Robert's Profile

Doctors have told me all my life that I had a mild heart murmur and said that I would grow out of it. I moved to the Boston area in 2011 and got a new PCP at Beth Israel. Within the first 10 minutes of the first visit, he asked if I had ever had an echocardiogram. The echo found a bicuspid valve, severe aortic regurgitation, and aortic aneurysm. My next visit was with the cardiologist to discuss mechanical vs. bio-prosthesis. About a week later, I received a St Jude mechanical valve and about an inch and a half of Dacron to replace the aneurysm. Weird symptoms after surgery: Within 6 months of surgery: - Temporary full loss of vision in one eye - Short periods of vertigo/balance issues - Fingertip/hand/face numbness - Horrible dreams (Blood pressure meds I think) - Fever (readmitted a few times) Ongoing: - Temporary partial loss of vision in one eye - Temporary (15-30 mins) pain in the kidney area -- Radiating pain that comes in waves -- Internal constricting sensation -- Usually about a 5 but can be up to 8 in pain - Sporadic sharp pain in center/left center chest -- Sometimes at rest, sometimes when moving - Aching sensation from left center chest (no rhythm) Psychological: ***Talk to someone! Find a therapist or a support group and tell them how you're feeling!*** - Working on my anxiety associated with my surgery -- Common sensations (slight light headedness, dizziness, visual disturbances E.g. Getting up too fast) will sometimes trigger a feeling of panic that something is wrong with my heart or circulation - Rebuilding a sense of trust that my body is still capable of A LOT after surgery.