Patient Story of Adam Gloo

My Story

About Me (In My Own Words)

UPDATE:
I've decided to go with the Mechanical valve for my aortic valve replacement!

I've met a ton of great people who are sharing their experiences with me, and I'm trying to set myself up as well as I can pre-op for recovery and Life w/Warfarin.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm in my final countdown to surgery with Dr. Michael Dewar. Still counting myself as lucky to have discovered this, pre-symptomatically.

I had a normal blood screening as part of an annual physical, and had cholesterol numbers high enough that I opted to start on a statin and get a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) scan. In the results of those scans, my cardiologist identified something the scan wasn't even looking for: an enlarged/bulging Aorta. Fast forward a week and half a dozen scans, and I have my diagnosis and am making decisions on how to proceed surgically with my valve replacement.

Because I am only 42, I am skeptical about choosing the tissue valve replacement, as I would certainly need additional surgery in about a decade.
The mechanical valve option has the potential to last "forever" but also requires that I take blood thinners for the rest of my life. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE CHOSEN THIS OPTION / are living with blood thinners (Warfarin seems to be the most common choice, and my surgeons reco).
There are also several hospitals/surgeons who specialize in The Ross Procedure around me. A more complicated surgery that has the potential to last a lifetime WITHOUT blood thinners.

I'm talking to as many people and as many cardiologists/cardio curgeons this week as I can, and hoping to make a decision by Friday.