Free for 3 YEARS!!

I got the green light on Friday to not return to the cardiologist for THREE YEARS!!! What a super-relief that was.

If you have no idea what I am talking about, see this.

I was very worried about this appointment because I had been having really high heart rates (as in, 215 high) when I work out. I didn't think it was my valve, because they just don't become stenotic that quickly, and my cardiologist doesn't think it is either. I am now free to workout as much as I want to, the only restriction being that I have to be able to lift whatever weight I'm working with at least 10 times. There is a tendency for the aorta to dilate in patients with bicuspid aortic valves so he just wants to make sure I don't lift such heavy weights that I increase the pressure for the aorta to push against.

He said that he doesn't expect any changes in 3 years either, so that's definitely a positive. He thinks that I'm looking at having to have the valve replaced in my 50s. I asked him if it is a possibility that the valve will never stenose further and I can keep it forever--he said he has some patients that that has happened with but the valve replacement in the 50s is much more likely.

Before I want to get pregnant (NOT any time soon!) I have to check in and make sure all is well, before placing the demands of pregnancy on a gimpy valve! Otherwise, I'm a free woman!! The Lord is good!