About Me (In My Own Words)
UPDATE: In early November I went to Cleveland Clinic for extensive testing and I had a second opinion in late November. I was told ultimately that I needed a mitral valve repair/replacement, a tricuspid valve repair/replacement, an aortic valve replacement (repair highly unlikely they said), a coronary bypass of 3-4 arteries, and possibly a "completion" of a mini-maze procedure that I'd had back in 2022 for afib. I turned 64 in September, I'm not overweight, and I exercise and try to live a healthy lifestyle. I'm basically asymptomatic. Needless to say, I'm wondering how this has happened to me. I'm scared and it's so hard to subject yourself to what they call an "elective" surgery. I have all the confidence in the world in the surgeon I've chosen, but hearing you have a 10% chance of not getting through this is terrifying. I just keep hoping I'll wake up from this and it will all be a terrible nightmare and I can get on with my life. WHY?????
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I'm really just beginning my valve journey and praying for support and information with this group. My battle started on my 61st birthday (September 2021) almost 3 years ago. I was diagnosed with persistent atrial fibrillation and my heart rate was between 180-200 bpm at that time. I had an angiogram that showed 100% blocked right coronary artery with good collaterals, so no stents. Fast forward to April 2022; I had a Wolf Mini Maze at Houston Debakey Heart Center to correct the afib because I'd heard so many stories of failed ablations. I really wanted all this to be over. At the time of my surgery, the Mitral and Tricuspid valves were at a moderate regurge stage. I was told to monitor. After about 8 months I developed on and off aflutter which required an ablation after all. This was completed in March of 2024. I've felt pretty good until just recently and I had another echo only to find out today (on my portal, not from my cardiologist) that I now have a severe mitral valve and a moderate to severe tricuspid. Bottom line, I'm scared and I'm trying to do my research to see what I need to do next; repair, replace, best surgeons, etc. I am in the Tampa FL area but I'm willing to go where ever I need to go for the best surgeons. I just feel lost right now and a bit like a time bomb. I still exercise most every day and feel good. So confused.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Bradenton, FL
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My surgery date is:
April 2, 2025
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Mitral Regurgitation
Tricuspid Regurgitation
Atrial Fibrillation
Coronary Artery Disease
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Mitral Valve Repair
Tricuspid Valve Repair
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
Maze Procedure
