Brad's Photos

Susan Lynn  Wow! That is interesting! I learn something new every day on this site. Thanks for sharing, Brad!

Mike Roskowinski  Hey Brad. I had the same type of valve as you did. My surgeon called mine Monocuspid but I think it is the same as Unicuspid. Mine had two of the leaflets fused together and i was only getting mine to pump from one leaflet. We are both quite rare to have this condition. When I did research on it O found this statement about it "Unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) is a rare form of aortic valve malformation, the prevalence of which is 0.02% in the adult population.". That is really quite crazy to see how rare it is. You will do great I know you have your surgery coming up really soon.

Joy Vera  I had never heard of a unicuspid valve until Mike posted that he had one. Now you have one too! Best wishes on your upcoming surgery.

Rob Sparling  Wow! Big surprise, eh? Statistically you probably already best the odds. Keep that luck running. You are going to do great, Brad!

Lea Parker  Hi Brad -- seeing your surgery is coming up on Monday and just wanted to tell you that you have a whole community behind you! I have learned so much about valves but had not heard of a mono or unicuspid valve -- learn something new everyday. I had a bicuspid aortic valve replaced with a bio prosthetic valve and an aortic aneurysm repair via Open Heart Surgery in Houston in 2016. I read your story and the memories all flooded back -- thinking what if my heart does not start after they take me off the heart-lung machine? What if I develop a clot or pneumonia -- all of the things you mention, I think those are normal concerns. OHS is a big deal, but many of us have been in your shoes. My advice is to walk as much as you can post-op -- and use the spirometer (breathing apparatus) to get your lungs inflated and to regain strength. I remember waking up incubated, but to be honest, it was not a big deal as you are still pretty much out of it -- think of it this way: you will wake up with many tubes and each time one is removed, you are one step closer to going home! If you have any questions, this is a great place to seek support --