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Thanks, it went so well I'm going back to work tomorrow. Yes, the lovonox made for some colorful bruises. :)

I tried to post a couple times after surgery last week but the forum was down...sorry for the late update. I'm 9 days post op gallbladder surgery and doing great. Bridging was easier than I expected, even with little support from my cardiologist's nurse (long story). I have a rainbow of...

I completely agree with everything you said. Just look at the diabetic population. If it weren't for home glucose monitoring where would these people be. Granted INR monitoring is less frequent than glucose monitoring but important in its own right. Pricking your finger at some point becomes...

I cannot imagine not having self testing and not knowing where I am within my range. Since I started this journey I can't understand why this isn't more routine. One would think the benefits of weekly home testing would decrease the complications that can arise from being out of range and in...

Thanks Marc...great information. I'm a nurse so it's a mind over matter thing for me. I don't mind sticking others but it matters to me when I have to be stuck or stick myself. Lol. My INR dropped from 3.0 to 2.0 after only missing 2 doses of Coumadin. I didn't think it would drop so...

Pellicle...I believe you knew I'd get over the "fear" of Coumadin. Lol. Thanks for all of you help and support. Its been a lot easier than I ever thought it would be. Marc...thank you there is some great discussion on your link. I saw the partner of my primary medical doctor today to get my...

Thanks everyone. I feel like I can release some of my fears of developing a clot and being off my coumadin short term. I totally understand the medical thinking, but it's changes things when I'm the patient. Yes, my surgery is scheduled as laproscopic and I'm supposed to go home the same day...

So it's been 8 months since I got my mechanical mitral valve and I now have to have my gallbladder out. I spoke with my cardiologist a few weeks ago and we discussed bridging my coumadin with lovonox and the sugeron who is doing my gallbladder surgery also discussed it when I met with him...

Trinalovescats. I wish it was chocolate candy. Lol. I was showered and dressed in my own pajamas on Friday. I think that is what helped me get out so quickly. I'm not a very good patient and really like my own home and bed. I find the ticking of my valve annoying. I'm not going to sugar...

Thanks for letting me vent. Lol. I have been self managing quite a bit since getting my home monitor. I have been doing really well keeping in range, I eat what I want and I'm pleased with my results. I think if I leave my results going to the cardiologist office and he orders my coumadin...

I need to vent...if I may. I have been on coumadin since January my cardiologists nurses are supposed to be managing my dose. I home test weekly on Mondays. The first few months I had no problems. Then the nurse I was working with went on medical leave. The past 6-8 weeks the other nurse...

The upper right in incision just under your collar bone was most likely the site that they used to put you on the bipass machine. I have the same incision. Mine is very sore and if I cross my arm across my body it feels as if there is a golf ball in there. There are a lot of nerves that run...

I'm 43 and about 3 months ago I had my 3rd OHS for mitral valve replacement. My surgeon gave me the choice of mechanical vs tissue also telling me the TMVR will be available to me in the future if I choose a tissue valve. I never imagined I would even be offered a tissue valve at my age and...

Thanks for the replies. I will definitely be cautious if and when I decide to go.

I agree that brain bleeds and clots are very different and really fairly opposite when it comes to the cause and the treatment. It's the injury they cause to the brain itself and long term treatment of that brain injury that makes them somewhat the same. Interesting, now that I think more...

A few weeks post op I was thinking I had avoided the mid back, scapula and shoulder pain that I had had with my previous OHS. Unfortunately the past several weeks, since starting cardiac rehab and going back to work the back pain, scapula pain and shoulder pain has begun. I have pain meds and...

As a nurse and now a valve replacement patient on anticoagulants I feel that we, valve replacement patients on anticoagulants are at a higher risk for stroke. Being anticoagulated increases our risk for a hemorrhagic stroke. I also believe being well controlled and knowing your INR does help...

I really hope you get some answers this next week. I think you have a good plan in place by talking with the doctors you trust. I have found I am so much more calm around the doctors I trust and they give me a sense of security and I am able to be more reasonable and rational about my care...

Just throwing this out there. Is there any way that they could replace your mechanical aortic valve with a tissue valve and also replace your leaky mitral valve while they are in there. Not that you want another surgery, I've had 3 and don't want another if I can help it. But if you had...

Harriet, thank you! It feels strange to be called a warrior, I have never considered myself one, but I like it. :) I guess being a nurse I'm more comfortable being on the other side of medicine and by being there I am able to overcome and forget about me. Thank you! I hope your feeling better!