My name is John. I am a 56 year old male who has been diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis. I tried cleaning up my diet which was not that bad to start in hopes ...Read more
My name is John. I am a 56 year old male who has been diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis. I tried cleaning up my diet which was not that bad to start in hopes of kicking the surgical can down the road but it is a dead end road. Although 30 lbs. lighter, I am scheduled for valve replacement surgery November 1st at the Washington Hospital Center in D.C.
Honestly, I am pretty scared. I have a beautiful wife of 36 years, 3 adult awesome children and 3 grand kids who all mean the world to me. I have so much joy in my life and never expected to be in this position but life has a way of dealing some bad cards now and then.
I have never blogged or written a journal before but recently started just to get my thoughts out. My head goes in so many directions some times I just need to write things down.
I find what Adam has done in his book and the inspirational stores people share is very helpful to me so I just wanted to reach out and say hello to all the brave people who are giving me strength as I manage through the stress this brings. Thank you.
Wendy Evans John, welcome! I'm new too and only diagnosed this month so for me this has happened so fast! I have ... Read more
Wendy Evans John, welcome! I'm new too and only diagnosed this month so for me this has happened so fast! I have 2 adult sons and a granddaughter and grandson with a granddaughter due any day now. Scary, but together we can help each other through this. Good Luck! God Bless!
John, think of it as a blessing they found it before other problems cropped up. Prayers your way.
Gerald Poulton Hi John and welcome to the club. 10 weeks post opp for aortic valve replacement and aortic artery rep ... Read more
Gerald Poulton Hi John and welcome to the club. 10 weeks post opp for aortic valve replacement and aortic artery repair with full sternotomy and out walking and jogging most days and doing great. Congrats on the weight loss and getting in shape, although it will not stop the deterioration of a diseased valve it will help 10 fold on your operation and recovery. I had the same fears, what would my wife and kids do wthout me, but the morbidity rates are minimal, maybe one percent and we are healthy. Then I moved to realizing it was just another hicup along the road of life and I was anxious for the surgery to move on with recovery and life. Next thing you know, you will be where I am today, only younger 😀 Most find that the operation is not near as bad as your fears and the pain for most is minimal and for many just discomfort and easily managed after a couple of days with Tylenol. You are much younger than me and msybe just need a mini Sternotomy or less invasive so, you got this 👍
Civita Fahey Hi John Welcome to the site.. I am also 56 years old and had aortic stenosis due to a biscuspid valve ... Read more
Civita Fahey Hi John Welcome to the site.. I am also 56 years old and had aortic stenosis due to a biscuspid valve and had an aortic valve replacement in April of this year..It is a very scary thing to hear you need heart surgery,but this is doable and the advancement in medicine today is amazing.. Read my journal and feel free to ask any questions.. We are all scared and emotional and it can take a toll on us.. Like Karen said, you found out about it, now its time to take care of it. God Bless.
Rita Savelis We're no braver than you. We just took it one step at a time. Take care.
Nancy James Hi John
I'm 3 weeks out from having my aortic valve replaced. It is very scary. After finding out th ... Read more
Nancy James Hi John
I'm 3 weeks out from having my aortic valve replaced. It is very scary. After finding out that I had to have surgery which was a shock in itself, I just didn't really like the surgeon my physician had me see. That was really scary to me cause I just couldn't see this doctor having the personality and compassion that as a woman I needed to have. So I had to get a second opinion which I did at UVA in Charlottesville, VA. Make sure that you are confident with the doctor you choose - if it takes 2 or 3 appointments to find the right doctor - do it. You will feel more secure in your decision. This is your life and only you know how you feel. We are all scared when we hear that we need surgery - let alone open heart surgery. Mine was on Sept. 26th and I was released the following Sunday. I had the great privilege of having my oldest daughter and my husband stay with me the entire time I was in the hospital. I couldn't have done it on my own - if you have someone who can do that - it will give you comfort. Once I made the decision on the doctor (2nd opinion) I was relieved. Prior to that I even went to the counselor at the heart center a couple of sessions cause I was so scared. But once I met my surgeon at UVA I was confident and sure that he was the best choice for me....the fear pretty much went away because I felt in control.
