About Me (In My Own Words)
April, 2015, I discovered Adam's book and the heart valve community because my 46 year old son has congenital aortic stenosis. We believed he would need the bicuspid aortic valve replaced within a year. Instead, November, 2016, I had a follow up Echo for heart murmur and the results indicated I had severe aortic stenosis. My primary care doctor said I must be followed by a cardiologist...I didn't think a thing about it and made an appointment with my son's cardiologist.
February 15, 2017 I had a TEE...Dr. Mollod, cardiologist leaned over my bedside after the TEE and said, "your aortic valve is bicuspid like your son's...you need open heart surgery within two months...the aortic valve is calcified...looks like a cement block!!" The emotional roller coaster started then😲Me? How could it be me...I go Monday-Friday mornings to group exercise; Cardio Flex, Fit Ball, Zumba.
..I walk a 92 lb dog and a 70 lb. one...I am retired eleven years but run and work circles around anybody! I believed I was asymptomatic ....gut wrenching shock...you likely know what I mean...My first response was anger. I know that is part of the grief process.
Since I have read Adam's fabulous book three times and knew about Dr. Kevin Accola, Orlando, I called and my appointment was March 6, 2017...Michael Butkus, PA for Dr. Accola talked with my husband and me an hour...Dr. Accola came in and was unable to open the CD of the TEE...I was with Dr. Accola for a second opinion...My hope was he would see not so serious a situation in my TEE CD...his office requested a a second CD from Sarasota Memorial...it could not be viewed either...how many people does this happen to, I wondered...I had the cathertization to check coronary arteries March 15, 2017 at Sarasota Memorial...they were basically fine, thank goodness! Meanwhile, no second opinion...So I have given up on that...I do not want to have another TEE and Cath. in Orlando, 3 hours away (and in traffic hell in Orlando)...March 30, 2017, I had an appoitment with recommended cardiothorasic surgeon, Dr. Hoffberger in Sarasota...he has been doing valve surgeries for a number of years. He appeared competent and said he may also have to shave down the septum that had become too tall from overwork...He thinks he can do the valve replacement with minimally invasive surgery....I have told him I am not pushing that because I think a better view of everything could be had from a full sternotomy....plus that would be quicker than working through a tiny incision...I figure it would take less time and get me off the heart lung pump quicker...and I could care less if I have a scar! I just want this done fast, correctly and then on to recovery...I did tell him he could make his own decision on what was best...I will have a bovine valve....I am realizing I may be able to influence this process but I cannot control it and that is a major issue for me....Control...Unless something else comes up to change the surgery date...it has now been made...April 24, 2017🤤💟
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Bradenton, Florida
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My surgery date is:
April 24, 2017
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Jonathon Hoffberger
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My hospital is:
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
