Gladys's Posts

I had a good visit today with my surgeon. The outcome was that we wait for surgery. There are two reasons why. #1 He feels I'm too young #2 I am not eligible for a repair.....I would have to have my valve replaced. The reason why is because both of my mitral valve leaflets prolapse and both are extremely thick. Those 2 combinations he said make it extremely difficult and pretty much impossible to repair. He said he felt that if my current condition could be monitored for as long as possible we could postpone surgery and that would be the best outcome for my life. He then said that while I wait cardiac surgery will continue to advance even more over the years and my options could be much better. He said that my 2 options right now would be a porcine valve which could last between 10-15 years and then have to be replaced again or a mechanical valve which would last a lifetime except that I would have to be on a blood thinner which he said opens up a whole other can of worms. While I was in his office he spoke to my Cardiologist and suggested that I be put on a Beta Blocker medication to lessen the pressure on my heart. He also thinks that may help my Ventricular PVC's. While starting the Beta Blocker he wants me to go through Cardiac Rehab so I can get back to exercising but be monitored to make sure everything is working the way it should and I can have the confidence that I won't pass out dead. I feel pretty good about our visit and guess I have now entered the phase of the waiting game. He said it could be 6 months from now, a year from now, 5 years from now, 10 years from now...or longer. He said he hopes to see me when I'm old. So for now I can breathe and not be concerned about surgery for the moment and be grateful that they will be monitoring me.