Questions from another newbie

[Bart]

I have also been waiting in the wings, watching and checking out some of the links that have been posted in some of the threads.

I have know for 15 years that I would need a new aortic valve sooner or later. (I thought that later was much later) I have become symptomatic over the last couple of months (even more so in the last 2 weeks) so I had an appointment 2 1/2 weeks ago with my Cardioligist. Since that time I have had a Echo, Heart Cath and Chest Cat-scan. The Heart Cath and Echo show my Aortic Valve is .76 cm. The reason for the Cat-scan is I also have an Anurisim on my Aortic root. The Cat-scan showed him that my Aorta "looks fine for now". What is a TEE?

My Surgeon whom I have met 1 time after my Heart Cath (Before my Chest Cat-scan) is ready to do surgery this Thursday, but that is to fast for me, so I made an appointment to consult with him. I Googled him and know his credintals but how do I find out if he is good? His name is Dr. Thomas Salamon.

I have decided on Mechanical and know that the failure rates on most models are nominal, but there have also been several models that have been recalled and discontinued because of problems. Which is best? (hopefully that will be the one my surgeon will be using that one).

I know that the Cleveland Clinic is #1, how do I find out about Grant Hospital in Columbus Ohio. This is where mine is looking like it will be done.

Now for the most important question. How do you spell check?

I think I am over the bad news part of the process included the psycological ups and downs. (I hope)

I thank all of you for the information that you have already supplied me with and for future info. This seems to be a great Forum filled with people who care.

 

[Mara]

Hey Bart-

Good luck with your surgery. I say get it done the sooner the better, then you can be on the road to recovery and feeling great! But, you need to be ready mentally to have it.

I just remember I was so ready for it. I was sick of being tired and wanted to have it done sooner than everyone in my family. Alas, I had my surgery 5 days after my wedding.

Don't know how you can find out about Grant Hospital, Ross will know. I have been there several times, my grandparents lived in Columbus and my parents are from there. I have a lot of aunts, uncles and cousins still there, so Go Buckeyes!

Mara

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi bart!
welcome to this wonderful site.
karla, another newbie, was just referred to the following site by alcapshaw, so i thought i'd pass it on. hope it helps...

http://www.HealthGrades.com/

please let us know when you decide to have the surgery done. also, please have someone let us know how it goes.

wishing you all the best, sylvia

 

[Ross]

Hi Bart

See this thread:
http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4492

It'll give you more info on the TEE which stands for Trans Esphageal Echocardiogram. It's a transducer that you swallow so they can get a look at your heart from the back and is one of the more accurate tests they've done.

Healthgrades.com is the site to check the hospital at. I don't know about the surgeon.

 

[Bart]

Thanks for the info and the links to the sites. I have made the decisions and now just have to wait for the date. I guess that I am as ready as I will get. I hope to know a date on Tuesday 9/2. Its really surprising how quickly you can go from feeling just fine to knowing that surgery is not only needed, but that the sooner the better.

Thanks

 

[Nancy]

Hi Bart-

Welcome to the site. It seems you've done lots of homework and sound quite prepared for surgery.

For more information on various valves go to the main page, just click on the big yellow logo at the top of the page and click on Links that will take you to the information page and all the links to get you started.

Best wishes, and let us know what your date is.

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Bart

Welcome to a great site. Glad your wait is almost over and you'll be on the road to recovery very soon. Tyce, my husband, had about a month wait.....and as everyone here says, the waiting is the absolute worst part!!!

Can't help you out with hospitals in Ohio, as we're in NY.....Rossman may be able to, and some of our other members.

I wish you the very best of luck. You certainly sound very "in control," which is a great thing. Tyce was the same way from day one.....I was the wreck.

Please keep us posted......you're a part of us now so we have the right to worry about you.

Evelyn

 

[Georgia]

Hi, Bart!

Hi, Bart!

It's a scarey old time for you, we know. I'll tell you - you want to get the work done asap - if they're scheduling you so soon, methinks they're not kidding around.

Hope you find the answers you're looking for. Probably your research will raise more questions - feel free to ask. There's a lot of accumulated experience lurking on this site, and we pretty much like to share.

Keep posting, and let us know any more questions you may have.

 

[Bart]

I have received a date. 9/8/03. I will have it preformed at Grant Hospital and will be going with the Medtronic Tophat (Bileaflet). I really have not had much time to assimilate all of the info needed to make an intelligent decision. It will be 31 days from my 1st appointment with my Cardo to the surgery. I don't know about the quality of my choice, but I know that I would not have been able make them with the same confidence without this forum. I thank you all for that. There are so many links in the various threads that I have used to help get ready for this.

