This is the start of my journey.

[Teresa UK]

Warning - this is going to be a bit of a self-centred ramble. The battle-worn among you should skip onto the next thread! Just typing this up seems a huge step - my health situation is very new to me and I'm a little confused. Everyone on this forum seems so clued-up and knowledgeable and optimistic and open and just plain nice - and you understand all those abbreviations and technical terms. I'm just floundering about at this point. I'm 45, mum of 2 boys, wife to Steve, have been feeling a bit grotty, and have just been told, following an echocardiogram, I have moderate aortic stenosis/mild left ventricular hypertrophy, meriting further assessment and clinical referral (you see, a newbie using clumsy technical terms) . My GP has told me a "valve replacement is probably in order, but let's see what the specialist at the hospital says". So here I am some days later, waiting for a hospital appointment on the good old British NHS, wondering what on earth will become of me - although, having read through lots of threads on this forum, I'm starting to build up a scary picture. I've interpreted comments from the GP (lots of medical jargon) to mean that my aortic valve is calcified, causing a pronounced murmer, and one side of my heart is a bit enlarged. I gather that this sort of thing needs to be looked at because it can get worse quite quickly and if it does, it'll make me seriously ill and the only option is a valve replacement. Yes - that's about my sum of knowledge on the topic at this point. Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and begin my story, get it off my chest and make it real. Thank goodness for this forum.

 

[Yaps]

Let me welcome you here

Let me welcome you here

Many will be here to answer any questions you may have, Im a mitral valve and CAD(coronary artery disease) ,so Im not able to help you with arotic issues.
My husband has enlarged heart and with meds he is stable.. hang in many will respond. Love Yaps

 

[perkicar]

Warning - this is going to be a bit of a self-centred ramble. The battle-worn among you should skip onto the next thread! Just typing this up seems a huge step - my health situation is very new to me and I'm a little confused. Everyone on this forum seems so clued-up and knowledgeable and optimistic and open and just plain nice - and you understand all those abbreviations and technical terms. I'm just floundering about at this point. I'm 45, mum of 2 boys, wife to Steve, have been feeling a bit grotty, and have just been told, following an echocardiogram, I have moderate aortic stenosis/mild left ventricular hypertrophy, meriting further assessment and clinical referral (you see, a newbie using clumsy technical terms) . My GP has told me a "valve replacement is probably in order, but let's see what the specialist at the hospital says". So here I am some days later, waiting for a hospital appointment on the good old British NHS, wondering what on earth will become of me - although, having read through lots of threads on this forum, I'm starting to build up a scary picture. I've interpreted comments from the GP (lots of medical jargon) to mean that my aortic valve is calcified, causing a pronounced murmer, and one side of my heart is a bit enlarged. I gather that this sort of thing needs to be looked at because it can get worse quite quickly and if it does, it'll make me seriously ill and the only option is a valve replacement. Yes - that's about my sum of knowledge on the topic at this point. Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and begin my story, get it off my chest and make it real. Thank goodness for this forum.

Welcome Teresa!
I'm glad you found our forum, and you'll soon find that no matter where we are in our journey through this maze, we all started at the same place. Some have different causes for the valve problems, different valves that have caused problems; but the members here are so giving of their knowledge and experience. I know I've been so thankful to find the forum. I have aortic stenosis (like yourself) that has been graded as "critical" due to the my valve area (the size of the opening the blood has to flow through when the valve is open). I'm looking at surgery this May at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH.
So don't feel daunted by your inexperience with the problem--we've all been in your shoes, and we'll all be here to help you along!

 

[RunMartin]

Hi Teresa,
I am also waiting for feedback from the NHS. I have a bicuspid aortic valve with moderate regurgitation and an enlarged aortic root. I think I will need surgery soon but the decisions are not in my hands. It is not something I am looking forward to but I am not full of fear at the moment. I had a lot of fear before I found this forum. If you stick around you will learn lots from the people who have "been there" and hopefully come to terms with your heart condition.

All the best

Martin

 

[Georgia]

Welcome, Teresa.

