgeon that I saw on Dec 23 told me it was not an emergency and I could continue working out, etc without bench pressing. My cardiologist at U of M seemed surprised at that and informed me I had a potentially fatal condition, there was no reason to wait. My aneurysm in the ascending aorta measured 5.4 cm, I had a bi cuspid valve, aortic root dissection and was severely leaking blood back into my heart. Funny enough I had no symptoms. Every doctor, nurse, physical therapist, etc I have seen advise me I am a miracle. Needless to say I am happy to be alive :thumbup:. Currently taking metoporol and 5 mg of warfarin.

 

[Natina13]

Welcome to the site William !!!!! I am happy you got a second opinion and very happy your a miracle !!!!! Best wishes on your continued recovery, there are alot of people here, with many years of experience and knowledge in this area.... hoping it gives you the comfort and support it is giving me.

Caring thoughts,
Renee

 

[mainframe]

Hi William. Welcome to VR.com. I had surgery in Nov 09 with similar issues. I was thankful when my surgeon told me after the surgery the aorta was tissue thin (through I only measured 5.0) and that I didn't blow out the aorta during the spring/summer when I was still lifting weights with regularity. After a tough time in the hospital he told me I was the miracle of 2009. I know how you feel about being fortunate to be alive.

 

[Duffey]

Hi Will! Yours is an amazing story, and one that everyone should heed. Sometimes there are no symptoms before replacement becomes an urgent issue.
How did you find in December that there was a problem?

 

[lz9701]

Hey William:
Glad you are still here with us. I had endocarditis three times which compromised my aortic valve, had severe leakage as well and worked out 2 days before my surgery and was back at the gym 4 weeks after surgery. Good luck

 

[esvaja]

Hi Will B.
Glad to meetcha! Especially a walking talking miracle! I was almost totally asymptomatic when I got the news too. It could have gone on for years - though it wouldn't have ended well.
What kind of valve did you get & what made you go that way? Oh, & how about that sternum thingy? wires, glue or gorilla grips? (talons)
Daiva

 

[nngbwh]

Welcome aboard, William. Thanks for sharing your story. Its great to be alive.

 

[Freddie]

Welcome abroad Will. I'm with Duffy, what made you see the doctor on Dec. 16th?

 

[spartangator]

Hi and welcome. Thanks for sharing your story.

 

[Greg a]

WELCOME to our OHS family glad you found us and are here to ask questions it is not only good to be alive

IT IS GREAT

 

[Will B]

Duffy and Freddie,
I went for a routine (I thought) work related physical and had and abnormal EKG. The doc actually said not to worry I had a normal arrhythmia that young people get. The nurse actually caught me and suggested I see a cardiologist which started the whole thing. I went to the cardio and due to my age and being in shape, he thought I was drinking too much coffee. I quit and came back a week later for a stress test, ultrasound of my heart, and to be fitted for a halter monitor. The cardio saw the issue during the ultrasound and immediately sent me for a CT scan. Take care. William

 

[Jeff Edmonton]

Life is full of surprises, congratulations on surviving a close call. Sometime miracle's can happen when we meet the right people at the right time and we follow there strong personalities which lead us to the Right CHOICE!
Glad to meet you William, the gods were kind to you!

 

[Bean Counter]

Welcome aboard. Lots of good information here.

 

[Will B]

Hi Will B.
Glad to meetcha! Especially a walking talking miracle! I was almost totally asymptomatic when I got the news too. It could have gone on for years - though it wouldn't have ended well.
What kind of valve did you get & what made you go that way? Oh, & how about that sternum thingy? wires, glue or gorilla grips? (talons)
Daiva

Daiva,
I have a St Jude mechanical valve. The surgeon was not keen on a tissue valve at all. My aneurysm was right on top of the aortic valve and the replacement with valve is one piece. Dr. Williams advised me that if we went tissue, every time it needed to be replaced the valve would have to be cut away from the graft piece and my mortality rate would jump each time he "cut" me. He also advised the valve and graft would last forever and I would never need another surgery. My sternum was wired back together. My cardio advised me I could start light jogging at 8 weeks which I did. William

 

[skeptic49]

Wow! You had a close brush with the grim reaper. Welcome to VR.org.

Best wishes,

Jim

 

[AJB]

William ,
you are in my backyard,I live in Orlando moved here 5 years ago from Coral Springs. I am 38 years old and like you found out I needed surgery and was taken to surgery in a matter of 3 weeks last June, I got a mech on-x mitral valve and asd repair. so when I say I know how you feel I really do and so does everyone else here. Glad to hear you are well and here to tell your story.

AJB