Hello all, I'm new here

[bejaxx]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this site and hoping to find answers from others who have similar heart valve issues. I'm having mitral and aortic valve replacement in 2 weeks. I previously had mitral replacement in 1996 and have developed scar tissue in the valve and now have damage to the aortic valve. Does anyone have any info about the scar tissue? Is it a common occurrence?
Any info will be gratly appreciated.
Thanks,
Bejaxx

 

[aussiemember]

Hi Bejaxx,

I haven't had my surgery yet so can't be of much help but there are many experienced people on here who will have some answers for you. Just wanted to say welcome!!

 

[bejaxx]

Thank you

Thank you

I've been reading alot on this site. Seems to me I've found the right place to be for questions, answers, and new friends.
Thanks for the welcome!
bejaxx

 

[CathyK.]

I am also in the "waiting room" so can't help much. Welcome and there will be more experienced people come along shortly to help you. Good luck and you will feel much better about things after you ask your questions here and get replies!

 

[geebee]

Welcome.

I do not know how common it is but I have had 2 OHS to remove scar tissue that had encroached on my mechanical mitral (my first OHS in 1980). During my third OHS we replaced the mechanical installed in 1980 in case I was having problems with just that valve. I have had my current valve for 12 years and, so far, it seems like the scar tissue is not forming.

I tested positve in 1981 for anti-heart antibodies which we think might have had a part in causing scar tissue formation. After my second OHS, I went on a year-long regimen of steroids. I believe that helped to cut down the production of scar tissue and subsequent testing indicate I am free of the antibodies.

I do not know how common the antibodies are so I am not saying that might be your problem but it can't hurt to look into it.

I wish you well with your surgery.

 

[bejaxx]

Me again! I guess the main worry I have is post surgery complications. I had severe complications after the first OHS and spent 6 LONG months in the hospital. I'm really terrified of surgery again. Also I wasn't sure how common double replacement is or about the scar tissue. Thanks for the info on the antibodies, I will make sure I mention it to my Dr on Thursday.
Hope you all are well.
bejaxx

 

[noel]

Understand

Understand

bejaxx, we understand your concern . Sometimes I wonder if a little knowledge is worse than none at all. We just learned yesterday Noels date of surgery would be the 14th for cath and surgery for MVR on the 15th at UAB. He, too had OHS in February of this year. So like you are feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment. Best wishes and prayers. Robbie (wife of patient)

 

[bejaxx]

Thanks

Thanks

I have found that this site is helping me more every day. I've been over the mountain once and everything happened so fast, I didn't have alot of time to go nuts about it. I have a different card this time, the other one retired, and she's been slower about doing things. Which I appreciate from the standpoint that she wants to check everything and be sure about what all needs to be done and only have 1 surgery. On the other hand, the waiting is making me nuts.
I'm terrified of surgery again and at the same time, I want it over and done with. Does that make any sense at all?
bejaxx

 

[susieq14]

Hello Bejaxx,

Welcome to VR.com!

I have mitral regurgitation and am in the waiting room so I cannot offer you any wise answers to your questions about re-surgery and scar tissue as I have not had surgery and feel very "medically illiterate". What I can offer you is lots of positive thoughts and best wishes as you prepare for your surgery. I'm sure your feelings of being terrified but yet wanting the darn thing over and done with are perfectly normal. I know I would feel the same way once I get the news that I'm heading to the OR - well actually I feel that way right now, I can't stand the uncertainty of not knowing when I'll need surgery. They say patience is a virtue, I think I was absent when it was distributed!!!!

anyway I wish you well and send you lots of hugs and will keep you in my prayers!

Take Care!
Susie

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Bejaxx

Hi Bejaxx

Welcome to our wonderful forum. Tell us more about you..age, real name, children?, ect...What town is Mississippi..We have many members in Alabama ..I was born/raised in Selma. We have 1 in mississippi. I think his name is T-bone? anyway..I know it is T something? ........Do you have a date , yet? for your surgery in Memphis?Just ask any questions..we are here for you.. and will stay with you..until your surgery is over..then, any post-op questions. We will try to help..bonnie

 

[Granbonny]

I just checked on the member from Mississippi .It is T-Money..A teacher from Mississippi..You can go to members at the top of forum..bring up the T's and you will find him. Send him an e-mail/Pm.. He had his surgery a year ago at UAB in birmingham.Maybe yall are neighbors. Bonnie

 

[bejaxx]

This site is wonderful

This site is wonderful

My real name is Beverly. I'm 45, 2 kids. Jenn is 29 and Madi is 6. I live in Walnut. It's a really small town about 65 miles east of Memphis and 20 miles west of Corinth. We're so small we only have one stoplight in town and it was put in a few years ago when 72 was four-laned!lol! I'm one of six girls and yes my Mom still has all of her hair!!! However, 3 of us have had VR and I've got to have it again, so it's getting a little gray around the edges!
I go back to my card on Thursday to finalize surgery date. I'm just ready to get it over with. So let's all hope for the best
Beverly

 

[Marguerite53]

Hello, Beverly. Welcome to our home away from home! I'm glad that you have already found some comfort here. Come as often as you can!!

I am 52 and just had my first AVR last April. (Because I chose a tissue valve with a shorter lifespan than a mechanical....I will probably have to fact a second surgery in 20 years or less). I had to to wait almost 3 years for it to get "bad enough" for surgery. The waiting is very tough. I'm so sorry that you had a difficult time with your first surgery. That would make anyone anxious about a second one, even though 10 years have passed.

I guess I would want to assure you that things have been perfected to a degree in that time. Perhaps the actual surgery will go faster than the first. Perhaps the drugs will be more effective now, to curb the discomfort and keep you balanced during recovery.

Specifically, what went wrong with the first one that kept you in the hospital for so long? Are you going to a more state of the art hospital this time?

There are many here who can address different complications...but we don't know what they are, so maybe you could describe some for us.

Good luck and hang in there. We'll be here waiting for you to report back after your surgery...so you can be reassured that there are many ears and hearts here, listening.

Marguerite

 

[bejaxx]

good morning

good morning

This time I will be going to ( I believe) a better equipped hospital. I did like my surgeon the first time around. All my complications after surgery were from an ulcer that ruptured 3 days after VR. 2 surgeries within 3 weeks of VR was great for 1 thing, I lost 40 lbs! lol! After 10 years I've only gained 10 of it back. I can joke now, but it was a long trip getting home.
I'm kind of nervous about the stomach situation only because I remember how sick I was. I honestly prayed to God to please let me die. I still have a lot of problems with my stomach which I will have the rest of my life.
Someone sent me a note that said "God doesn't send me anything I can't handle, I just wish He didn't trust me so much!"
I'm a tough old bird and this time I even more reason to get well, babygirl!
Thanks everyone for your love and support.
Beverly