Sara -

I had a CT angiogram prior to my surgery. They put contrast into my arm through an IV and then ran me thru the CT machine. The contrast felt a little warm through my body and that was all there was to it. -Jean Trausch

Hi Sara,

We may cross paths at Northwestern - I'm scheduled for aortic replacement on 3/26. I felt confident in Dr McCarthy and the staff at Northwestern right away. This is all new to me - I just learned in Feb. that I needed a replacement.

I couldn't handle being in a semi-private room and am so thankful for the private rooms at NW. Best of luck on your surgery and recovery.

Dirk

Hi Sara -
I had my aortic valve replaced with a mechanical valve just 2 weeks ago today. The first 2 nights after surgery were rough due to pain and nausea, but it's been full speed ahead on my recovery ever since.
Try not to worry and if this is your only health concern, know that when it is fixed and healed you will be that much stronger and able to keep up with your little one :)
I'll keep you in my prayers. God bless you, Jean Trausch

Will be thinking of you as the big day approaches!.

Chris K

Bessie is a good name if its going to be a cow valve. My doctor thought I named it Bessie.. I tend to moo at cows when I pass them in walking as some live across the street from us. If its a pig valve cant remember the name of the cute little pig in Charlottes Web.
Linda H and Elsie

Hi Sara, Glad to see that you are finally getting all set. You will be fine. I had the very same surgery as you will be getting and I am doing great. If you have any questions maybe I can help you. Feel freem to read my journal. When this is all over you are going to say that the waiting was the worse part. Since I have had surgery time is flying. Recovery is hard but very doable. But I think that goes with any major surgery. Good luck to you and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You can do it. Ask your doctor if he has something you can take for anxiety. I did and it helped. Prayer also helped a lot. Take care. Life is good.
Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12

How are things going Sara?

How did your appointment go last week?

Hi Sara, Before you go to see your new doctors, get a copy of all of your results to take with you. It just might save you from having to go through the same tests again. I always get copys of results. You just never know when they might come in handy. When I got my second opinion I took them all with me as the doctor didnt send everything to him. It helped a lot. If you have any questions let me know as I went thru the same surgery. I got my new cow valve (Elsie) and aortic root replacement.. Life is good.
LInda H and Elsie AVR (/19/12

Sara -
Have you looked into the Ross Procedure? If you want more information on the procedure, I would suggest e-mailing Dr. Paul Stelzer at Mt. Sinai to see if you would be a candidate. He reviewed my records and I have scheduled a Ross Procedure with him for the end of March.

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

Michal Goeglein

Hi Sara: Good luck with your upcoming tests. If you are also getting an angiogram, take something with you to read because you have to spend several hours lying down with nothing to do.
I am waiting for a date to replace by aortic valve--some time in May or June. So, I will be following your journey with interest. | have found the experiences of others on this website very helpful in preparing for my turn.
I am curious about your symptoms. I have been at the "severe" level since last August and while I do have mild symptoms, I generally feel healthy--and that makes it hard to believe that I need surgery.

Chris K

Hi Sara -
I'm scheduled for my aortic valve replacement (mechanical) on Feb. 19th. I've know for years I would need this, but hoped it wouldn't be this soon. I've accepted the fact that it's going to happen, but it still doesn't seem real to me yet. I'm looking forward to being put under and waking up with the surgery over. This site has really helped me feel like everything will work out fine. I hope you find comfort in reading other patient's posts, too. Take care and lets pray for each others successful surgeries and recoveries. God bless you, Jean Trausch

Hi Sara

My name is Jay from central Kentucky, I am a 57 year old papaw with 5 granddaughters. I had my ascending aorta and valve replaced on 3/29/12 by Dr. Rosseli at Cleveland Clinic. I went with a bovine valve. Cleveland Clinic is what all others want to be like. I never did a journal but I followed a lady by the name of Linda Dixon through her journey. She was a few months ahead of me and had the same procedure I did. I suggest you read her journal. It will be a great help to you.

Hi Sara
My cardiologist is Dr George Gura. He is a sports cardiologist. He and I really run on the same channel. We couldn't of been a better match. As a runner I really feel confident in the advice he gives me.
John O

Hi Sara,
Welcome to HVJ this is such an amazin place to be. You will find it very helpful. I had my cows valve named Elsie and aortic root replacement done at Bon Scours St Francis Hospital in Greenville SC with Dr Mazaras. The doctors and nuuses were wonderful. I had very little pain and doing great. You will too. The worse part of all this is the waiting. Recovery is challenging but doable. Just takes time, but so worth it. I will watch you so keep us all posted. Good luck to you.
Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12

Dear Sara,
I am a survivot...I had my aortic valve and root replacement, mechanical, on 8/9/11..
Please understand that your experience at this time.....THE PRE SURGERY EXPERIENCE..can be the most difficult and most emotional time .
Once you come to grips with the fact that "this is really happening and is going to happen" you can then move on to the spiritual level.
At this point you put yourself in God's hand and in the words of Padre Pio..."Pray, Hope and Dont Worry"...
Once you wake up and you are in ICU...you can feel comfort that the worst is over...
Now the rest of the journey is not easy BUT THINGS WILL GET BETTER..
There are many people in this community that can and will help you get through this as we have.
Keep me posted
God Bless
JOHN MADONNA
LAS VEGAS NV

Hi Sara
I had my mechanical aortic valve installed, ascending aorta replaced along with one bypass at Mayo clinic in April of 2009 by Dr. Hartzel Schaff. I can't imagine any better care than I received at Mayo. The nurses in icu and step down unit were second to none. I always felt that I was the most important person they had to take care of.
God bless and many prayers wherever you chose.
John o

My son had his aortic valve repaired by Dr. mcCarthy at NW. He received excellent treatment and was home in 4 days. The nursing team was excellent at NW.

I live in the NW suburbs of Chicago and I had my AVR done at Cleveland Clinic by Dr. McCurry. I have no regrets with my selection and I have had a very smooth recovery. Cleveland Clinic was run like a well oiled machine which made a huge difference.

My father who also lives in the NW burbs of Chicago is now in the process of finding the right surgeon to do his AVR. He already made a visit to Cleveland Clinic and they have assigned Dr. Sabik as his potential surgeon if he elects to go there. My father was with me throughout my surgery and recovery so I think he must have been impressed since he wants to go there for his own surgery. My father is also in the process of getting a second opinion from Dr. McCarthy at Northwestern which will be on Feb. 6th. He has already found Northwestern to be less organized (lost medical records) and only received the appointment since he has a close friend with direct access to Dr. McCarthy.

Overall, I think you have selected two excellent surgeons and the difference will be in the care you receive outside of the surgical room. I cannot comment on what that old look like at Northwestern, but Cleveland Clinic was excellent.

Eric Rovin
AVR 12/11/2012

I had a graft placed in my asending aorta and valve repaired in sept in cleveland. Dr. Rosseli performed my surgery. I cannot speak to the other hospitals but cleveland was wonderful..I traveled to cleveland from kansas city and would do it again in a second.

Natalie tucker