About Me (In My Own Words)
About 18 months ago, my now former internist told me I had a slight murmur and sent me for an Echo. That was repeated a year later and I was told that the results were about the same and we would test it again in a year - nothing serious and nothing to worry about for the next ten years or so. This doctor did not order a cardiac consult and I did not request one. Those two mistakes almost cost me my life.
Last month I was in the hospital getting ready for a hip replacement, for which my now former internist had given me cardiac clearance for the operation. My wife and I were talking with the anesthesiologist about general vs. local and he asked if I had any cardiac issues. I told him about the murmur and gave him the two Echo reports. He read the report and cancelled surgery telling me that I had severe aortic stenosis - that was a new term for me - and that I most likely would have not survived the hip replacement. He said, "You do not need a new hip today. There is plenty of tread on the tires. You need a new heart valve and fix the engine."
The last six weeks have been a maddening and frightening journey and surgery scheduled in 9 days. I'm living with the daily emotional rollercoaster of fear, acceptance, anxiety and fear again.
I have researched every aspect of this illness, treatment and recovery. I have a great medical team around me and will be in good hands during the operation. I am hoping they can do the minimally invasive surgery between the ribs.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Surprise, Arizona
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My surgery date is:
December 9, 2014
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
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My hospital is:
Banner Boswell Medical Center
