zenarcade3

Hey! Great question and it was one that took me a very long time to answer. This will a super simplified understanding of everything: the 3 main options are biological, mechanical, and Ross. The biological valves last 10-15 years and require no blood thinners. The mechanical valves last 15-20 years and require blood thinners. The Ross Procedure trades out your pulmonary valve for your aortic valve and puts a cadaver valve into the pulmonary valve.

I ruled out mechanical almost right away- I'm very active/adventurous and in many ways still young and dumb. I haven't been great about taking all my medications in the past and I didn't want to worry about the downside of possibly breaking a leg with blood-thinners. And I ended up ruling out the Ross because I didn't like the idea of getting a valve involved that wasn't necessary (and the doubled risk of death was humbling).

Fingers crossed I'll be able to get my second valve via a catheter and it will not be nearly as intrusive of a surgery.

Hey! Hope everything went well for you sister- how is she doing now?? The healing process has been harder than I ever imagined (and I really tried to get a realistic view of what it was going to be like). There's so many mood swings. Day 2 I found out there was fluid in my lungs and I would need a procedure to correct it. I needed conscious sedation to put a chest tube in. When I woke up I had memories of freaking out, pulling off my mask, yelling at the doctors, etc. I thought I died. When I came to I found out I made all of it up in my head. Due to fevers they've been checking cultures to make sure I don't have infections daily. If those came up positive I don't know if I could handle it. My mom was an ICU nurse and hasn't left my side. She's been an absolute fucking trooper and has basically been my 24/7 nurse and emotional support. You have no idea the compassion it takes to be a nurse until you really see it from this side and she has been what has allowed me to get through the crazy bumps these major surgeries entail.

Yeah it's a huge perk- I should be extremely close to restriction and medication free once I'm all healed.

You guessed it- waiting until medical school. I studied chemistry/bio in college and my real interests lie in psychology but I think surgery sounds cool... so yeah basically I have nothing figured out haha.

Symmetrical face features, golden flowing locks, and a strong jaw line. Next question.

Haha but real talk thank you I appreciate the compliment.

You make a fair point. I weighted the cons of involving 2 valves , doubling risk, and increased surgery time as greater than the pros of greater hemodynamics and potential time without surgery.

It was a hard decision that took weeks and wasn't based off any formula.