Tim's Journal

Hello Heart Family It has been a long while since I have posted here and a lot has happened since. I have had my heart valve replacement on the 16th December at The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne Victoria. The surgery was lead by Mr. Justin Negri and he and his surgery team did an amazing job. As previously posted, I was given a bovine tissue valve and I couldn't be anymore happier to have this particular type of valve. Sure, I understand that because I am young I will need to have surgery again however, this surgery was so successful I was only in hospital for 6 days. I am still in pain but I know that when I have to have the surgery again I will be able to cope because of the care of the hospital and the nurses and my wife. I am only having to take aspirin and a beater blocker agent which will be reviewed after 6 months. The aspirin is for life but I much prefer aspirin than warfarin for the rest of my life. Next week I am into cardio rehab and getting the body moving again. I am looking forward to it because at this point, I feel that I could climb the highest mountain in the world. Well, probably not right now but I know I can do it soon. I feel that after a year or more on the waiting list a weight has now been lifted off my shoulders, I feel light again, I feel focused and have I clarity (well I guess as much as I can when on pain killers) and I feel ready for 2015. I have been given the best Christmas present ever, a healthy heart and every reason to achieve all those things that I want to achieve for my future. Until next time. Tim

Well all my concerns have been alleviated and all my questions answered. I am due to have my aorta valve replaced using the Bovine tissue valve. Me and my wife are very happy with this decision and we both cannot wait for the operation to happen. I am about 6 weeks away. I have had a terrible time with finding the right Dr. to perform my operation and as of yesterday, I have found a great Dr. who as I mentioned above, alleviated all my concerns and answered all of my questions. Had I not come across this fantastic community and website, (thanks Adam) - there is no way I would have had the confidence to challenge opinion or seek other opinions. I would have been stuck with a mechanical valve, which I know is a good option but something that just wasn't for me at this point. This website has informed me to no end, provided me with the knowledge that I needed and here is what I quote "Knowledge Is Power!" My entire life I have travelled naively with my aortic condition but now, I have gained so much insight to my condition that I am no longer afraid of it or what it can potentially do. I am strong and I am ready!!!!! Thank you all for your help!!! Tim

Well, I have received news that my results for the Ross Procedure (which I had my heart set on) have come back showing that I have a vessel of my heart coming in on the wrong or "odd" angle. I have been informed that the Dr. will not perform the Ross Procedure on me because of this complication. When I heard this news I sat in my car and cried for about 35mins. I had not prepared myself to hear this news and I guess also, I have allowed my emotions to build up inside of me and not let them out. So it was a good cry in the end. Furthermore, the Dr. because of my age, will only use a mechanical valve which I am not particularly fond of, I am not keen for the blood thinning agents for the rest or my life and the thought of a mechanical valve just doesn't sit well with me. As I understand it, once you have a mechanical valve, you are stuck with it for the rest of your life??? Because I am 29, surely in my life time, technology with evolve and stem cells can be used to create my own valve? I have booked in to see another cardiologist to get his opinion before I go back to my initial cardiologist to give my final decision on a pig valve or a mechanical valve. Pros and Cons are what I need to think about. . . it just doesn't seem to end.

Me = 29 years old, have had been diagnosed with AS since birth. I have been able to keep my mind off the fact that I have a significant heart condition however, for the past 4 to 5 months, I have been living with the knowledge that I now have severe aortic stenosis. Growing up with AS I was a fairly regular, kid but I was very naive about my heart condition, I played aussie rules football, basketball and surfed a lot. For me, staying healthy was a good way to be - however, when I turned 16 - 17, I was strongly advised not to be doing such physical activities. I had struggled a lot because of this, I feel that I have missed out on many of those things that all my friends get to do, even little things such as scuba diving was not allowed for a person with a heart condition. I was lucky I guess, because not playing sport enabled me to focus on other things, things that I would not have if I was busy with sporting activities. In turn I have been able secure fantastic jobs working with Australia's most vulnerable people. In these last 4 to 5 months however, I have not been able to stop thinking my severe AS. It has driven me mad on some occasions and I have also experienced anxiety. I thought on a few occasions that I was actually having a heart attack. I am now clear of the anxiety, but I have to say, I have been someone who has cruised through life and not ever let the pressure get to me, but this year and because of my condition, it got the better of me. I am due sometime mid August for my operation. I am going to have the Ross Procedure (fingers crossed) performed by Dr. Peter Skillington in the Royal Melbourne Hospital. I am still waiting some test results to see that I can have the Ross Procedure. While waiting for these results, I have thought about the fact that if I cannot have the Ross Procedure, would a mechanical valve be a good option for me? I am not sure, any advice would be good - I think, that I would prefer a animal (pigs valve) replacement. The mechanical valve just doesn't sit well with me. Anyway, my first journal - I look forward to meeting new people and engaging in this community. TJK