Serena's Posts

So we met with my cardiologist this week, and finally got to see (and read) the results of the TEE from the day of the scheduled surgery that turned everything sideways. Dr. Tam reports this drastic reduction in regurgitation almost NEVER happens, and there's really no definitive answer as to why it did happen, but the plan is to monitor to see it if continues. Or rather, to see if medication can make it continue and can address some of my other symptoms, which may be atrial fibrillation or tachycardia. So, we've replaced the propanolol with metoprolol, and will be doing an external echocardiogram in a few weeks. I'll also be wearing a Holter monitor to see if we can capture the arrhythmia episodes so they can pin down the type/source, since that can likely be addressed via a catheter procedure if it is afib or tachycardia. We may have additional medication changes to further attempt to regulate the back pressure. Regurgitation is still present in both the aortic and mitral valves, but if it can be maintained at the reduced levels, then surgery to replace those valves becomes a much more distant prospect. It's not off the table yet, because we don't know that the medication-managed plan will be successful, but it is not in the immediate future at this time. At present, I don't feel any differently than I did immediately before the surgery date. My blood pressure is down, in the 110/74 range, but the goal is to reduce it further. Here's hoping my time feeling like a guinea pig is short but successful.

Serena's husband Larry posting here: During a routine final pre-op examination, Serena's surgical team discovered that her valve leakage has abated so dramatically & unexpectedly since her test in august that they made the command decision that she is too healthy to warrant proceeding with surgery at this time. Yes I realize this raises all kinds of follow up questions, many of which we don't have answers for yet. Right now we are just grateful for the news and waiting for her to come out of anaesthesia, & we expect to be able to go home possibly as early as today. We appreciate your patience & will post more once we have better ways to communicate than via my pitiful little tablet device. Thanks again for your support! --Larry