Nasser's Journal

Hi Everyone, Hope you are all well. This is it T-5 days to my surgery. This past Wednesday I met with my heart surgeon Dr. Michael P. Fischbein, at Stanford Hospital. He is so comforting to talk with. He is the Director of Thoracic Aortic Surgery. We talked for the better part of an hour and he explained everything in very fine detail. He will replace my Bicuspid Aortic Valve with an animal (cow) valve. He will replace all of my ascending aorta with a material, which I forgot the name of (shame on me.) There is a new development, after he looked at my Echo, which I took last week, he found a slight aneurysm on the bottom side of the aortic arch (upper part of the aorta, above the ascending aorta.) He isn't sure yet if he will correct it. He wants to get a better look once he is in the area. He reviewed all the possible risks with me, although they are very minimum, he wanted to make certain that I understood. Yes, I'm sitting here somewhat worried. I think about this all the time and I think about my two daughters, who are my life and strength. I live in San Jose, CA and will travel to Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, CA. It's about a 35 minute drive. My girlfriend Kathleen, who has been absolutely golden, will drive me to the hospital, where we will be meeting my daughters at 5:00AM Thursday morning. I can only imagine what I'll be feeling. I have to have the operation. I'd rather be safe than sorry. I may write again. Take good care. I'll be in touch. A special shout to Adam, thank you, thank you for this site. It helps ease the nerves! Best!!!!

Hi Everyone - My surgery date is set for Thursday June 19th, at Stanford Hospital. I meet with some members of my surgery team on Wed. June 11. In this meeting I will learn about all the details related to the surgery. I will also be asking many questions.
I cut back on watching YouTube videos of Aortic Aneurysms and Bicuspid Aortic Valves. Many of the videos are informative and educational. However, there are some videos that don't have great endings. I understand that this is reality but I rather not watch those videos, where things go south. I want to keep everything POSITIVE!!! Don't get me wrong. I feel for these people. I just need to be as healthy as possible going into this surgery, both emotionally and physically.

My count down clock is ticking and I can't wait to be on the other side of this, with a new Aortic Valve. It kinda feels like I'm getting a new car.

Wishing you ALL THE BEST. Take good care.

Hi Everyone, I am new to this Community Patient Feed. I am scheduled for Open Heart Surgery at Stanford University Hospital on June 19th. My operation will entail replacing my bicuspid aortic valve with a bovine valve. I also have an aneurysm in my ascending aorta. The aneurysm is currently at 5.0cm. The Stanford cardiac guidelines, as well as, I believe, industry guidelines call out for intervention at 5.0cm. So it is time. The surgeon, Dr. Fischbein, will remove the portion of my ascending aorta that has the aneurysm and replace it. 
I must say that as the date draws closer I am starting to feel more anxiety. Everyone says it is normal to have anticipatory anxiety as they will be cutting me open, and stopping my heart (for a few hours.)

I kind of wish that this surgery was already over and behind me. It's not and I must face it.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thank you all,

Nasser Abed