Summer was in full blown mode, as all our flowers were looking good and our strawberry experiment was on track. But, I was experiencing fatigue and a bit of short breath when working in the back yard. A little complaint to Cardiologist and an Echo Cardiogram was done. It showed that I was experiencing severe Aortic Valve Stenosis and the valve was leaking much more than usual. I was told I could be a candidate for a valve replacement via catheter placement rather than open heart. The prep was begun and on Aug. 12th, 2024 I had the procedure done by Cardiologist Dr. Saidi, at St. Michaels, in Bremerton. Overnight in hospital and I went home to recover. During this TAVR procedure Dr. Saidi was not able to access my Aorta/Heart area via a catheter insertion up the Right Femoral Artery ( avenue of choice ). He did get the procedure done by other routes and before withdrawing the catheter decided to have a look below using a contrast media he filmed the blockage in my right femoral artery which showed a 99% block. A Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Kira Long was consulted and plans to have that artery cleaned out was set in motion. On October 7th 2024, the endarterectomy was performed. Again an overnight in the hospital, and then home to recover which is what I am doing at the moment. This recovery has been a bitch. At age of 79 this is the first time my body has been ‘cut’. The discomfort from this incision has been painful, taking the pain meds perscribed has caused extreme constipation and I have been feeling lousy.
Update:
In Summary, the TAVR procedure I would do again as I guess my new aortic valve is functioning as it should. Have I seen any improvement in my fatigue issue or short of breath. A little perhaps, but very little. Have I seen any improvement in circulation to my right leg after the endarterectomy, I am not sure. Once I get to feeling better I can better access my progress. Time will tell.
Update:
It has been several weeks now and my incision is healing and allowing me to be a little more comfortable with movement. My increased stamina on the treadmill is impressive. I still feel as though I have not improved as I should with my getting winded and needing the rest often. We will see how that progresses going forward. For now I am over all satisfied.
Update: Several months now and my over-all outcome from the TAVR procedure seems to me that I show very little if any improvement from the valve replacement when it comes to my breathing. I still seem a little short of breath on exercised. The cleaning out the junk in my Femoral Artery however has been a total success and I am extremely pleased. I can walk some distance now and not feel the fatigue that I had prior to the procedure. Improving every day.
