About Me (In My Own Words)
I was diagnosed with a "murmur" about 10 years ago. That "murmur" began to be an "issue to watch" about 5 years ago, and it's now time to get a new valve. I did quite a bit of research on surgical options, methods, valve types, valve longevity and success rates, and decided to (1) pursue the resilia valve in the hope that it might last 20 years, (2) give me a viable non-surgical option for a replacement (TAVR) should that become necessary, (3) go to the Cleveland Clinic as their reputation and reported work is top-notch, (4) seek out Dr Svensson as he is a very experienced surgeon, a heart valve specialist, and he has been working closely with the inspiris reslia values.
I have one other "condition" that lends some additional risk to the procedure, in that I have ITP (i.e. low platelet counts) The "normal for me" for most of the last 20 years has been 150 to 200K. (130K - 400K is the normal range for most folks). My "counts" may have dropped as a result of my time in the Air Force in Asia in the early 70's. They dropped to 184K in 2004, 140K in 2008-2012, 85-100K in 2014 and are now in the 65K range. ITP is by definition "by unknown causes", however two of my hematologist have suggested that there is a strong link between heart valve dysfunction and lowered platelet counts, as the turbulence and regurgitation is hard on the platelet cells, possibly destroying them or shortening their life (normal platelet lifespan is 8-9 days). It is likely I will be transfused with platelets prior to the surgery. It is "hoped" that the new valve will result is sufficiently reduced turbulence and regurgitation to reduce the stress on the platelets I do produce sufficiently, to bring those "counts" back up to the 100K+ range.
Nervous ... Absolutely! But I feel I have made good decisions so far, to increase the probability of a good outcome. I find myself asking "what if" quite a bit, and also "what do I need to do now, to protect my family emotionally "if"? I am so very fortunate to have a wonderful wife/best friend for the last 40 years, two great accomplished professional independent children, and three healthy grandchildren. In the final analysis, I am living for them as well as myself, and I intend to do what I can to keep on living, but I know that my family will be OK. They are the best kind of support and encouragement. The doctors will do what they can, and the rest is up to God and me!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Crestview
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My surgery date is:
December 13, 2018
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
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My hospital is:
Cleveland Clinic