About Me (In My Own Words)
I was born with Bicuspid Congenital Aortic Stenosis. I could not have changed this journey, even if I had wanted to. At birth my stenosis was labeled mild, with doctors noting a significant murmur sounding like “a horse galloping”. Other than that, I had experienced absolutely no symptoms. I was able to make my classmates jealous due to my endless supply of doctors notes excusing me from running in gym class, yet I was asymptomatic. It was flawless.
Then in 1997, something unexpected occurred. I had my daughter through emergency c-section due to toxemia that was unnoticed until my last trimester. I had an echocardiogram done after the surgery and it showed that my stenosis was no longer mild, but instead at the beginning point of being labeled severe. Doctors were amazed that I had gotten through the toxemic pregnancy and c-section with flying colors. I was told I had to get an echo done yearly from that point on to monitor any potential issues. In addition, I was told that heart valve replacement was inevitable and to be aware of any changes in symptoms that may occur over the upcoming years.
I have gone through my life for the past 20 years with Severe Bicuspid Aortic Stenosis without a single symptom… Until now.
As of some weeks ago, I began to feel chest pressure on my left side. Due to this new symptom rearing its ugly head, I had gone to my cardiologist who ordered for a new echo. I was called the very next day to come into his office. He told me that my aorta had dilated and I needed to begin meeting with surgeons to take the next steps. He also ordered for an MRA of my heart, the aortic root, and the new found aortic aneurysm. The pressure in my chest became more consistent.
My husband and I went to Columbia Presbyterian to meet with a surgeon to get his opinion and timeline of what to expect. Having the cd’s of my echo and MRA, it was confirmed that there were actually two issues that would have to be addressed in my surgery: Replacement of the tightened aortic valve and replacement of the damaged aortic root/ aortic aneurysm that attaches to the heart. It was also clear that this surgery was not something I could hold off on.
My surgery is March 29, 2017.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Bergen County, NJ
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My surgery date is:
March 29, 2017
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Aortic Aneurysm
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Yoshifumi Naka
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