About Me (In My Own Words)
I learned during a routine check-up, at the age of 53, that I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and that the valve was regurgitating. I was also diagnosed with a dilated root and ascending aortic aneurysm.
Through this site, I learned of Dr Accola in Orlando, which is only about an hour's drive from home. Dr Accola is amazing!
Through further research on my own, I chose to go with a tissue valve, the Inspiris Resilia. A portion of my aorta was also replaced with a Dacron tube.
Pre-surgery I had no fear as I have an "it-is-what-it-is" attitude about most things. I also knew that should something go horribly wrong during surgery, I would never know. Not a bad way to go, compared to a conscience death...IMO
Post-surgery on the other hand has been a struggle. I was completely unprepared for the psychological effects. I've become over-emotional and have started suffering from panic attacks. For me, these have been the worst after effects of the surgery by far. Secondary to that, I was also unprepared for the near crippling back pain. There's some pain in my sternum, but not bad considering.
Nearly four weeks into recovery the back pain has mostly subsided. The panic attacks are fewer as the days go by.
What feels best to me now is doing the things we normally take for granted, such as driving a car. I drove myself for the first time yesterday and that turned out to be a better form of mood therapy than any drug.
I'm hoping the trend of improvement continues and that in a few weeks, these struggles will become a distant memory.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Lake Panasoffkee, FL
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My surgery date is:
February 19, 2019
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Aortic Aneurysm
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
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