About Me (In My Own Words)
Well I have been putting this off for almost all year. Received a call from my primary care doctor in February telling me my bicuspid valve needed to be taken care of. His words were repair or replace. I had been told years ago that I had a bicuspid valve and simply never thought much about it. I Just had been told "it might be something you have to take care of someday." Well someday is here. My recent 2021 echo showed that my stenosis had gone from moderate to severe status in three years and finally needed to be addressed. Needless to say I was worried and scared. This past year has been a lot of thinking about this upcoming operation, what hospital to go to, what doctor to see, will I be ok... Same questions many of us here are faced with when reality sets in. For whatever reason I have slacked off on a lot of things I like to do over the spring and summer as this issue has always been in the back of my mind every single day since last February.
I did a lot of research on this great website and decided to go to Cleveland Clinic this past July for testing. The facility was quite a sight to see. I had three days of tests and I will say that everything was top shelf and very well organized. I fully intended to have my surgery there and met with Dr. Lars Svensson who I felt very confident in and one of the top heart surgeons in the U.S. The plan was for September 1st. However, I decided in late August to remain in the Boston area after having a Boston surgeon recommended to me by a close friend. A good portion of my decision also had to do with easier logistics for myself and my wife even though the trip to Cleveland was pretty easy the first time around. Boston does have some of the top hospitals in the world so I feel very confident in my choice.
Part of me is very scared but the other part is ready to move forward and put this chapter behind me. As has been said many times on this site the waiting truly is the hardest part. I wish for everyone going through this journey the best of health and thank Adam for coming up with such a great vehicle to share ideas and thoughts on. I have been reading through this site since last April or May and I am not sure why it has taken me so long to put my thoughts down onto my story. I guess it was just time to share.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Millis, MA
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My surgery date is:
November 18, 2021
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
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My surgeon is:
Dr. George Tolis
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