Brian's Journal

All set, got the call to be there at 0530am at the University of Washington for my successful surgery with Dr. Gabe Aldea and Dr. Christopher Burke. GOD SPEED!

Had my final appointment with my surgeon, PA and got a chest xray and blood work done and met with an anesthesiologist. So, on the 18th I will get a call to find out what time my surgery is. I have heard I am the first one of the day for them (Dr. Gabe and Dr. Burke), it's nice to have a 2 man team of surgeons - and the confidence in both of them is amazing. Gabe told me to concentrate on what you are going to achieve after the surgery! Let the TEAM handle it and believe in the TEAM as he states.

I have now been able to confirm that my surgery is 100% covered by my insurance and MAN oh MAN am I lucky! I saw the projected cost and it's a lot of money. My meeting tomorrow is the final 2 appointments prior to the surgery date of 12/19. My parents are staying at a near by hotel that will be able to be there first thing in the am. As well as my wife and son will be there.

OK.. Last Thursday was my final tennis until after my surgery. I went to the club to watching my doubles buddies playing at 700am. I have been part of this group for 20 years! I made the decision on the Edwards Magna Ease Valve, its the version that has a great proven track record with 20 years! The newest on Resillia Inspiria (sp) is too new for me and granted the studies in the young sheep are promising, I am going with the proven one in humans and the stats to back it up. I have my surgery approved and hopefully it will be 100% ALL paid for as I have met my deductions for the year. The weird feeling that I am getting is that I have this strange thinking trying to creep into my thinking that "This is IT.............." It's all going to be over on 12/19 and I am just chalking it up to my mind. In reality, I have the %'s on my side and the surgeons at the U of W are great and this hospital is the number on in Washington State. My appointments that week are both on the 10th and then that is it, SURGERY Time... I imagine that it's going to be early as I am their only surgery that day,. I just got my teeth cleaned yesterday as my sister in law said it would be a good idea :). My goal is to get back to my 4.5 tennis level a level that I played at for 30+ years. But this last year, slowed down and my valve really was taking a toll on my performance. But, now I have another goal is to hopefully see if I can get back into running again and perhaps my new valve will do the trick. And.. finally, perhaps some weightlifting again. God Bless Brian :)

Well, I am just about ready to put the tennis rackets in the bag UNTIL I am on the recovery road. I am struggling to catch my breath somewhat even in doubles now and just do NOT feel like my old self whatsoever. It's really frustrating as tennis is such a big part of my life. However, I would love to be able to run again when I get out. The way my dissection goes, my calves feel like they never get enough blood when trying to run. But, and perhaps with the new root/valve and new dacron, my blood flow will improve? I just watched the IRON Man in Hawaii and that really got me motivated to want to try and run again. I can or could play 3 hours of tennis even singles, but when it came to running around a track, I would barely be able to jog one lap. In the back of my mind is an imaginary time clock that keeps clicking down towards my surgery date. I need to get my short term disability paper work out of my hair and have that in place and signed by the doctor and faxed in. More to come :)

Well.............. It's finally happened. 16.5 years later my aortic valve is leaking too much and my infraction rate and left ventricle are at the point that intervention needs to happen. I also mentioned that recently I was feeling shortness of breath early in the mornings and I would toss and turn and finally just sit up on the side of the bed upright and feel much better. They were very concerned at the U of W and I am scheduled to meet Gabriel and I will bring my wife and parents. Gabriel has already got a plan and that himself along with Dr. Christopher Burke would do the joint surgery together. I am just hoping for a successful surgery and being able to come out on the other side. Dr. Gabe feels very positive and that it will be a great surgery and an opportunity to most likely serve as a reference case for other surgeons to learn from. Best!

Going to have my aortic valve retested soon. I have an echo scheduled in early May, but going to get second opinion at Swedish. Meeting with Dr. Gafoor, who I am sure will tell me that I need to see most likely Dr. Paul Ryan as a TVAR is not an option for me.

I live in the Seattle area. My aorticdissection required a visit to the ER and a 10 hour surgery. Fast forward 15 years, my aortic valve is now getting to the moderate/severe leaking level and my aortic root is enlarged to 5cm. I was thinking of going to Stanford or Dr. Starnes at USC has my latest echo and latest CT/Angio. My gut is telling me to stick closer to home and make things as easy on my family as possible. Gabe at the U of W, Dr. Brevig my original surgeon at Everett Providence and either Dr. Patrick Ryan or Dr. Barnhardt at Swedish. My situation is not a common one and the "experience" factor will be critical. thanks for your comments. I think my bicuspid valve will have to be replaced as well as my old dacron removed and a longer one to cover my aortic root. Hopefully my arch won't need to be repaired. Right now and honestly, I am not having any symptoms. But.. don't want to cause any more damage to left ventricle. Thanks again.