Life is Full Of Surprises!

I've prepped myself mentally and physically for knee surgery Monday. Friday I visited the cardiologist expecting to get a clearance for surgery. NOT. Now that the "stunned" is a bit worn off I'm posting here. Instead of knee surgery I'll be looking at heart valve replacement. Seems that my heart mummer has worsend considerably in this last year and knee surgery is too risky until I have the valve replaced. It's been a rough few months here. I'll be meeting with a heart surgeon this coming week and be setting up a date for surgery.

Geez, when it rains it pours.

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Originally Posted by Bike Writer

I've prepped myself mentally and physically for knee surgery Monday. Friday I visited the cardiologist expecting to get a clearance for surgery. NOT. Now that the "stunned" is a bit worn off I'm posting here. Instead of knee surgery I'll be looking at heart valve replacement. Seems that my heart mummer has worsend considerably in this last year and knee surgery is too risky until I have the valve replaced. It's been a rough few months here. I'll be meeting with a heart surgeon this coming week and be setting up a date for surgery.

Geez, when it rains it pours.

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OMG! Thank goodness they found that before the knee surgery, hang in there! Sending warm thoughts and healing prayers your way.

Oh man. So sorry to hear that! Hope they get you fixed up soon and without problems.

Wow, what a shock! Hope it all gets sorted out and you feel better asap.

I'm sorry you got that unexpected news! In the hopes that hearing of good outcomes makes you feel better, I will share a couple.

I have two friends, both in their late 40's, early 50's, who got the same news. One went with the replacement option that does not require taking coumadin (pig valve instead of artificial, I think?) because he is very active and did not want to be on coumadin. He is doing great and was back to his kayaking, wave boarding, etc. by the summer after he had it done in Jan. The doctors ended up being able to repair my other friend's valve instead of replacing it. He had it done in the spring and just did 75 miles on the MS Ride in New Bern.

Many of these are done, and they achieve very good outcomes. Best of luck!

Keep us posted, Bike Writer. It's best this was found now, and not when they were operating on your knee.

When it rains it pours, doesn't it? It's good that found it now, rather than later when it was causing you problems with your heart or lungs!

Good luck with the surgery!

oh my word! What a crazy year you are having. I am sure it will all go fine, keep us posted on dates etc. It's almost a shame they can't do the knee at the same time but I know they'll be sound reasons for not doing that. Still, you will be in terrific shape for cycling and for life in general once it's all done.

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Originally Posted by Grits

I'm sorry you got that unexpected news! In the hopes that hearing of good outcomes makes you feel better, I will share a couple.

I have two friends, both in their late 40's, early 50's, who got the same news. One went with the replacement option that does not require taking coumadin (pig valve instead of artificial, I think?) because he is very active and did not want to be on coumadin. He is doing great and was back to his kayaking, wave boarding, etc. by the summer after he had it done in Jan. The doctors ended up being able to repair my other friend's valve instead of replacing it. He had it done in the spring and just did 75 miles on the MS Ride in New Bern.

Many of these are done, and they achieve very good outcomes. Best of luck!

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This is good to hear, thank you. I have a niece who is only 4 years younger than I am and her husband and I are the same age, he had 4 way bypass (at way too young of an age!) in December and was back with his golf league this summer. The surgeries aren't the same but both are open heart so he will be giving me pointers along the way.

Oh dear!
Hang in there.

Thank you to all for your warm thoughts and wishes. As Crankin and Catrin have pointed out I am quite relieved that this was discovered before hand instead of while on the operating table going into cardiac failure. Yikes. I'd like Thursday to get here soon so I can find out more details.

Thank you again, you women of TE!

Yikes! Wishing you all the best with the surgery and an easy recovery. Life certainly IS full of surprises...not all of them welcome!

Healing thoughts,
Emily

Wishing you all the best. I am so happy they found this before your knee surgery. Keeping you in my thoughts.

Take it easy and I wish you the best possible outcome with your surgery and recovery. Ditto about finding it before the knee surgery.

Thank goodness they caught it before you went under for knee surgery. Best wishes for a smooth valve procedure and a speedy recovery.

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Originally Posted by Bike Writer

This is good to hear, thank you. I have a niece who is only 4 years younger than I am and her husband and I are the same age, he had 4 way bypass (at way too young of an age!) in December and was back with his golf league this summer. The surgeries aren't the same but both are open heart so he will be giving me pointers along the way.

