Cynthia's Posts

My cardiologist usually has someone coming to his office to do echos. He says it's a lot cheaper than sending me literarily across the street to the hospital. And so he will give me results immediately afterwards. The report will be uploaded the same time to the web portal. Having said that, I am not sure I would read too much into the techs reactions. They are trained to not say anything to you at all. They give you answers if you have some technical question but they will refuse saying anything they see. So wait to hear from the doctor and then go from there.

Hi. Sorry to hear about the complications. I can definitely relate with the ticking of the mechanical valve. It can be very bothersome. To me it feels like you have the crocodile from peter pan or the drum music from the Jumanji game on you at all times. I think for some reason it seems like it bothers us women more than the guys. I will say that it does get easier to ignore and go about things. You will learn to recognize things that seem to aggravate it more, like caffeine and different antibiotics. Need to vent about it or have any questions about it let me know. I have not had to deal with the breathing issues. I would think that hopefully that is something a Pulmonologist can help with. Hang in There!

I personally did not have a choice in the valve that I got. I actually had a geleweave graft that was dissecting and had undergone emergent surgery. The Dr had to decide while I was under. I am doing well. I am learning not to mind it that much. I just hope they last as long as they say! :)

As Alexander said, get other 1 or 2 other opinions. I was just a tad older than you when I had my surgeries. There are a few things to check and decide on. For instance, do you qualify for robotic surgery. Maybe not because you have two valves to take care off and I have no idea about the aortic valve. While the surgeon said you need a replacement, clarify if they first try to repair it. It's my understanding they first try to repair, test it before they close you up and only then when it fails will they do a replacement. If they do a replacement, you have to decide between mechanical and tissue valve. At your age, you are just at the border of either. Initially I thought I would go mechanical but last minute decided tissue. Statistically, I believe tissue valves last around 15 years. They can then do "tissue valve over tissue valve" without having to open up your chest again. So that gives you maybe another 10 years. And one of the surgeons mentioned, that by that time they might have other new procedures. Luckily, in my case the fixed it both times. And check out the learning center on this page. Scroll all the way down passed the ads. https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/learning-center.php

Agreeing with Alex and Robert opinions, our health system in Spain is different from U.S. and I can't say anything about that subject. By the other hand, I am rather old than you and I was scared too when heard the diagnostic. For me, the most important question was to find a good surgeon - may be the first you consult or the second (not more), trying to get information about him(her) here in this Adam's site is an excellent option and after simply trust the surgeon chosen. Wish you the best in your journey, which although looks very hard sometimes, is overcome at the end❤️ .