Karin's Journal

Susan Lynn  Karin - Thrilled to read you're doing so well! Thanks for taking the time to tell your story. You hit the nail on the head - we all spent too much time worried about the wrong things. It is amazing that these procedures and medications truly make the process very manageable. Thanks for inspiring those in the waiting room. Wishing you continued success with your recovery!

Adam Pick  Awesome update. My gut is telling me that pain in the lower-right section of your incision will fade. You've been through a lot. Keep it up!!!

Arlene VanNorstrand  Glad to hear you are home and you are well on the road to recovery. It is hard in the beginning but our bodies can do amazing things. I will be six weeks post op tomorrow and I am feeling great. I would love to sleep a little better but overall a good steady recovery. I actually forget sometimes I had surgery now that I feel so much better. You will get there.

Lisa Baine  Yes!!! You are going to do well!! I’m so glad to hear your positive attitude!! I wish you nothing but a speedy recovery and good health ❤️ Keep us updated!!

Jo Orsini  It’s great to hear your strength & positivity just one week after. My surgery date is March 16 & it’s so encouraging to hear these positive posts....All the best with your continued recovery & getting back to doing all the things you love to do! Every day is one day closer to a healed & healthy heart. ❤️

Skipper Kagamaster  Almost there; you got this!
"The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”

Jennifer Winslow  You got this. A lot of recovery is mental attitude and sounds like you are on the positive side! Prayers

Tracy Fallu  You got this! Soon you will have a relieved feeling knowing you have picked an incredible surgical team. The amazing anesthetist will have you count from 10 and the next thing you know you’ll be on the other side. Bless you the next couple of days.

Jim Wilson  You got this....Before you know it you will be up walking and ready for discharge and hitting the road to recovery! We will all be thinking and praying for you!

keith WALDMANN  good luck and my prayers are with you as you undergo a big operation that will improve your life no doubt about that I'm 5 days post op and doing well....remember its a marathon not a sprint...You need everybody on board ...husband, kids , mom and dad and good friends they are all important to a successful recovery....you will gain about 15-20lbs from surgery due to keeping you hemodynaically stable they will use lasik to remove fluid over several days ....and use will use the bathroom on day 5 I promised you!

Jennifer Winslow  I’m glad you got that second opinion and are happy with your decision. Do something fun while you wait

Frank Giovanniello   Karin, wow, I feel totally dumb on that. I had Bypass surgery. Plain and simple. Blockage - Re pipe. Valve surgery is really scary and complicated. It sounds like your in really good hands. Prayers for you.

Mike Tirrell  Great News Karin. It sounds getting referred to this new surgeon was a good move. Thanks for sharing.

Willie Radl  I had the mini but with a Mech. and it went well. I can't say how it compare to the full Stern but I think the healing time was probably a bit better. I also inquired about the bovine valve with TAVR down the road but being 32, my Dr. also raised concerns about multiple TAVRs needed and narrowing of the valve size with each TAVR. He thought at my age even with a Bovine valve they would recommend doing a second OHS to replace the valve and maintain the valve size and not restrict "flow". Glad to hear you got the 2nd opinion and have a good plan moving forward. I presume valve technology, especially TAVR technology, will continue to advance and hopefully when you need a replacement there will be a good solution. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Karin Georgeson  Willie, these are the exact concerns we discussed. I’m about 16 years ahead of you so he thought we could do the bovine, but it’s definitely a concern with the multiple TAVRS. Thanks for sharing. I’ve still got the mechanics in the back of me mind. How’s it going on the blood thinners?

