I am very happy to be a part of this Girlie Valve talk blog. It's very exciting to see many other people with similar conditions to mine.
My name is Wendy and I am 29 years old, I live in Milton, Ontario, Canada, and have been engaged for nearly three years (yup, can't get him to the alter yet!).
A little about my condition. I was born with Aortic Stenosis, one year later I had my first open heart surgery to repair some of the leaks around the valve and to try and repair the narrowing of the valve. In 1987, I had my second open heart surgery. This time I had my Aortic Valve replaced, my parents had the choice between a human, pig, or mechanical valve. At that time they didn't have very many options or information etc. regarding the valves. So, they decided to have the B-jork Shiley mechanical valve implanted. It was the most durable, dependable, and the best for least rejection. Unfortunately, the long term problems faced with living on Coumadin have surfaced when faced with adulthood choices.
In 2000, I was told that I had to have the valve replaced. We had known that this was a possibility for so many years since 1987 when they told us the valve may only last 7-10 years. That apparently was incorrect, and my whole family was on pins and needles for the 7-10 year period. Thankfully though, my surgeon put in an adult valve because I was 13 and he knew I would grow. It wasn't the valve but now they are concerned about the calcium deposits that have grown in the Aorta itself. I am monitored closely, the valve will outlive me, but the Aorta might need replacing. That one I hope won't be for the longest time, so I've focused mainly on keeping the valve healthy.
Like so many of you, I am considering childbirth. My husband doesn't want to really think about it too much because he is scared out of his wits to know all the dangers involved in my carrying a child. (or if I can try at all) I am in the process of meeting with my doctor and getting a referral to a high-risk OBGYN. I need to know the risks, I need to know if it is at all possible for me to have a child of my own. I haven't ruled out adoption, or foster children, or surrogacy...I just want to see if I can feel a child grow inside of me. It's one of the many treasures in life that I can't believe I may never know about.
On that note, I am so glad that there are people like me in this large world of ours. I was beginning to feel like the only young woman living with a heart condition. I keep hearing from many doctors, "You don't see many young people with this condition, your INR is fluctuating, but I can only compare with my elder patients". I am tired of hearing those comments. But there are many of us..
And now we have somewhere like this blog to help us track down more of us. Thanks......and so I'll be back.....
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