Hi Heather! I randomly read your story only to realize that I too had Hodgkin’s when I was 16. I’m 47 now and had a aortic valve replacement this past ...Read more
Hi Heather! I randomly read your story only to realize that I too had Hodgkin’s when I was 16. I’m 47 now and had a aortic valve replacement this past August! Praying for you for a quick and uneventful recovery!
Wishing you a speedy recovery Heather! I am a fellow 43 year old- and I am cheering for both of us! My surgery is next week (OHS to replace ascending aorta ...Read more
Wishing you a speedy recovery Heather! I am a fellow 43 year old- and I am cheering for both of us! My surgery is next week (OHS to replace ascending aorta due to aneurysm). We will be celebrating a year of triumph together in 2021!
Hi Heather,
Welcome! I too am a teacher. With your surgery scheduled in May, it will be nice for you to have the summer to recover. Always take care of you ...Read more
Hi Heather,
Welcome! I too am a teacher. With your surgery scheduled in May, it will be nice for you to have the summer to recover. Always take care of you as your teaching job will be there for you when your medical team gives you the thumbs up to return.
Hi Heather!
I also had Hodgkins disease. In my case, the radiation treatment was concluded, and I was pronounced 'cured' after 5 years with no reoccurrence. ...Read more
Hi Heather!
I also had Hodgkins disease. In my case, the radiation treatment was concluded, and I was pronounced 'cured' after 5 years with no reoccurrence. That was almost 40 years ago. I had no symptoms of heart disease whatsoever until 4 years ago, and it took 3 years to determine the cause of my issues. By that time (six months ago now), my valves were in pretty bad shape and I spent some time hospitalized with congestive heart failure. The CHS is stable for now and I'm scheduled to have three valves replaced/repaired next week.
I'm 69 years old and in good health otherwise, but nevertheless, with this all being a result of radiation, the projected outcomes are not as positive as I would like. You are fortunate to become aware of the damage early, so I believe you have every reason to be optimistic. If I'm able, I'll post an update after my surgery.
Rita Savelis I had Hodgin's in 1977 at age 16 with chemo and radiation. At age 47 a doctor heard a slight heart mu ... Read more
Rita Savelis I had Hodgin's in 1977 at age 16 with chemo and radiation. At age 47 a doctor heard a slight heart murmur during a routine exam. I was followed for 6 yrs and at age 53 when I started to have shortness of breath I had OHS with 2 mechanical valves installed to replace my damaged aortic and mitral valves and a repair of the tricuspid valve. My surgeon was specialised in this type of radiation induced valve damage.
I ended up with a pacemaker as well 2 weeks later and was in hospital a month with 4 pleural effusions as my scarred lungs ( from radiation) reacted. Now it's 5 years later. I'm okay.
Anyone experiencing chest radiation risks damage to the heart. The older you are when you get cancer, the better as this damage takes years to evolve. But you take care of one problem at a time using medical techniques available. Take care.
Hi Heather, As the newest member of our community, I'd like to welcome you to HeartValveSurgery.com!!! I hope the educational information and wonderful people ...Read more
Hi Heather, As the newest member of our community, I'd like to welcome you to HeartValveSurgery.com!!! I hope the educational information and wonderful people can help you along your journey to a healthy heart. Like you, I was told I wouldn't need a new valve for 20-30 years. 8 years later, I needed surgery. The good news is that 14 years after my operation, I'm doing great. Also, I think I read that you have Afib as well as mitral regurg (a leaky valve). Here's some more information to help you about concomitant heart valve and AFib procedures - https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/atrial-fibrillation/. If you can, try and find a specialist for that type of operation. If you need any help, please let me know.