Thomas's Journal

Jeanette Davidson   Looks like I do.!!!!!Today is my 2 year anniversary from OHS. Awaiting report and feedback from Dr Svensson at CC TOMORROW!!!!! Can't wait to hear his analysis. The Doctors here in FL are Inconsisyent in their diagnosis and treatment. Interested in what you Thomas , and others have to share. Thanks for your post!💞

Catie B  Welcome, Thomas! I'm sorry your recent testing revealed a need for surgery. This place is a wonderful resource and a big help through recovery. I hope your researching goes well, so you can feel confident about your surgeon and hospital. I received a new aortic valve last September.

Phyllis Petersen  Welcome! There will be lots more tests before the surgery, picking a surgeon/hospital, valve decisions, etc. This is great site with a lot of helpful information and a community ready to help you through it.

Adam Pick  Hi Thomas, Welcome to our community!!! I hope the educational information and caring people here can help you through your journey to a healthy heart. If you need anything, please let me know! Adam

Carmen P  Welcome Thomas. I joined after being told I had BAV. That news came as a shock at almost 61 years of age. I was moderate, but went to critical within one and a half years. This website has been a godsend. Getting information, even from your cardiologist, is not always easy. Ask any question and someone will answer it. Good Luck and try not to worry too much. Just take it one step at a time and know that many people have traveled this path before. Knowing what to expect after surgery makes your recovery better.

Thomas Spero  Thank you all for your help. I have not been to a surgeon yet however my cardiologist and I have chosen the surgeon and the hospital. The cardiologist has made the appointment for the cardiac catheterization for April 5, 2017. I also have an appointment with the surgeon the second week in April. I have had two echocardiograms done over the last couple of years and also the Echo stress test which I have mentioned previously. I rounded up all the CD’s with the Echo test on them and presented them to my cardiologist. The paper results were listed on the medical websites. Does anyone know if the surgeon is going to do his OWN Echo or x-rays to look at my heart before doing surgery or is he going to go by the other doctors test that I have already had done. I think I would like it if he did his own as it would just be another view of my valve problem before the surgery.

Kathy Blank  The surgeon typically looks at the current tests and will order others if the diagnosis is not clear. Focus your questions on understanding what the surgeon is seeing as your specific heart issue and what he/she is recommending for treatment. Once you know the exact procedure recommended you can focus your questions on the surgeon's outcomes and experience with that specific procedure. My surgeon gave me SO much more insight than the two cardiologists I went to for consults.

Phyllis Petersen  I didn't meet the surgeon until 2 days before surgery, but he was coordinating with my local cardiologist to get some of the testing done. They did do another echo and an xray, as well as a ton of other tests, during presurgical testing.

Barbara Helen Dance  Hello there Thomas, how are things going?. I had my pre-op yesterday, I had full observations ( apparently ,my temperature was up??!!,.........), I had a battery of other checks Ecg, and full bloods, and told when to stop my Warfarin (which I have been taking for 18months for atrial fibrillation. I wait now untill 30th March , when my a angiogram is. I had my echo in Dec, and saw my Cardiologist on 21st Jan this year, who told me I have now gone from moderate to severe status!!!!, because my aortic valve 'width' has jumped from 50 to a peak gradient of 72.........😞,in the last 12 months!!!. Now the waiting goes on. I hope we stay in touch comparing conditions... haha. Warmest wishes, Barb.xx