G
geebee
Hi all,
It?s hard to believe but it?s been 24 years since my first mitral valve replacement. I must admit I was a bit reactive to the information that my surgery would be performed on Halloween (read trick or treat). Obviously, I was hoping for the treat.
Since my surgeon was so confident that he could repair my mitral valve, we did not discuss the types of valves available. Once he got in, he found the valve so damaged it could not be repaired. In fact, the surgeon said later he was not sure how I was functioning with such a bad valve. I guess I had just altered my activity level to match my illness progression.
In any case, he replaced my valve with the infamous Bjork-Shiley valve which ended up being recalled. He chose the mechanical valve because of my age (28) as he wanted it to be my last OHS. Good thought but one that would not be accurate.
So here I am 24 years later, with 3 OHS behind me and finally a St. Jude valve that works perfectly. 24 years of coumadin, 24 years of ticking and 24 years I would not have had were it not for OHS. I only wish I had had VR.com back then to help me through.
Thank you for the opportunity to read and post and perhaps make a difference in other?s lives.
Keep smiling,
Gina
It?s hard to believe but it?s been 24 years since my first mitral valve replacement. I must admit I was a bit reactive to the information that my surgery would be performed on Halloween (read trick or treat). Obviously, I was hoping for the treat.
Since my surgeon was so confident that he could repair my mitral valve, we did not discuss the types of valves available. Once he got in, he found the valve so damaged it could not be repaired. In fact, the surgeon said later he was not sure how I was functioning with such a bad valve. I guess I had just altered my activity level to match my illness progression.
In any case, he replaced my valve with the infamous Bjork-Shiley valve which ended up being recalled. He chose the mechanical valve because of my age (28) as he wanted it to be my last OHS. Good thought but one that would not be accurate.
So here I am 24 years later, with 3 OHS behind me and finally a St. Jude valve that works perfectly. 24 years of coumadin, 24 years of ticking and 24 years I would not have had were it not for OHS. I only wish I had had VR.com back then to help me through.
Thank you for the opportunity to read and post and perhaps make a difference in other?s lives.
Keep smiling,
Gina
