Rich Barbour
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Age:
62 Family:
My wife Terry and I celebrated our fortieth anniversary in July
2000. We have one son, two
daughters and six grandchildren. We
are originally from Cleveland, Ohio and now reside in a suburb of
Detroit, MI. I
played varsity football and ran varsity track in high school.
I could run very fast but not very far and didn't know why. Not
long after we were married, a doctor told me I had a heart murmur but
said it was nothing to be concerned about. When
I was in my early forties, during a routine physical, I took a stress
test and my heart went crazy. I
left there and went to see a cardiologist who diagnosed me with Mitral
Valve Prolapse and very slight calcification of my aortic valve.
Once again, I was told not to worry about it. Well,
I never did have Mitral Valve Prolapse but the calcification should have
been a concern. In
the spring of '96 I was rushing to get somewhere and was going faster
than my heart could keep up with. I
saw that bright light we always hear about and then passed out and
really thought I had died. But
I woke up a short time later and was taken to the hospital.
The tests revealed I had a Bi-Cuspid Aortic Valve which was
severely calcified. The
Cardiologist was the original one I had seen many years before and he
was surprised by this. That's
when I changed doctors and so very glad I did. This
Cardiologist who is still my doctor sent me to one of the very best
surgeons anywhere. I though
about going to the Cleveland Clinic since it is the best and in my
hometown, but the hospital here ranks in the top five in this country as
far as heart centers go. The
surgery went off without any problems and five days later I was home.
The first few days at home were a little tough only because of
trying to get in and out of bed. Without
Terry's help I wouldn't have been able to do it.
I believe everyone going through this will need help when they
come home. Now
four years later, I am doing well.
I have had only one adjustment to my Coumadin dosage in that
time. The 'ticking' still
bothers me occasionally, but I have gotten used to it. I
feel that I've been very fortunate and hope others going through this
ordeal will be equally lucky. I
want to wish everyone well and offer any help I can especially to those
facing surgery. I
can't remember the name of the person who directed me to this site, but
I am happy they did. Rich |