Metallic or porcine - the dilemma...

You're looking at a daily (expensive - but better) pill or inevitably another surgery down the road that you are, technically, less likely to survive. That sounded harsh, it's probably not that dire. Probably meaning depends on how your health is, how soon it fails, and whatever new health anonomly pops up.

Prayers out!

Exactually! Whoever thought that it would suck to be healthy at 74? My mother is 97 and only recently started using a walker. And she's taking care of my younger sister and her husband who is only a couple of years older than me. You're right, I've been gored by a wild dilemma!

PSM, you're on my prayer list; your good health doesn't hurt (we're similar age, enjoy it) .
Look at cbtengr; he's probably restoring headstones sayin' "not yet, buster!" lol :D

PSM wishing you all the best

Thanks all! I was waiting for our son to return from deployment to do anything (something that was in the news a few months he was greatly involved in, and I didn't want to interfere with that). He got back this weekend, so I get the ball rolling tomorrow.

Had the angiogram this morning and amazingly, after nearly 75 year of eating butter and lard, my pipes are clean. And the pressure in the heart showed low, not my arm pressure, though. One flap of the valve is totally calcified, though. I was awake for the whole thing, but I only got about a 15 second view, which was disappointing. They went through my right wrist, which was great, but now I can't use my right hand for a couple of day, which I'm finding very difficult.

Prep was about 45 minutes and surgery (?) was also about 45 minutes. Recovery was 2 hours to ensure the bleeding had stopped. My wife ran out and got me a Popeye's chicken sandwich during it. NOT SPICY like I ordered! That was the worst part. ;)

I'm very very happy for you. Sounds generally excellent all-around (except maybe the sandwich). This should increase confidence level in procedure to come I'd imagine for ALCON. Thanks for the report.
:lifter

Glad that went well! Pretty amazing what they can do these days with minimal cutting and discomfort. Hang in there!

All in all pretty good news. The technique to replacing an aortic valve is much better now than even 10 years ago. Good luck when you have that done.

Thanks, Doc!