P
papabell
Hello everyone:
Today is the first anniversary of my surgery. I had AVR with quad CAB. I have a Carbomedics 500, 25 mm. and it doesn't click at all. I haven't posted since prior to my surgery but I have been reading and learning from all your posts. Thank you so much for sharing your stories.
I am doing very well and have had a relatively uneventful recovery with only one incident worth telling. I had hyperthyroidism for many years in fact that is how they first discovered I had a valve problem. I had the thyroid treated and have been on synthyroid for a number of years at .075 dosage. While I was in hospital they switched me to .100 and was well for awhile. In July (3 months after surgery) I was out walking with our rotweiler wannabes (shitz-su's) and was about 2 blocks from home when I went into a tach attack. I made my way home and my wife took me into emerg where I was clocked at 170 bpm. They wanted to use meds that stop the heart and restart it but I didn't want to have anything to do with that so we tried the old bowl of ice water trick and it was just like pushing a reset button, I was back to normal. Meds now adjusted to .088 synthyroid and all is well again but it took a few days to get back to feeling good.
My life has virtually returned to normal and I have resumed most of the things I used to do. I have been playing guitar in our church for 7 - 8 months now, I have returned to politics and sit as a councilor in our community (kinda like one of those people that is giving Ross grief) something I did for 9 years prior. I walk a lot and am in cardiac rehab which is a tremendous help and a terrific program. I feel very blessed to be doing this well especially when I read of the complications some of you have gone through. My prayers and best wishes go out to you all.
My attitude towards things has changed dramaticly as it has for many of you. Things I used to think were important aren't anymore. My family has become the real focal point of my life and I could not have come through this without their love and support. Life is much more precious to me and I thank God every morning for every blessing he gives me. I greet each morning with new optimism and vigor than I ever have before .
While I was in hospital I was having a discussion with the head nutritionalist about warfarin and I suppose I was whinning a little (read LOTS) and she looked me right in the eye and said " listen, you have a life, live it" if you wish to have a drink have one, if you wish to try a different food , do it. Just use moderation and you'll be fine. I have followed her advice and I don't worry much about my INR which is usually between 2 & 3 at a dosage of 4.5 & 5 mg alternating days. It does move around a little but I don't beat myself up over it. It has simply become part of my life.
This forum has been a Godsend and has taught me much Thank you Ross !
All of you are a blessing Thank you for sharing !
I have promised myself I will post more often but I type so doggone slow it is painful to watch. This is my third attempt today and I sure hope it works. if it does I'll tell you what happened to the first 2 tries.
take care and God bless you all !
papabell
William Bell
avr,carbomedics 500,25mm
quad cab, history of svt
hypothyroidism, bi-gemini
Today is the first anniversary of my surgery. I had AVR with quad CAB. I have a Carbomedics 500, 25 mm. and it doesn't click at all. I haven't posted since prior to my surgery but I have been reading and learning from all your posts. Thank you so much for sharing your stories.
I am doing very well and have had a relatively uneventful recovery with only one incident worth telling. I had hyperthyroidism for many years in fact that is how they first discovered I had a valve problem. I had the thyroid treated and have been on synthyroid for a number of years at .075 dosage. While I was in hospital they switched me to .100 and was well for awhile. In July (3 months after surgery) I was out walking with our rotweiler wannabes (shitz-su's) and was about 2 blocks from home when I went into a tach attack. I made my way home and my wife took me into emerg where I was clocked at 170 bpm. They wanted to use meds that stop the heart and restart it but I didn't want to have anything to do with that so we tried the old bowl of ice water trick and it was just like pushing a reset button, I was back to normal. Meds now adjusted to .088 synthyroid and all is well again but it took a few days to get back to feeling good.
My life has virtually returned to normal and I have resumed most of the things I used to do. I have been playing guitar in our church for 7 - 8 months now, I have returned to politics and sit as a councilor in our community (kinda like one of those people that is giving Ross grief) something I did for 9 years prior. I walk a lot and am in cardiac rehab which is a tremendous help and a terrific program. I feel very blessed to be doing this well especially when I read of the complications some of you have gone through. My prayers and best wishes go out to you all.
My attitude towards things has changed dramaticly as it has for many of you. Things I used to think were important aren't anymore. My family has become the real focal point of my life and I could not have come through this without their love and support. Life is much more precious to me and I thank God every morning for every blessing he gives me. I greet each morning with new optimism and vigor than I ever have before .
While I was in hospital I was having a discussion with the head nutritionalist about warfarin and I suppose I was whinning a little (read LOTS) and she looked me right in the eye and said " listen, you have a life, live it" if you wish to have a drink have one, if you wish to try a different food , do it. Just use moderation and you'll be fine. I have followed her advice and I don't worry much about my INR which is usually between 2 & 3 at a dosage of 4.5 & 5 mg alternating days. It does move around a little but I don't beat myself up over it. It has simply become part of my life.
This forum has been a Godsend and has taught me much Thank you Ross !
All of you are a blessing Thank you for sharing !
I have promised myself I will post more often but I type so doggone slow it is painful to watch. This is my third attempt today and I sure hope it works. if it does I'll tell you what happened to the first 2 tries.
take care and God bless you all !
papabell
William Bell
avr,carbomedics 500,25mm
quad cab, history of svt
hypothyroidism, bi-gemini
should anything ever go wrong.