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A few months ago my 53 year old cousin had a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery. I just saw him this weekend and he's doing great. Daily walks and bike rides have been an important part of his recovery.

Best of luck with your surgery.

Good luck Bikewriter! Let us know how you are recovering... meanwhile you can dream bike dreams till you are back in the saddle...

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Originally Posted by ny biker

A few months ago my 53 year old cousin had a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery. I just saw him this weekend and he's doing great. Daily walks and bike rides have been an important part of his recovery.

Best of luck with your surgery.

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Thanks NY Biker! Another young'un. Modern medicine is a wonderful thing!

On Thursday I met the heart surgeon. I like and him and have confidence in him. I'll have a cardiac catheterization on this coming Thursday followed by valve replacement surgery the following week. There are three different options for the valve and he went over all the pros and cons of each one. It's my decision but also dependant on the circumstances they will find when they get in there so he advised to have a backup choice.

This is big and scary and I find in the last two days I can burst into tears for no apparent reason and it can stop as suddenly as it comes on. I have my faith and a strong relationship with my creator and that sustains me. The support of family and friends and online friends too adds to my comfort.

Thank you all.

Now I know why no matter how much I practiced hills there were some I just could not conquer. Next year I'll be climbing them all!

I know how scary this is, but I wanted to let you know that my dad had a cardiac cath many years ago, and he was like a new man afterword. He had become really grumpy and ill tempered over the years, which must have been caused by the heart problem, because after the surgery, he got his joy of life back, and was a real sweetheart from then on.

Big hugs to you. I know you're going to make it up those hills!

I was pretty terrified for my 'non-surgical invasive cardiac procedure.'
I'm glad you have a good support system and that you like your doc.

Keep your eyes on the prize of pushing up those hills (and all the rest of the good stuff).

Yep, my DH was out riding 5 days after having angioplasty and 2 stents put in. Probably not what most people would (or could) do, but he hasn't stopped since.

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Originally Posted by Bike Writer

Now I know why no matter how much I practiced hills there were some I just could not conquer. Next year I'll be climbing them all!

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No doubt! SO glad you caught this before the knee procedure. Things do seem to come all at once, but it sounds like you have a great support system to help you get through to recover and being back on your bike.

Thinking good thoughts for you this week!

Wow! I agree, waiting is the worst. Just had a cancer scare that turned out to be negative but the week before while waiting for the surgery was the worst of it. Trusting your dr. is huge--glad you have on you can have confidence in. Best of luck and lots of good thoughts coming your way!

I'll be thinking of you, and of all those hills with your name on. I can see why you'd be nervous about it, it's a big deal after all and I'm sure a few tears are absolutely normal. How long will you be in hospital for?

Hang in there Bike Writer. I had my aortic valve replaced a few years ago (when I was 49) and it's amazing how much better you feel when everything is working like it should! I went with a porcine valve because of the Coumadin issue, fwiw.

Wow Muriene, your dad is a rare individual! When I had the restaurant I had a chef who was also your dad's age and he built a second home up north by himself. However that was NOT after just having major cardiac surgery!

Craknin your DH sounds like one determined man!

Redrhodie, that's not something I've ever thought of, however chronic pain can do that to people, I'm glad he's enjoying a much better quality of life.

Zen Biker, it's encouraging to hear your story. I'm delighted you've had that much success.

Hebe, Thursday I'll be going in for the day but they said to pack a bag in case I have to stay overnight. Next Friday is the big day for the valve replacement, Oct 5.

Thanks to all for your encouraging stories and well wishes.

That cath went great yesterday! Yay! No blocked arteries, this means that next week the surgeon will have the valve replacement to be concerned with only and won't be doing any bypasses. Since they used an artery in my wrist and not my groin I even went on a short bike ride today about town. It was homecoming parade today and I rode my bike to the bank since the streets were closed off, anyway, that was my excuse to get out for a ride.

Next Friday is the big day and I'm 100% certain I won't be riding a bike the next day.:)

I know losing the election was pretty upsetting, but do you think to yourself "I'm glad I don't have to worry about city council stuff with all this going on" sometimes?

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Originally Posted by Melalvai

I know losing the election was pretty upsetting, but do you think to yourself "I'm glad I don't have to worry about city council stuff with all this going on" sometimes?

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Oh yeah I do! Some things are blessings in disguise. :)

So far so good! I'll be thinking of you next Friday.