John's Posts

More disappointing birthday news...this time health insurance related. I am currently self-employed and have single-person coverage with HBCBS of NJ. Unfortunately, I just found out from an insurance broker that there are NO PLANS available that would allow me to go to an out-of-state doctor. My only options are: 1. Hire another employee and buy a group plan. 2. Move to the state where the docs I want to see are located (or establish residency there). While doing my research I found that lots of people are in my position...and it's really a shame (especially when we live in NJ and NYC is sooooooo close). Looks like if I want to use an out-of-state doc (my top choice was Dr. Allan Stewart) it's time to get super creative and "find a way"...or just suck it up and find a great surgeon in NJ (I have appointments pending with Dr. John Brown in Morristown and Dr. Leonard Lee at RWJ).

Well, today is my 48th birthday and as a present I received the hard copy of the MRI and MRA performed last week. My cardiologist and I spoke last week when he received the results and he confirmed I had a bicuspid valve, moderate regurgitation and mild stenosis. In addition, the results showed NO aortic aneurysm...BUT moderate enlargement of the right ventricle...and SEVERE enlargement of the left ventricle with low systolic function. The doctor told me not to be worried about this...it was probably due to the fact that I exercise. However when I got the report in my hands, I had to do some googling. One thing I noticed consistently in articles was the warning NOT TO DO CERTAIN EXERCISES (isometric, weight lifting). I called my cardiologist and spoke to someone in the office and specifically listed the exercises I do to find out if I could continue doing them. Here is my DAILY routine: • Stairmaster (45 mins) • Battle ropes (3 sets) • Abdominals (3 sets) • Planks (3 sets) • Push Ups (3 sets) • Kettle Bell (3 sets) She got back to me and told me the cardiologist said, "just don't do anything that makes you grunt." Ummmm....okay....hmmmm. I prodded a bit regarding my routine, but got nowhere. So I hung up confused and feeling a bit lost. All that being said, if anyone is familiar with those exercises and can connect-the-dots to my situation, I would be extremely appreciative. In the meantime, I will be searching for a new cardiologist.

First of all...thank you for all the kind messages and information. Signing up for this site was the best thing I've done in a looooooong time! So, yesterday I was tossed into the MRI machine for an hour and 15 minutes and got THREE MRIs in a row (the "breathe in...breathe out...hold your breath" thing really gets to you after a while - phewww). Today my cardiologist called to let me know that I do, in fact, have a bicuspid valve. In addition, my aorta is slightly enlarged (but nothing to be concerned about at this point)...and my aortic root is looking good. All that being said, I have to head back in to see my cardiologist in 6-months, unless I start getting symptoms. Doc said to keep up the regular exercise routine, because this will help me quickly know when symptoms occur. He ended the call by reiterating that surgery would be inevitable...but I "wouldn't be getting it as a Christmas present" (bad joke, but I'm not a big fan of docs who moonlight as stand up comedians anyway - hah). One thing he did ask is if I have siblings. I have two older sisters (56 and 55...yes, I was a "mistake") and he said they should go in to see if they are bicuspid as well. I would have thought they were in the clear since they are in their mid-fifties -- wouldn't symptoms have occurred by now? My biggest issue right now is I am self-employed and have single-person coverage through Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. The surgeon I really want to see (Allan Stewart, who is featured on this site and many people have mentioned to me) is at Mt. Sinai in NYC and Horizon does not have a single-person plan that allows you to go out-of-state. Frustrating...but I have time to figure that out. So...there you have it. I hope all of you enjoy the holidays! And thank you for the ongoing information and support. -John