About Me (In My Own Words)
I went to a Doctor while on holiday due to feeling really tired and flu like with irritated chest. They listened to my chest asked if I have always had a heart murmur which I said not that i know of even though my regular doctor listening to my heart every visit. I was referred to a cardiologist and then referred for a echocardiogram of my heart where they picked up BAV it was moderate so I was monitored for the next 8 years.Having my routein echo it was picked up i was now at severe stage so my valve had declined a bit more which it had for two years as a result of this my echos increased and it was now critical. I did the cardio treadmill test at hospital only lasted 4 minutes at a pinch before becoming out of breath and light headed and stoped .When the symptoms started, getting short of breathe walking i put it down to weight again then came light headdedness and episodes of almost fainting which I put down to stress covering another shift when just finishing a 12 hr shift. I asked work to reduce my hours which they wouldn't accommodate so I left feeling very let down so i saw this time as preparing myself for surgery losing weight which i did through keto, walks 20mins everyday and meditation,mindfulness and spending time with my adult children. which in turn reduced my anxiety.I could spend time doing what was needed to do pre op. Finally the day came 3 months from when i left work. The day came to go to hospital i had to stay over night my family took turns keeping me company and my mind off the surgery as i was very nervous. The day came for surgery i gowned up socks on and a warm blanket bag blowing warm air over me it was the nicest feeling ever it also helped to rellax me. Going in the lift i held my adult daughter and my mothers hand as im claustrophobic. The lift ride i didnt panic and felt relaxed.i felt ready and greeted everone involved in the opperation by this time my support had to leave which i was already out to it by then lol. Four hours later my surgery was completed When i woke I was told surgery went well. The st judes valve fitted prefectly ,they did think they would have to cut a vedge for it to fit but once in it was a perfect fit no wedge needed. I was in icu they were fantastic!! Wish I was there longer. Just a few ours after op when i was lucid and culd walk I was taken to the ward filled predominately with men.They took me off the morphine pump and gave codine and paracetamol orally then the pain kicked in lol I asked for antinflamatorys which helped until I was put on blood thinners as you can't take antiflamms on warfrin. I shouldn't of been a martyr sucking up the pain (in hind sight I would accepted the morphine pump for longer) I was just trying to toughen it out like the stoic old men in my room. I went for a walk and showered first day on ward which the nurses suggested and supported me, their care was top tier, i couldn't fault their work. My vitals looked good and I was introduced to blood thinning injections just until my inr was in theraputic range. They needles very small and nurse does it so you dont feel it.I had some bad pain in my back come and go with triggered a panic attack the nurses helped comfort me and explain what my body was doing. Day 4 I was discharged from hospital as everything looked well just felt like id been hit by a truck lol but i was walking up and down the stairs as i wouldnt use the lift which is probably why i was discharged earlier But hey I get to go home to recover .life is looking good. Ill never forget the first night in my own bed and appreciation I have for family and my life which ill never take for granted :). I can now do everything i could pre op and more. Im so very grateful to the medical team giving me a second chance at life. The care from everyone at every stage while in hospital was amazing and far reached my expectations :) I felt very well looked after by a team of caring individuals 😊
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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My surgery date is:
July 20, 2025
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I was diagnosed with:
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Pracilla Bevan
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My hospital is:
Canterbury hospital
