So I went to the Kaiser in San Francisco today to meet up with a Cardiologist that was recommended to me by a past cardiologist that I trusted. Since the past cardiologist isn't with Kaiser, he recommended that I go to the SF office.
So all my life I've known at some point in my life that I would need surgery to replace a valve. I have what is called a "Bicuspid Aortic Valve" - it has something that has been monitored all my life and the question has always been "When will I need the surgery?"
My doctor today is going to do a few more studies and talking with colleagues before we come up with a plan on how to proceed.
Within the next two weeks, I will need to get an MRI to see how bad of a leak my valve might have. I will also be taking an exercise test.
If the results of the MRI show the leak not be that bad then it is possible that I may not need surgery right away. However, the valve is quite narrowed which makes the heart's job of pumping blood to the rest of my body much tougher. So if surgery isn't needed right away, then the other option would be a catheder. The catheder would then be inserted thru my groin (ouch) and then with the catheder they would then open of the narrow valve. Now, the catheder method won't prevent me from ever needing surgery but it could delay the surgery about 10 years if successful. That would be nice. The catheder method would be an overnight stay whereas surgery would be 5 nights.
In the meantime, I am to avoid fast food and red meats and keep exercising as much as possible... as it can only help.
Assuming I don't need surgery anytime soon, you can catch me performing at these places soon...
June 30th - Spice N Ice - Gilroy, CA - 8pm
July 9th - Blue Lagoon - Santa Cruz, CA - 8:30pm
July 15th - San Jose Improv - San Jose, CA - 8pm
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