12/30/11
It is coming upon New Year\'s Eve and I have had ten days to wrap my head around the aortic stenosis diagnosis. I have so many questions swirling around ...Read more
12/30/11
It is coming upon New Year\'s Eve and I have had ten days to wrap my head around the aortic stenosis diagnosis. I have so many questions swirling around in my head. Perhaps putting them down in black and white will help...
--Do I get a second opinion?
--Where do I begin the process of deciding when to have surgery; is this decision mine to make?
--Can I continue my same level of activity safely up until surgery time? I worry about putting on weight if I stop exercising. I also have some osteoarthitis in my hips and knees and I have to keep moving! My cardiologist seemed non-commital on this concern and gave me little direction. He said \"See how you feel.\" How do I know what level of exercise is safe?
--Can I have the surgery during the summer and still go back to school in the fall?
--Will I be considered \"damaged goods\" and lose my job?
( I am the sole steady paycheck for my family and I teach school on a year to year contract.)
--What type of valve replacement would be best for me?
--Will I be able to function as well as before? I can\'t retire yet with this economy!
I am sure I will have more questions as this process unfolds. Hopefully some answers will come soon. For now, my New Year\'s resolution is to get the rest of my routine health issues in order to best prepare myself for what is to come.