Since I have not really shared much about me here is a brief Bio.
Married for 20 years. 7 & 16 year old sons & 9 year old daughter.
I'm in Retail Management and 47 years old. Have a Black Lab and a Cat. All three of the kids are very active.

I should have planned ahead. I have run out of time and need to pick the oldest up from Band.

Thanks again.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Bart-

You're on the calendar. Thanks for telling a little bit about yourself. Sounds like a wonderful family. You'll all be so happy when daddy is feeling better.

Please teach someone else how to access the site while you have a little time. We'll all want to know how things went. We worry, you know.

 

[bvdr]

Hi Bart,

Welcome to this forum and thanks for telling us a bit about yourself. I'm glad this will soon be over for you. The wait is truly the hardest part.

A little while ago my husband and I were walking pretty briskly through a fairly empty Walmart. (It's just too hot to walk outside right now where we live) I was pushing an empty cart, not feeling any tightness or rising pressure in my chest and thinking, not for the first time, that having my valve replacement was such a good thing to have had done. Eight days ago I exchanged an old worn out good for nothing valve and have a brand spanking new ST.Jude and feel so very very fortunate.

I hope In just a couple of weeks you will feel the same.
My prayers go with you for a very successful outcome.

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Bart

Hi Bart

Welcome to our site. Relax..and get ready for your return home. Get a recliner to sleep in (if you do not have one)...Sounds like you have a wonderful family. Explain to the kids that it will be a few weeks before you feel good enough to go to their activities. My Grandson was starting little league and I felt so badly that I did not feel up to going and watching him play. After about three weeks I had him up here for the weekend. I told my Grandson everything that had happened to me..and I needed to be a little more relaxed. He understood. It has been 17 months now since my surgery..he has a hard time keeping up with me. I am age 63..with a mech valve. No problems at all with coumadin. PLEASE take one day at a time..try not to think you can get right back into things with them..After about 6 weeks....you can ease back into some activites..but bet your wife will make sure you don't overdo it. You do need to walk around house the first week..ease outside for some light walking.You will not feel like eating very much..but drink lots of juices.You will also feel that foggy-headed..like kids wanting to talk and you not. Walking clears that up pretty soon. Show your wife how to post on VR..after surgery. Under Post-surgery. We will want to know. Post again before surgery. Bonnie

 

[Granbonny]

Betty

Betty

Post-surgery..just 8 days ago. and walking at Wal-Mart...don't let me have to come up there and tie you to your recliner You could step off a curb..get too hot walking from car to store..stand in line too long..ect. Stay in your yard and walk around there. A few months after my surgery. a very LARGE lady approached me at grocery store parking lot and grabbed my Papillion out of my front seat when I opened the door Just wanted to hold him. Now, I knew he is very active..and was afraid she would drop him. I grabbed him back and she came towards me and I tripped over a concrete stopper..fell flat on my back.. Think what would have happened if I had hit my head..on coumadin..The next day..not a single bruise. Lucky. My point is anything can happen..STAY away from crowds. Until you have your 3 week checkups. Bonnie

 

[Bart]

I will definetly keep you all informed. As for teaching my wife how to post, I don't think I'll have to. She got me started in this forum, and am I glad she did. I will probably make an entry in the post surgery on the way out the door Monday. I cant stand to leave things unfinished, so that will be another incentive to get back home. I know that I have enough reasons already but 1 more never hurt. Thanks for all of the support, even before you knew I was there. You all have made this so much easier.

There is still 1 question that no one has answered you. How do you spell check?

Thanks

 

[Ross]

If your using Internet Exploder, you can get a free and good spell checker at the link below:

http://www.iespell.com/

Works great for forums!

 

[rcatalano]

Bart,

I just had a bileaflet mechanical aortic valve implanted. I had a homograft tissue valve for 14 years prior.

From what I was able to find, Medtronic is a solid company and makes high quality valves. Mine is an ATS Medical Open Pivot valve, but that was the surgeons choice. Once I agreed to a mechanical valve, I thought it made more sense to go with what he's more experienced in.

Whether its a St Jude, Medtronic, or ATS, they're all third generation bi-leaflet valves.

Good luck!

 

[Christina L]

Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart

Betty,

So glad to hear that you are shopping at Wal-Mart and feeling so good. However, like others have said, please don't over-do. I know that will be a problem with myself - I have told Wayne to make sure that I rest - because I know I may feel so great that I will jump right back into things, when I shouldn't.

Anyway, I am watching all you mitral valve people with great interest (my surgery will be the first week in November hopefully) - so get 100% better and show me how it's done!!

Chris