L's Guestbook

I am dealing with the same issue AVS that was diagnosed about 2 years ago by a cardiologist that said we would not need to do anything until I had symptoms ! In the meantime we moved to Florida and had to find new doctors. Fortunately I found a very good primary care physician who got me in with a cardiologist. After having the heart catheterization and CT scan, I'm facing surgery, just don't know yet if it will be SAR or the TVAR. I too am 72 and really not ready to check out yet!

Hi L! I think you'll find that having a set surgery date helps relieve a bit of anxiety - but also has the potential to stir up completely new and different issues. It certainly is a journey - hopefully right now is the toughest part (the waiting). I know my recovery wasn't nearly as awful as I had imagined it would be. What questions do you have? Meredith Holiday, FL

Hi L. We have a couple of things in common....I am close in age and also had aortic stenosis.... had my AVR in Aug. Last week I was released by my cardiologist until next year and taken off all meds....and now I can hardly believe I had OHS. On a completely different topic, I notice you are from Oklahoma. My ancestors, after immigrating to the States from England, made their way to Oklahoma and took part in one of the land runs before statehood. Finishing my family history was a great antidote to taking one's mind away from thoughts of future open heart surgery:) Very best wishes to you on the 15th. Will look forward to your posts when you can :)

Hi L., I too face upcoming heart valve surgery - on February 25, 2019. Talk about FEAR. I have been terrified. Like you - I am NOT getting any younger (Dec 8. 2018 I became 67 years old) with severe aortic valve stenosis AND the hallmark symptom - shortness of breath. However, I am also a cancer survivor. Thirty years ago I had open-heart surgery just to diagnose the cancer. One of the four tumors wrapped around my aorta. Radiation to the chest, chemo and three more surgeries gave me thirty years of remission. Oct 2015 My primary Doc heard another heart-murmur! (I've always had a mitral-valve murmur.)My primary care Dr. sent me to a cardiologist. HE told me "Not good news" you'll probably have to have open-heart surgery in five years...." I was shocked. And so I joined this online-support community. Thanks to Adam Pick's posting numerous educational videos and updates, I found out about Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) - and asked my cardiologist to schedule me for a 'work-up" for that. On Feb. 5 - this past Tuesday - my husband and I got the "good news" - I CAN have a TAVR, instead of open-heart (again for me) surgery! I wish you and your doctors "the best of luck" and pray all will go well during, after your operation. Fortunately for you - this is 2019 - this kind of operation has been perfected and I actually know two people that were back to their regular activities within three months of recovery. Every case is unique and so pace yourself, follow your doctors orders and you'll be up and around again.