Jennifer Winslow  Hi Karin! I wish you the best with your decisions and your surgery!!! I will be following your journey as I feel we are pretty similar. I am 53 and have been told it is time. I was hoping to have TAVR as the thoughts of open heart surgery just freak me out! I haven't been sent to a surgeon yet as my cardiologist wanted to do a TEE first just to confirm. I had this same scenario happen 12 years ago and the numbers from the TEE weren't as bad as the regular echo so we have been in a holding pattern. This time all my numbers are worse. I know it is very stressful and intimidating trying to decide what surgery, what type of valve, etc. I pray that somewhere we both find the wisdom and strength to do what is best for us.
sending good thoughts....Jen

Mike Tirrell  Hi Karin (and Jennifer) - I am in a similar situation as you have been it seems. I am 42 years old, found out about my bicuspid valve and moderate stenosis at 40. I am watching and waiting, and hoping that TAVR some day might be an option for me. A question for you both, as you have been following your valves for many years, how many years were you in each phase (mild, moderate)? Also, Karin, a question for you, is there a reason your doctor thinks a full sternotomy is the best approach as compared to either a mini sternotomy or a mini thoracotomy? I've read a fair amount about the various options but am not sure what the criteria are to choose one over the other. In either event, best of luck on your upcoming surgery.

Jennifer Winslow  Hi Mike! I'm afraid my doctor never qualified as such for me so I'm not sure how long I was in each phase. I would say I've been moderate for the last 12 years??? When I went two weeks ago, he said he had never heard my murmur in my back but he could now. So now severe??? I'm really just guessing. I really need to do a lot more reading up on all this. I've been trying to research but just keep reading the same info just regurgitated a different way!

Mike Tirrell  Thanks Jennifer, I agree, I've read so much online that it seems like its all the same at this point. Happy Holidays and best wishes.

Beth Majerszky  Hi Karin - we are very similar in that I too have a bicuspid aortic valve with stenosis. We’ve been watching my valve for about 7 years or so, and over this last year, my numbers got to the point of concern and I started to experience breathlessness after climbing stairs. I had no other symptoms until that point.
I agree that the decision about which procedure is overwhelming. What was incredibly helpful for me was actually seeing the various valves in the surgeons office. I had a visceral reaction to one of the options, and knew immediately that it wasn’t for me.
I was approved for a mini sternotomy after the angiogram showed no significant artery blockages.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with both a TAVR surgeon specialist and an OHS specialist. Being able to hear both perspectives helped in making my decision.
Trust your gut (and heart), knowing you’ll make the rught decision for you. And ask as many questions as you need to.
You’ve got this!

Karin Georgeson  Hi. Sorry for the delay in responding. I thought I might get notification of comments so I forgot to check. I'll keep a closer eye on it now, and answer some of the questions you asked. I have been monitoring for about 8 years. My echos very slowly moved from moderate to severe, and most of the time they called it moderate to severe stenosis from the start because I was always right on the edge. My first echo in about 2012 had an AVA of .9 with a mean gradient around 28 and velocity in the low 3's. Other echos showed 1.0, 1.1, .9 AVA but the gradients slowly went up, as well as the velocity. My last echo showed .8 AVA with 38 mean gradient and 3.94 velocity. Still on the edge. My two cardiac caths showed a much bigger AVA, 1.4 and 1.2. My cardiologist ordered a stress test, and she didn't like that my blood pressure dropped. My surgeon said in the end it's how I feel that matters, and I do get chest pain/pressure and shortness of breath just doing my normal activities. I am pretty active; I teach PE grades K-8, I used to play soccer but had to stop, and I have coached my kids over the years. I find myself needing to recover from overdoing it a lot now, and from normal activity for me. Still, I stress about doing it too soon. I can wait. I'm planning to go ahead with it and see if I can get my life back a bit. I'd love to hike and bike with my husband again, play soccer with my kids, and enjoy my job and my 50's. When I met with the surgeon he went right to suggesting the sternotomy. When I asked about TAVR he said he didn't like the valve itself for my age, activity level, and bicuspid valve. He thought it would only last me 5-6 years, and said it had to be less durable to fit through the artery. Also he said because the TAVR valve slips inside the old valve, when I need to replace the valve in the future it would need to slip inside the other two, and so on. He thought eventually that would take away that option for the future (obviously he didn't want to do the TAVR). I asked him about the mini-sternonomy and frankly, he didn't say much about it. In my opinion, he feels most comfortable with the success of the full sternotomy and that is what he specializes in. I think from his perspective, the full sternotomy is the safest and most successful way to do it, and he probably doesn't think that much about my recovery in the same way I would. I've thought about pushing for it, but I am considering whether it's just me being afraid of the surgery so I want to push for it to be easier, or if I really think it would be better. I spoke to my brother who watched his father-in -law go through it. He said he was happy I am doing it this way. Tried and true. But I certainly get that there are new and just as viable options out there so I suffer less. As far as valve, I'm leaning toward the bovine. I don't want to deal with the blood thinners, even though so many say it's not a problem at all. Then maybe TAVR in the future. Still deciding on that. Thanks everyone for the responses. So happy to be here.

