Test results in

Valve Replacement Forums

Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
OK, Christmas went well and I had my appointment with Dr.Lam today.

He wants me to have a CAT scan in the next few weeks to see how calcified my Homograph root is. This will determine whether a tissue valve is even an option.

We talked about the On-X valve as an option and he is following the On-X study with optimism.

He explained that even if I have a tissue valve this time, next time will require a graph and valve as the calcification will definitely require removing the remaining Homograph.
This complicates the surgery and raises the risk for the next surgery.

We talked about the Crohn's and Colitis that my brother and sister have and he said developing these in my 40's would be rare as they tend to appear in the late teens to mid 30's . This took the main concern over ACT off the table.

We discussed the options of Mechanical now or in 10-15 years when I am 50-55.

I don't have to make a decision until after the CAT when we find out whether I have an option.

The doctor was very nice and intuitive about what we wanted to know and explained everything really well.

I asked about Kryptonite Glue and his response was "How did you hear about that?" and then told me they have a supply on hand and would use it for me.

My GF/Wife Jodi felt better after the meeting and liked the DR as well.

So, waiting for a CAT Scan appointment and then we schedule the Surgery and Pre-admitting.
Likely mid February. Only drawback is that it will probably occur when both sets of my parents are in Florida and they are threatening to cancel vacations. I told them not to but...

Will keep you all informed as I find out more.

Dugald
 
I'm a little confused about if you got tissue now, then NEXT surgery they would have to remove the rest of the calcified homograft, why wouldn't they replace that all with this surgery?
Thanks for the update, it sounds like you have alot to think about. I'm glad you liked him and hope you are able to get the CAT soon
 
What he said was; if the homograph wasn't too calcified, I could get a bovine valve and just replace the valve. Less complicated surgery this time.

If the graph is too calcified or I choose the On-X, they will have to replace the whole Homograph which was the valve and bit of Aorta IIRC. If he has to replace the whole homograph, he wants me to use the On-X.

Oh yeah, forgot the best part! No TEE for me this time. They can tell all they need to know in the CAT scan and tests I already had.
 
That's interesting, since as far as I know they would have to sew on the graft for an ON-X just like they would for a bovine valve. since it isn't an all in one. Maybe his thought is since the ON-x is mechanical and should last forever they might as well replace the rest now instead in a few years, which makes perfect sense, I just don't understand why he would not do the same with a bovine valve and replace it all now, in the hopes next time they could replace the valve in the cath lab. since it really doesn't add much more time on bypass or work to sew on the dacron graft like he would for the ON-X. Again I'm not a surgeon, just a Mom, so he knows much more than I do.

ps Great news about the kryptonite, do you know much about it? from what I was reading it looks like they use wires with it still, is that right? do they use the same amount of wires or less and they are more for back up
 
Dugald,
Glad that you are feeling confident with the surgeon and that he answered your questions.
Keep us posted on how things transpire. Wow...another person at the UOHI possibly getting the kryptonite glue for sternum closure. Johnny, another Ottawa member who is having surgery on Jan. 11th is supposed to be getting this too.
 
I think you are correct in your thinking.
He would want to replace it all now if I go mechanical to save further surgeries and not for bovine as it makes the surgery easier and I would need another in 10-15 anyway.

They will still use the wires, fully I think , to hold it all in place while the glue sets and as a back up.

The benefit comes from almost immediate stability of the sternum instead of the 6-8 weeks wait.

Able to breath and rest much easier much faster.

Will ask Johnny how it feels next week after his surgery.
Going to visit him mid week.
 
My GF/Wife Jodi felt better after the meeting and liked the DR as well.

I was wondering about keeping my gf/wife better informed maybe. I think the worrying must be pure hell for her without knowing stuff. Does she go to your cardiologist appointments with you as opposed to just staying in waiting areas.. Mine goes and stays in the waiting area, I'm wondering if its better for her to actually be at the meetings.

Just wondering. I'm sure she must wonder about stuff but may just fell better not asking.
 
Jodi stays in waiting area for testing but I bring her to every meeting with the Doctors.
Even if it upsets her, she gets the opportunity to ask questions she needs to know answers to.It also helps me to be able to share decisions and the whole stress of the situation.
She was very scared before that I may drop dead at any moment despite me telling her I wasn't that critical yet.
Hearing it from the doctor helped.

She also asked about survivability risks etc. as hearing it from the Doctor is more concrete than from me.

I think that they(spouses) want to believe what you tell them, but have nagging doubts that you may be hiding the worst to spare them.

One other positive thing is that she remembers, more than I do, how tired and worn out I feel. I tend to gloss over how bad I really feel but Jodi can notice it and tell the Doctor.

Ask your gf/wife if she wants to come in to the meetings, ask her own questions. She may say no, but if not, it may help.

I had only been dating Jodi for 3 years when I went under the first time and she was a part of the whole process then.
 
I was wondering about keeping my gf/wife better informed maybe. I think the worrying must be pure hell for her without knowing stuff. Does she go to your cardiologist appointments with you as opposed to just staying in waiting areas.. Mine goes and stays in the waiting area, I'm wondering if its better for her to actually be at the meetings.

Just wondering. I'm sure she must wonder about stuff but may just fell better not asking.

I personally think it is better to have someone in the room with you when you are talking to the doctors for a few reasons, one being as you said, it is probably harder for her because she doesn't know what exactly is going on, but even more important, alot of times when you aretalking to doctors about alot of important things, it is easy to get a little overwhelmed and not remeber everything that is said, or think to ask all of the questions you have. the other person can help you after the appt to make sure you both heard the same thing and while talking to the doctor she may remeber to ask something you wanted to know, but slipped your mind.
also WHEN you are having surgery, you should have designated (in writing a HIPPA form , plus tell your docs) someone who the doctors and nurses can talk to or even make decisions, IF you are unable to, so the more that person understands everything that is going on, the better, and if they go to your appts and are in all the discussions before surgery, they will not be overwhelmed or as confused while you are in the hospital.

now everyone has different ideas, but this is how our family handles different surgeries, procedures hospital stays. and OF course this is something you should ask your girlfriend if she wants to be your advocate and wants to go to the meeting ect or rather not know all the details.
 
Back
Top