… there may be some of us going through a health issue that makes questions in our heads and just maybe another biker here has been through the same thing. It makes sense for those people to converse, especially if it affects your riding in any way! So please people, don’t hold it in… ask a question of the forum and find out from someone else who has been where you’re heading!…
(I would ask any contributor or reader of this thread to remember that only on-line opinions are expressed here, not specific actual medical advice that you take as fact! If anything, it might get you thinking of what questions you do need to be asking your healthcare provider though!)
I’m due for an aortic heart valve replacement. It will be open heart surgery, not be a TAVI (Transcatheter aortic valve implantation).
I’m really interested in your story and experience, especially the recovery of your cracked chest… and how soon you got back to doing stuff, like lifting stuff, moving bikes around your garage, riding etc Any little cautions are welcome (I got the “don’t die for too long” one thank you @Col_C)
I’ll do a proper post in a few days time to do the tale full justice. But to quickly answer some of your questions..
It was open heart surgery (I asked about TAVI but was advised against it as I’m otherwise fairly fit and although more invasive open heart gives a better result) so my experience is relevant to your future. My valve is the tissue type, I was advised the synthetic/mechanical type “tick” and some don’t get on well with that. But the mechanical type has a longer life so better for younger patients (I’m nearly 72).
More to follow in a few days. Hopefully we’re on a longer ride up to Dartmoor on the Beemer tomorrow, so to be continued in a few days time.
Cheers Col… I’m gonna have a ticky ticker (57) but I have spent most of my life with pulsatile tinnitus (especially at night/in bed) care of my high bp… so I should be alright! It’ll be my wife who could suffer… (even more than already)
Talking about problems, experiences and fears is always a Good Thing and it’s definitely in the spirit of biker camaraderie. These are personal stories though so I just want to remind people that the forum isn’t a closed community. Posts are public (except PMs) so share only what you’re comfortable with.
I’m fortunate not have had more than a laper…lapor…keyhole surgery but modern medicine is pretty amazing, if a bit scary sometimes.
My brother told me that he had had a nasty sounding procedure where the doctor put a camera up his nose and down his throat. I said that I hoped the doctor had sterilised the camera since the last colonoscopy. He replied that he had thought it smelled funny.
Yeah, had a gastroscopy shortly followed by a colonoscopy (in that order ) last year. But the cystoscopy about 10yrs ago was way worse. Nice to know the NHS now has all my orifices fully covered on video.
) last year. But the cystoscopy about 10yrs ago was way worse. Nice to know the NHS now has all my orifices fully covered on video. 