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My Dentist, family doctor, cardiologist and cardiac surgeon all agree that pre-medicating is needed. My surgeon even commented once that he's seen an increase in endocarditis since the recommendations were changed so he's very adamant about pre-medicating. Definitely better to be safe than sorry!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year!

mom2angel, so sorry to hear that you're going through this. It's bad enough to have medical issues, no one should have to go through problems with their doctor and hospital on top of it. I agree with jwinters above, you need to keep pushing. Call them daily to make sure all scheduling etc is...

It didn't really hurt when they were pulled out, just felt weird and it happens really fast. I found it very uncomfortable when they were in so it was a great relief for me when they came out. Best of luck with your surgery and recovery!

Just for the record, my CoaguChek XS readings are always a bit higher than lab readings, usually 0.2 to 0.4 higher.

Hoping that you get some good news!!!

Congratulations on your 2 year anniversary! I'm right behind you, for me it will be two years in October. Glad you're doing good and enjoying life in our new normal.!

Big Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary ****!!! Wishing you many many more healthy and happy anniversaries!!! You are an inspiration and a role model for us all!

Best wishes for a quick and easy recovery!

Hi Cherie' So sorry that you had to go through such an awful ordeal but glad that you came through it! I may not be a medical professional but as someone who takes Warfarin I would say that an INR of 1.5 - 2.0 is just too low to be safe. I remember my surgeon saying that he doesn't like to...

Hi Dcano1007 and Welcome! I had my BAV surgery almost two years ago, like you I chose a St Jude Mechanical. As for my resting HR, it went down into the 40's quite often in the beginning and my cardiologist assured me this wasn't a problem. Now my resting HR is usually in the 60's and sometimes...

Beautiful Pictures! Thanks for sharing them with us!

Thanks for sharing the really great news!

I'm about a year and half out from my surgery and I bought my own Coaguchek XS about 4 months after surgery. I bought it on Amazon for about $500 and it's worth every penny! My only regret is that I didn't buy it the day I came home from surgery! I buy the strips on Ebay. I get the box of 48...

This is the way it was explained to me: Warm blood is returned to the heart and flushes it out, then sometimes the heart just starts on it's own and sometimes they shock it directly to get it started. However, even if the heart starts on it's own it isn't always in the correct rhythm so it will...

Best of luck on the 3rd, Eric! And wishing you a speedy recovery!

Agian, it's not just you. I too find it surreal that about a year and a half ago my chest was cracked open and a gifted surgeon replaced a heart valve and rebuilt my aortic arch. I find the fact that I have a mechanical valve inside me and that my ascending aorta and arch are now made of...

That's great news! So happy for you!

Hi Jimmy! Wishing you the best of luck with your surgery Monday and a speedy recovery! I had my surgery about a year and a half ago at age 55 and I too opted for a mechanical valve. I didn't want another surgery 15 years down the road when I would be 70. Home testing really makes managing...

You will be fine and your heart will re-start perfectly! Wishing you a speedy recovery!