sharran's Journal

I was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis on July 18, 2016. I had been plagued with grossly swollen feet and calves for about a week and no amount of salt avoidance or elevating my feet seemed to ameliorate it. I probably would have ignored it except that the skin on my feet and legs became very hot to the touch and quite red with red blotches. I called my internist and made an appointment. My internist, who I seldom visit, but in whom I have absolute faith, sent me across the street to a cardiologist who administered an echocardiogram and gave me the news several days later. It came as no surprise to me. I knew I had aortic stenosis, first diagnosed in 2012, but it was moderate. No one told me to check in every once in a while to have the condition monitored. So -- I didn't. I am awaiting my consultation with Dr. Patrick McCarthy at Northwestern Hospital. I have heard wonderful things about his work. Apparently no one thinks I am going to drop dead immediately because I will have waited more than a month and a half since making the appointment to actually see Dr. McCarthy. I am 76 years old with debilitating osteoporosis. Two bad knees, two bad hips and a back that I wouldn't wish on my ex husband, but otherwise I am in amazingly good health, other than the value issue, of course. The cardiology department at Northwestern tried to talk me into transcatheter surgery. I told them NO! They didn't seem to understand that 76 is just a number and in all other respects I have no life threatening or life altering conditions. Before I spoke to the cardiology department, I did more than my share of reading about aortic stenosis and although I am not a medical person, I believe I have a pretty thorough understanding of my options and the range of results of the results of open heart surgery versus transcatheter surgery. Strangely, I have not been plagued with anxiety, depression or other adverse emotional conditions since I was given my diagnosis. My biggest concerns are: what kind of valve am I contemplating and what is my recovery period and who is going to take care of me during that recovery period. these are things that I will sort out with my physician and my family. I have wondered if there is something wrong with me because I seem to be taking the news in stride, and looking forward to getting it over with. I have never blogged before. This experience was sort of a catharsis. Life goes on and I am going to leave to pick up my 11 year old grandson.