About Me (In My Own Words)
Hows it goin. I went in for Aortic valve replacement, due to a bicuspid valve, and that went ok, but had major complications, and they were not sure what was wrong. My old bicuspid valve was, shaped quite oval, unlike the new perfectly shaped biological replacement valve. The way the surgeon explained it after, was that for the new valve to fit, it caused a pull, on one of my major arteries, causing it to block, and release over and over. They could not get my heart to work correctly because of this. i was out for 6 days, total, and my chest was open for 3 days! I kept fading, when the artery would block, then it would let go, and they thought i was ok. Then i started fading again, so they did an emergency angiogram, and found the blockage. Then opened up my heart, a second time, for an emergency CABG. 4 times to the OR for surgery (one was a return, we think hes ok now ) and then one for Emergency CABG. And one to do the close up. It took me 3 more days to wake up. I had delerium too, so that made for some interesting conversations, to say the least! They were not sure i would wake up, or if i would know my wife. I am lucky to be alive!
I have been mending for a little over a year now. I had right side heart failure, and afib for a couple months after. I was put back into sinus Rhythm on Sept. 9 with Cardioversion. Several trips to emergency for problems, and still working the bugs out. Seems like i have taken every drug there is for the heart! Haha. ...I got Sleep Apnea, RLS, Nerve Damaged left leg
Drop foot, and my big toe dont work worth a hoot! All my muscles were atrophied, and so I needed to rebuild... me.
I have asked god to help me too many times to count. He has seen me through every single time. He is my rock, that has given me my awesome wife to help me every step of the way.
I like to say i am like a hurdle jumper. I get over one, and slam into another. Sometimes i just bash through it. Sometimes go around. Life is not perfect, you do what you can, and move on forward! I now hit the gym or Physio 5 days a week. And getting better all the time.
I have a new respect for health, and the great nurses and doctors, that saved my life!! You can work all you want, and make all your plans, but.. when your heath says take a right turn,.. your taking a right turn!! I now have a different life, and have not returned to work yet.
That is me and my wife playing a round of golf a couple days ago! And we went kayaking also before that!
I would be happy to share my thoughts, experience, ups, downs, help, encouragement with anyone!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Rocky Mountain House, Canada
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My surgery date is:
June 28, 2021
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
