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Diagnosis: Aortic Regurgitation, Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Aortic Aneurysm

Member Since: January 3, 2015

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Nitin Natarajan posted a photo

11 years ago (February 19, 2015)

Not sure why I didn't post this sooner...I was able to prove my friends wrong...I do have a heart and it's not black. You may want to ask your surgeon for a picture of your heart...he/she might say yes.....mine did.

👍 Sophie Marsh and Jim Hernandez reacted to this

Curtis Jones

What no hose clamps? Cool pic.I'm going to ask for my old valves

Lilly Black

Wow! that appears to be the Dacron being used to repair the aneurysm. Right? Incredible! I actually have a picture of my natural bicuspid aortic valve after it was cut out in preparation for the valve replacement. Not sure if I should post it....it is also incredible!

Janet R

That is awesome. I wish I would have thought of that.

Tammi Gunwall

Awesome!

Nitin Natarajan posted an update

11 years ago (February 4, 2015)

I can't believe it has been two months....I haven't passed out in 4 weeks and the a-fib is almost gone...just a run or two a day of a-fib. I'm back to work part time this week and full time starting next week and energy levels seem great. It's funny...for weeks... Read more.

Tammi Gunwall

Wow! Now that's a bump you don't expect to hear!! Glad to hear you and your pup got out okay. Thank you for sharing your update with us. Nice to hear of progress being made for our heart brothers & sisters. Praying for your continued health and strength. Good luck... Read more.

Jim Kelly-Evans

Congratulations on your splendid recovery! Thanks for posting your story.

Adam Pick

Nitin, Awesome to hear that your AFib is subsiding. Congrats!

Kimberly Biddick

Glad to hear all is going well! Thanks for sharing!

Bob M

Take it easy heart brother. I am so happy that you and your dog survived the fire. God bless and rise up!

Nitin Natarajan posted an update

11 years ago (January 3, 2015)

It's very reassuring to see so many stories on this website about how life returns to normal but honestly, I can't see it right now. I've seen pictures of people hiking and on boats 4-6 weeks postop and I can't even make it to a restaurant for dinner. I'm 38 years old and had an aortic valve replacement and aneurysm repair on December 3, 2014. My recovery seemed to be going well...the first 7-10 out of the hospital I was walking further and further each day, had little to no sternal pain, and was in generally high spirits. The Friday before Christmas I ended up in the ER with a rapid a-fib. They adjusted my meds and sent me home since it broke before I got to the ER. On Sunday, my heart rate went to 240 and I passed out and ended up being admitted. They adjusted my meds and discharged me on Monday. Tuesday it went to 240 again and I passed out and this time I got admitted until Christmas. The new meds seem to be keeping the rate from going to 240 and I haven't had to return to the hospital but this feels like such a major setback in my recovery. I have entire days where my heart rate is sitting at 120 and I'm exhausted all day. It's like I'm working out all day long. They say this should pass at the six week mark and that it's just irritability from the surgery and while that's less than two weeks away I'm having a hard time seeing the finish line. I can't even imagine a normal life right now. I can't see work, dinners with my girlfriend much less traveling again. Everyone says this is fine...it happens in 20-30% of cases....in six months you'll look back and this will all be behind you. I want to believe it but I can't right now. I can't see a normal life again. I'm not a Debbie downer by any means and I'm usually very optimistic. I lead (or perhaps I should say led) a very active professional and social life. I was out with friends 6-7 days a week. I was very optimistic until my two trips back to the ICU the week of Christmas. I've read some of the stories on this website and all seem to be of amazing recoveries....life returning to normal in 4-6 weeks. I just can't even see a normal life for me right now. I know it'll happen with time but looking forward I just can't see it. It feels good to get this out and share it with a community that has gone through or will be going through a similar experience. I didn't have much notice for my surgery...just a few days so I didn't know about this website until my girlfriend told me about it. I wish I found it sooner. I guess that's where I am...4.5 weeks postop and trying to find a semblance of a normal life. N

👍 Jim Kelly-Evans reacted to this

Jim Kelly-Evans

Wow...sorry to read about the bumps you're going through. Hang in there. I've been reading similar stories for ten years since i was first diagnosed. Most people experience some bumps but just about everybody comes out of it OK. It just takes more time in some cases. You are in... Read more.

David Augustus

Stay positive as it should get better. I went through some bumps in my recovery as well, but a strong positive mindset keep me going. I was admitted three times within 4-5 weeks after surgery. I was admitted two times to be cardio converted because of afib and a third... Read more.

Tammy Pilcher

Hi Nitin, I 'm so sorry you're having such a difficult time. While I haven't had the same experience, I've read about others here that have and they seem to be doing better now. I'm keeping you in my prayers that you will do the same. Best wishes, Tammy

Rob Wigley

Yeah, it can be tough sometimes. 4.5 weeks post op is really not much time, when you think about it. It takes your heart and system time to get used to the trauma of the surgery. As for me, about 10 days post op my heart started racing and didn't... Read more.

Rob Wigley

Oh, and the "return to normal in 4-6 weeks" is an outlier. I am 1 year post op and just recently started forgetting what having a heart issue felt like. I had to do the rehab, which I loved (bunch of old folks, but they were really cool old folks),... Read more.

Nitin Natarajan

Thanks everybody for their feedback. David...sounds like you went through a similar experience and it's great to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel...I just can't see it yet. Sounds like we all bounce back differently and while I logically know that...my illogical side says... Read more.

Bob M

I pray that your doctors will find the right medicine so you can be stabilized.

Cheryl Batzing

Nitin, I'm so sorry to hear about the bumps in your recovery process. I had OHS on Dec. 16 and also went into afib while in the hospital, so they wouldn't release me. I've been home about 10 days and recovering well, but slowly. I agree that we all recover... Read more.

Clare Auten

Sorry to hear things are rough right now. I went through periods like this and did have to be readmitted about a week post op. I will be a year out on Jan 9 and finally do feel "normal". But for me it almost seems like a new normal. I... Read more.

John Noriega

Nitin this is just a minor bump on the road. Just do everything in moderation and things will straighten out. Some of us heal faster than others. Just keep mind that in the end we all have good results. Keep,the faith and continue to move onward & upward! All will... Read more.

Joseph Ballett

There are bumps they will come and go,but for support we are all here for you anytime.

Linda Crawford

Hang in there😊. I hope everything sorts itself out for you very soon. Thanks for keeping it real. While we all want to be back to normal in 4 to 6 weeks, the reality for many of us is that it will be longer. Setting our expectations too high only... Read more.

Lenore Mitchell

Nitin - glad you found us, it does help to share your story and know that others have been down the same path even though each experience is different. Give yourself time to heal and keep us posted.

Gregg L

Nitin, im 11 weeks after surgery, my heart rate is finally returning to normal, ( it was over 100) im walking 6 miles a every other day, and just about ready to start running. Everyone is different, but im not tired at all anymore, at about 6 weeks when i... Read more.

John Pfeffer

Hi Nittin... We had our surgery the same day.. :) So far I haven't met anyone who also had it 12/3/14... I hear you on the outlook.. I haven't had your issues... but the depression.. definitely makes it feel like it won't happen.. or at least forever away.. I just... Read more.

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