About Me (In My Own Words)
This is my third valve replacement in the past 18 years. Unbeknownst to me I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve. It was discovered when I became ill with a low grade fever that lingered over a long period of time. I had developed a heart murmur and was soon diagnosed with bacterial endocarditis. After 5 weeks of antibiotic IV therapy I was fully cured. I later learned the a bicuspid valve is more susceptible to bacteria latching on to it from the blood stream. In my case the bacteria was a strep type typically found in the mouth. It was determined that the bacteria entered my blood stream through an infected tooth. At the time, damage to the valve was minimal and my murmur was periodically checked by my cardiologist. Five years later, I was again diagnosed with bacterial endocarditis. This time more damage occurred and I be came a candidate for valve replacement. The final decision occurred on my 50th birthday when I was so short of breath, I couldn't blow out the candles, there was only one on the cake, not 50. Shortly after, I went in for surgery. That was valve number one.
I decided to replace my aortic valve with a tissue valve since I didn't want to limit my activities with blood thinners. I was told that these type of valves last 10 to 15 years, mine only lasted nine.
Again, the second go around I chose a tissue valve because of my activities plus I was told that the older you get the longer they last. It has been nine years to the day that the second one failed. Now I am going in for a third valve replacement again with a tissue valve because of the strides they have made with transcatheter aortic valve replacement or TAVR, not that I'm a candidate at this time, but I'm looking down the road at valve number four. I may not be healthy enough for open heart surgery at that point and TAVR my be the best option, but you never know.
In any case, as a frequent flyer in the open heart world, I wanted to tell my story for those who are facing open heart surgery for the first time. The best advice I can give is to relax and not be nervous, its not that bad. If you want to know what to expect, feel free to email me. Best regards and good luck.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Livonia, Michigan
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My surgery date is:
April 27, 2016
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Atrial Fibrillation
Coronary Artery Disease
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Hiramanshu Patel
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