Member Profiles
AIDA
For many years I had been told that I had
Aortic Stenosis. I started the new century by being told I needed an aortic
valve replacement. I was 76 years old and could not imagine going through open
heart surgery at that age. I did not want to end up an invalid dependent on
anyone for help to continue living. I told my cardiologist I would not consider
the surgery but he made an appointment for me with the surgeon to discuss my
situation. I kept insisting I was too old and asked the surgeon if he had any
patients who had been that age when he did the surgery and could I speak to them
to see how they felt about it. He had his nurse contact some people and gave me
the phone numbers of those who said they would speak with me. They all told me
to go ahead but actually no one had the surgery when they were in their 70's.
They were all in the 60's at the time of surgery but were still well in their
70's. During 2001 my primary physician tried to advise me to go !
ahead with the surgery. He said there was no one else who knew my physical
condition better than he and he felt I should come through the surgery with no
problems. I had been in contact with the valve replacement webpage where I feel
sure I met Hensylee and many others who buoyed my spirits up. By November 2001
I decided OK I'd do it. I spoke to my cardiologist and asked if I could wait
until January since I had two grandchildren whose birthdays were in December and
I would like to be at their birthday parties. He told me it was my choice.
December 14th as I walked outside my house I had trouble breathing. Suddenly I
got dizzy and passed out. My husband was waiting for me in the car to go
someplace. I got up got into the car and went to the ER. They had to come to the
car with a wheelchair because I had no strength to walk. They found I was anemic
and started me off with 6 pints of blood. My cardiologist kept me in the
hospital until my strength was built up and on December 21st I went into
surgery. I don't remember the first 24 hours but my daughter tells me the
surgeon said all was well. In addition to the aortic valve replacement he had
done a double bypass. The next day I was taken to my room and although I was
uncomfortable from the surgery in my chest and both legs, I was not in pain and
awake and aware of all!
ng on around me. I spent one week recuperating from the surgery and then went to
a rehabilitation convalescent hospital for a week. It is now three years later
and I am now 80 years old and still capable of taking care of my home and my
husband who is now an invalid. My mind is still alive (no pump head).
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