Jennifer Winslow  I am petrified of open heart surgery so was really leaning towards TAVR. But the idea of being on blood thinners the rest of my life scares me too. Just wish there was a win win option and pros and cons of each.

Karin Georgeson  Jennifer, I think it is very normal be be afraid. Once you do all your work and know what is in store for you, you will be able to find peace in the process. We are all so much stronger than we give ourselves credit for. Last night I was researching bras to order for post surgery. I started to get super scared with all the comments all over the internet. Then I remembered they are not me, and I have control over my own experience, intentions, and recovery. I pray for strength and peace in those moments, and God gives it to me. Hang in there. We got this. 3 weeks out for me.

Clayton Mcarthur  I don't believe the name of the hospital is as important as how much experience do they have with valve surgery aortic valve surgery is not the most sophisticated heart surgery and the new techniques make it very doable and much easier to recover just be sure you deal with a cardiothoracic surgeon that you are comfortable with he's the man that makes all the difference

Janet Johnson  Hi Karin,
I see that you live in Rocklin., CA. I don't have experience with Kaiser, but I had mitral valve repair surgery at Mercy General Hispital in Sacramento. My cardiologist is Dr. Kozina and he is AWESOME! He is very very understanding and caring. My surgeon was Dr. Alien Morris, who is the head of the Cardiology unit. He is AWESOME too and has over 30 years of experience. My entire surgery experience at Metcy Hospital was perfect!!!! I was very blessed to have some of the best doctors in Northern CA. The days and months leading up to heart surgery can be very stressful and you want to have doctors who you are very comfortable with. While I was in the hospital, the staff told me that Kaiser doctors perform many heart surgeries at Mercy General Hospital at 39th and J streets in Sacramento. Kaiser contracts with Mercy to use their operating rooms and equipment. I'm not sure what percentage of Kaiser's heart operations are done at Mercy. If you have a good primary care physician, ask him which Kaiser doctors he would recommend. Research the doctors on the Internet and see what patients say about them. I hope this little bit of info helps!

Karin Georgeson  Thank you so much all of you. That does help. I wondered if Kaiser did their surgeries at Sutter or Mercy as well. I see one of the surgeons do both. Kaiser health insurance requires you to use their specific doctors and hospitals so my main concern was whether or not people have had good experiences there. Thanks again.

Steve Farthing  Sounds like you are too scared to show up for the recommended surgery? Very understandable. Hopefully you will figure it out before your valve fails. What would it take to make it doable?

Jason Day  Karin glad your doing well. A measurement of 1.1cm should be large enough not to have symptoms, I thought that .7 is generally where people start experiencing.

Steven A Husted  if you are not having any symptoms i think i would try to hold on as long as possible but you are taking a chance i know 6 months made a big difference in my breathing i got to the point where i could not do nothing with out getting out of breath and the doctor sent me to the hospital right away and 3 or 4 days later i had a new bovine aortic heart valve now i look back on it and maybe i should have had it done sooner but now i am feeling good and going to cardio rehab phase 3 twice a week and enjoying it

Civita Fahey  I think the size of the valves and symptoms depends on the size of the person.. I have a 1.0 opening as of last echo in october and Im 5'4.. i'm experiences mild symptoms and will have surgery next month..at 1..1 i had no symptoms but my cardiologist said if I were 5'10 or so it would be considered severe stenosis as opposed to moderate..I think we all need to come to terms this in our own way.. keep an eye on how you feel, your body will let you know

