About Me (In My Own Words)
Hello! My name is Adrianne. I am a 37 year young Wife, Mother, and Grandmother. While visiting my family doctor 4 weeks ago, a PVC skipped heart beat was picked up by my doctor. She decided to do an EKG which also showed the PVC skipped heart beat. She decided it would be best for me to have a heart Echo and a 24 hour heart monitor. The 24 hour heart monitor showed 11 PVC episodes in the 24 hour time frame... which was of no real concern. Many people have skipped heart beats with no major issues. My heart Echo however showed a major complication that I did not know existed. My echo was on a Friday the Cardiologist called me Monday and wanted to see me right away. I was unable to get in until Friday October 9th.
My first appointment with the actual Cardiologist and he was a very nice doctor. He advised that the Echo shows that I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and that has developed moderate to severe leakage. He seemed VERY Shocked that I have no symptoms. He covered the symptoms several times and then said "okay we will re check you in 6 months."
I was very uneasy about this... and immediately scheduled a 2nd opinion appointment with one of the best Cardiac Surgeons in Buffalo.
My first appointment with the Surgeon was October 15th. He has very high hopes that he will be able to repair my valve... but has assured me that if he can not repair it, he will replace it all in the same surgery.
He ordered right and left cathertrization of my heart/angiogram.
Yesterday October 30th I went through the angiogram. It was scary, and very unpleasant. Today I am home resting.
The cardiologist that preformed the angiogram advised that my arteries look great, but that I do have severe Aortic Insufficiency.
My follow up with my Cardiac Surgeon is this Monday November 2nd at 1:15pm.
We will know more after this next appointment as to what my next steps are.
I am scared, angry, and very sad about all of this, all the while trying to find positive and prepare myself for the healing that will be needed ahead of me.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Buffalo, New York
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My surgery date is:
December 7, 2015
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic Valve Repair
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My surgeon is:
Dr. John Bell-Thompson
