About Me (In My Own Words)
In 2012, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which required me to visit my GP every six months. By 2018, at the age of 64, I was still diabetic and carrying excess weight. I often found myself short of breath when walking, but I attributed this to my weight.
During one of my routine check-ups in late 2018, my GP detected a heart murmur. He referred me to a cardiologist, and in February 2019, I was diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis. The cardiologist recommended monitoring the condition every six months, starting with a follow-up in October. While it wasn’t immediately critical, I knew it required ongoing attention.
At this point, I hadn't told my family. I needed time to process the diagnosis. One of my children lived overseas, and the other lived nearby. I finally shared the news in December 2019 when my son returned from Europe. I wanted to tell both my children at the same time, so I printed information about Aortic Stenosis and handed it to them when we sat down together.
Aside from diabetes, I had been dealing with a long-standing knee injury from my time in the military. After several surgeries, I was planning a total knee replacement in 2020. However, during a May 2020 visit to my cardiologist, I learned I couldn’t undergo the knee surgery because of the Aortic Stenosis. The only surgery I could have was a valve replacement.
My daughter and I met with the operating cardiologist, and in July 2020, I underwent a successful bovine aortic valve replacement at The Canberra Hospital, Australia. The post-surgery report indicated I had a Bicuspid Valve and the AVR was 27mm Resilia. Because I lived alone, I stayed with my daughter for weeks afterward, and her family's support was invaluable.
In September 2020, I received clearance to proceed with my total knee replacement (TKR), which was completed in October using Mako-assisted surgery. Both the aortic valve replacement and the TKR were successes. However, I still struggled with my weight.
In 2021 and 2022, my cardiologist confirmed my heart was in good shape, and I didn’t need to return until 2024. After the 2022 visit, I made a life-changing decision to focus on weight loss. One day, I saw my daughter preparing a Lite N' Easy meal, and it piqued my interest. I signed up for the program and, within a year, I had lost 15kg (33 lbs).
In 2023, the National Diabetes program funded a two-month resistance training course, which I completed under the supervision of a physiotherapist. I made new friends during the program and soon after joined a gym, participating in Les Mills workouts and Aqua Aerobics classes. My gym buddies became a wonderful source of motivation and camaraderie.
With the support of my family and my new gym friends, I reached milestones I never thought possible. This week, during my 2024 cardiologist visit, I was proud to report a total weight loss of 19kg (42 lbs), and my echocardiogram results impressed the doctor. Coincidentally, the echocardiogram technician turned out also do Les Mills BodyPump classes, but not at my gym.
Now, at age 70, my next cardiologist appointment isn't until 2028. If I ever need another valve replacement, my cardiologist mentioned that a TAVR procedure would likely be the solution. Thanks to the Heart Valve Surgery Newsletter, I already feel well-prepared for that possibility. Thank you, Adam, and all the contributors for the invaluable information and support you provide.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Gungahlin, Australia
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My surgery date is:
July 10, 2020
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Peter Bissaker
