Introduction.

[wmk58]

Just to introduce myself.

My name is Wayne I am 64 years of age and have just been diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis. I am hoping to have my procedure this Friday I have opted for the Inspiris Resilia avr which is to be carried out at Morriston Hospital in Swansea Wales.

[wmk58]

👍👍

[Blackcatsooty]

welcome on board

I found the stay in hospital including the op was fabulous. Waiting to go to hospital was by far the worst bit, and it’s great that you are through that stage, just a few days to go.

It is a big op , but success rates are excellent. Nurses got me out of bed quite soon and asked me to move little and often. I went home by ambulance which was a blessing. Certainly needed to have someone look after me for several weeks. The lovely thing was that I could feel the recovery every couple of days. And after three months I had my life back.

Good luck for Friday.

Sooty

[wmk58 in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thank you ever so much for your reply, it's nice to hear from those that have been through the process.

[Yumz199725]

Hi and welcome Wayne. How severe is your aortic stenosis if you don't mind me asking? Mine is moderate. I'm glad there doing something about yours hope all goes well and please keep us all updated on how everything goes.

[wmk58 in reply to Yumz199725]

Hi, I'm not sure to be honest, this has all been a bit of a whirlwind from being a bit short of breath just before Christmas to having an op this week, (fingers crossed). If it means anything the surgeon said my valve was reduced to .8mm. I think it should be 23mm.

I will keep you updated.

Many thanks

Wayne

[Blackcatsooty in reply to Yumz199725]

Dear Yumz

Here in rural Essex they classified me as mild stenosis for about four or so years. Then moderate. But within a year I was changed to severe at which point they wanted me in the cardiac ward pretty quick. Hope that gives you and idea of what might be going on

Sooty

[Yumz199725 in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thanks that helps alot. I have mixed valve disease it's narrow and leaky I'm very stable at the moment my consultant sent a letter recently so very reassuring my next check up is in January 2024 so I wonder if it might of got worse by then can be a gradual progression or can be quick. So you have had yours replaced recently?

[Blackcatsooty in reply to Yumz199725]

my replacement valve was fitted 1st May 2020. So almost three years.

I became incredibly exhausted. Hardly functioning for 22hrs each day. So the op became very very urgent. I am bicuspid which I never knew. Lived a very active life for 70years. I think my stenosis worsened more rapidly because I only had two leaflets rather than three.

But I want to stress just what a wonderful op it is. And how good the cardiac wards are. Super nurses incredible surgeons. And all the support staff were brilliant.

Best wishes

Sooty

[Yumz199725 in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Wow sounds like they did it just in time. Yeah I have a bicuspid valve it's a congenital heart defect, you can read my bio to find out more. What hospital did you have it in? Aw that's so lovely makes everything so much easier when your medical team are supportive.

[Blackcatsooty in reply to Yumz199725]

yes, I had the op just in time. It was an observed op and the observers told me I had just afew weeks to live. This was during the worst of the covid when nearly all hospitals were closed. I was due to go to Colchester, Basildon,West Brompton and Harefield but they all closed to heart ops. I got entry to Cromwell, a very posh hospital that often takes in rich visitors from overseas. No overseas visitors during covid so the hospital was pretty much empty.

I am reliably told that Basildon heart hospital is pretty fabulous.

I have fond memories of the staff that cared for me. The nurses, medical assistants, chefs, engineers, cleaners all played a part, ensuring I was not left unattended for more than one hour.

Long long journey home, but the roads were empty due to covid.

Recovery was good, being a steady improvement. No rehab, which was not so clever.but I survived.

Ttfn

Sooty

[Rhinos67]

Hi Wayne

Good luck for Friday. I had replacement Aortic valve, root and then pacemaker last April/May

If you need any support then have a look at UK Aortic and Heart Defects Pre and Post surgery on Facebook, lots of support and advice

Joanne

😊

[wmk58 in reply to Rhinos67]

Thank you Joanne for your kind words.

[Hidden]

Good luck Friday mate.You'll be able to watch the game against Italy on Saturday now.No come to think of it you will be better off having a nap.😁😁

[wmk58]

Thanks for that mate, but I don't want to embarras myself by crying infront of strangers. Plus I Don want to stress my new valve.🤣

[Peter-l-h]

Best wishes - I am 16 weeks ahead of you - everybody’s recovery seems to go at their own speed. Just don’t worry if you seem to have hit a plateau - keep positive and take advantage of the rehab advice! PH

[wmk58 in reply to Peter-l-h]

Thanks Peter.

[MikeHitc]

Ive had the Inspiris resilia valve for 4 years now and still going strong