About Me (In My Own Words)
New Update: 10/25 I had the TAVR surgery in August, placing the new valve inside the existing artificial valve that was 11 years old. Surgery was 8/4 and I was home on 8/5. After the doctor had signed discharge paperwork, all I had left to do was “the walk” around the circle, the large area that separated the CICU and step down area that all cardiac patients are very familiar with. As I rounded the circle with the Aide that was walking with me, something “popped” very loudly in my foot. The Aide not only heard it, the Nurse at the Nurses Station heard it as well. I had to hobble back to my room in pain. They got the nurse in there and she didn’t know what to do, so they called the doctor’s office and the nurse there said they didn’t know…they were cardiac, not orthopedic. I didn’t even think to ask them to get a portable X-ray machine in there, I was just ready to go home! And now I couldn’t even stand up! I was going to be alone at home…how would I manage? The nurse found an ace bandage and wrapped it, told me to call my orthopedic doctor and with orders of not to drive for a week, wheeled me out to my vehicle to go home. I couldn’t get into see any of my doctors for various reasons (PCP, orthopedic), so I just waited until my appointment with a foot & ankle specialist that had been made earlier. So I had a more eventful experience with my foot than with my heart! I did have some strange beats and “flutters” before I left, and the doctor had a holter monitor ordered for me to wear for 30 days. It was one of the new ones that came with the phone I had to keep up with. Couldn’t even go to the kitchen or bathroom without it. It was supposed to read up to 25 ft.or so. But I did good with the heart procedure and my follow up appointment was good. They ordered cardiac rehab, but I’m still having enough issues with my foot that it’s not going so well, but I’m doing what. I can. They’re a great group!
I’ve got to take good care of this valve, because as far as I know, that’s it..there’s nothing else that can be done. If anyone knows of anything, please let me know! Thank you!
UPDATE:
Well, it’s been several “whirlwind” months since I last posted. A couple of days before I went for my appointment with Dr. Brown, I learned that he had been “early retired” by the hospital and a new doctor had been hired. I saw his NP at the appointment and was told that I’d see just my cardiologist from now on. My world came crashing down and I cried for days. When you have that much confidence in someone, it just does something to you to lose them like that, especially when you need them! Dr. Brown has moved “back home” and is happy setting up a new general office in his small county with his son. They come from a long line of “country doctors” in that county. Needless to say, his friends and neighbors are so happy to have him back.
I saw my cardiologist and learned that he will be doing a TAVR Procedure on me instead of having an OHS for a much needed second aortic valve. This will be my second tissue valve in 11 years (short 2 weeks). I’ve met the new cardiovascular surgeon as well, who will be on standby just in case the TAVR doesn’t work or something goes wrong and I need OHS. I’ve had every type of CT scan, catherization, pulmonary test, even a colonoscopy LOL. That one complicated things. I have a condition that required the tissue valve back in 2014, and now have an issue that will require colon surgery after the valve is replaced. Because of the blood thinners I’ll be on after the TAVR, it really adds a bump in the road. I can’t have surgery beforehand because no one will put me to sleep with the valve as severe as it is. But after the TAVR, I’ll be on blood thinners “for at least 3 to 6 months” so I can’t have surgery unless this issue gets to an emergency situation. Even afterwards, I’ll have to go to a larger, teaching hospital to have the surgery. And I’m alone. My son is a Paramedic, lives in another town, and works pretty much all of the time. Not looking forward to that, but have to get this behind me first.
Ok, back to the TAVR…I was scheduled for July 14th, but it was changed due to the doctor having 3 other procedures that day, and since I’m “more complicated“ by being a valve in prosthetic valve, he wanted to reschedule. So I’m going in on August 4th and should be home on August 5th if all goes well. I’m planning on all going good! I have a positive attitude.
As the days go by, I’m getting more and more out of breath and tired. I’ve got SO much that needs to be done at home that only I can do, and no energy. I guess I’ll do it when I’m feeling all better! Most is reorganizing and moving stuff back after Hurricane Helene. By the time the builder was finished with repairs, and I’d been sleeping in my recliner for months, I was whipped. And the valve was worse, not helping anything. But I can do it when I’m better!
But that’s where I’m at now…doing what I can daily and waiting for August 4th.
I was diagnosed with congenital bicuspid aortic valve for the first time in 8/2014. I was 55 years old! It was determined that I had severe stenosis and surgery was performed about 2 weeks later. I learned SO much from Adam's book and FB page, plus the website before my surgery. Now here I am again...I had to get a tissue valve due to other issues I have and last trip to Dr. Brown in January, he did an echo and to my shock, requested another in 6 months. That'll be done tomorrow. My appointment with Dr. Brown is on Wednesday. I'm scared. I don't have my support system and no help this time around. Praying it won't be necessary...
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Georgia
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My surgery date is:
August 4, 2025
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Lucas Seibolt
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My hospital is:
South GA Medical Center
