Current Age: 43
Occupation: Marketing
Mgr.
Your
Family: Divorced with
2 Children - a son of 14 and
a daughter of 16 (going on
26!)
When
you found out about your
condition:
Approximately 10 years ago as
a result of contracting
pneumonia. Doctors heard a
very strong murmur and
suggested an echocardiogram
and stress test. Findings
were a bicuspid aoritc valve
with (at that time) Class II
regurgitation. Post the
finding of the bicuspid valve
I underwent twice annually
cardiac follow up with
echocardiograms and stress
echos as necessary to monitor
my heart. I was basically
stable until 12 months before
surgery at which point the
regurgitation increased
significantly, the left
ventricle began to
significantly dilate and
aortic insufficiency became
more accute. Surprisingly
however, I noticed almost NO
symptoms and had no
limitations on my activities.
What
symptoms you had:
Almost none. For the most
part I was completely
assymptomatic right up until
time for surgery. I had even
completed a 1/2 marathon 45
days prior to the surgery.
How
you prepared for surgery:
I read EVERYTHING and
spoke to at least 3 different
cardiologists, 2 general
physicians, and 2 cardio
thoracic surgeons. I also
committed myself to good
health, excercise, and diet to
ensure I would be in top
physical condition for the
surgery.
What
type of surgery you had:
I had aortic valve
repair in January of 2002
Medications before surgery:
None
Medications after surgery:
Toprol 10mg/day and
Zestril 10 mg/day, one baby
aspirin per day
Type
of valve you have:
N/A
Type
of valve you had:
Congenital bicuspic aortic
valve
Hospital where your surgery
was done: Cleveland
Clinic
Your
experience there:
Superb!!!
Your
first few days home:
I was out of the ICU in 24
hours and discharged from the
hospital in 3 1/2 days. My
first few days at home were
relatively pain free and
without any complications. I
did have pain medication I
could use but opted for it
only at night prior to bed
time to enable me to sleep
soundly. I couldn't sleep in
my bed for the first week due
to rolling over and waking up
in pain. I opted for the
recliner in the living room
instead and had no problems.
Your
recovery since then:
My recovery was a lot faster
than I anticipated. I was
walking regularly during my
first week at home, was back
at work part time in 3 weeks,
started driving again at 4
weeks, and began jogging /
running at 4 weeks. I
returned to work full time at
5 weeks and at 6 weeks I
completed a 5 mile St.
Patrick's day race and felt
great except for general
fatigue from not running much
in the past few months prior.
By 8 weeks I was back at my
full excercise routine of
aerobics, running, cycling and
weight lifting - although I
changed my weight lifting
routines to lots of reps with
lighter weights rather than
heavier amounts. Everything
was going great... UNTIL....
my six month post op checkup
at Cleveland (Late July of
2002). They discovered the
valve repair was failing and I
am now (Sept. 2) on my way to
Cleveland next week for the
proverbial "do over". This
time the thought is towards
homograft including the aortic
root.
How
you found out about this site:
Google
Any
other comments you can share:
I opted for aortic
valve repair at the suggestion
of the doctors in Cleveland.
If it had worked, it could
have been a once in a lifetime
event that would leave me free
and clear. Cleveland
presented the "numbers" to me
on the frequency and success
rates of repair vs.
replacement but they believed
I was an excellent candidate
for repair. My advice to
others contemplating repair is
to think twice. There have
been numerous failures of
aortic repairs. I may have
been a bit overly optimistic
in thinking I wouldn't be one
of them. Due diligence is in
order before committing to an
aortic valve repair
procedure. Otherwise keep a
positive attitude and know
that, for the most part, valve
replacement is fairly
standard stuff these days and
a return to an active
lifestyle without limitations
is pretty much expected.