Bob's Journal

And it was confirmed I have a bicuspid aortic valve, so I no longer qualify for the TAVR clinical study. That being said, I'm in line to have a minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with a surgeon, who performed the same procedure on my identical twin brother last December in my hometown, probably at the end of July or first week of August. Looking forward to it.

My doctors think that I have a Bicuspid Aortic Valve, (despite a CT scan and an echogram report that contradict their opinion) instead of a Tricuspid valve, which rules me out from having a TAVR procedure, and participating in a clinical trial for low risk patients. My twin brother had minimally invasive Aortic Valve replacement surgery last year, and if his surgeon's report indicated removal of a tricuspid valve, there might be hope. Keeping fingers crossed.(Update) He had a bicuspid valve, so I'm out of consideration for the trial. Sigh.....

Well, almost all the June 7th tests got moved up to May31st! I got an email on my phone at the campground and a recorded call after business hours. It has been a whirlwind day. Things are moving fast. I hope that's a good sign. 😃

For June 7th starting at 7 a.m., and there are 7 appointments that morning. Are you noticing a pattern? :-) It starts with a blood draw and ends with a "new patient visit TAVI". I might qualify for a clinical trial for TAVR for low risk patients. I'm excited, and not the least bit worried. Keeping my fingers crossed.

is scheduled for June 1st. In the mean time, a Memorial Day camping trip is in the offing, but others we scheduled (before the possibility of a earlier surgery date arose,) are in question because of post surgery limitations (weight I can lift, when I can drive, etc.) I'm excited to get on with everything, once I made the decision to get the 2nd opinion.

Right now my cardiologist says that "NOW is the time to address the stenotic aortic valve-IT IS CLOSE." I know I am going to have the surgery. I feel pretty good. I have days where I walk on the treadmill for a mile and have no issues, and then days when I have to pop a Tums, or pause for a minute or two. I'm in the process of picking the surgeon to do the procedure right now. My twin brother used a surgeon (who was on his list) when he had his Minimally-invasive Aortic Valve replacement surgery done last December. This doctor is the highest rated in our city, but that hospital isn't even on the list of the 100 best hospitals for cardiac care in the U.S., however the hospital my own cardiologist suggested I go to for a second opinion, University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center, is. I'm thinking U of M. I will be on Medicare as of May 1st, and I'm wondering if anyone else can give me a clue of what costs are like for someone on Medicare? Thanks in advance! Btw, I'm looking at November 2017 for my procedure. (now it looks like August!)