Meredith Bray posted a note for Victor that says: I wish I had been able to have mine through the arm, instead of the groin. When they shaved me, they did BOTH sides, and I had male technicians. What's up with that? (Side note, because of all the anesthesia & other stuff they pumped in to me that day and for the surgery, my hair didn't start growing again until 8 weeks post-op.)

Having a surgery date set makes a LOT of difference in how you feel.

You said, "" Just reflecting on everything and wishing I had been a better person, especially to my wife. Admittedly a small bit of depression. I think I need to blow the dust off my Bible and read more.""

This surgery is a second chance to be a better person, or a different person. Talking to your God is good. Faith has a new meaning for me after all I've been through. He's a pretty strong guy, He can handle anything you can throw at Him!

Bob Osmachenko posted a note for Victor that says: Hey Vic I've seen your "scores" from the cardiologist and they are similar to mine.
Your average pressures are high at 68 when they should be +/ 4 mmhg. The area of your valve is less than 30% open from it's estimated original size of 3 to 4 cm2. All of the other factors on the health invoice are due to the restriction/stenosis of your aortic valve.
You're probably still having your head spin over how/why this is happening? What is going to happen as I go on? After surgery, the heart does return somewhat to its original size and function (like a muscle that isn't worked for a while) but not sure if it ever goes back to original size.
Anyways, this is all academic to you because the surgery needs to be scheduled and then let the healing begin. There really isn't much of a choice is there in having surgery? And it is not going to repair itself either.
Eleanor mentioned the other tests and they look to be supportive tests to enable a successful surgery.
I'm scheduled end of August and like you am trying to get things done before surgery. Post surgery, we're down for the count for at least 2 to 3 months.
Take care and looking forward to your posts.

Eleanor posted a note for Victor that says: Victor, I am glad you are taking care of yourself. You can find information about what the doctor told you on line, there is so much information about aortic stenosis, especially bicuspid valves. If you have found a good surgeon and a hospital where they do many heart operations, you are on the right path. I had been prepared to lie flat for hours, my brother told me 8! For me, though, he had a stent inserted, that's why. I recalled a friend being flat and with light weights on her groin for 4. I don't know why, but I was for 2 hours, and apparently the hospital or the "interventional cardiologist" uses a self-dissolving plug or some such thing. It was not a bad experience, and I was nervous expecting the worse. I was awake during the procedure, for they want you to be able to cough at times during the procedure, but I was spaced out. Similarly, without my glasses I could not watch the procedure on the screen, nor did I want to. I was happy enough to snooze. I wish you all the best on the tests, interviews, and planning you'll do, and hope you have good news soon.

Meredith Bray posted a note for Victor that says: I've had two heart caths. One was awful - crappy hospital, uninformed caretakers, just a horrid experience. My second one was...almost a non-event. They put me out or made me dis-remember right after I got myself on the table in the OR. The difference came down to the first one was at a local, run-of-the-mill hospital, and the second one was at a heart center. Expect to be flat out on a bed the better part of a day.

The carotid scan is easy-peasy. it's an echo of your neck. No pain, no changing clothes.

You'll have a couple more tests before surgery - one is a pulmonary function test, and one is an arterial blood gas test. One is easy, and one involves a needle :( Mine wasn't as scary as I had been led to believe it was.

I'm fortunate that I can simply take my glasses off (I'm blind as a bat without them) and just shut down all my senses.

You're on the right path!

Victor Williams posted a note for Victor that says: Marci!

Thank you so much for recommending him! I want to talk to you!!! hehe .. is it okay??

rvwilliams40@gmail.com

Marci Stanwix posted a note for Victor that says: Victor,
Hello Neighbor! I am in Lawrence. I had my valve replaced in December at KU med by Dr. Muehlbach. I HIGHLY recommend him and his staff. One of my childhood friends is a scrub nurse with him and absolutely thinks he is the best! I agree completely. I would be glad to visit with you sometime if you would like.

Eleanor posted a note for Victor that says: Yes, Monday. I had the referral to an echocardiogram in March, had it done, then stress test the next week, cardiac catherization the following and a referral to a surgeon late April/May. It was only because I chose to wait for the surgeon of preference that it isn't already done. I saw the surgeon in May but he didn't have an free time until July 14th and I decided to wait for him, with his assurance that I could wait. He said if it were really critical, we would do it that afternoon. I am so ready, I am short of breath going up 15 stairs, I can't walk like I used to, and even bending over to pick up limbs from the storm in the yard makes me stop to breathe. I can't wait to get it over with, especially since some nights I had to sleep propped up a bit to breathe better. My surgeon told me "the only wrong choice you can make is to do nothing, we are here to take care of you". And I believe him. Good luck to you, too, keep us informed.

Eleanor posted a note for Victor that says: Hello Victor. I am relatively new to this site as well, although I began reading journals as early as March, when I was first diagnosed. Like you, I was excellent at finding reasons for being short of breath, difficulty climbing stairs, or lately even bending over the pick up sticks in the lawn. "I am getting older", "I really need to get back in the gym", even "I stayed in the house too much with all the snow this winter". No, it was aortic stenosis, which I had never even heard of, having been in excellent health all of my 68 years. Please find an excellent center that does many aortic valve replacements, and a good surgeon. My surgeon told me that is the number one key to success, the number of operations (skill level) done. Please do it soon, you do not want to become an emergency case, but rather what they call us "elective surgery". And I thought "elective surgery" was something one could choose, or not, like plastic surgery. No, we cannot choose, for the choice of doing nothing is to allow the disease to advance to the point of death. None of us want that outcome, so take on the challenge. You will enjoy reading the journals, and like you there are many very physical patients, marathoners, etc. Best wishes to you, and get a surgery date, please! Mine is Monday.

Clare Auten posted a note for Victor that says: Welcome to the website. My surgery was 6 months ago today. Read the journals. Ask questions. People on here are full of knowledge. Good luck.

Dora posted a note for Victor that says: Hi Victor, you will find lots of support on this site. You are not alone. My surgery was Feb. 7th, and I feel better than ever. You will be fine. Soon you will be on the road to a new you. God bless you

Susan Smith posted a note for Victor that says: Hello victor, glad you found us. Everyone here is a heart valve patient . Some are pre-op, some are post-op,but all are on the same path. I am post-op. You will do fine. Keep us all posted.