About Me (In My Own Words)
I felt pretty horrible just about the whole of 2022........really bad. In mid January of 2023 I was admitted to St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan Texas for shortness of breath. After testing (EKG, Echo, MRI, and Cath Lab)....the good news was that I had no coronary artery blockage but I did have severe aortic stenosis and an aortic aneurysm. All was well explained to me.
In February, I consulted with a cardiovascular surgeon Gerald M. Lawrie) in Houston at Methodist Hospital. Again, all was well explained to me. Surgery was set for February 27, 2023.
Did all the pre-op stuff, got a few affairs in order (although I wasn't told to do so), packed some things, and went to Houston. On the day of surgery, I have to say I was not nervous in the least. My heart team was fantastic and they made me so comfortable. Repaired the aneurysm and substituted the stenotic aortic valve with a bioprosthetic bovine replacement. Being 58 at the time - I figured a the bioprosthetic would do me good for now and, I didn't want to be on blood thinners the rest of my life. My recovery time was nice for the most part. I did have to have an enema (a bit too constipated) and the food was horrible. Actually, I think the whole time I was in all I ate was the Cherry Italian Ice cups and some chips. I did lose some weight. My care nurses were excellent. I was sent on my way on March 7, 2023 feeling wonderful.........only to return to Houston Methodist on March 31, 2023. This WAS NOT a good experience...........More to come.
I started feeling bad on March 28, 2023 - fatigue and some shortness of breath. I had an appointment with my cardiologist scheduled for March 30, 2023 at Baylor Scott and White in College Station, TX. So I just waited until the appointment to address the issues at hand. My actual Cardiologist was out with Covid so I had to see his assistant an FNP. She indicated than some of the feelings I was experiencing were not unusual this close in time in the post-surgery period. Long story short I was back in the Scott and White ER that evening. After a CT scan, a large volume pericardial effusion as well as the findings of mass effect on the heart on was found. They were going to fly me to Houston but there was too low a cloud ceiling, so I went by ambulance back to Methodist.
I had a second open heart surgery on March 31 to repair a very tiny leak around the sutures of the aorta from the first surgery. Unlike the first surgery - the unknown in this matter was somewhat frightening. Never-the-less all went well with the surgery. now 18 months post-second surgery - feel good. Hope the valve lasts 10-20 years. I don't want to be on medication (Metoprolol ER 50mg) - but it is helping with heart rate. I could exercise a bit more.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Somerville
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My surgery date is:
February 27, 2023
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Aortic Aneurysm
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
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My hospital is:
Houston Methodist
