Living with Aortic Stenosis

I was diagnosed with aortic stenosis at The Hospital for Sick Children when I was newborn. I was born on a Friday evening and sent to Sick Kids on the following Monday after the pediatrician had examined me. The treatment that they gave me at Sick Kids was very sucessful.

I was given a cardic catheterization and discharged home when I was about one month old. I was what I think they consider to be non-symptomatic thoughout my childhood and teens. When I was almost twenty I went into the hospital for what I think may have been an unrelated problem (or maybe not)and they imediately called in a cardiologist to examine me. I am now waiting to have my aortic valve replaced. I’m coping quite well. I don’t have many symptoms that bother me. I think not knowing when these symptoms will occur worries me most.

Having to have the surgery sooner in my lifetime is also a worry but I have alot of confidence in the doctors and nurses and I feel that I’m strong and will be able to cope with surgery when the time comes. It’s important to have support from family and friends when you have to go through surgery. Family and friends can ease the stress of worries like these.