About Me (In My Own Words)
I have known I had an aortic heart murmur for over 30 years. Doctor Anscheutz, my cardiologist and a long time friend advised me to have echocardiograms every five years. Once I turned 60, he advised me to start having them every two years. There had been little change until I turned 60. I really gave it little thought until about eighteen months ago. He phoned to tell me that my condition had progressed and I should start to think about aortic valve replacement surgery. The murmur was the result of aortic stenosis or narrowing which makes the heart work harder. With age and calcification, the stenois had progressed to the point that it was classified as severe. I was told to wait for symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, heart pain or general "slowing down". The advice was to live normally but do not ignore symptoms. Surgery would soon follow the onset of symptoms.
Waiting for symptoms has been very difficult for me. Each hill I climb, I question my breathing; any stab of heartburn, I wonder. The most difficult is the general slowing down because it is hard to know what is normal for me at this age, 65. I actually feel fine, but I acknowledge that I have slowed down a lot. Ron began to study my objective criteria and recommendations for surgery and I have asked him to write from his perspective in the coming days.
We have decided to have surgery at Sequoia Community Hospital in Redwood City, CA. The cardiac surgeon is Luis Castro, M.D. Dr. Castro, where possible, does a smaller incision through only part of the sternum rather than the full sternotomy. I will qualify for this surgery if I do not have coronary artery disease in addition to the aortic valve problem. Prior to the valve surgery I will have cardiac catheterization to check for coronary artery disease. If there is coronary artery disease, it will be necessary to have bypass procedure at the same time as the valve surgery. This would require a full sternotomy.
We had a Skype meeting with Dr. Castro and watched several of his videos; we both liked his approach. One significant choice we have faced is whether to have a tissue valve or a mechanical valve. Dr. Castro and another surgeon both recommended a tissue valve replacement, which we have chosen. This is usually from a pig. The other option is to have a mechanical valve, which others have recommended. The mechanical valve should last for a lifetime, but it is necessary to take blood thinner medication (Coumadin) to prevent clots. The tissue valve lasts about 15 years and medication is not required. There is another less invasive valve replacement procedure (inserted like a stent) that is used for more elderly or frail patients. I do not qualify for this, but if I am still alive when the valve fails, it could be an option.
We will fly to San Francisco on June 29 and meet with doctors on June 30. I will have a cardiac catheterization to determine if my coronary arteries are clear on July 1, I will be in the hospital overnight and have surgery on July 2. Emily will be there June 29 to July 8. I will be in the hospital for about 5 days then in the hospital guest facility for about 5 more days.
I have chosen to keep a journal on this site so that people can follow my progress. I know we will not be able to keep up with everyone otherwise. You can also read other information about valve surgery and disease. I should warn in advance that I have never been very consistent about journals, but I will try.
This surgery is serious and frightening to me. For a cardiac surgeon, it is a fairly routine surgery and prognosis is excellent. I am given a 99 % chance of a good result. Full recovery could take six months with many restrictions for the first six weeks.
I thank all of my family and friends for their positive thoughts and prayers and for being a part of my life.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Oro Valley, Arizona