About Me (In My Own Words)
My first TAVR was in 2020. Four years later, my cardiologist told me I need another one due to calcium build up. After a 2 month wait I have been scheduled three days from now for a Valve in Valve replacement. Dr. says he will expand the first valve to fit the second valve and put a stent into the adjoining artery to keep it from collapsing due to overcrowding from the expansion. He says the new valve will have medication to prevent calcium build up and should last much longer. He intends to put in a Sapien Resilia valve, while a Sentinel filter protects the arteries.
I am more anxious about this second TAVR than the first one, perhaps because my heart stopped in the recovery room last time and they had to give me CPR and a pacemaker, and a two night stay in the hospital. COVID was happening so my husband and family could not visit me, and my cell phone stopped working so I could not contact them. It was a nightmare experience, and I had hoped the valve would last 10 years or more.
I am hoping for a better experience this time, but apprehensive due to the extra procedures involved. Dr. says the procedure will take one to one and a half hours and I will probably be in the hospital only one night if all goes well. Also my husband plans to stay in a hotel near the hospital so he can visit me.
Yesterday a large wildfire burned about ½ mile from our house and we were prepared to evacuate, but a high wind blew the fire in a direction away from us. There were probably about thirty emergency vehicles (fire trucks and police cars) on the scene and six airplanes dropping fire retardant. Traffic was backed up for miles on the highway for 2 hours. We were very lucky, so I hope I will be lucky for the surgery too.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Winkelman
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My surgery date is:
June 18, 2024
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
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My surgery was:
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Thomas Waggoner
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My hospital is:
Tucson Medical Center
