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Sometimes my massage therapist hears the ticking. And my hubby only hears it when he is snuggled close. The ticking is very comforting, very subtle, and sounds like a watch. I like it. It has never kept me up at night. Right after your surgery it will be loud because your heart is healing. But...

Totally understandable how you are feeling-- OHS is scary but doable. And we don't have any control or choice when it gets to that point. I think Warrick is right about the guys thing -- most handle emotions in a different way. He is being strong for you or maybe doesnt know what to say to...

I'm back!!! Is there a facebook page that promotes this forum? That would likely help. Search engines like social media links these days.

Sounds like you are slowly improving. The first 2 weeks was the worst. It gets better. Hang in there!!!

Hi, Cherie- Glad you are doing better. That was really scarey to read about, but thanks for sharing. I got my On-X at the same time as you-- January 2011. I've been maintaining my INR between 1.5 and 2.5 the last few years with warafarin + baby aspirin. No clot issues so far - knock on wood...

29 years is amazing! Keep going! We're cheering you on.

I also had a minimally invasive AVR (3 inch vertical incision over the sternum that starts about 3inches below the collar bone!) but I assume I also had the mini sternotomy as only the lower part had to be wired back together. I had a groin incision for the bypass machine. . .I wouldn't worry...

I'm waiting for the day when they will 3d-print valves from our own stem cells. Now that will be something!!! Too late for me to try it, but happy for the future valve replacement patients. My nephew is 6 and has a BAV like I did (there are 4 of us born with this that we know of) ...

I remember you, too, ****. Drivetopless if my handle because I love convertibles and at one time drove one. I have since moved to Chicagoland . . not as convertible friendly up here. :-) Anyway, thanks for the reply. I love seeing you here with your pioneering mechanical valve still going strong!

Hi, folks- It's been a long time since I've logged in, but hopefully a few of you are still around. The people on this site were invaluable when I was preparing for my valve replacement. Just wanted to say how grateful I am for everyone. Ross was especially helpful, and though I know he has...

Good luck!!! Can't wait to hear how you are doing, Sarah.

I was 47 when I got my ON-X. I would make the same decision today. There have been NO DIET CHANGES. I just eat more consistently (greens every day in about the same amount). I home test my INR about every 10 days. I might test more often if I suspect any INR drift due to diet/medication...

Yep-- good advice here. Quit checking that food list. Eat what you would normally eat. If you can, try to eat about the same amount of greens every day. The key is consistency. Take a daily multi-vitamin with a small amount of Vita K will help the swings by leveling the amount of K in your...

Definitely look into getting your own meter. It will help you learn about how your body reacts to coumadin with lifestyle changes. Since it seems you've never maintained an optimal range there is some concern. I will say it took quite a while to get stable after my surgery, but as time goes by...

When I was in the waiting room (for 13 years) I would always become more symptomatic when it was time for the annual echo. Now that I'm fixed, all the stress if gone. Symptom-free (but of course my valve works now- ha ha). I just had my first post op echo on Friday (1.5 years after the...

325mg + lower dose coumadin (INR target is 2.0) for me.

I wouldn't rush to do this at this time. The doctors know your situation, so the minute the baby arrives they will be listening for a heart murmur. We have had 3 people in three generations in our family with BAV/AVR, so my nephew was under watch for it when he was born. They still didn't...

Hope your surgery goes well!

Wow- Norma-- Your brothers are in my prayers!

HI, MIke- Same thing happened to me at week 2/3. My afib was so bad, it put me in the hospital for 10 days while they figured out the meds. They talked about ablation, but my afib seemed to be caused from the surgery (lots of swelling of the heart)., so we waited. I was taking 3 meds for...