I have a surgery date

[CA Pigg]

Well I saw the surgeon Dr McGiffin and got a date. I will check-in on March 17th and they will do heart cath and all the pre-op stuff and then surgery on March 18th at 2:00. they said they will do all the prepping early before he gets there. Now, I'm so happy to get it over with but I'm SO NERVOUS!!!! He said the valve has to be replaced because it is so calcified and leaking... I hate all these emotions right now, makes me feel like I'm crazy but I know you all understand!!!! I need to let him know if I want the st judes or on-x valve. I'm going to do a little more research but pretty sure I want the on-x.

 

[twobike]

I hope everythig goes very smooth for you. The waiting is so hard. You look young and healthy and I know that is a large advantage. I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[laurad37]

Mine is scheduled for 3/23 and I know that waiting is the hardest part. I am trying to do every thing I can to get my mind off of it. It seems to be working for now. Good luck to you. You will be in my prayers.

 

[Ross]

Well your both on the Calendar now, so it's official. Waiting is definately the hardest part of the whole thing. Try not to make it an issue to think about because it can drive you insane.

 

[escargome]

Great! You have your date set. Try not to stress too much. Spend relaxing time with your family and now that everything is in place, don't second guess decisions. You say you believe you want the Ony-x valve, so make sure that you tell your surgeon, his scheduler and anyone else you speak with. Make sure they make that notation in your chart also. The days will go by quickly. Soon your heart will be mended and you will be on the other side of the mountain. We will be waiting for you

 

[Cooker]

Congrats on getting a date! ... Wishing you a successful surgery and a smooth recovery……Godspeed.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Well I saw the surgeon Dr McGiffin and got a date. I will check-in on March 17th and they will do heart cath and all the pre-op stuff and then surgery on March 18th at 2:00. they said they will do all the prepping early before he gets there. Now, I'm so happy to get it over with but I'm SO NERVOUS!!!! He said the valve has to be replaced because it is so calcified and leaking... I hate all these emotions right now, makes me feel like I'm crazy but I know you all understand!!!! I need to let him know if I want the st judes or on-x valve. I'm going to do a little more research but pretty sure I want the on-x.

Here's a copy of a post I made on Jan. 7, 2009 in another Mechanical Valve 'discussion'.

Anti-coagulation does a pretty good job of preventing Clot Formation for most patients AS LONG AS their INR is in range.

For those times when it is necessary to go OFF anti-coagulation for other Invasive Procedures or Surgery, I would want the valve that is Least Likely to cause Clot formation and possible Stroke damage with NO anti-coagulation. Just MY opinion.

===================

A few years ago, On-X sent me an 'Information Package' which included a pair of tables entitled "Morbid Event Rates Comparison" for both the Aortic and Mitral positions with footnotes indicating the source of the data for each company which included PMA (something about Safety and Effectiveness) Summaries (ATS and CMI) and FDA submissions.

The combined rates in (% per pt-year) for Thromboembolism, Thrombosis, and Hemorrhage for the

Aortic Position were

On-X = 2.14 % per pt-year
SJM = 3.90 St. Jude Medical
CMI = 2.96 Carbomedics
ATS = 4.04 ATS
MH = 2.50 Medtronic Hall (I believe that is a single leaflet valve)

Mitral Position

On-X = 1.86 % per pt-year
SJM = 3.34
CMI = 4.44
ATS = 5.07
MH = 4.30

I left off the breakdowns by categories because I'm not about to sit here and re-type all that data. Note that other factors such as Hemolysis (blood cell damage) and Pannus Tissue Growth are not included in the above statistics.

The complete charts are available to ANYONE who asks for them. Just call or e-mail On-X and they will send you whatever information you request. Contact information is on their website www.onxvalves.com or 888-339-8000.

They have recently published another set of Bar Graphs which also include several tissue valves (which I find a little hard to interpret - too much information in too little space... give me the numbers in a spread sheet format please).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[CA Pigg]

Thank you so much!!!!! I'm telling them on-x... Now it's just trying not to think about the whole thing, I'm having issues with that one.. Need to turn my brain off ha ha!!! I have an appoinment with the dentist tomorrow becuase it feels like I have a problem in one of my crowns and I don't want any infection before surgery and then I need to get with the doctors on base, Dr McGiffin suggested me to see them again on my headaches and my potassium was low last time I had tests and I want to make sure everything is the way its suppposed to be. I've been eating bananas, think I'm going to look like you cooker instead of a pigg if I keep it up ha ha!!! Oh, I have I mentioned how great you all are??????

 

[Nupur]

Carole, Dr. Miller mentioned bananas too. Gotta get your potasium level up, keep popping those bananas. I hope you can turn off your brain, don't be afraid to use drugs to help you! Xanax works great.

 

[aussiemember]

My MVR is March 17th so I'll be just before you. All the best and hopefully we can wave at each other from the top of the mountain soon - Jeanne

 

[WayneGM]

Congratulations on setting the date. Best wishes for a successful surgery and smooth, speedy, recovery.

 

[palmaceae]

Carole,
I am glad you have a date, I just got mine also, it is March 9th. Like many said waiting is the most difficult part, I know it is for me! Just know that God is taking care of everything and you will soon be healed!
God Bless,
Randy

 

[stilldreamin]

Congrats on getting your date! The waiting is the hardest part.... I got lucky and was given my date only a week before I went in... but your time will pass and you'll be on this side soon!

Jen

 

[skeptic49]

Glad you got your date...best wishes,

Jim

 

[CA Pigg]

Thank you for all your support!!!!! and my prayers are with all of you as well.... Several of us will be healing together.....Can't wait until we are on the other side together!!!!!!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Another good source of Potassium is Fruit Juices.

I drink Juicy Juice (especially the mixed Berry selection) instead of Soft Drinks. Goes well with Bananas

If you haven't read the On-X Website, I encourage you to do so to learn more about the technological improvements inherent in it's design and some of it's (12 year) history.

The St. Jude Master's Series Valves hold the record for durability at 30 years and counting.

FYI, Jack Bokros, Ph.D., was directly involved in the designs of the original St. Jude Bi-Leaflet Valve, then the ATS and Carbomedics Valves (he formed Carbomedics and holds patents on those valves). He then formed Medical Carbon Research Institute (makers of On-X) and now called On-X Life Technologies. He has been designing Mechanical Heart Valves for 30 years after his group created the Pyrolitic Carbon material (that is used in the leaflets) for an application in the Nuclear Power Industry. "Now you know the Rest of the Story".

'AL Capshaw'

 

[lilteach3234]

Congrats on getting a date! ... Wishing you a successful surgery and a smooth recovery??Godspeed.

Cooker,
When I start getting nervous and bad thoughts are going through my mind, I am going to thing about your avatar and give myself a good laugh. Everytime I see it, it makes me chuckle.

 

[DebbyA]

Congratulations on getting a date! The thing to do now is think about your life beyond that date, even make specific plans. The most you can do for yourself now is to continue to take care of yourself. If your nervousness seems to make you non-functional, or if you're not sleeping, check with your doctor for meds. It's only for a short period, and for an extraordinary situation.

 

[Tbone]

A busy mind

A busy mind

We are all here wishing you well, and a speedy recovery.

Now is a good time to plan your next vacation. Everytime you find yourself thinking about the surgery you can review your plans for your vacation.

You know what they say. A busy mind keeps worrysome thoughts at bay!

 

[Curtsmum]

Wishing you a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.