Suzanne's Journal

Actually I check this site every evening and am so happy to hear about everyone\'s recovery news. Whenever I read DVB;s entries I feel I should get back in the game. My daughter\'s wedding is over, it was wonderful! So now I need to focus on my heart issues. I thought I only had AR but now I find out that I have moderate to severe aortic insufficiency, moderate mitral regurgitation, moderate tricuspid regurgitation and mild to moderate pulmonic insufficiency. My cardiologist feels I am not at the point for surgery (according to some flow chart) I really want to believe her. However, I read conflicting information on this site. I thought I read that when you have more than one valve issue you don\'t have to have symptoms (I don\') for surgery to be recommended. I am also wondering if they fix all valves at one time even if not all of them are severe. Is there enough time to do several, given that I read you can only be on life support for a certain amount of time? Should I get a second opinion from another cardiologist or go to a surgeon? I got one opinion from a surgeon and he felt there was \"significant regurgitation\" and talked about surgery If anyone has any opinions on these issues I would love to have your input.Thanks PS Cleveland Clinic has an on line chat on Wed. July 18th hope to submit some questions there.

Saw my cardiologist this morning. She gave me an EKG and clearance for my endoscopy, no script for antibiotics. Feels it is premature to see a surgeon, that my numbers do not warrant surgery at this time, and to wait and see what the Echo shows in May. I am relieved for now but it doesn\'t hurt to gather information for when the time comes. We\'ll see!

Tomorrow I have to see my cardiologist because she wouldn\'t give me clearance for an endoscopy (for another issue) unless I saw her first. I have a feeling this is not a good sign. I keep hoping I can hold out for surgery for a very long time.

This is the beginning of a journey I never wanted to take. I am 65 years old and was diagnosed with moderate to severe aortic regurgitation about four months ago. What a surprise! I have no symptoms except for that fatigue that some of you have referred to. (Doesn\'t everyone need to lay down in the afternoon? ) Forget the surgery I may face soon, I may not survive the fear that is growing inside of me because of it. (Had a mastectomy for breast cancer a few years back and don\'t remember being this scared about the pain) I have been researching all things valve surgery and stumbled across this site. I have been eagerly reading about everyone\'s progress and finally decided to get on board. Maybe you can help me with some of my questions. Nothing is set in stone yet but my second opinion, a surgeon implied sooner is better than later in terms of when I get the surgery done. What I am looking for is a surgeon/hospital that will do a minimally invasive procedure. I\'ve read about making an incision below or between the ribs as opposed to the traditional procedure. Has anyone has this done for a AVR? Could you provide details? Does anyone have experience with Deborah hospital in NJ. Thanks for your help