Should I get this surgery or not?

[Neostarwcc]

This has been bugging me for quite a while now. I was hospitalized a month ago for several blood clots one really concerning one was a 6 inch one that traveled from my right atrium to my left atrium by a hole in my heart. Doctors in NH wanted to close this hole so that it would never happen again but I refused to get the hole closed then and they didn't do the surgery. Instead they're making me see a cardiologist in Burlington In late may to check my blood clots and discuss closing the hole.


To be completely honest I've been wondering ever since the clot in my left atrium disappeared if I should get this hole closed. Apparently according to a doctor in my local hospital it's completely normal and a large amount of people are born with a hole in their heart like I was. It only caused me problems once and God took care of the problem and as long as I'm on blood thinners I won't get new clots anyway. So I don't share the concerns of my doctors. If this is so common why should I risk my life in surgery and spend another several days in the hospital recovering from the surgery? It's not like this hole is life threatening its never caused a problem. When im in pain I'll consent to surgery, when my life is in danger from a 6 inch clot in my left atrium that could travel to my brain and cause a stroke I'll consent. But a hole in my heart that will probably never cause a medical problem again if I start taking care of myself? I'm confused as to whether or not to consent to surgery for that.

 

[Sabertooth]

I don't understand why you would trust a dissenting opinion from us, a bunch of strangers, over doctors who know your case, in person.

Why are you resistant to their recommendation of getting said hole closed?
A second opinion from another local doctor might be worthwhile,
but at best, even if we were doctors, we would not be privy to the specifics of your case.

 

[Hazelelponi]

The question is, will you start taking care of yourself...?

You don't atm, and from the sound of it never have. The issue with blood clots and strokes is that you rarely have advanced warning.

You have a lot to consider. Because surgeon's are more likely to recommend surgery, I would get a second and third opinion then go with the prevailing opinion - and then I would start taking self-care seriously, beginning today.

 

[mama2one]

CF prohibits giving medical advice & threads re such are usually closed

under CF rules:

"Please do not give professional, legal, financial, medical, or other counseling. Do not direct, imply, or suggest that others should disregard doctors' orders regarding medical diagnosis and/or treatment."

 

[tampasteve]

ADMIN HAT ON

As mentioned above, we do not give medical advice here. I am going to close this thread. If you wish to open a thread simply asking for prayers and discernment on the Prayer Wall, that would be fine. But members cannot give medical advice.

ADMIN HAT OFF