I just had my post-op with my surgeon and his team on Monday (Oct 16) and they said I was doing great and am doing better than a lot of people at 6 weeks. So many things are different for people depending on their age, male or female, and degree of pain you feel. But then even after going through it you realize that you can get through anything - this is a huge thing to go through and I feel like a survivor now and feel stronger personally for what I went through. You will get through it - I had hundreds of people praying for me through all of this and I know that made me feel secure knowing that God was going to get me through it.....God bless - hope some of my comments will help you. If you have any questions, let me know.
Phyllis Petersen It's always a shock and pretty much everyone is at least a bit scared. You're considered young in the ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen It's always a shock and pretty much everyone is at least a bit scared. You're considered young in the heart valve surgery world, so that should make you feel a little better. Ask your surgeon for the stats on this surgery. It should ease your mind a bit that you'll be fine after surgery and recovery.
Rose Madura Hi John, welcome to the site. It's never easy to hear that you need surgery, let alone a heart surge ... Read more
Rose Madura Hi John, welcome to the site. It's never easy to hear that you need surgery, let alone a heart surgery such as this. These surgeries have a high success rate. If you have complications, remember that the doctors will work for you and will make you better. You'll feel so much better once you are fully recovered. And then you can spend more quality time with your family. Let us know if you have an questions. We'll be keeping you in our prayers.
John Donohue To all who responded, I just want to say thank you for your encouraging words and stories of your suc ... Read more
John Donohue To all who responded, I just want to say thank you for your encouraging words and stories of your successes. It really means a lot to me. Life always seems to modify the course we plan for ourselves and expect to see. It seems to keep reminding us of our real priorities in life and how we may steer things in a little different direction. I am truly thankful for my family support.
My child psychologist daughter showed up the other day (called in by my wife) when I was having a day of downward feelings and put posters all over my house of inspiration and encouragement. My heart (as bad as it is) goes out to people who are not as blessed as me to have such a support group. Thank you again for all your encouragement, prayers and stories. I will try to post again before the big day.
I'm 3 weeks out from having my aortic valve replaced. It is very scary. After finding out th ... Read more
I'm 3 weeks out from having my aortic valve replaced. It is very scary. After finding out that I had to have surgery which was a shock in itself, I just didn't really like the surgeon my physician had me see. That was really scary to me cause I just couldn't see this doctor having the personality and compassion that as a woman I needed to have. So I had to get a second opinion which I did at UVA in Charlottesville, VA. Make sure that you are confident with the doctor you choose - if it takes 2 or 3 appointments to find the right doctor - do it. You will feel more secure in your decision. This is your life and only you know how you feel. We are all scared when we hear that we need surgery - let alone open heart surgery. Mine was on Sept. 26th and I was released the following Sunday. I had the great privilege of having my oldest daughter and my husband stay with me the entire time I was in the hospital. I couldn't have done it on my own - if you have someone who can do that - it will give you comfort. Once I made the decision on the doctor (2nd opinion) I was relieved. Prior to that I even went to the counselor at the heart center a couple of sessions cause I was so scared. But once I met my surgeon at UVA I was confident and sure that he was the best choice for me....the fear pretty much went away because I felt in control.
I just had my post-op with my surgeon and his team on Monday (Oct 16) and they said I was doing great and am doing better than a lot of people at 6 weeks. So many things are different for people depending on their age, male or female, and degree of pain you feel. But then even after going through it you realize that you can get through anything - this is a huge thing to go through and I feel like a survivor now and feel stronger personally for what I went through. You will get through it - I had hundreds of people praying for me through all of this and I know that made me feel secure knowing that God was going to get me through it.....God bless - hope some of my comments will help you. If you have any questions, let me know.
My child psychologist daughter showed up the other day (called in by my wife) when I was having a day of downward feelings and put posters all over my house of inspiration and encouragement. My heart (as bad as it is) goes out to people who are not as blessed as me to have such a support group. Thank you again for all your encouragement, prayers and stories. I will try to post again before the big day.