About Me (In My Own Words)
My story begins when I was in my mid to late forties and I first became aware of my heart condition. Before this time, I had consistently had normal to low blood pressure with little above normal. But that changed when I discovered my blood pressure had risen and was quite erratic, plus I was having heart palpitations. My GP referred me to my cardiologist, Dr. Kevin Klassen, and that is when I found out I had a bicuspid aortic valve. Had annual echocardiograms until he felt we could move to every two years due to my consistency with the echo results. But in October 2022, I had my first echo with stenosis present and that was the start of the road to surgery.
Met with Dr. Klassen in May 2023 to discuss where I was 6 months after my stenotic aortic valve echo and how my fatigue and memory issues (not directly a symptom, but symptom of considerably less energy/fatigue) could be early symptoms. My 5/26 echo was scheduled then and did not qualify me for surgery, but the 6/30 echo with contrast at HonorHealth (HH) Shea Hospital did, but it was borderline. On 7/17 I had a cardiac catheterization to see if I had any blockages, and while having none, it did confirm my qualification for surgery.
For every meeting with doctors and preadmission, I brought 10-17 questions and my last 4 weeks blood pressure log. I am thankful I prepared for each session as there are many factors needing clarification I addition to the questions you think of when you are in the consultation.
Met with Dr. Robert Riley and his team of four for over an hour on Tuesday 7/25 and it was an outstanding consultation. I feel extremely comfortable with his team after the genuinely open conversation. They heard me loud and clear that I want to have my surgery to replace my stenotic bicuspid aortic valve as soon as possible because I am physically uncomfortable with the symptoms as well as mentally frustrated with feeling this way along with the wait. At this time, my CT scan was ordered for 8/11.
When Dr. Riley's office contacted me with my surgery date of 8/28, I was thankful, but frustrated that I would have to wait another month and began the process of getting a second opinion. After watching the Heart Valve Surgery 8/27 webcast on "The Lifetime Management of Heart Valve Disease" I became aware of the capabilities of a "center of excellence" or a hospital tied with a university, hearing Dr. Johnston's story. Using the surgeon finder tool, I was able to find two doctors in the Los Angeles area to pursue, with LA being an hour plane ride, 6 hours’ drive in car, and home to two of my three sons and their family.
USC Keck Medical Center called me the morning after my submittal on Heart Valve Surgery.com Surgeon finder and my support coordinator told me they could arrange for a sooner surgery than 8/28, but I would need to meet with Dr. Baker the following Tuesday, 8/8. Dr. Baker opened with “How about Adam Pick and Heart Valve Surgery.com that he started. What a resource to patients like you.” I felt like I was in a special club as I was meeting with the chief cardiac surgeon at Keck. Dr. Baker had all my test information and told me that I would need to have the sternotomy to limit the risk of aortic aneurism and the risk of a calcification on my valve coming loose and causing a stroke. I agreed that this was reasonable and asked for when I could have surgery. "How about next Thursday, 8/17" and I almost fell out of my chair. I moved forward with this surgery option analyzing the multiple factors between the doctors and recovery details. But I could not make my decision until my meeting with Dr. Riley to find out about the CT Scan findings and my surgery type.
Met with Dr. Riley and his team for over an hour on Tuesday 8/15 to discuss the CT scan finding and his determination for my surgery type. He explained that I will have the sternotomy due to the small size of my aortic valve and aortic root, drawing a picture to illustrate the capabilities open to him with open heart surgery.
Decided to go with Dr. Riley as I preferred being discharged to home instead of to a hotel. Also, the number of days between the surgeries was only eleven, so it became not as significant of a matter to stay with my later one in Scottsdale. Dr. Riley stated my recovery could be 3-5 weeks and I might be able to start back to work in three weeks if I initially worked part time to build up my stamina.
Tomorrow, 8/24 is my Pre-Admission Testing at HH Shea. I understand I will get a big binder with information for my surgery. Planning to bring my questions and list of what to bring to the hospital (thank you Grace!). I just found out that a friend of mine from Mesa just had his sternotomy at USC Keck but with Dr. Starnes (1-2% worldwide population have bicuspid aortic valve). Heard from PCP office that the first 3 days are the worst and to make sure I have my medication every 6 hours - set an alarm. Now I am researching helpful tips for Greg, my husband, for while I am at the hospital and when I come home.
Preparation is key for all things important in your life and your open heart surgery is one of them. But even the best preparation and plans cannot expect the unexpected like your surgeon has an emergency on the day of your surgery. Prayers for Dr. Riley, his team, and the emergency patient and his family. Now is the time for more prayer, more relaxation, and more fun. I will have my aortic valve replaced, eventually, and my new surgery date is Thursday, August 31st at 1 p.m.. Patience is the name of the game.
Thanks to Heart Valve Surgery.com and Adam Pick for this amazing resource and community!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
-
I am from:
Scottsdale, AZ
-
My surgery date is:
August 31, 2023
-
I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
-
My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
-
My surgeon is:
Dr. Robert Riley
-
My hospital is:
HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center
