About Me (In My Own Words)
Totally asymptomatic, condition was discovered by routine physical examination (heart murmur detected by triage nurse). Was immediately hospitalized and run through several tests. Released in 6 days, I was advised by my new cardiologist, Dr. Chamoun Chaumoun of the Montfort Hospital in Ottawa that I would require major open heart surgery. I interviewed three potential cardio-surgeons before selecting the surgeon I believed to be most appealing. I was given a date for surgery for some 8 months from diagnosis with several more out-patient tests performed during that period. Surgery went well, however the surgeon also discovered I had a hole in some internal area of my heart. This too was repaired. The valves were repaired, not replaced, however in the case of the tricuspid valve a prosthetic band was placed at the tip of the valve. The single problem which continues to this day is edema in the lower abdomen and both right and left ankles and feet which is not remedied by 80 mg. (AM) and 60 mg. (NOON) of Furosemide in 40 mg. tablet form. The valve defects were attributed to genetic origin (or possibly atypical case of Scarlet Fever misdiagnosed in 1955 as German measles which I had already had at age four in 1954: born in 1950). In tandem with this condition, I have developed fairly serious osteoporosis in my spine, which in turn, slowly began to twist my spine (scoliosis). Between ages of 58 to 64 years I began to noticeably lose height from 5'11.5" to my current 5'7.5". There has also been a profound change in my weight from a lifelong 155 pounds to 175 pounds, likely due to edema. Weight peeked at 192 pounds, and through diet and exercise was able to reduce weight to current 175 pounds. The loss of some 3.5 - 4 inches in height has had a noticeable effect on my torso, where my abdominal region appears to have folded over on itself. Post operatively, I developed moderate sleep apnea, and noticeable loss in appetite.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Oakville Ontario, Canada
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My surgery date is:
September 6, 2017
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I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
Tricuspid Regurgitation
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My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Repair
Tricuspid Valve Repair
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My surgeon is:
Dr. David Glineur
