I read your story and it is very inspiring to hear of your success in surgery and recovery ! I’m struggling with deciding when ...Read more
Hello Marie ,
I read your story and it is very inspiring to hear of your success in surgery and recovery ! I’m struggling with deciding when to have the same surgery as you. I’m 48 , I knew I had a history from my grandfather dying from this at my age and my dad having 3 aortic valve replacements now. I was told in 2016 that I have a bicuspid valve with mild regurgitation and an aorta measuring 4.4cm. 8 years later I’ve just been told I have moderate to severe regurgitation and an ascending aorta measuring 4.9cm. They would like me to have surgery next month but I’m hesitant as I have no signs or symptoms and I would like to keep working as a Firefighter. I’m trying to decide the best time for recovery and if it would be better in the summer here in Canada or during the winter months. I realize the risk I am taking waiting but I’ve heard of people waiting years with over a 5cm aorta for this surgery . How long did you wait to have your surgery and were the doctors telling you to have it asap?
I would love to hear your feedback.
thanks, Angus
Marie Myers My aneurysms were the driving factor for my surgery. I was not having any symptoms as far as I was c ... Read more
Marie Myers My aneurysms were the driving factor for my surgery. I was not having any symptoms as far as I was concerned. My first opinion doctor was willing to do a short period of “watchful waiting”, but my second opinion doctor said the aneurysm is “big for your body size” and you should have this sooner rather than later”. There is a formula that calculates your risk of aneurysm size/body mass. (Maybe you could google that info). I decided to just go ahead and do the surgery 7 months after discovery of the ascending and aortic root aneurysms. Valve choice was a very difficult decision for me, and I went back-and -forth for months before choosing the tissue valve. I was 63 at the time of my surgery, and the tissue valve choice was mainly one against having to take Coumadin. Because you are younger, you could also research the Ross Procedure or possibly aortic valve repair. Both are very specialized surgeries that should only be done by highly experienced surgeons. Has the doc given you any work restrictions? I am worried that the physical stress of your job could speed up the growth of your aneurysm. Many times, surgery is done for an aneurysm of 5-5.5 cm. If you have a family history like you do, the surgeons will want to proceed sooner because the consequences of dissection can be fatal. And an emergency surgery for impending dissection is not ideal compared to an elective approach. It is a tough decision, but in your case, i might want to err on the side of caution. Have you gotten a second opinion yet?
Rose Madura I would definitely get a second opinion. My cousin recently had a dissection and nearly died. It was ... Read more
Rose Madura I would definitely get a second opinion. My cousin recently had a dissection and nearly died. It was horrible for her. Listen to Marie. She gives good advice. I think I remember another firefighter on this site. Hopefully he will chime in.
Grace Mason Safe travels Valerie. Thinking of you ❤️
I believe your mother in law would grudgingly agree. My mother in law, god rest her soul, always had a soft spot for nancy’s former boyfriend of many years ...Read more
I believe your mother in law would grudgingly agree. My mother in law, god rest her soul, always had a soft spot for nancy’s former boyfriend of many years ,who got kicked to the curb once yours truly arrived on the scene but later in life she admitted to me in private that i was the better man. I knew it, it just took her awhile to agree. I met him years later at her wake, she was 95. He came up to my waist. He approached me by the way. It was an interesting encounter and the details shall remain hidden and go to the grave with me.
Marie Myers That is a great story… You may have to write a book!
Hi Marie - if I take some whey protein powder with me for before/after surgery, what would you recommend mixing it with? Thanks!
Yumiko Ishida There are lots of recipes online you can check out. One helpful guideline I found is by Kelly Leveque ... Read more
Yumiko Ishida There are lots of recipes online you can check out. One helpful guideline I found is by Kelly Leveque, who says for 20-30g protein add 1-2 tbs of fat, 1-2 tbs of fiber, and unlimited greens. She limits optional fruit to 1/4 cup. Her product is beef protein, but I think the guideline works for whey as well. I don’t mind the taste of whey protein, so I just add MCT powder, which provides the fat and fiber. Beef protein has a stronger taste, so I would frequently add things like cocoa powder, avocado, spinach, frozen blueberries, etc, but I haven’t done that post surgery yet - too complicated. Post surgery I’ve just been doing whey with MCT powder, or if I want something warm, drink decaf with collagen and MCT powders. (Tea is not strong enough to hide the smell of collagen.) Collagen dissolves well so you don’t need a blender. Whey and MCT powder mixes just fine with a mini frother you stick in a mug (make sure to leave room at the top, or it will overflow). If you are adding anything solid, you need a blender. Hope that helps!
