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It's the weirdest thing, but I actually feel more forgetful now that I'm 4 months past surgery than right after. Maybe that's because I'm more involved in life now but I wonder! Someone asked me the last name of my freshman roommate yesterday and I can't remember to save my life. I was never...

I've been hiding in the wings lately, but I continue to drop by and check on folks here at VR.com. It's now been 4 months since my surgery. For the most part, I'm doing well and enjoying the summer. I just started cardiac rehab last week which is wonderful. More about that in Active Lifestyles...

Nicole, I have also heard that Duke is very good. Dr. Glower did a mitral valve repair on an aquaintance of mine and he is doing very well. On the other hand, I interviewed with Dr. Glower and although he impressed me as an execellent surgeon, his office staff was very unresponsive. Because of...

Hi all. I haven't posted in a while. The demands/desires of life have been keeping me very busy. I'm 14 weeks post-op now and doing well overall. For those of you who have tissue valves, I was wondering how much aspirin you are taking. I have been taking 81 mg of coated aspirin twice a day. I...

Graciebeth, Other than my toothbrush and something to wear on the trip home, I don't think I needed much else. However, it was comforting to pack the things I did, and if I hadn't had such a time with nausea in the hospital, I may have actually listened to the CDs, read the book, and written...

Shambles, Just wanted you to know that you are in my prayers tonight. I'll be eagerly awaiting word on how things went. My prayer will be that everything goes g-r-e-a-t !!! :)

I weaned myself off Xanax pretty much the way DB described but a little faster. I was using it to help me deal with tinnitus which it did do. I'm sure slower is better than quicker. I felt a little light headed for a few days (maybe a weekend) after my last dose and then I was fine. Good luck.

Hi Steve, I'm glad you're doing so well. It's a big leap from home to work so take it slow and expect that your body and mind will be challenged a bit. You said some neat things. Sometimes I wonder why I'm here but I think you're right - I'm here because God wants me to be. It's very...

Thanks Phyllis for the sed rate info. I'd never heard of it before. I feel a little silly at this point, like maybe I should have waited a few days before I called the cardiologist. But on the other hand, it's probably better to be safe than sorry. I just didn't realize I would end up having...

Last week I went to see my Family Physician with the following complaints: Hurts to breath in deeply Fatigue and difficulty staying alert Left shoulder pain (which I thought was a pulled muscle) Shortness of breath when speaking a lot Hoarseness (which may be...

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I'm actually working part time (about 25 hours) and I feel sort of wimpy admitting that. But on the other hand, when I think about all that I've been doing after work recently, I realize I've been as busy as a full time person if not more so. I will definitely...

I have another thread running so I hope I'm not asking too much of the forum right now. The last couple of days I've barely made it home from work. I just went back last week. When I've gotten home I've taken 2 hour naps and I'm more than ready to go to bed at the regular time. Today I was so...

My cardio recently recommended that I come off my beta blocker until I told him that my surgeon thought it would be a good idea if I continued the metoprolol. His reason was that the beta blocker would help prevent future enlargements of my aortic wall. I had my aortic valve replaced and my...

I know my surgeon replaced a valve in a 91 year old lady and she was up and out of the hospital faster than me. I think it depends on the patient's overall health. I also know of a friend who said her grandfather had his valve replaced in his 90s.

Bill, What a great job you did. I have a feeling I might be in for a fight. I got a call from my cardiac rehab director on Fri. She left me a message asking me to call her about insurance coverage. I have BCBS through the state of NC. This is a very timely post if that's the problem. :mad:

Hi all. Today was my first day back on the job. My valve replacement surgery was 8 weeks ago. Boy, was I spaced out this morning. Going back to work was a bigger shock than I expected it to be. I'm worried about how my heart reacted to all this. First let me say this is an office job and not...

Steve, I remember three weeks out as being pretty difficult to deal with emotionally. I felt disoriented and depressed quite a bit. I still can't wrap my mind around what I've been through. I often have that, wow, what was that all about feeling. My aortic valve was replaced 8 weeks ago...

Hi Nancy, No one has clearly diagnosed the problem for me. I've seen 2 orthopedic doctors, a chiropractor, a podiatrist, 3 physical therapists, and discussed it with my cardiologist last week. Everyone thinks it is back related. Evercise always seems to be the trigger for a flare up. I also...

I had my aortic heart valve replaced 8 weeks ago tomorrow. I was coming along nicely with my walking program when an old problem flared up. I have pain in my left leg (sometimes my hip) when I am at rest. I'm fine while exercising but at night I have trouble sleeping because of the pain which is...

Good news! Good news! :D I will continue to send positive thoughts and prayers your way.