Angiogram . Not good. My aortic valve is at 7 ( cm I think!). Also I need bypass done.coronary at 50 percent. Surgery is next Friday the 16. Mechanical ...Read more
Angiogram . Not good. My aortic valve is at 7 ( cm I think!). Also I need bypass done.coronary at 50 percent. Surgery is next Friday the 16. Mechanical valve.dr says no work Is afraid of a heart attack.also quit smoking. No choice.....a
A lot of emotions !! Michelle
Tammy Pilcher Hang in there, Michelle! You can do this!
Linda Crawford OK Michelle, we will do this together. My surgery is also the 16th and will also be a mechanical val ... Read more
Linda Crawford OK Michelle, we will do this together. My surgery is also the 16th and will also be a mechanical valve. Take it easy.
I came across this website looking for answers and to see how other people are dealing with there own situation regarding valve replacement.everything is happening ...Read more
I came across this website looking for answers and to see how other people are dealing with there own situation regarding valve replacement.everything is happening so fast..... First my story....I am 51 year old female dealing with aortic valve stenosis for about 15 years...never really paid too much attention to it till now(had the usual yearly echos in the moderate to severe range with really no symptoms) had an echo last week ...now in the severe in leaking ang regurgitation
Tammy Pilcher Hi Michelle, I know it's a scary thing to think about having open heart surgery. While everyone's e ... Read more
Tammy Pilcher Hi Michelle, I know it's a scary thing to think about having open heart surgery. While everyone's experience is different, you are welcome to read my journal post about my surgery. Maybe it will help to ease some fears. I'll be glad to answer any questions also. Prayers and best wishes!
Bob M Michelle, thank you for joining our awesome Community! We are here to pray for you, share our specifi ... Read more
Bob M Michelle, thank you for joining our awesome Community! We are here to pray for you, share our specific experiences and answer your direct questions. Many here have been on the other side of open heart surgery.... Mine was on December 10. We are all different, but we are in the same family ... Open heart surgery. God bless and rise up!
Michelle Anderson Thank you bob and Tammy.....is it normal to have a pulmory test and carotid artery test done already ... Read more
Michelle Anderson Thank you bob and Tammy.....is it normal to have a pulmory test and carotid artery test done already before my angiogram? It's a scary time for me ...I had cancer when I was a teenager and the doctors seem to think the chemo and radiation to my chest caused the stenosis...living the unknown just like when I had cancer...so much more to live for now..so much more to lose.very
Lonely feeling. ....thank you for listening...michelle
Ben Fretwell Michelle...I too am new here, scared and somewhat lost. In the short time I have been involved with ... Read more
Ben Fretwell Michelle...I too am new here, scared and somewhat lost. In the short time I have been involved with this sight, some of the stories have inspired me to search for that inner strength we all have if we search hard enough. I find myself back sliding at times, but with each passing day, acceptance of the inevitable (open heart surgery) and awareness of the probability for success, it becomes apparent that it is not happening to only me.
If you think there may be any value in communicating, and marching onward to success together, don't hesitate to contact me...we are stronger than we know!
Cheryl Batzing Michelle, it is scary to be faced with OHS. I had my valve repaired on Dec. 16. This heart community ... Read more
Cheryl Batzing Michelle, it is scary to be faced with OHS. I had my valve repaired on Dec. 16. This heart community is very helpful with understanding the process, what happens, and what the recovery is like. I had an echo on Oct. 6, a TEE and pulmonary test the next week, and then an angiogram the next week before surgery was scheduled. I think those tests are the norm, although not always in that order. Feel free to read my journal as well...most of mine is once I was in the hospital, and some panic mixed with peace before hand that some wise heart brothers & sisters replied to that helped me focus on not worrying so much, and praying more. Glad you are here! You are not alone.
Kylie Stevens I'm scared too Michelle, I found out on the 3rd of December that I have a leaky aortic valve, countin ... Read more
Kylie Stevens I'm scared too Michelle, I found out on the 3rd of December that I have a leaky aortic valve, counting down the days until my first cardiologist appointment to see if it needs to dealt with sooner or later... I've only been hanging around here a few days, but already it has been a huge help to be here in such an understanding and supportive community.
