39 and need new valve

[neil]

bryan.yep the waiting is the worst bit, like jkm i to wanted to avoid warfarin,just dont like the idea of being on it the rest of my life,although lots of guys on here do well on it,good luck with your surgery,and see you on the other side of the mountain...

 

[NealR]

Bryan,

Happy you made the choice. I think you will do very well.

Looking forward to reading your post-op reports on this forum.

 

[westie]

own my own Pressure Washing Business) tissue valve was the best choice for me. He said if i went with the mechanical I should consider giving up the P/W business. It requires alot of roof walking ladder climbing and risk of a fall when noone was around is great(its happened a few times).

.

hey brian, it sounds like it would be a good idea to dump your pressure washing business regardless of valve choice; but maybe you could be doing medical science a favour by impact testing implated valves!

 

[Ross]

hey brian, it sounds like it would be a good idea to dump your pressure washing business regardless of valve choice; but maybe you could be doing medical science a favour by impact testing implated valves!

It's meant as a joke, so don't take it as an insult.

 

[texsc]

It's meant as a joke, so don't take it as an insult.

I got it. But my pressure washing business is my easy job. My full time job in the steel mill will be the real test, they might want to run a study on that. Its a very physical job. Hot and humid around 130 degrees in the mill about 9 months of the year. Not to mention the 40lbs of protective clothing we wear. Time will only tell if i can return to this job. I really hope I can because I love my work. I work a 4 days on 4 days off schedule, rotating from days to nights.I would like to make it another 10 years before I move to the office. Trust me though I will be taking no chances. I work for a great company and they are very understanding and will do whatever need.

Like I said before thanks for advice and prayers. I will keep everyone updated.

 

[ottagal]

Bryan,
I too will be thinking of you on the 16th and sending positive vibes your way. Glad that you have made your 'valve choice' and as Ross said, its time to pamper yourself.
Best wishes,

 

[karen14]

Before making any choices, study up on the REALITIES of Coumadin/Warfarin. Far too many myths are perpetually being circulated. Make learning about the drug part of your selection. There is plenty of information in the anticoagulation forum, also the "must have links" in the reference forum.

Hi Bryan!
I totally agree with Ross's post here, to educate yourself on Coumadin. I've been on it since my surgery 1 1/2 ago and have had no problems (except being a little low a few times). Being you're so young, if you watch your levels, learning what works for you (which happens fairly quickly), there's no worry as to bleeding.

And also due to your youth, I'd recommend the mechanical simply because OHS is no fun! Ten years will go by SO fast, and personally, I don't think you'll care to have another surgery if you don't have to. Good luck & Godspeed, ~Karen

 

[kfay]

Bryan, I'm glad that you have spent time educating yourself and have chosen the valve that is right for you. Good luck next week. It will be over before you know it and you'll be on the road to recovery.

 

[Ross]

I got it. But my pressure washing business is my easy job. My full time job in the steel mill will be the real test, they might want to run a study on that. Its a very physical job. Hot and humid around 130 degrees in the mill about 9 months of the year. Not to mention the 40lbs of protective clothing we wear. Time will only tell if i can return to this job. I really hope I can because I love my work. I work a 4 days on 4 days off schedule, rotating from days to nights.I would like to make it another 10 years before I move to the office. Trust me though I will be taking no chances. I work for a great company and they are very understanding and will do whatever need.

Like I said before thanks for advice and prayers. I will keep everyone updated.

My wife and I were discussing jobs the other night. I used to work in a rubber curing process plant. I couldn't cut it. My dad worked at Republic Steel until retirement. He took us to the milll where he worked and showed us what they did. After seeing what he did, I cannot imagine what working there for years would have been liike.

Once you recover, which is going to take 6 months to a year, you should be able to handle it if you can now. It may be more taxing on you physically then before, but I think you'll be fine.

 

[Superbob]

Hey Bryan, just wanted to add my best for your surgery next Tuesday. Will be sending best thoughts/vibes/prayers, and look forward to hearing from you when you are on this side of the mountain with us. Hope someone can post news about you til you are ready to hit the computer again yourself.

Cheers....

 

[texsc]

I will try and get my wife to post my condition. She might still be in denile. She just cant believe this is happening and its hard to even get her to talk about it. I think she is just scared and will be fine when its over. I have 4 wonderful children 21,15,13, and 11. I'm sure one of them can post for me if my wife doesnt feel up to it.

 

[neil]

bryan................its gonna be fine you see.................

 

[Kathy McCain]

Good luck Bryan! Please keep us updated when you can .

 

[Bill B]

I will try and get my wife to post my condition. She might still be in denile. She just cant believe this is happening and its hard to even get her to talk about it. I think she is just scared and will be fine when its over. I have 4 wonderful children 21,15,13, and 11. I'm sure one of them can post for me if my wife doesnt feel up to it.

I couldn't believe it was happening to me either. I never had ANY symptoms despite my tiny BAV and expanding aorta. It seemed like a survivor reality show nightmare, Anyway, the surgery was pretty easy. You go to sleep and you wake up seconds later in recovery. I never suffered any significant pain, just the usual weakness for several weeks after surgery for which cardiac rehab did wonders. I hope your course will be as benign as mine. Good luck.