About Me (In My Own Words)
Throughout my life, every time a healthcare professional listened to my heart, I was told I had a murmur. Five years ago, while being seen for flu symptoms, I was urged to see a cardiologist about my heart. The cardiologist told me that I had aortic stenosis with regurgitation and that I would be needing a valve replacement in 3-5 years. My condition was monitored with echo cardiograms every 6 months to a year. But only in the last 3-6 months before my surgery, was I impacted by any symptoms. I began feeling frequent bouts of unexplained fatigue and weakness. An echo showed that my aortic stenosis was now severe. I turned to my veteran cardiac nurse, sister, who told me to go to Swedish and among the cardiac surgeons there, I chose Dr. Patrick Ryan. I had a surgery date within 6 weeks and began a multitude of presurgery procedures. My angiogram and carotid arteries showed amazing good condition with no plaque build up! Hallelujah!! My care team was amazing and got me through the process of being ready for surgery. They were even sensitive to my worries and took time to talk with me on the phone when I was feeling anxious!
Day before surgery: Had dinner at a very nice restaurant with family. Then checked into Swedish's on campus Inn (5th floor of the main hospital). Very convenient, clean and quiet. Called in a very relaxing one hour massage from Massage Traveler, LLC. Ann was amazing! I was admitted at 5:30am and the prep team was so sweet and catered to my comfort. The Anesthesiologist visited me and told me what to expect leading up to surgery. Then Dr. Ryan visited me and said comforting words that I don't remember (ha!), but I felt peaceful and ready. My aortic valve was replaced by a pig valve. The surgery was straightforward, no complications and only took 2.5 hours. I had trouble coming out of sedation. I didn't want to wake and breath on my own. It was an ordeal! Things went pretty fast after that, Up for a walk, shower, more walking and coughing, coughing and more coughing and lots of pain! But 3 days later I was going home!
Almost 2 weeks post op, there are good days and bad. I've had a few really good days and made the mistake of over exertion, which caused great pain! So, don't do it! Everyday I'm deeply grateful for the skill and care that I received at Swedish....even nurse Greg in ICU, whom I enjoyed hating so much! I love you all at Swedish!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Port Angeles, Washington
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My surgery date is:
June 14, 2017
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
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