About Me (In My Own Words)
Hello. At the age of 9 months I was diagnosed with Polio and placed in incubator for treatment before returning home. I grew up knowing I had a heart murmur as early as 16 yrs. of age. It remained silent and not noticeable to anyone really up until around 2003. The Dr. at the time advised me that in approximately 10 yrs.. I would probably need a valve replacement.
I began showing minor symptoms in 2008 and was sent for my first echocardiogram which showed a mild diagnosis for an aortic stenosis. I was largely asymptomatic from then on up until 2009 when I had been in for a routine check-up and my Dr. heard a difference in the sound of the murmur and noticed I was a bit out of breath. An echocardiogram showed I was now at Moderate. By 2012 the calcification had gone to moderate severe so I was referred to my first cardiologist who informed me that surgery to replace the aortic valve was in the near future. I was monitored and when the next echocardiogram took place I had gone to severe. My symptoms up until this point were still only mostly shortness of breath upon exertion and I had begun being a little off balance at times.
I have been seeing the cardiologist and a wait and watch regimen up until early this year. The last echo showed the increase in calcification was at a point where further tests were needed. I had an angiogram done on May 30th. which fortunately showed no other blockages or problems other than the Aortic Valve Stenosis.
I was then set up with a consult for surgery which took place on June 5th. It went well and both my husband and I came away with all of the questions we had gathered answered. My surgeon is going to replace my valve with a Bovine tissue valve on Aug. 20th. I have my pre-op on Aug. 15th. I am looking forward to having this done as the onset of symptoms have been unnerving to say the least as many people on this site have shared. Finding this community has been a Blessing! My goal here is to learn from everyone's experiences as much as I can and hope that I can lend a hand at making their experiences easier as well. In this community we are all in this together and
I am thankful for it.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Manteca, California
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My surgery date is:
August 20, 2014
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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. John Swanson
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My hospital is:
Kaiser Permanente Cardiac Center Santa Clara CA