Most of us were in the same boat, and it sure seemed like a leaky one! It's terrifying and frightful and requires a real quick redefinition of oneself. It also requires a quick eduction. I didn't find this site until after surgery, to my dismay.

Take the time to read through a lot of old posts; there's a gold mine of information on this website.

The one thought to hang onto at this point is that you have something that can be corrected surgically. 40 years ago you wouldn't have been curable. That is the source of the optimism you find here - we pretty much feel blessed for living at this time rather than in the 50's.

 

[hensylee]

Hey, Teresa (that's my daughter's name - we call her Resa). Welcome to VR. You will get so many answers to your post and all of it will be good and informative. Just hang with us right on up to the mountain and we'll be right with you.

 

[McCln]

I wish I could answer your questions. I was born with a defective aortic valve that was repaired as a child and replaced years later with a side problem of CHF(congestive heart failure). The CHF is gone, the heart is stronger and have a aortic St. Jude's valve. Have no problems with it so far. Good luck with the appointment. Take care and ask any question you like. Someone will help with the answer or answers. And welcome.

 

[Barry]

Teresa, you've got the medical terminology down better than I ever will. All I know is that I had severe mitral valve prolapse, eventually went into congestive heart failure, and they put in an artificial (St. Jude's) valve. Almost an assembly-line routine procedure these days on this side of the pond.

 

[bvdr]

Welcome, Teresa. I know this isn't a place you ever expected to find yourself but nevertheless here you are. I remember when I first found out I was officially diagnosed with heart problems that it seemed so very unreal. I had previously more or less self-diagnosed myself but somehow having the diagnostic proof made it seem scary.

It may seem impossible right now but you will soon seem like an expert to others who happen upon this board in the months to come. In the US we are entitled to have copies of all our test results and many of us on this board who live in the States make a point of maintaining a personal file with all our health care records. I would strongly recommend it. Little by little it will all start making sense to you.

Please consider yourself to be part of this online family. There is an amazing wealth of combined experience and knowledge here that someone usually can come up with credible information to any question you might have.

Give yourself a little time to adjust and make yourself at home around here. Again welcome!

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Hi Teresa..

Hi Teresa..

Just joining in with everyone else to extend to you a warm welcome..

And I love going to your Londontown...

 

[Abbanabba]

......my health situation is very new to me and I'm a little confused. Everyone on this forum seems so clued-up and knowledgeable and optimistic and open and just plain nice - and you understand all those abbreviations and technical terms.

Trust me Teresa.... most of us would have been in exactly the same boat when we arrived here - totally clueless!!! I sure know I was! When I first got the news I needed a replacment, I wasn't even sure WHICH valve it was - now I know not only which valve, but all the other jargon and complications involved with it.

Everyone here has been wonderful in answering the questions they can and offering all sorts of advice - and support. You're in great company!!

Cheers
Anna : )

 

[Harpoon]

Welcome aboard!

Can't say it's a fun ride, but it will be interesting and a LOT of us have been through it all before.

Lots of good resources here, lots of experience.

Do osme research if you want, feel free to ask any question, regardless of how silly or "bone-headed" you may think it is.

Better to ask and get an answer than to let an unanswered question simmer until your brain boils. =)

 

[tobagotwo]

It's shocking when you learn you have a problem with your aortic valve. And it's worse when you start to look into it. Why does it have to be there, right in the middle of the heart? Why not somewhere less scary to get to?

Many of the people here have had that surgery, and I'm going to tell you that it's not the most terrible thing that most have been through. Most women who have actually stated a comparison say that childbirth is worse.

You have every reason to feel horrified and scared. You wouldn't be human if you didn't. Most of us here went through similar turmoil, so we surely understand.

But you should know that the replacement surgery is much improved over what it was years ago, and the safety record is excellent. And there are many, very experienced surgeons out there now. You'll do better than you think.

It's not a walk in the park, but you do get to have one afterwards.

Best wishes,

 

[Eowyn Rose]

Hello Theresa,

My story is the same as yours. I am 42 years old, 2 boys and a Husband. Last October I got the same news as you. In November I had my surgery to replace my Aortic valve. I wish you all the best. If you want to vent your worries and concerns please do. We will respond and understand.
Eowyn Rose