About Me (In My Own Words)
Routine physical had my GP saying "murmur" and producing a list of Cardiologists to vet.
The echocardiogram revealed a severely regurgative aortic bicuspid valve and an aneurismal ascending aorta.
I had no symptoms and the aortic bulge was not in the "red zone" so getting another TTE in 6 months seemed to make sense. I kept my 30 minute daily elliptical workouts at 100 beats per minute and did not pursue a new career in power lifting (haha).
Covid-19 pushed the 6 month follow-up to 9 months and the aortic bulge had grown 1mm. It was time.
I had done a lot of research as a way of snuggling up to open heart surgery which helped clear my mind for any questions I had as the surgery date approached.
The surgery went well. I went with a bio-valve and the ascending aorta was swapped out with a prosthesis.
The immediate recovery went well, but the 4th post-op day had me converting to A-Flutter and getting a lot of amiodarone pushed into my system. On day 5 they tried to convert my rhythm electronically and after the 4th try they stopped. I did convert later that night to a normal rhythm with much relief!
They continued to monitored me until day 7 and let me go home on my birthday. Yay me!
Cardiac rehab was great, mainly due to the fact that I could see my heart in normal sinus rhythm 3 days a week. I had a big fear of having to go back on amiodarone as I was experiencing of the worst side effects listed in the Rx info sheet and asked to stop taking after being home a few days.
Recovery was on a great trajectory until my healing hubris had me getting a shingles booster and a tetanus shot. That action seemingly took me down for 4 days and a trip to the ED to rule out any ill effects to my new and existing parts. The low grade fever, body aches and muscle spasms have me wishing I'd waited to get those shots.
Up next is returning to work and getting back on my elliptical trainer with the goal of doing some hikes in the Colorado mountains this spring (2021)
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Brighton
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My surgery date is:
October 21, 2020
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Aneurysm
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Daniel O'Hair
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My hospital is:
Boulder Community Health
