“There is in all visible things… a hidden wholeness.”
In 2013 we discovered I have a leaky aortic valve in my heart, known as Aortic Regurgitation. An EKG and treadmill test were done at that time and a status of moderate leakage was the diagnosis. I was told this is not uncommon but we need to watch it closely. This past May during my physical my family physician and I agreed it was time to have a cardiologist run some tests and get their evaluation. After several tests it has been determined the leakage has continued to deteriorate and the left chamber of my heart has begun to enlarge. I now have a better understanding for my lack of energy and motivation over the past 4-5 years. So, the cardiologists, surgeons and my family doctor consider me to be a good candidate for Aortic Valve Replacement surgery.
Needless to say this was not in any plans I had. I have consulted family and friends. I have also talked with others who had the surgery. So, on December 5th, 10 weeks from today, I will undergo surgery to have the valve replaced. I will be in ICU for 1 to 2 days and in the hospital for 5 days, unless I’m a problem patient and get booted out. Technology has advanced to the point where the success for these surgeries is much more promising both during surgery and the quality of life after surgery. I’m banking on that!
Not sure what my recovery will be like. Have been told to expect at least 2 months before I begin to get my energy level back up. I will be under some restrictions for a while, including no dancing girls in the hospital. Bummer! Have a few things I’m in the process of doing such as end of live directives and making sure my will is done. Looks like I will have plenty of support and help from family and friends during my recovery. I’m not sure what my blogging time will be like and how much photography I’ll be doing. I consider you family and an important part of my life so I will try to keep you informed!
11 Comments
Earl
Monte, sorry to hear this news but thank-you for sharing. I’m glad that it’s something that can be treated and has a very good success rate and a good chance of improving your quality of life. I know there are many thoughts and things going through you mind just now…I know there would be if it was me. I (we) consider you part of the family as well so in that regard if there’s anything we can do for you, just ask. Best wishes and prayers!
Monte Stevens
Yes, the chatter in my head is there but nothing like in the past. There’s a lot trust! Thanks for offering any help and I will not hesitate to reach out. I do a better job of that now than in years past.
Mark
Oy! Sorry to read this Monte, but very glad you got to the bottom of the fatigue issues. Not something you want to let linger, though it can be quite difficult to figure out what exactly is going on. So is this like an open heart type surgery or something they do these days through scopes and your arteries?
I hope you will keep up with the posting, even if it takes sending some dancers to encourage you. 😉
Monte Stevens
The robotic surgery is called a TAVR but is used on patents who would have a difficult time with open heart surgery. They will do the sternotomy, or as the surgeons said, pop the hood. The dancers may have to show up after I get home and okay with that. 🙂
Cedric Canard
It’s nice that you now know the reason behind the tiredness but it would have been much better is the diagnosis had been: “Too many dancing girls in your life”. Still, it is unfortunate news and I’m sorry it’s happened. Looking up this procedure, it would seem that it’s a somewhat standard procedure so hopefully all you’ll have to contend with afterwards will be a bruised chest. I am sure the dancing girls will provide a swift and painless recovery.
And thanks for thinking of us as family. It’s my kind of family too, because, you know, it’s one where you get to choose the members 😉 By the way, can I call dibs on being the uncouth, drongo, Aussie cousin who’s always saying inappropriate things?
Monte Stevens
Hey, cuz! Good to hear from you. I am expecting good things such as more energy and motivation. Not looking to the first few weeks of recovery. Thanks!
Tom Dills
If you were a car I’d say that it is better to have a leaking valve than to have a blown head gasket! 😉 It’s amazing what medicine can diagnose these days and even more impressive what we can actually repair. It’s a long way off but I’ll give you a recovery goal of being our tour guide through the autumn leaf season next year.
Since Cedric has the uncouth & inappropriate Aussie cousin role locked up I’ll suffice with being the guy with all the useless and irrelevant anecdotes. 😉 Kathy & I have a Maytag washer and dryer set that we have owned for 37 years. Needless to say we’ve had a repairman look at them a time or two, but every time we do they tell us that as long as they can get parts for those old things they can keep them running. Hopefully there is an ample supply of Monte parts on the shelf and that we can keep you running for many more years!
Monte Stevens
Well, the Monte valve will be constructed with pig or cow. This has caused my sister to start coming up with nicknames for me: porky, t-bone, etc. I’m looking at those as terms of endearment.
Tom Dills
So if we find you eating more salads we’ll know why! 😉
Joseph Smith
All the best to you, Monte! I am glad you have been monitoring this and it didn’t come on as a total surprise or a nasty cardiac event. Keep in touch as you can and I’m sure you’ll be getting many thoughts of support coming your way.
Monte Stevens
Thank you, Joe! I’m hoping it gives me more opportunities and time on this blog.