Pete's Profile

1st I want to say how disappointed I am in MYSELF on this issue. I am scheduled to have my heart valve replaced in just OVER A WEEK!!!! (9/20/2011) & I am very upset I didn't start this process sooner. I am a 41 year old male. Married (no kids) & I would say an "ACTIVE" guy! I have two bi-cusped heart valves. In the last few months it has been decided that I need to have my heart valve replaced SOON! (& stupid me, I can't remember which valve it is! I will get into that in a bit) Not both, just one. The whole time I have gone through this, my Gen Physician recommended a Doctor here in MN that is considered a CLASS LEADING Doctor & works with one of the leading heart clinics in the COUNTRY! The DR's name is Dr. Robert Emery & he works at St Joseph's Hospital in the cardiovascular unit. I have done little research as I have been listening to the Doctor & taking his word as the "BEST" way to go, so there was little or no question until recently. I had to get a heart cath to make sure everything was set for surgery. In prior meetings I had with Dr. Emery, we discussed both options of a mechanical valve vs. a tissue valve, & each time he was clear in it was my choice & there were risks & rewards for each choice, but in the end it is still MY choice. He understood why I would want to go with either valve and had no real clear cut decision or opinion at that time. I left the meeting with the idea I was FINE with a tissue valve, that I would need a 2nd surgery in the next 10-15 years. I consider myself an active person & the thought of taking a blood thinner was very intimidating & dangerous to me. My "day" job is a desk job, but "at night" I do just about EVERYTHING! I cut wood with a chainsaw, I drive motorcycle, I am remodeling my home, I lift heavy things a lot like 80-100 pound speakers, I am 6'3" tall & have a tendency to run into things, I like the idea I can water-ski, & even cliff dive if I like. I am afraid if I do something wrong, cut myself, or bump my head I will get some type of "non-stop" bleeding episode & I am screwed! I know I would need a 2nd surgery but with medical advancement (in valve replacement and pharmaceutical advancements) I have faith there WILL be a better option for me on the 2nd surgery! Well, after the heart cath, Dr. Emery said he recommends a mechanical valve! He feels that there will be advancements in cardiac drugs in the next 3-5 (or sooner) years I can take that will replace Coumadin, that will be MUCH better for me, & will have minimal bleeding risks. Again, he is FINE doing the tissue valve, but feels a 2nd surgery (with the risk, cost, etc.) may not be the BEST option! He feels the valve may last as LITTLE as 5 YEARS & is thinking 5-8 years for my age & activity level! I respect my Doctor! A LOT! I hear GREAT things about him from MULTIPLE people & I KNOW other Doctors look up to him for advice! (He was even recently named editor-in-chief of the Journal of Heart Valve Disease!) But I am SO TORN! I want to LIVE MY LIFE! I want to run, jump & get another tattoo without worrying about bleeding to death! I don't want to worry about consuming too much vit K (bad thing on Coumadin), I want to go to Mexico in Feb & play in the ocean without worrying about hitting my head on a rock & stroking out!!!! I work for a LARGE company. My insurance is GREAT! I get 26 WEEKS of 100% paid disability, but do I WANT to have a 2nd surgery? In this economy I may be out of a job, or working for a different company with not as good of an insurance/disability policy. PLEASE HELP! I need some advice! I have been told my "aortic regurgitation" is "severe", (If this helps decide what valve is being replaced) & there is enlargement of one side of my heart! This surgery is NOT an option! I am tired, & my blood pressure is being affected by this. I KNOW I need it done. (oops...I think I chose the wrong valve on the boi section...) The question, WHICH VALVE should I go with! I WISH there were a clear cut answer! PLEASE, if ANYONE can give me advice! Thank you!!!