About Me (In My Own Words)
NEXT SURGERY/PROCEDURE FOR FEB. 2022- ready for the TAVR!
8 years ago I had my ascending aortic aneurysm repaired and my aortic valve was spared. I had the surgery by Dr. Kevin Greason at Mayo Minnesota in Oct. 2013.(see below) My aortic valve numbers started to change over the years and really changed in the last 6 months. I went to my local cardiologist for yearly echos and when I had my echo done in November 2021 the numbers showed severe stenosis. I called my Mayo surgeon and appointments/ tests were set up for Feb. 1, 2022. After all the tests they suggested that the TAVR -Trans catheter Aortic Valve Replacement would work for me. I'm scheduled for Feb. 7, 2022 at Mayo Minnesota. Let's get this show on the road so I can feel good and not be out of breath for my daughter's summer wedding in Colorado!!
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THIS IS MY FIRST STORY FROM BEFORE AND AFTER MY 2013 ASCENDING AORTIC ANEURYSM SURGERY
I have been a faithful follower of this great web site and blog for the past 5 years. Thanks Adam!
I am 58 years old and was diagnosed at the age of 3 with a heart murmur due to aortic insufficiency, bicuspid aortic valve. At the time they diagnosed with just a stethoscope and chest x-ray! I always went to every physical telling the Dr. that-"yes, I know I have a heart murmur."
Back in 2001 I had an echo and other tests done because of a numb toe. The echo report said I had a "little dilation" but no one explained to me what that meant. I then found out my numb toe was just due to foot problems so I didn't think anything of it. When I went to get a physical the summer of 2008 I asked my family Dr. if I should have another Echo test done and he thought it was a good idea. The only symptom I had was being a little out of breath when I climbed the steep stairs at my school. I had an Echo test and later a CT Scan done and the Des Moines cardiologist told me I had an aneurysm that was 4.6cm. We were in shock! He sent me to a Des Moines surgeon. He put me on a beta blocker and told me I would need surgery within 3-5 years. He said he would repair my aneurysm and replace my aortic valve with a mechanical valve.
Thank goodness for finding out about Adam's Heart Valve Book. I sent for it , started reading, talked to people and decided to get a 2nd opinion. I went to University of Iowa Hospitals and the surgeon there suggested that he would fix the aneurysm and could replace the valve with a tissue OR mechanical valve.
Six months later I went for my 3rd opinion after having talked to my sister-in-law, Hayden and my cousin, Patty who both have Dr.'s in the family and both had suggested that I go to the Mayo Clinic -Rochester, MN. There I had the whole work up and met with a cardiologist and also a surgeon, Dr. Greason. He had more options available for my bicuspid valve and said he might be able to repair it along with repairing the aneurysm. Yea!! He has been monitoring my aneurysm ever since.
So for the last 5 years my husband and I have been going through the roller coaster ride every July to see if I needed surgery. Well, this August 2013 after having an MRI I got the call from the Mayo surgeon, Dr. Greason, saying that it was time for the surgery since the aneurysm was now 5.0 cm. I go up to Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN on Sept. 24 and 25 for the angiogram, echo, TEE and meet with the surgeon to schedule my surgery. I am just ready to have the surgery and get it over with!
I couldn't do it without my husband, Doug, my daughter, Meredith, my mom and the rest of my family and friends who have been so supportive. And as always, I know that I trust in God that he will be with me all the way. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. " Prov.3:5,6
CONCLUSION: It has been a year since my surgery for repair of my ascending aortic aneurysm. Dr. Greason did not replace my Bicuspid Aortic Valve(BAV) where I have aortic insufficiency(regurgitation). Because of my repaired aneurysm my mean gradient of my BAV went from a 36 down to 11! Yea! Down the road(10-15 years) I will have to have my BAV replaced but by that time it will not have to be OHS. I am doing great! I'm back to doing more exercise than I did before surgery: trainer 2X a week, swim 3X a week and walk. I sleep better and watch what I eat. I have a new lease on life and enjoy every single day with my family and friends. I have and will continue to share and talk to future heart valve patients. This website helped me to get information, helped me organize my thoughts in a journal format, helped me connect with others with the same medical issue, and gave me hope. Thanks everyone!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Des Moines, Iowa
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My surgery date is:
February 7, 2022
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Aortic Aneurysm
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My surgery was:
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Mackram Eleid
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