I feel for you because I know what your going through, I have been there.
I had my valve replaced in 2008, not a long time ago but its still upsetting just thinking about it.
I will have to have my aortic aneurysm fixed soon and have great deal of fear of reliving it all over again.
If nothing else do it for your family, DONT give up.
I was an EE for most of my life and have my name on 10 or11 patents forget which *
I did some of my best work after the operation. Now at 70 my short store is not so hot, ask my wife
There was NO change in life after the operation except the green stuff, which I never liked much anyway. My wife and I do a 1 - 1.5 mile walk every day. I did have to have a pace-maker installed 6 years ago from damage to my heart. My case was not found soon enough and I was told NOW or never **.
I wish for you only the BEST
Dave
* I did must of the ground work for a machine that cuts the defects out of french fries for McDonalds
** what they meant was now or DIE