About Me (In My Own Words)
Like many, I was born with congenital issues. I had coarctation of the Aorta when I was born and had that repaired at 3 months old. I was also born with a bicuspid aortic valve. Because of the coarctation, I saw a cardiologist regularly growing up. I've never been to a dentist without having to take antibiotic beforehand (I used to think everybody did this). I always knew I would need to have my valve replaced at some point in my life. What I wasn't expecting was needing it replaced at 33.
A couple years prior to this, in 2009 and 31 years old, I was going in and out of A-fib on the regular. My doctor used to tell me I was lucky that I always knew when I went into A-fib. Often it was undetected until it was too late, but I always knew. Many on and off hospital trips were frustrating and expensive. It was no way to live. At the time, that was my only issue, my valve did not need replacing or repair. My Cardiac EP (Dr. Richard Kehoe) was very well known in the Electrophysiology world and helped pioneer the cardiac ablation procedure in the US. I had this procedure done later that year. The A-fib seemed to of been "cured".
Fast forward to fall 2011. I was very active, I exercised often, had two kids that kept me very busy and active. I started to notice I would get out of breath much sooner than before and very light headed when I was doing very minimal movement. This was happening on and off. After numerous appointments and a hospital visit or two, I was told in December I needed AVR surgery. I had one week to "get things in order". TAVR was not an option then, only experimental in the US at the time, but the hope was it would be an option the next time I needed a replacement, assuming I went with a tissue valve. Because I was very active and have heard horror stories from close friends and family about blood thinners, I went with a tissue (Bovine) valve. Because of my history with A-Fib, the Maze procedure was also performed. Why not do as much as you can with an open chest, right? In general, my recovery went well, I was back at work in 6 weeks.
I just hit my 10 year anniversary of my surgery. I've had yearly Echo's, though my doctor has asked I change it to every 6 months starting in February 2022. I had just started to feel very similar symptoms of what I did 10+ years ago and I'm getting the sense it's time to replace my tissue valve. This is very disheartening, I was hoping it would last closer to 15 as opposed to 10, but not much I can do about that. I will see what my echo shows in February, if I'm able to wait that long. I've already been in contact with my doctor about my symptoms.
Very grateful a community like this exists as 10 years ago I spent many sleepless nights researching websites driving myself crazy. I look forward to reading your story, as well as coming here for support when I inevitably will have to make another decision of tissue or mechanical, whether that be in a few weeks, or a few years.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Buffalo Grove, Illinois
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My surgery date is:
December 27, 2011
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Atrial Fibrillation
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Maze Procedure
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Richard Lee
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