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Kim, you're so right about that. Those people are like "surgery? YOU!?" It's hard for them to believe it because I'm right in front of them. Little did they know the hell I went through. Just because I'm here now doesn't mean it could easily not be that way.

Hello. Today is the 6 month anniversary of my second go-round with the scalpel and I want to measure up my status with others who have gone through the same or similar procedures. You read stories of people saying they had this or that replaced or repaired and that 2 or 3 or 4 weeks later...

I'm trying to figure out how this works. Is the thing barcoded with your information? Or can you just get any ole charm at Walmart and engrave "tissue valve" or whatever? That doesn't seem as detailed, or as helpful to a medic if in a pinch.

Hello to all. It's been a while since I've posted but I do still lurk on occasion. May 19 will be 6 months and I plan to give a report then. In the meantime, I have a question. Is there a direct connection between heart health and quality of sleep? You see, I generally sleep for s*** and it...

I saw this on ABC News tonight and thought it was pretty amazing. Enjoy. http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=4190891&page=1

Thanks for asking. I see my cardio on Thursday for my follow up. Will post details then. I got my fingers crossed.

Hi there. Recently, overcome by a feeling of nostalgia, I was looking at my history on this site. It came as some surprise that it has been over three years that I first posted here. I was looking for good advice, compassion, and support. I got that and then some. I read a lot more than I...

You go, girl.

TJ, it's interesting you say that about tissue valves because after research and interviewing experts, especially my surgeon, that is what ultimately led me to choose tissue over mechanical - banking on the medical advances of the future allowing a possible (indeed probable) re-op via...

Stretch, maybe I'm a wuss but I just don't have the guts to look at OHS photos. It is great to hear though about your one year anniversary, and great idea to call doc. In fact, I just marked my calendar to do the same. Congrats and keep up the great work.

I just a post from Betsy (bbb) and the part regarding her rehab caught my eye. She wrote: I am really working on excersize, following the Cleveland Clinic program. 5 min warm-up, 5 min. walking, 5 min. cool-down. I'm doing this about 5 times a day, and each day it is easier. You have to wait...

Betsy, You don't know how great you're doing. I had my surgery ten days before yours and I still am taking Norco a couple times a day. The fact that you're only on ibuprofen, well, that speaks volumes. I am jealous. But congratulations for pulling through so famously. You go, girl.

Hmm. This makes me curious. I have a tissue valve and when I go for my next doc visit I will ask about jewelry. I did not even think about it until I read it here. Glad I did.

I left out a few more complications that I experienced. I required 8 units of blood products during and after surgery. They included 4 units of fresh frozen plasma, 2 units of platelets and 2 units of red blood cells. They really helped me to get over the hump. I also experienced pulmonary...

Hello again, You may remember I posted about my pending AVR. Well, it's no longer pending but in my recent past. I decided on a tissue valve over mechanical per my surgeon's recommendation. My seven day stay in the hospital was no duck walk. My ICU stay lasted five days, not two as was...

Hi there. I saw the last posting and thought I'd give a quick update. I had my surgery on November 19 an Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. Obviously I made it through, but it was a tough go. After discussing with surgeon I decided to do a tissue valve. I was supposed to be in ICU for two...

OK, here's the news. Met with surgeon today and after he ran down to me the ups and downs of each (much of which I already knew from info from this site) we are leaning towards a tissue valve. The cat sure seems like he knows what he's doing. He is well experienced in this which made me very...

BMac, you say that the re-op rates are the same for both. This is the first I am hearing that. If that's the case I wonder why more folks wouldn't opt for tissue valves, since the prospect of taking Coumadin can't be too inviting. And, yes, I am leaning more one way than another before I meet...

No, no,no. Please respond with any thoughts. Knowledge is power, after all. Don't censor yourselves. I have read every last word and it will be great knowing this stuff when I go in to meet my surgeon tomorrow. Will keep you all posted. Please don't stop posting.

Well, you have all given me plenty of food for thought. I will let you all know, just for the record, which way I go. Thanks to all.