First of all, I wish you all a peaceful holiday, stable scans and good blood results in 2023.
Shocking to me, I have a diseased aortic valve that needs replacing! On 9 January, I will be having another scan and will be meeting with a team of doctors and other medical personnel at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in preparation for the impending replacement. No date for the surgery has been set, yet. I am horrified on many levels.
At the initial meeting, my friend asked the doctor how long my heart valve had taken to become diseased and was told that it would have been six or seven years; the exact time during which I had bilateral cancer with two different kinds and all the comcomenent (spelling?) chemical cancer-fighting treatments. I am really concerned about the possibility of the MBC cancer which is already loose in my body, being triggered to attack my heart. Does this sound cray? I really don't know.
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jersey-jazz
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you have more to fear from the drugs in regards to the heart issue. Breast cancer doesn’t move into the heart thankfully. But it’s hard to get a heart specialist to look at you here so you’re obviously viewed as worth the effort! I had gallbladder surgery well after my cancer diagnosis and I had no problem but naturally your situation is very different. I’d say that if a surgeon is willing to operate they have confidence that you will make it through and that must extend to the cancerous tumours too. Surgeons don’t like risky surgery.
Some drugs do cause heart problems but not the valve problem you have. I had a baseline test at the beginning so that doctors could tell if my heart was being affected but so far so good.
dear Kerry------Thank you for the helpful information. You seem to come from a place of knowledge. Please elaborate on your comment that drugs do not affect the aortic valve. The dates align.
Tumours in the heart are stunningly rare thankfully because they’re fatal. I know two people who had that problem but they were at least a decade or two apart.
Are you thinking that the circulating cancer cells have massed on the valve? If that’s the case, I’d honestly think you would be the first person to experience that effect. If circulating cancer cells could do that they’d act like cholesterol does in our veins. But they don’t.
There are known causes of valve failure and it’s not as uncommon as we’d like. That’s probably a good thing though as at least surgeons get a lot of practice doing them.
I don’t know why your valve needs replacement but it’s most likely a coincidence. If it wasn’t then we’d see reports about a causal link between valve replacement and breast cancer. We do see reports about heart problems and cancer medication though which is why doctors very often do baseline tests before starting the particular treatments involved. What are the causes of valve failures?
• Congenital defects. A heart defect present at birth that’s not repaired may get worse later in life and cause problems.
• Aging and age-related valve disease. Heart valves can weaken or harden as you get older. Childhood cancer survivors who had radiation therapy are at greater risk of valve disease later in life.
• Illnesses and conditions. Certain heart conditions including infective endocarditis, rheumatic fever, heart attack, poorly controlled high blood pressure and heart failure can scar or damage a valve.
There is a rising concern about treatment-associated cardiotoxicities in breast cancer patients. This study aimed to determine the time- and treatment-specific incidence of arrhythmia, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease in women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Has your doctor said what’s caused the valve problem? You might find it reassuring to talk to the doctor or his nurse about this issue.
Jersey you are a lot like me, I can analyze a situation right down to "who was sitting at the table when I got the news", It sounds like you have a good team of docs, trust them, at this point you must accept that the valve replacement is a life saving procedure for you!! Just my 2 cents. Will pray for a great outcome!
Heart issues can sure be scary! Alot like cancer news! Kerryd has given you alot of solid info. I've developed a leaky aortic valve since having MBC and none of my doctors have ever suggested any connection between bc or mbc treatment and that, not my onc, cardiologist or cardiac surgeon, including the second opinion specialists I've seen at a major medical school affiliated cancer center. I've had 3 significant surgeries since having mbc, and none of those surgeons have suggested any concerns, either, and healing has been "normal." I hope you can find peace with this and enjoy the holidays! Sending love and healing thoughts.....
Dear marmots--- Yes, I do believe that the poisenous cancer drugs that are trying to keep the cancer at bay, need to be strong but are sometimes poisonous. This is good for the cancer to be gone but I do believe it affects the rest of the body as well. Seven years ago, when I was first diagnosed with cancer, I had a very strong heart.
with some few knowledge and experience, the surgery helps to have a better quality of life even with cancer. A working aortic valve helps a good blood circulation which all human body (with or without cancer) this procedure do not increase the circulation of cancer to the body. This surgery creates a way to better "breath" and better cardiovascular stamina.
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Life after cancer
Back after several months off being off due to NY pandemic - targeted radiation of lower spine five days for 4-7 weeks?
Need some encouragement 
Oophorectomy, anyone?
