Sue's Heart Valve Journal

Renee Radocaj posted a note for Sue that says: Hi Sue - wow, bizarre news huh!?! I strongly recommend a second opinion. You may want to consult with an electrophysiologist (sp). They study electrical patterns in the heart. I also have Wolfe Parkinson's White syndrome which causes palpitations (fast beating heart but in the ventrical, not the atrium). Good luck!!!!

Debbie Cross posted a note for Sue that says: Sue, I completely understand your feeling confused.I am in the same situation.Unfortunately I had that TEE in the O.R. Hope you get some answers.

Ernie posted a note for Sue that says: 2nd opinion. Better to be sure.

Ernie B.S. posted a note for Sue that says: My throat wasn't sore after the TEE, although my butt was. I think they took the long route to do the TEE.

Don't worry, whatever they find or don't find is fixable and you'll be better in the end.

Jeff Pheffer posted a note for Sue that says: Hi Sue. I had stopped looking over these journals as my 2 year AVR surgery is aug 11 and I have been busy living life. It has and is great. But I wanted to reconnect and yours was the first story I saw. Your symptoms of rapid unexplained heartbeat mirrored mine. I also had shortness of breath ( no breath) when I did intense exercise. I also was told I heart a heart murmur. These were all new. The biggest problem was I didn't know what all these symptoms meant or what to do. Discovering this site was the biggest step towards fixing the problem. They don't set a TEE unless they are pretty sure you have major leakage. Don't panic. Be thankful if they tell you that and that you need a new valve. They can fix it. It would be worse if they tell you they don't know why those things are happening or what to do

Your first thing to do this weekend is to make a list of 3-4 surgeons in your area that take your ins that you can make appointments and interview with. Then you have to decide on the mechanical
( must take blood thinners for life) or bio prosthetic ( pig or cow or whatever your surgeon likes) valves. Let me know if you have any other question I am happy to help. Good luck and love with reckless abandon. Jeff

Renee Radocaj posted a note for Sue that says: I just reread my message. Apologies for all the typos! I was very tired. :) My throat was only a little bit sore. Much less then you would think. And it was a great excuse to eat ice cream! I'll be thinking of you too!!

Renee Radocaj posted a note for Sue that says: Hi Sue - best of luck on your TEE! Provided you have the correct amount of sedative - you won't remember a thing! :) I'll be five days post op and hopefully well enough to ready your results. Goos luck - it will all be fine. :) Hugs and blessings!!!

Joe posted a note for Sue that says: Hi Sue,
Though I did not take the TEE I worried about the cardiac catheterization which turned out not to be bad at all. I have found the waiting to be the hardest part. Mine is almost over as my operations to replace my calcified aortic valve is Friday. Doctors are really good at this heart stuff these days. Try not to worry. Joe

Debbie Cross posted a note for Sue that says: Hi Sue, I realize everyone handles test differently,I just wanted to say the TEE did not seem bad at all to me! Hoping you won't worry about it.Wishing you well!

jeff o posted a note for Sue that says: Not knowing is very difficult, for me finding out exactly what I need to do was a big help. Find the surgeon and hospital you are comfortable with. Also, do get at least two opinions, for me there was a great deal of difference in the proposed surgeries.

Ernie posted a note for Sue that says: Welcome. Don't worry, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Plenty of people have been through and are going through what you are. Stay positive, keep smiling and everything will be better in-the-end.