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Hi, Anne, it isn't great that there is a continuing problem with the ankle but it sounds as though your CR group is on top of things. Knowing the problem is at least the first step in dealing with it. I am glad they were so responsive. Larry

Catherine, I am glad to hear that you "squeaked" a little. When you begin to feel stressed, stop, take a deep breath and remember that it should go much better than you imagine. The idea of such surgery is daunting for us but the surgeon and staff who will be taking care of you will know what...

Hi, Ron, It is so good to read your post. Amazing as it is, five days is quite enough or at least it was for me. Remember, it takes about three weeks for the internal incisions to heal and during that time you do want to treat yourself gently. Fortunately, you must have already realized that...

Do both Do both As you already know, we begin rehab from right after surgery by walking and just moving around. I agree completely with Anne's recommendation that you continuing to do the basics at home until you can drive yourself to the rehab group. Many people don't begin Cardiac Rehab...

I'm glad to hear you found your introduction to be a good experience. I, too, found the mutual support and the week by week comparison of my performance very reassuring. I really do think the best thing that we get from Cardiac Rehab is a return of confidence that we can trust our bodies once...

My valve is a bio-prosthetic but my Uncle Bob had both. He started out for the first 10 years with a St Jude mechanical. He said he never felt any difference with it other than he could hear it tick at night when everything was still and quiet. He didn't find using coumadin at all difficult...

Hi, and thanks for the post. I've wondered if any those who received the very early valve replacement were still functioning. The first was of course, Philip Amundson, whose valve was replaced at the University of Portland on 21 September, 1960. Here in VR we have Dick (dick0236) whose...

Endocarditis Endocarditis CL, endocarditis is of course the general category of infections that attack the heart. Almost any bacterial infection and some fungal infections can be the source. As you mentioned, one of the most common routes for infection is dental work, however, any infective...

A Little Comfort A Little Comfort Anya, sometimes even Bede is down. Larry

WOW! What a surprise. Still, If its not a problem now, while you wait devices and techniques will have time to improve. In the process, you've learned a lot about yourself. I guess my question for your cardiologist, would be "Why didn't you order a heart cath?" Visualization of the valve...

Hi, Clay, I'm not very furry anyway but for the one year photo I thought I would get rid of the hair so the scar was easier to see because it had faded a lot. I find that I sort of miss it being more prominent. At four and a half years, its even less visible than it was at one year except...

Anne, here are images of my scar. It actually didn't change much for the first three months. Actually, it is of course scars. There is the chest scar and the four small ones which contained the two drains and two pacing wires. The wires are left in the surface of the heart for a few days in...

Hi, Anne, I found myself wondering what I would have done. Is it possible that you could swim which would keep weight off your limbs but give you a good cardiac workout. I've never heard that tendon problems can be associated as you are wondering. Perhaps you will get a better response from...

You Can Bank Blood You Can Bank Blood Hi, unless there is some complicating factor you should not expect to be admitted to the hospital the night before surgery. I was the first surgery of the day and was asked to be at 05:30 am. I puffed, out of breath, all the way from the parking lot...

There are no medications that "cure" Carpal Tunnel. As one who suffered from this, I can tell you that at first my hands would go to sleep and tingle. Carpal Tunnel, is caused by a compression of the median nerve which serves the little finger, the third finger and outer side of the second...

Accounts such as yours are really helpful. I think our new members/readers get the most comfort from those who have just begun recovery. Almost our first question is "What's it like?". Thanks for taking the time to let us know how you are doing. Larry

Anne, I was told the same, that is to avoid sun exposure until my scar had no color. My Doctor has pointed out that the scar will not tan so darker skin around will make even an old scar stand out more. I'm for the sunblock. Larry

Herb, it is nice to see your post. There are not many people such as you who post such a significant reminder that the whole point of a valve replacement is getting on with your life. This not being one of my own anniversaries, I shall do something far more prosaic and take Bede to the meadow...

Here is some information about the Edwards Perimount Valve and some results using the Valve-in-Valve technique to repair/replace them without OHS. TAVR in Failed Bioprostheses; The valve-in-valve approach My surgeon, Dr James Spann, is very interested in the development of new devices. There...

Riding Again Riding Again Hi, Frank, I also had a similar experience. Most of my riding is for distance more than speed but I began noticing that I was doing worse as time went on. At first, I thought I just needed to exercise more but when I tried, it didn't seem to make a difference. In...