About Me (In My Own Words)
I have had high blood pressure since I was 12. Normal weight, active etc..
Played sports all through junior high and high school.
I have always been active and never had any signs of any heart issues. I have kept my BP as under control as I can with meds.
I recently got remarried, and with new Insurance a new Dr. More test.. EKG, ECHO, Nuclear Stress test, CT scan.
So here I am just turned 44 and and echo revealed that I had a BAV that was leaking. Not severe enough at that point to have it replaced and no symptoms at all.
A subsequent echo revealed what they thought might be a coarctation, or an interrupted arch. So another ct scan.. still unsure about the coarctation, or the interruped arch, but for sure an aneurysm 6.5. Time for surgery the next day supposedly.
I had so many questions that my cardiologist couldn't answer because that was the surgeons area, that I demanded to meet with the surgeon. My cardiologists seemed irritated that I wanted to meet with the surgeon before checking in or moving forward. A couple of hours later an impromptu meeting was arranged. The surgeon, said not only did I need surgery but that he wasn't the right guy for it. My issues were so complex that he didn't think he should do it. He told me to get an appt at USC with Dr. Starnes.
2 weeks later (the day before Thanksgiving) I was able to meet with Dr. Starnes. He said he was comfortable with what needed to be done and that it most likely would need to be done over 2 surgeries. We scheduled it for the following Wed. (12/3/14)
I was in shock... 44.. other than high bp.. no symptoms.. I worked our regularly 3-5 times a week. Cardio and heavy lifting (300+ bench) How could I need this? I was freaking out, to say the least.
The following Monday 12/1/14 I checked in for a pre-op angio and more tests prior to surgery. The angio was pretty much a waste, and a very un pleasant procedure. I had both arms and one leg used but because of the coarctation all 3 tries were unsuccessful.
The night before the surgery I was told by the surgeon his biggest concern was stroke and that we would canulate me from several different areas to try to aleviate that. That was really hard to hear. Moments later a resident comes in to have me sign the release. She goes over all the things that can go wrong, stroke, paralysis, damaged vocal cord nerves etc.. OVERWHELMING to say the least.
I am a big guy 6'.. football player build etc.. I melted.. and I hate say this but since this whole process started months before I had them each time more tests were run. Seemed like I just got more bad news each time.
The next morning I was rolled to pre-op with my wife in tow. I was shaved from neck to knees by a great guy, but none the less it really bothered me. Sure I have shaved all my hair before, but never from a bed with an audience by a stranger.
I had never been in the hospital, had surgery etc. I am a private and modest person, and each and every time someone lifted my gown up or took it off I died a little.
So we finish up and get rolled in to surgery.. I was feeling so scared.. and all alone.. and worried I wouldn't wake up.. and very nervous about the breathing tube. I am a huge gagger, and expressed to the surgeon, the OR staff, the anesthesiologist etc .. my concerns.. First off about really being asleep before the tube goes in, and getting it out asap.
So after about 7 hrs.. I was done.. and back in ICU or so I am told. I was out for sure from the surgery. The next am the anesthesiologist comes by about 6am I guess and I have been sedated all night. They determine that since I have a small airway and they had a hell of a time getting the tube in the first place they would just leave it in. However they woke me up and for the next 36 hrs I had the tube in gagging... writing notes on a whiteboard. I had nurses playing with the tubes so my lips wouldn't get a sore, yet making me gag so bad I was going nuts. I wrote on the white board screw my lips I need to stop gagging. I even told the via the white board I was going to use my fingers to but the tube back where it was because they couldn't figure out where to put it.
That 36 hrs was hell.. gagging.. unable to communicate etc.. it sucked.
Once the tube came out life started to get better. I moved hours later to the regular room and spend the next 5 days there for a total stay of 10 days. 2 pre surgery and 7 post. Checked out on the 10th day.
After I woke up I had the neck line, the breathing tube, the urinary catheter, 6 chest tubes for drainage, 1 leg drain etc...
The pain really wasn't an issue ever.. It hurts some, but I have a high pain tolerance. I was so glad to get the chest tubes, leg tube, catheter out. My last day there I got the last chest tube out.
I was up walking the first day out of ICU so Friday...12/5/14. No real problems. I was overweight but still athletic and strong. I was able to stand up and move without help. When the PT and I went walking he kept telling me to slow down. I carried all my chest tubes and the drains etc.. Nurse were laughing since I guess that normally isn't what happens.
I was so glad to finally leave .. USC was great, but the best hospital doesn't compare to being home.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Lakewood
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My surgery date is:
December 3, 2014
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Aortic Aneurysm
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Vauchn Starnes
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My hospital is:
USC KECK
