About Me (In My Own Words)
My loved one has a congenital bicuspid aortic valve and an ascending aortic aneurism. He has been aware of his condition and closely monitored since he was born. He recently went in for his annual echo and he is at 4.7cm, the maximum for surgery for a man 5'7". He is 55 yrs old and has been physically fit, running, hiking, biking, weight training his entire life...in spite of his condition. He has always eaten healthy and lives a healthy lifestyle. I am worried that he is delaying taking action since his last doc appt. He has been suffering depression for the past year and has been having chest pain for the past 7 mths which I'm afraid may be his aneurism dissecting. He has a great deal of trouble sleeping and now he is having near crippling anxiety attacks, usually in the morning. He still goes to work every day which I think is a great distraction since he has incredible focus on his job. He is a physician and has always been very caring and compassionate with his patients. We both work in the O.R. and have seen and know EVERY single step of the surgery. Sometimes ignorance is bliss, as being able to visualize yourself, or your loved one, in that way on the OR table is quite disturbing. I see him making it through this with flying colors, however, he doesn't seem to be able to see a positive outcome because of what he has seen and knows as a doctor. He's worried about not being able to return to his job. He worries about leaving his 21 year old son without a father. He worries about being a burden to me and to his family. We have been in a relationship for 4 years and for the past year he has been distancing himself from me. He says that he doesn't want me to see him that way. He pictures himself wheelchair bound, stroke ridden, and soiling himself. When we've talked about it he says he doesn't want to put me through that. I just DON'T see THAT being the outcome! Sure....it's a possibility...but I just feel with all my heart that he's gonna make it through like the rest of you amazing people have! I just want to be there for him, no matter what. This man is the love of my life. He is the smartest, kindest, loving, and most gentle and caring person I have ever known. His patients never know how lucky they are to have him there to look out for them. I have worked with him, seen him work to save lives, bring people back to life. He would be the LAST person to acknowledge what I just typed, as he is an extremely humble man. He's given so much and now he is the patient. He is the person who needs encouragement, compassion, and understanding. I would like to hear from people who have experienced this procedure, to show him your amazing personal stories of survival, how you deal with hearing the clicking of your new valve, your meds, returning to physical activity, returning to work. I would also like to hear from you how I can best provide him the emotional support he needs at this most difficult, fearful time. Thank you.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
upland, California