About Me (In My Own Words)
I am 67 years old, was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve about 15 years ago. I was told surgery would be required someday, just a matter of when. Fortunately, I had no other CAD or blockages (luck of genetics, good and bad), so I was asymptomatic for a long time. I had an aneurysm which was monitored carefully, and it never really got larger. In March of this year, I suddenly began experiencing extreme fatigue, but no pain. My cardiologist referred me to Dr. Bavaria, who said the aneurysm was worse, and I needed surgery sooner than later. He performed an aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement with a hemiarch reconstruction (Dacron), using a modified bovine valve. Surgery went well, although I experienced afib three times within four days of the operation, and had to be cardioverted twice. I experienced horrible gas and bloating post-op which lasted over a week, and I refused pain medication three days after surgery. (I had a hemicolectomy performed about 22 years ago due to something unrelated.) I was hospitalized for 11 days due to the afib and was put on coumadin, along with amiodarone, a baby aspirin, and metoprolol. After 2 weeks I was taken off the amiodarone and my dose of toprol was halved. I am now just over eight weeks post-op, and I have some issues still. My resting heart rate, which was high 60s/low 70s prior to surgery, doesn't come down below 90 much, and rarely even in the high 80s. I have to sleep on my back or left side, because if I sleep on my right side, the pounding of my heart is very palpable and keeps me awake. I am also still experiencing a lot of pain in the chest and shoulder/neck area from the incision/trauma which is disconcerting. Has that happened to anyone else after 8 weeks? Anyway, my 6 week follow-up visit with Dr. Bavaria went really well (he is an amazing surgeon and human being!), I am driving again (Hallelujah!) and looking forward to starting cardiac rehab next week. Adam, that's where you said you turned the corner on this. I hope I do, too. I am currently walking 2-3 miles/day, and can't wait to start increasing intensity and using weights again!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Ewing, NJ
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My surgery date is:
July 27, 2020
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I was diagnosed with:
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Aortic Aneurysm
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
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