One Year in the Waiting Room--CT and Echo Today

[aussigal]

Thanks for that Mary...
I didnt know you guys didnt call the procedure the same names...

what I had is called a CT angio. in Australia

... it is a CT scan with an IV full of glowy-dye that they injected into me and scanned me over and over again.

I am seeing the surgeon very soon to chat about surgery. Had some more tests to do of course .

MMM... you call your (the one PJ had ) procedure a CT scan and ours are called CT angio's ... ...
This is when I get a little confused somtimes then hey!...

I think then we call those other ones something to do with the Cath !?...must check it out for future reference...lol..
oh well I'll manage

 

[susieq14]

Hello PJ
you replied to my post on Saturday and I just wanted to say hello and thanks and to offer my best to you as you wait for the results of your latest tests.
I wonder if a crystal ball would be more helpful.... Boy somebody got it right here when they called this place the "waiting room"! Very frustrating indeed.
Take Care!
Susie

 

[901]

Is there a chance that your BAV can be repaired? I know that my surgeon said that AVs are harder to repair than MVs. However, if yours is only mildly leaking the surgeon may have a better opportunity for repair than if you wait until symptoms are worse. The surgeon will want to repair/replace everything while the opportunity presents itself. So, even if you go in just for aneurism repair, you will need to be ready for valve repair or replacement at the same time.

 

[PJmomrunner]

Hi Susie! It's nice to have company in the waiting room...

Doug, you are correct about the surgeon wanting to do it all at once. He's told me before that I'm looking at a replacement. I'm just hoping (based on what the echo tech said and perhaps unrealistically ) that my new imaging studies will reveal a less leaky valve and that he'll say "let's go ahead and fix the aneurysm and hope the valve will last longer than a replacement valve would." I'm probably dreamin' , but I'll find out on Friday.

 

[djexec]

Valve sparing operation

Valve sparing operation

PJ
I am also in the waiting room & have been for the past 7 years since my diagnosis of an AAA (5.2) and BAV. I was originally told that I would not require surgery until it reached 5.5 but as of the most recent visit to my friendly cardiologist, he informed me that the "rules" have changed and that they now recommend surgery for aneurysms at 5.0 or higher. My BAV seems to be in relatively good shape so my first choice is going to be a valve sparing surgery to correct the aneurysm. I believe Eric on this site had the valve sparing operation done in LA by Dr. Raissi. My surgeon said that if my valve does not look like it has at least 10 years of functionality that he will replace it but he won't know until he opens me up. Anyway, hope that you find some peace in the midst of all the chaos....I know it can be overwhelming at times! Best wishes!
Deane

 

[aussigal]

HURRY UP FRIDAY...

this is certainly the topic on my mind at the moment...

Friday is gonna be a good day for answers I hope I get some answers on Friday too (yippee!)

I shall join you PJ in the waiting-room of VR.com... Pacing endlessly like nervous parents . Maybe we need to put a hot-tub and bar in here so we can relax alot!

OR if we all go to bed early then friday will come quickly...lol...

 

[PJmomrunner]

Friday Appointment Cancelled

Friday Appointment Cancelled

Dr. Deeb's office called to cancel my appointment for tomorrow. They will either call back to tell me nothing's changed and set up a 6 month recheck or they will call to set up another appointment ASAP if something has changed. I'm just happy to have another day to get ready for my Carnegie Hall trip with my singing daughter!

 

[carista]

HURRY UP FRIDAY...

this is certainly the topic on my mind at the moment...

Friday is gonna be a good day for answers I hope I get some answers on Friday too (yippee!)

I shall join you PJ in the waiting-room of VR.com... Pacing endlessly like nervous parents . Maybe we need to put a hot-tub and bar in here so we can relax alot!

OR if we all go to bed early then friday will come quickly...lol...

I'm with you guys on this one also, waiting patiently for friday. I just had another echo done and was told it might be time for surgery. I go back friday for a stress test then I talk to my cardiologist and a surgeon.

PJ - I had a long talk with my cardiologist about how I felt my whole life was on hold waiting for this surgery and how i've stopped working out, have been depressed and stressed out and he seems to think thats a good reason right there to get the surgery over with, so I can have a better quality of life. Granted I'm sure that if I wasn't at least close to surgery time it might not be a consideration, but I think I would be waiting even longer if not for mentioning those things to him. Have you talked to your cardiologist about how its affecting your life to wait? Maybe that might help?

Good luck PJ and Aussigal with your test results!

Carista

 

[susieq14]

PJ,

So sorry your appointment was cancelled - I know you were anxious to talk with your doctor. i hope that you get the chance to do so very soon.
In the meantime enjoy the time with your daughter with a "song in your heart"

 

[CCRN]

I'll get the official report next Friday from the surgeon. Crystal ball...hmmm...let me think about that.

I recently saw the most amazing bumper sticker. It said "Don't believe everything you think". Boy, I wish I had seen that about six months ago. Would have saved me a lot of grief while my mind was playings games with me about my test results, etc.

Don't spin your wheels too much. Wait and see what the surgeon says when you see him/her. DO tell of your concern about the size of your aorta and possibility of rupture. As I understand it, that magic 5.0 number is relative to body size AND a number used for the average patient. If you are a small, petite woman that number could mean your aorta is 4 to 5 times the size it should be. Discuss these points with the surgeon and, if you don't get a satifactory explanation, find another surgeon for a second opinion.

In the mean time, try to keep busy and do some enjoyable things with your kids. AND remember: Don't believe everything you think.

 

[aussigal]

OHHH DRATS....just when you were all ready to hear the verdict...they go have an emergency of their own and put you off for a lil while longer...

I shall still cross my fingers for you that you get the answers you need...