Tammy Pilcher Michelle, I had my echo on Sept. 25. I had my first cardiologist appt. ever Oct. 10 and found out I ... Read more
Tammy Pilcher Michelle, I had my echo on Sept. 25. I had my first cardiologist appt. ever Oct. 10 and found out I had a bicuspid aortic valve with stenosis. I had CT scan Oct. 15 and a heart cath Oct. 17. My surgery was Oct. 31. My symptoms seemed random at first, but then progressed to be happening more and more. By the time my problem was found, it was already at the critical stage. The good side of that is I didn't have to wait a long time. My advice is to find doctors you trust and have confidence in. When it's time to choose a surgeon, find one that does a lot of valve surgeries. This site and Adam's book can help with that too. I hope this helped to answer your questions. Best wishes! You can do this!
Nancy D Welcome to the site. it is overwhelming to hear you need heart surgery. This site has a wealth of in ... Read more
Nancy D Welcome to the site. it is overwhelming to hear you need heart surgery. This site has a wealth of information, and people to answer questions or give their opinions on things. I found early on in my journey that sometimes it was more overwhelming to try to read everyone's stories as I wasn't ready to look that far ahead. So, it was also good that I could peek in or just ask one question and get that item off my list. ;-) Not one of us has had the identical experience as the others, but we do share this overall experience, and the occasional speed bumps in the road which sure helped me not feel so alone. I had to slowly look, and read, and try to process it all, as it related to me. Some things did, and many did not. Ask away, and know that knowledge and information is power. Be informed about your health care. Good luck in your journey and know we are all here to help if we can. Take good care!
Jim Kelly-Evans Gotta do what you gotta do...I had mild symptoms then a heart attack and stroke...I don;t have much c ... Read more
Jim Kelly-Evans Gotta do what you gotta do...I had mild symptoms then a heart attack and stroke...I don;t have much choice ...gotta get the valve replaced.
Linda Crawford Hi Michelle, My surgery fo aortic stenosis is less than two weeks away now and I remember how scary ... Read more
Linda Crawford Hi Michelle, My surgery fo aortic stenosis is less than two weeks away now and I remember how scary it all seemed at first. Thank goodness for this site -- you will find many wonderful people here who will share what they have learned and who will support you as you work your way through.
Michelle Anderson Thank all of you for the kind words. My angiogram is tomorrow. Was sick all day long yesterday. ... Read more
Michelle Anderson Thank all of you for the kind words. My angiogram is tomorrow. Was sick all day long yesterday. Nerves I bet! Feel good today. Went to work and trying .....I hate to admit to u all that I am a long time very addicted smoker and unfortunately like to smoke....please don't judge lol. I am trying to cut down Believe u me And proud of myself too for trying.....always the dreaded chest x ray...anybody a smoker or former?any advice? When I first was on this blog and read about Lisa and then she passed and was a fit women. Scared me to death....I know I am rambling but I look forward to hearing from all of u ....god bless u all. What a blessing this website is..... Michelle
Nancy D Michelle, no one judges here, and we are proud you are trying to cut down- it is tough!!!! And yes, ... Read more
Nancy D Michelle, no one judges here, and we are proud you are trying to cut down- it is tough!!!! And yes, Lisa's passing was unexpected and very sad! But, heart surgery while very routine these days is still "kind of a big deal", but you see how many of us have been through it and come out on the other side well, and strong. Once you have your plan, your place, your surgeon and your date, things will sink in and you may, like me and others be much more calm and at peace with the decisions. It's tough juggling work, family, medical tests and not knowing what and where. Hang in there you will do it!! Take good care!!
Ben Fretwell Good advice for a lot of us Nancy D! Thanks for posting.
Michelle Anderson Thank all of u. Had my aniogram today.......all god but need a valve replacement. Appointment with. ... Read more
Michelle Anderson Thank all of u. Had my aniogram today.......all god but need a valve replacement. Appointment with. The suergon tomorrow..".seems sooner for surgery. Worried I could have a heart attack they say. ."so sooner than later. Still scared to death. But a great family I have and this blog is giving me peace of mind...thank u..will let u know. Michelle
