JR s health update

[Carole S]

recently I've been in hospital twice where they discovered 2 heart problems, a bicuspid stenosed aortic valve, and a resurgence of my old palpitations problem triggered by a week of antibiotics destroying my microbiome to put it politely lol, being taken off my old betablocker and replaced by more modern version upset the apple cart as they gave me too low a dose hence a week from hell and 2nd hospital trip
Its not AF its some electrical misfiring apparently maybe due to electrolyte imbalances

I'm now facing the prospect of full open heart surgery to replace the aortic valve within the next 6 months so
But first a full CT scan of arteries aorta etc in case "more tidying up is needed"
I'm a bit in shock now !!
Anyone any experience of similar or been through open heart becoming members of what they call the zipper club
Hoping while I wait and when the meds sort out the palpitations I will be able to reassemble my erg currently in bits in the spare room lol

Best wishes Carole

[Draggon]

Wow, Carole! That's a lot to take in. I don't have any great advice, just wanted to let you know there's a semi-anonymous caring soul out in the world wishing you the best on your recovery journey!

[plummy]

As Draggon has said, there's a lot to unpack there. The good news is, they have what appears to be an accurate diagnosis and there's a definitive path forward. I've has tests for "electrical misfiring" over the years (this year and 12 years ago) and was advised "not to worry" but it always niggles at the back of my mind.

Re a possible valve replacement, I believe this is relatively straight forward these days and even Arnold Swarzenegger has had one - so when you're all zipped back up again you can maybe change your forum name to Terminator Carole

[Carole S]

Thanks both yr very kind
That name change sounds fun

[JonT]

Sending you my very best wishes Carole.

[Carole S]

Thank you Jon
An experimental 500 m for me today just to see
So far ok
A lazier day tmrw

[stumpy]

Hi Carole that's a lot to take in, but as plummy says your future treatment is in expert hands and ongoing. I really wish you well keep strong girl.

[Carole S]

Thank you so much yr very kind

[duffyoz]

Wow - that's a lot going on.

Tell that surgeon you got a lot of living to do yet and he/she better be doing his best work. Just making sure they know your positivity.

Sending all the support from down under.

Cheers, Lesley

[Carole S]

Thanks so much Lesley
Xx

[Carole S]

Bit of a shock as we thought I was prob going to have op sometime next year ish
but NO surgeon hopes I'll have a new valve before THIS Christmas depending on strikes and how many emergencies come onto surgeons list
!!

[paulgould]

Hi Carole

Sorry to hear about your woes but it is good news that they are able to do the valve replacement quickly.
Speaking from recent experience, if a procedure is recommended it is definitely the way forward( I had an ICD implanted after my cardiac arrest and I am probably at my fittest and healthiest for the last 10 years)

Paul G

[Carole S]

Thanks Paul good to hear from you and take yr recovery as an inspiration on what can be achieved when out the other side of it all...
Had my preop assessment last wk but unfortunately my iron levels too low to go ahead at mo so have 3 wks of pills then check again