I'd like to introduce myself...

Hello all! My name is Carista and I am 26 years old. I have no children and am currently engaged. I'd like to start by telling you my background.

I found out when I was 10 that I had a bicuspid aortic valve which was considered very mild. I never thought it was anything I would have to worry about again. Just recently however in February 2005, it was discovered that I have severe aortic stenosis. I will have to have open heart surgery to have my aortic valve replaced sometime inbetween six months and two years from now. I've come to terms with that and can handle that. What I'm having a hard time with right now, is having to make a decision before I feel I'm ready whether or not I want to have kids. Either way, I know I don't want that option taken away from me and I also know that I don't want a time limit on it. But do I want to have one heart surgery? Or two? Am I going to be safe getting pregnant even if I choose a tissue valve instead of a mechanical? So many questions still unanswered and I hope to have a clearer picture and more answers when I go for my second opinion in May...armed with more knowledge and many, many more questions this time...

Carista

Comments

[Carista]

hey there.. my name's carista too.. =)