Heading towards TAVR

[jersey-jazz]

I am elderly and have metastatic breast cancer which is kept under control with chemotherapy, targeted therapy and more ever-changing cancer drugs. Six and a half years ago, when first diagnosed, my heart was okay. Now, it seems it is a candidate for TAVR. As it stands now, if they clear up a flood in the facility, I will be meeting with two surgeons and their medical staff in five days, on Monday, 9 January. The situation is not severe. It is moderate stenosis, as far as I can figure out. Yet, I went to Columbia Presbyterian Medical facility and was told by one surgeon who does repairs that it was too diseased for repair. It needed to be replaced. When asked by my friend how long it took to get from healthy to diseased, he said six or seven years. Does anyone know of a TAVR done on a diseased heart with moderate as opposed to severe stenosis? If I need this TAVR, I think that I want it before it is too severe. I would appreciate any input. I am getting increasingly nervous about this and want to prepare as best I can for this most important meeting. Thank you in advance.

[jersey-jazz]

I am answering my own questions because since I wrote the above note, I have done much reading and have learned so much more. I am less anxious and looking forward to the meeting. It has been postponed till next Thursday 12 January. Please wish me luck.

[Chrissiesurfergirl]

My 88 year old mum had TAVR a week ago. She was terrified. However all went smoothly, no pain and she said it was a similar process to having an angiogram. The anxiety caused by waiting around is the worst part.

[jersey-jazz in reply to Chrissiesurfergirl]

Dear Chrissysurfgirl------Thank you for answering and with such good news about your mother. That is such a nice thing to read about and I am sure you are all so happy that everything was so smooth. Please give my congratulations to your mom. I hope that her recovery goes smoothly and without too much pain. Your mom is my senior by two or three years. I am eighty-five pushing eighty six pretty hard, my birthday being 16 April. I hope to hear all the plans for me, in two days, on Thursday. I will let you know what they decided.