And the Verdict Is.....

A New Zipper or Open Heart Surgery. I am not a candidate for a Melody Valve. The area that one would be placed dilated well beyond the 28mm maximum for the Melody. So, my option is an Edwards Tissue Valve. Next week I will call to make an appointment with the Cardiac Surgeon.

A zipper certainly would make this easier!

During the Cath, my doctor had planned to place a stent in the area of my original Blalock-Taussig shunt. He had found in the past, that the area usually narrows over time and mine was 55 years ago. He found no narrowing at all! That was the good news! He also found that I also don't really have a functional pulmonary valve at all. No wonder I get short of breath with any kind of activity.

The thought of a major open heart surgery is frightening, just because I have done it before. It is something I never imagined I would need again. After all, back then I thought I was "fixed".

I know I have an incredible new life ahead of me after this surgery. My mission with my new life is the bring awareness to all CHD patients that they need this very specialized care. I will also make sure my former cardiologist learns about my new, fantastic, healthily life with NO thanks to him!

Still a Maybe for the Melody

I had my appointment with Dr. Berdjis last Wednesday. I had an echo done when I got there and then Dr. Berdjis and I talked about what it showed. I definitely have significant pulmonary valve regurgitation. The shape of my pulmonary valve still puts me in the running for the Melody valve. If you look at his drawing on the bottom right, the lower part appears to measure 30mm but does narrow to 15mm. 30 is too big for the Melody. Depending on what is found during the Heart Cath of how much the narrow part can be dilated will determine if it can be used. Also during the Heart Cath, Dr. Berdjis will put in a stent at the site of my original Blalock shunt. That can be seen on the upper left of the heart. 


If Dr. Berdjis feels the Melody Valve can be done, it won't be done at this time. We will have to get an authorization from the insurance company. Even though it is less invasive, less risk, less cost, it is not a "labeled" use for it. The insurance company may declare it "an experimental, off label procedure". We will then proceed with letter writing asking for approval to do this procedure. This may take up to two months.


If the Melody Valve is not possible I will be facing Open Heart Surgery. Something I never imagined I would ever need again. I do not look forward to having my chest cracked again, but given the possibilities for my overall heart function improvement, I won't hesitate to do it if that if it is the option given to me.


So now we wait until the Heart Cath is scheduled in the next couple of weeks. It will be a short stay, 23 hours at the most.


This explains a Cardiac Catheterization (Heart Cath) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiac_catheterization