Marie Myers I mixed mine with soy milk or almond milk. Regular milk would be fine also..
Rebecca J Yumiko this is very helpful. I do something similar and like the additions you use. I can feel prot... Read more
Rebecca J Yumiko this is very helpful. I do something similar and like the additions you use. I can feel protein drinks coming on.
Well i certainly hope you look me up when you visit taxachusetts. Your mother in law must be great naming her son richard. Bear in mind, i live very close to ...Read more
Well i certainly hope you look me up when you visit taxachusetts. Your mother in law must be great naming her son richard. Bear in mind, i live very close to old cape cod. Maybe pattie page will join us. Shadow is gearing up for your visit.
Marie Myers My Richard would love to talk cars with you. He has a ‘65 Corvette that he bought from his big brot ... Read more
Marie Myers My Richard would love to talk cars with you. He has a ‘65 Corvette that he bought from his big brother in ‘69. We love a good car show, too. I am leaving him home this time, so he can keep his mother amused and I can escape the both of them for a week…
Richard Munson We richards never go away. There is no escape. Its why we were added to the wedding vows. For RICHer ... Read more
Richard Munson We richards never go away. There is no escape. Its why we were added to the wedding vows. For RICHer or poorer.
Lots of nervous folks out there contemplating ohs. Of course those of us on the other side all went thru it. When its you however , a person thinks its only ...Read more
Lots of nervous folks out there contemplating ohs. Of course those of us on the other side all went thru it. When its you however , a person thinks its only me. Sometimes i look back just before my surgery and chuckle what a mess i was up until i went to sleep just prior to. Around here its legendary how i tried to escape, thankfully unsuccessfully, from mass general the day of my surgery. I almost made it but not quite. Now i’m glad i had it. Who knows how i would feel today. Obviously not quick witted for sure.
Brady Busch Yes,the part that I realized it the most,was checking in at the hospital,early in the morning,on a gr ... Read more
Brady Busch Yes,the part that I realized it the most,was checking in at the hospital,early in the morning,on a gray November day.Up until then,it was going through the preliminary testing,with some apprehension,about the unknown. Sitting there waiting to be called for surgery,feeling a bit alone,with a little sense of dread.Then,the last thing I remember was being brought to a cubicle,with a bed,laying down and an IV put in my arm.
Marie Myers Yes, I was a basket case when my cardiologist said “surgery is inevitable for you”. Then, my syst ... Read more
Marie Myers Yes, I was a basket case when my cardiologist said “surgery is inevitable for you”. Then, my systolic pressure was 188 when meeting the surgeon… oh yes, I was a mess pre op!!
Richard Munson Brady, i refuse to repeat how i tried to escape from mass general the day of my surgery right up to ... Read more
Richard Munson Brady, i refuse to repeat how i tried to escape from mass general the day of my surgery right up to the needle. Glad i failed but the fear is real.
Ana Brusso Brady, my first surgery was also on a grey November day, one day before Thanksgiving. I have related ... Read more
Ana Brusso Brady, my first surgery was also on a grey November day, one day before Thanksgiving. I have related my experience before while laying in bed getting prepped, I saw Jesus holding my hand and I fell asleep. 🙏❤️✝️
Marie Myers Ana, your story reminded me about a friend who was tragically diagnosed with a bad brain tumor in his ... Read more
Marie Myers Ana, your story reminded me about a friend who was tragically diagnosed with a bad brain tumor in his 40’s. He still had young kids at home. At some point he dreamed an angel reached out and touched him, and he was never fearful about anything again. He lived another 3 years, went through numerous brain surgeries, all on an initial diagnosis of 6 months to live. What an inspiration that was for me!
