About Me (In My Own Words)
Doctors have told me all my life that I had a mild heart murmur and said that I would grow out of it. I moved to the Boston area in 2011 and got a new PCP at Beth Israel. Within the first 10 minutes of the first visit, he asked if I had ever had an echocardiogram. The echo found a bicuspid valve, severe aortic regurgitation, and aortic aneurysm. My next visit was with the cardiologist to discuss mechanical vs. bio-prosthesis. About a week later, I received a St Jude mechanical valve and about an inch and a half of Dacron to replace the aneurysm.
Weird symptoms after surgery:
Within 6 months of surgery:
- Temporary full loss of vision in one eye
- Short periods of vertigo/balance issues
- Fingertip/hand/face numbness
- Horrible dreams (Blood pressure meds I think)
- Fever (readmitted a few times)
Ongoing:
- Temporary partial loss of vision in one eye
- Temporary (15-30 mins) pain in the kidney area
-- Radiating pain that comes in waves
-- Internal constricting sensation
-- Usually about a 5 but can be up to 8 in pain
- Sporadic sharp pain in center/left center chest
-- Sometimes at rest, sometimes when moving
- Aching sensation from left center chest (no rhythm)
Psychological:
***Talk to someone! Find a therapist or a support group and tell them how you're feeling!***
- Working on my anxiety associated with my surgery
-- Common sensations (slight light headedness, dizziness, visual disturbances E.g. Getting up too fast) will sometimes trigger a feeling of panic that something is wrong with my heart or circulation
- Rebuilding a sense of trust that my body is still capable of A LOT after surgery.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Watertown, Massachusetts
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My surgery date is:
March 27, 2012
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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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My hospital is:
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
