About Me (In My Own Words)
In December 2004 during a routine Physical prior to a Scuba Diving Trip to Australia, My Primary Physician discovered a 'Leaky' Heart Valve. She recommended I see a Cardiologist immediately. Not wanting to ruin a Perfectly good vacation (One of my Favorite destinations), I decided "immediately" could wait till my return.
On my 1st meeting with Cardiologist, he scheduled several tests and was very concerned about the severity of the leakage as well as the sudden onset. The recommendation was to start thinking about surgery and to go on some drugs to lessen the strain on my heart. After several discussions and a bit of research, I decided to monitor the heart condition and not take the drugs.
In Mid 2009, the condition started to worsen, with heart getting larger as well as higher percent of regurgitation. By fall, the Cardiologist was very concerned and decided to do a Catheterization test and see what was going on in my heart directly. This test confirmed my valve was on its last legs, and surgery really was needed in the very near future. (My heart was approximately double the normal size and had a refraction rate of under 35%).
I met with a Surgeon in Dec 2009 who agreed I needed the surgery, but also emphasized it wasn't 'Urgent'. I learned a bit about heart conditions and that "urgent" in this world means I didnt need surgery today, but if I didnt have surgery in next few months, it would probably be too late. (Engineers and Drs have different ideas of what is urgent!)
Quite a bit of research later, and several interviews, I decided on the hospital and surgeon to perform my procedure. I chose Dr. Bavaria at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
It was a well recommended hospital and surgeon, and was close to where my family lives, which helped during the recovery period.
Surgery was scheduled for Feb 2010, and the last words the surgeon spoke to me as the anesthesiologist was putting me under 'You Walked in here on your own?' Slight Pause, 'Good for you'. (apparently my refraction rate was down to 15%), Not encouraging last words, but everything came out very well.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
I am from: New York
My surgery date is: February 9, 2010
