Jessica's Journal

Hello Everyone! I am new to this community, but I was hoping for some guidance and support. I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and I was just informed last week that I now have moderate-severe aortic valve stenosis with trace aortic valve regurgitation. My cardiologist told me that I will need to most likely have surgery within the year. Enter anxiety and fear! I knew this was a possibility, but I was hoping it was further down the road. I am 48 years old. My biggest concern is my 10 year old and a 14 year old. I am trying to stay positive, but the fear usually gets the best of me. I am so scared and feel very much alone because I haven't shared this news with others yet. I have been busy trying to research hospitals and doctors and the different options for procedures and it feels like a lot. I have my first appointment with a surgeon on Monday, 7/29 so right now my focus is to get questions written down that I want to ask. This surgeon is local and I don't think I am going to have the surgery here. I live in Vermont and I am looking at Mass. General and Brigham and Women's. Does anyone have experience at either of these hospitals? Any recommendations for surgeons for Aortic valve replacement? Any thoughts on questions I should be asking? I am sorry for such a long post and so many questions. I would really appreciate any help you could provide!! Thank you in advance!