About Me (In My Own Words)
I'm a 78-year-old active man whose aortic valve has been slowly pooping out. I've had coronary artery disease for years, had a stent about 6 years ago.
Recently, after a stress-echocardiogram, my cardiologist said I was good for another year without surgery for the aortic valve. But I wondered: I'm in good shape now, but would I be after another year on a balky valve?
So I got a second opinion, from Dr. Donald St. Claire, Jr., in Redwood City, CA. He gave me another echo (not stress) and an angiogram. I hadn't had the later since the stent 6 years before.
Dr. St. Claire concluded that my valve was sufficiently occluded that there was a risk of sudden failure.
So, I am scheduled to meet with prospective surgeons in Redwood City as soon as next week. The surgeons are Vincent Gaudiani and Luis Castro.
Because our house outside Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills at 3800 feet, gets major snow dumps, I want the surgery sooner rather than later.
I'll blog post as the process goes forward. But as further background, I was a jet fighter pilot until 50 years ago. As a public relations executive I led a sedentary life and consumed excessive amounts of bad stuff.
I also had a serious motorcycle crash three years ago, spent 7 weeks in the ICU and lost a few major internal body parts. Hopefully that strengthened me for my coming ordeal.
Please call me: Big Al
Post-op addendum: Had my surgery a week ago. The whole experience while not quite like a Caribbean vacation, has been remarkably engaging. No pain and very interesting. Credits go to Drs. Castro and St. Claire, and to Sequoia Hospital. I'm in good health and feeling very good. Only slightly compromised hopping in and out of bed.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Nevada City, California
