Geoff's Journal

Hey all you heart warriors! I'm almost on my 10 month anniversary, just a quick question... I still have a bit of stiffness and pulling in my upper ribs to the right & left of the incision sure. Not normally a problem, but it does get a bit touchy and nervy when I reach across my body, or turn in either direction sometimes.

In your experience, did it take this long or longer for this to go away, or will I be dealing with this long term?

It's been a while since I checked in, but this coming Tuesday marks my 6 month anniversary of OHS (bicuspid aortic valve replacement) from The Cleveland Clinic & Dr Roselli.

All of my pre-op symptoms are gone and my scar continues to heal up nicely. I'm still working on my drain tube scar (I call it my extra bellybutton BBOTN - Belly button of the north). I do feel some pulling and stretching and some.pain through my upper chest & rib area when I get into certain positions or try to move in a certain way, but that's pretty much all the bad stuff. I do get some ocular migraines still, but they're getting less frequent.

After cardiac rehab, I stopped exercising for a bit, life & work got busy, but hoping to ramp it up a bit now that the weather is starting to break.

Hope all you heart warriors are doing well & if you're just going through it, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

3 weeks almost to the minute, post SAVR, aortic valve replacement Hemi-sternotomy, 27mm Inspiris Resilia bovine valve. Less than 36 hours in the ICU & 4 days in step down before being released. Two sternum plates & 5 wires holding me together.

I believe I'm doing great! Walking 2-3 times a day, 30-50 minutes each time, approx. 4 miles/day.

Most of the pain is gone, dealing with uncomfortableness still when lying down, sneezing/coughing etc. drainage tube hole is taking its time healing, sternum is doing well, still some scabbing, about half of my cut. Ocular migraines every day, just the vision though, no headache.

No narcotics, but taking 1000mg Tylenol twice per day, 12.5mg Metoprolol twice per day.

All my pre-sugerery symptoms are gone! There is light at the end of the tunnel! I can see it , stay the course heart warriors.

All my best to those who've gone through it, about to go through it or those waiting for answers. Waiting was definitely the hardest part.

❤️

Mini sternotomy ✔️ 10/15
Replaced Aortic bicuspid valve
Released from hospital 10/19

First 36 hours were very hard and I feel like I barely made it out, but after that, it all got better.

Don't give up, it'll get better!

Last summer CC said I have time before surgery & is not required yet (BAV), so I've been waiting. I go back to CC in July (stress echo, cardiac MRI & BnP). I will go see my primary cardiologist in 2 weeks for my yearly echo when I get back from a hiking vacation at Joshua Tree. Supposed to leave 4/8

I've had two episodes within the past 48 hours. On Friday I felt so dizzy and almost fainted while at work, it was so bad I almost had a coworker call emergency.

This morning around 4am, I was woken up in arrhythmia. Not too fast or slow, but it was like a madman just jumping all over the place. It took 15 minutes to get to a normal rhythm.

Anyone have any suggestions? I'm freaked out & wondering if I should I try to get in before I leave for vacation?

Was just at the CC for an MRI and stress echo to get valve & heart measurements, blood flow and all the specifics for my BAV.
While I do have my results, I am waiting for my my cardiologist there to let me know what they mean.

I believe my cardiologist will tell me I still have some time before I need surgery ... Question: At what point do we bring or should bring the surgeon into the conversation?


Thanks !

Back in February, my cardiologist told me the tests have confirmed that I finally need to replace my aortic valve (BAV). Heart Cath, TEE, echo etc... And that I should do it weeks to months and not wait.

Went to the Cleveland clinic yesterday and he did confirm the valve needs to be replaced, but he said we have plenty of time. I do go back in July to get an MRI and a stress echo to get measurements and more detailed and specific information on function, size and flow.

This is so confusing and I feel frustrated.

Had a heart catheterization and it all came out great, Dr confirmed all I need is a replacement aortic valve. But it seems like I've been having more bad days than good days. Having trouble with a little flutter and it seems longer to be able to catch my breath and light headed a little more often.
I have 13 days until my 2nd opinion at CC, but who's counting, lol.

As scary as it is, I cannot wait to get in and get this valve replaced.

I'm going to the Cleveland Clinic for a 2nd opinion on May 5th (bicuspid aortic valve)... Been leaking pretty bad for a while now. Question, once the cardiologist there confirms, does anyone know how long it will take to get in for surgery?