Steven's Journal

The worse is over !!! Surgery 5/21/18 at Eisenhower Health, Rancho Mirage, CA 17 days ago !! from surgery to cardiac ICU ... 1 night . transferred to cardiac care unit 2 nights. Dr Matthew Powers, surgeon and all staff at Eisenhower were amazing .. My thanks to all. Post surgery, felt like an 18 wheeler truck hit my chest.. starting now to feel better. have been on numerous meds.. which also caused body and sleep issues. Post OP Appointment with surgeon yesterday. said I am healing nicely and took me off all meds. Hoping my body will concur :-) Am able to get out of house, drive, etc.. but doctor said no lifting until scab over chest incision heals.. 4 / 6 weeks. Next week follow up appointment with cardiologist. Prior to AVR surgery I spent many hours on YouTube viewing all related AVR videos. Gave me an idea of what to expect. I trust I made the correct decision for the surgery, giving me many more years of (statistically) a good quality of life.

Have know that I have had a heart murmur my entire life.. never thought anything of it. Also had scarlet fever when I was 5 years old. About 4 / 5 years ago after walking up (outside) hill / incline I became very winded. Went to Doctor and had a stress test.. Doctors have been monitoring me since. Started with the eco-cardiograms last year. every 6 months. I was referred to the cardiologist in September, 2017 had another eco. After the 3rd eco last month cardiologist determined it is time for the "AVR". Had a Coronary Angiogram this past Monday performed by the cardiologist. Appointment with the Cardiothoratic Surgeon tomorrow morning 5/3/18. (First time meeting him). I "project" he will tell me the the AVR is a "go" and will schedule the surgery based on his schedule and hospital availability. All doctors associated at and surgery to be at Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California.