Tom's Posts

Hi Tom, this sounds very much like my (and many of we "biscuspid" people) journey. Seemingly good health and then wham, a shock diagnosis! I was also diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis for a bicuspid valve a few months back, though I am asymptomatic and therefore in holding pattern for surgery until necessary (probably 12-18 months). My fight right now is not to let this diagnosis define my life and to overcome the anxiety, but this community is helping enormously. Keep reading and writing and I am sure you will find the comfort and answers you are looking for. There seem to be so many of us!!😀

Hi Tom, you found the right place. I hope you find peace and clarity within this community. It’s been extremely helpful for me navigating a similar diagnosis. I currently am at a moderate stenosis, but I do have an aneurysm that is driving as sooner surgery rather than later. Best wishes to you!

Hi Tom, I was surprised by same diagnosis in 2024 and had open-heart about 4 weeks after they discovered it. They talked about TAVR but I was in same boat as you - though I had quit working out to take care of my mom...so thought I had just gotten out of shape from that! I did a lot of reading and prayed a lot. I also prayed that I would be a "good patient" in the hospital and I was. Kindness is a two-way street even if you are in pain! I treated all staff with respect and kindness and it came back to me. This site (HeartValveSurgery) is extremely helpful and supportive. This site attests to the progress that has been made in heart surgeries I also did a lot of YouTube videos to prepare myself. There are a set of 4 videos that are on YouTube by a physician who had open heart (if I remember right). They were insightful - from preparing for the day of, the waking up after, the hospital stay, and going home (Jim Davis - Before, During, and After series). Having knowledge prepares you. The ONLY thing I wasn't prepared for is SNEEZING. I had one sneak up on me...it hurt! Suffice it to say, if you sneeze once, you will do everything in your power to not do it again for a few weeks! Once you get to drive a car again (4-6 weeks) holding the wheel and looking behind or to the side will be sore but otherwise, just enjoy all the extra sleeping! You heal better sleeping so don't fight it. I was amazed how weak I was from being in bed a week....but it because I was still sort of fit, I recovered quickly. Struggle now with carving out time to get fit again but working into it! I will get you on my prayer list! You'll do great!

wow, what a great message. I totally agree with you, in regard to kindness. Thank you so much for sharing your story. We go see our specialist on August 18th. I will share an update with you after the appointment. Again, I feel so blessed to have found this website and you and others! Sincerely, Tom

Tom, I like your use of we, my partner was very much with me and the support helps. I shad stenosis (BAV) and no symptoms. I went through is well. All is can say is the the better shape you are in going in to surgery the better off you are. You will do well based on your story. Good Luck on your hourney. Dan