About Me (In My Own Words)
My name is Alex Kuldell, I'm 35 and this is my story.
I went in to the doctor for something unrelated and they heard a heart murmur. So I was referred to the cardiologist. They did an ekg, echocardiogram, stress test, and then a contrast catscan. I had no symptoms other than the murmur, but I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve with aortic aneurysm. I am in the military on active duty so this was scary to me as far as my career goes. It started a period of anxiety for me the next year or so. The more info I had the more comfortable I got with the idea I needed to repair the defect. So they started monitoring me the next couple years and was notified in the beginning of Feb. 2017 that I needed surgery in the next three months. Still no symptoms, but they felt with the aneurysm and the valve it was better to repair them soon. I decided sooner was better for me than later so surgery was on Feb 21, 2017.
The day of surgery was very scary for me. I have never had any surgery so this was a big one for me. First thing they did was shave the inside of my legs all the way up to my chest. Got real close with the nurse that morning. They took some vitals then took me to the anesthesiologist. At one point while putting the IVs in I started shaking due to being nervous. Fortunately they have good drugs that hit your system instantly to calm your nerves. All I remember was being wheeled down the hallway into the operating room, getting put on the operating table, and then waking up to the sound of my own voice, haha.
Apparently I had to pee and was also thirsty. So I was stuck in a loop telling my family and friends that for about an hour. Surgery took about 3-4 hours but add an hour or two on either end to prep me and clean me up.
I was closely monitored by nurses and doctors for the next day and a half then put in a regular recovery room. They were impressed how quickly I was walking on my own. I did what they said and was very cooperative when they needed to do any tests, vital checks, and movements. So the weirdest/most uncomfortable thing was them pulling the pacing wires and tubes out of my body. I wasn't awake and don't remember them taking the breathing tube out however I was awake for all the catheter, IVs and chest tube removal. It didn't really hurt, but it's not the greatest feeling. It was a relief when they came out. It's a case by case for when tubes are removed from your body.
Once I got to the regular recovery room I was able to get a little more rest. They only check on your vitals every 4 hours instead of every hour or less.
So staying on top of my pain meds was one of my main concerns. If you don't look after your pain level they don't know. You have to let them know when you are above a pain level of 4. The nurses did a good job for the most part of staying on top of the schedule for pain meds.
I went home on day 4 post op. This is about 1-3 days sooner than average valve patient. So being home rest is key, but also getting up and doing things such as a walk or "field trip" once in a while is good. I was able to sleep for 10 hours the first night home. Well, other than waking up every 4 hours to take my pain meds. I was able to go up and down steps slowly and with a rest at the top. Sometimes if I hadn't eaten in the morning I would feel a bit light headed when standing up at first. So breathing and taking your time is important.
Well it's been almost 3 weeks at home with my parents. My mom is retired so she has been helping me recover. I'm a little stir crazy, but honestly I'm kind of enjoying taking a rest from my busy life. I am looking forward to being able to lift things up after my 8 weeks is complete. I have had 1 surgical follow up and everything checks out great. I have another follow up the end of March with my normal cardiologist. I'll be back to work within two weeks. Of course I will be on a light duty work schedule, but at least I'll be around people.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Fairfax
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My surgery date is:
February 21, 2017
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Aortic Aneurysm
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
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My hospital is:
Walter Reed Medical Center