All my doggie friends have tales of their furry friends dreaming and twitching and yipping away. My question is do other animals do the same thing? Cats for ...Read more
All my doggie friends have tales of their furry friends dreaming and twitching and yipping away. My question is do other animals do the same thing? Cats for example. What about humans. I can’t recall ever hearing nancy bark in the night except to complain i took all the covers.
Marie Myers 😂. My Rich barks that I took all the covers…
Ann T My cat does. I will see him moving his paws as if he is running and then move his mouth as if he is c ... Read more
Ann T My cat does. I will see him moving his paws as if he is running and then move his mouth as if he is chewing in his sleep lol.
question, was your valve regurgitant or stenotic? According to articles regurgitant tend ...Read more
Hii Marie! :)
thank you for your response ❤️
question, was your valve regurgitant or stenotic? According to articles regurgitant tend to progress slower than stenosis? Don't know if its true?
Happy holidays 🙏
Marie Myers Don’t really know if regurgitant valves deteriorate slower. But My valve became regurgitant later i ... Read more
Marie Myers Don’t really know if regurgitant valves deteriorate slower. But My valve became regurgitant later in my life. Very few people could even hear my murmur in my 20’s-40’s. I didn’t start getting routine echocardiograms until i was around 45 years old, and the echos remained stable until age 63, when the echo showed i had developed both ascending aortic and aortic root aneurysms. So the aneurysms were the driving force for my surgery. The aortic valve was replaced at the time of my aneurysm repairs. One thing for you to check into is aortic valve repair, especially for regurgitant valves. I understand that more aortic valve repairs are being done now, and it may be a good option for you if you ever need surgery. Hopefully your valve will stay as it is forever, and you never need that information. But forewarned is for armed!! Hope this info helps…
Pro enrichment SI belt. Bought it on amazon and it has been great. Also good for bursitis and other hip ailments. It may not work for your richard but worth ...Read more
Pro enrichment SI belt. Bought it on amazon and it has been great. Also good for bursitis and other hip ailments. It may not work for your richard but worth the $35. To experiment
Marie Myers Have a great visit with your Hokie!! We just had my Richard’s sister (Rita) who is another Hokie i ... Read more
Marie Myers Have a great visit with your Hokie!! We just had my Richard’s sister (Rita) who is another Hokie in town for the last week…My own Richard said he was a “hobbling Hokie” this morning, as he was limping around the house due to his hip arthritis…
Greg Lewis Very nice!! ..had to google what a Hokie is. And..not a dance, so...
Richard Munson I just purchased last month a new device for my hip arthritis as i have had multiple cortisone shots ... Read more
Richard Munson I just purchased last month a new device for my hip arthritis as i have had multiple cortisone shots over the last couple years. Well, i have been pain free since i started using it. Amazon.com $35 and change. Worth a try maybe.? I will take a picture of it and post it with data. Stay tuned marie.
Klara Čičić Greg! Long time no hear!! I also had to google Hokie :) very nice photo, Richard....you are one lucky ... Read more
Klara Čičić Greg! Long time no hear!! I also had to google Hokie :) very nice photo, Richard....you are one lucky man
I read your story and it is very inspiring to hear of your success in surgery and recovery !
I’m struggling with deciding when ...Read more
I read your story and it is very inspiring to hear of your success in surgery and recovery !
I’m struggling with deciding when to have the same surgery as you. I’m 48 , I knew I had a history from my grandfather dying from this at my age and my dad having 3 aortic valve replacements now. I was told in 2016 that I have a bicuspid valve with mild regurgitation and an aorta measuring 4.4cm. 8 years later I’ve just been told I have moderate to severe regurgitation and an ascending aorta measuring 4.9cm. They would like me to have surgery next month but I’m hesitant as I have no signs or symptoms and I would like to keep working as a Firefighter. I’m trying to decide the best time for recovery and if it would be better in the summer here in Canada or during the winter months. I realize the risk I am taking waiting but I’ve heard of people waiting years with over a 5cm aorta for this surgery . How long did you wait to have your surgery and were the doctors telling you to have it asap?
I would love to hear your feedback.
thanks,
Angus