Southern Oregon BAV Noob - PROBABLY

[Sean L]

Has anyone heard about or had surgery done at Rogue Valley Hospital? I hear they are very good...Just wanted to know if it would be a good idea to have my surgery (whenever it ends up being) there...or somewhere else? Should I seek out a surgeon now, while still at the moderate stage?

 

[Boston Tiger]

Oh, do I remember the shock when I first got my diagnosis of a heart murmur that eventually was diagnosed as severe mitral regurgitation. I was only in the Waiting Room for nine months or so, since the cardiologists were able to track the changes in my heart very well. The good news is that all the tests allow them to catch things before irreparable harm has been done. I know how it was so frustrating to be initially diagnosed with the problem while having no apparent symptoms, but my head got around to the idea of having surgery by the time symptoms began to show up. You'll eventually move out of shock mode and into more of an acceptance mode. That hit for me when I realized just how serious my situation could become, and that surgery would give me a chance to see my own children finish their high school and college careers. That really hit home when, soon after I was told surgery was necessary fairly soon rather than at some point in the future, one of my colleagues at work collapsed and died while at the gym. A surgery is nothing if that can keep your family from going through an unexpected funeral.

I didn't look for surgeons while I was still in the "some future date" stage, because there was plenty of time to do that when I got to the point where I had to take action. Luckily, I live in the Boston metro area, where I has are a large number of top notch hospitals to choose from, which made the research fairly simple. It also gave me a chance to find a surgeon that I was completely comfortable with, which helps in those scary days leading up to the operation.

This forum was the one thing I didn't know about at the time I was in the Waiting Room, and it would have been a wonderful resource for me at the time. It is really nice to hear from people who have "been there, done that" with regard to valve surgery, especially when they share their experiences and how their lives have improved from the nerve wracking days after their initial diagnosis.

 

[Sean L]

Thanks for all the responses....I'm working on my bringing my anxiety level down. Just trying to "let it go"...because I won't have another echo for about 9 months. Acceptance is a big one. I am in counseling. Part of this is just about who I am, I guess. I've always been a bit of a seeker. Wasn't raised with any organized religion and have always wondered...I just like being here on this earth, as screwed up as it is. So, thanks for keeping my seat warm here in the Waiting Room...

==Sean

 

[SB42]

Hi Sean,

You have received many great responses, so I don't know how much I have to offer other than this. I am 42, with three children (6, 3, 1). Like you, I have maintained a relative healthy lifestyle and like to workout. Then boom, diagnosed with a heart murmur...which led to aortic stenosis...then all of a sudden starting getting the symptoms (shortness of breath; dizziness; etc.)...then meet with cardiologist and hear that I need surgery...what? open heart surgery? NO, not me...then the thought of my kids literally brought me to my knees with tears (common reaction)...first, asked for God's mercy...next I started researching and using some resources that I have in the medical field...my good buddy, an orthopedic surgeon, immediate response was, you need to get it done FOR your kids...we are very fortunate, modern day medicine is amazing and it is only getting better!! Keep monitoring and do not hold anything back from your doctors...Even when I started getting the initial symptoms, I wanted to blow off, but decided to put my man pride aside and openly communicated with my doctors...I understand how difficult the mental aspect can be as I still find myself feeling the anxieties...I am changing and saving my life on 01/18/12...your feelings of anxiety are real, so please continue to use these forums as positive reinforcement...you will come to find that valve replacement is a relative common procedure that most can and will benefit from...I know you weren't raised with any organized religion, but my pastor told me that when I start feeling the anxieties or wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep, to close my eyes and simply start repeating..."Dear God, please have mercy on me"... focus on the things that you can control (healthy eating; no smoking; etc) and in addition to your own research, allow your doctors and this site to arm you with the information that will ease your anxieties...Great things to come for you in 2012!!

Happy New Year,

SB42

 

[kcamarata]

It's funny how similar the stories are. I am 42 and a few years ago my doctor was trying to figure out why my blood pressure was through the roof. Then he asked me...has anyone ever mentioned you have a murmur? Next thing you know I was getting an echo and being told that I am bicuspid. I go in for echoes every 6 months and my cardiologist is surprised that I am not showing symptoms yet. I figure surgery isn't too far away ( my left ventricle is now severely enlarged (70) and my heart walls are now thickening). The good news is....I know about the situation and I have experts watching me regularly and preparing me for the inevitable. That means that the odds are in my favor. I have 3 girls (3, 9 , and 14 yrs old) and being there for them is my motivation for keeping myself healthy, positive, and prepared. Sometimes I have to take a deep breathe and tell myself everything is going to be okay. That is just part of the mood swings of dealing with something like this. If you take anything away from this forum....know that you are not alone and that knowing about your bav puts you ahead of the game. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and take care of those kids. They grow up fast!

 

[Sean L]

Thanks for responding!

Things are much better in the New Year. While a much lower form of anxiety comes and goes, I now generally feel lucky that they found my problematic heart valve before I had to find out about it the hard way. I've already dropped weight and am walking every day...and am trying not to take my days for granted. Just turned 44 and am happy to be here and feel lucky to be surrounded by family and friends, both online and off...

Sean