Sue Sanchez Grela  Karin, I am in Sacramento, 63, had my surgery on March 1, and am doing very well. I had the same diagnosis as you and was told valve replacement would be needed within 3 - 5 years. I was at severe December 2015 and in September 2016 there was quite a bit of progression. I changed my medical group from UCD Davis to Mercy Medical Group as the Alex G Spanos Heart and Vascular Center is nationally known. My surgeon, Dr. Frank Slachman completed my surgery in 3.5 hours and my hospital stay and care was wonderful. All the rooms are private and family friendly. My only challenge has been the expected fatigue and not doing more than I should during my recovery.

When it is time for another replacement or repair, it will be a TAVR.

You can Google the Mercy Medical Group and their surgeons for all their information. As soon as I received my surgeon's name I Googled him and learned he had climbed all the 7 highest mountains of the world! I was impressed and happy to learn about him personally as well as professionally.

I will keep you and your family in my prayers! ❤

Barbara Wood  Generally if you're symptomatic they like to " get it done" I signed up on this site when I first found out I'd be facing surgery, read a few journals, chickened out & stayed away for a long time. Then I came back a few months ago, read more journals & slowly found myself prepared to face it. It's a process, it takes some doing to get comfortable with it. Glad you're back, I think coming here will bring you some clarity.

Bob Jensen  We have all been through this anxiety. We all understand exactly what you're going through. The reality is just once the surgery is done you will feel like a new person even in recovery. My advice get ready for New You

Karin Georgeson  Thanks everyone for the feedback! All of these posts are so helpful. I was sort of waiting for my cardiologist to tell me its time or my numbers to change, but maybe I should think about pulling the trigger on my own. Lots to consider.

Sharon Madden  Exact thing happened to me. I finally had my surgery June 2 after an 18 month reprieve. Details are in my Journal. Enjoy your reprieve and make sure to get your rechecks on time.

Ray Lockhart  Numbers for the area can vary depending on whether the valve opening is visualized or calculated by formula based on flow. My waiting time was 13 years. Enjoy your wait :)

Karin Georgeson  Thank you! Sharon I was so happy to read your story and see I am not the first one to have that happen. Just going to keep moving forward. Best to all of you.

Penny Prichard  I don't know if you have a surgeon picked out yet, but I see you are from Northern California, you might want to talk to Dr Luis Castro at Sequoia in Redwood City. He is known to do fantastic work and has a wonderful compassionate manner about him. He's doing my mitral repair this week.

Karin Georgeson  Hi Penny. I have seen that name a lot. I live in Sacramento which is only about 2 hours from Redwood City. I have been trying to decide if it's worth checking out or if I would rather stay closer to home. Thank you so much for your input. I would love the opportunity to Compare Sequoia to Sutter Sacramento.

Nancy D  I know a lady in her 30's who has had a mechanical valve(not sure which one) since high school. She is active, and has had no difficulties managing her blood thinners all this time. She does go to the labs, but did mention to me that there are home monitoring devices that enable you to test and report results to you Dr. Not sure if your insurance would help you with that machine with a Dr order or not, but it does make one aspect of monitoring easier. Good luck with your decisions and planning. Take good care!

Penny Prichard  I did compare and I would choose Sequoia. I'm having surgery on Thursday. They have a new cardiac pavilion. Check out Dr Castro, he's the surgeon of the month on this site. It will always be who you are comfortable with. Another person on this site said he had checked out Dr Kincaid who is very good too near you. I live in Oroville ca but worked for years at Sequoia as a nurse years ago.

Jen Huff  Hi Karin- I had the Ross Procedure like Adam 2 weeks ago and am doing great. I had the surgery at Mt. Sinai in NYC by Dr. Stelzer. I know that is far from you but if you gave any questions on the procedure let me know! I am 31 years old and very active - running and weight lifting.