Hello From New Member

[tommy]

Hello to all from a new forum member. Hank, thanks for creating and maintaining such a wonderful site. I've been reading posts for a few weeks and finally decided to dive in myself. I'm struck by the courage and caring of ya'll.

I discovered this site from a yahoo search that turned up Mark Wagner's marathon story. Thanks Mark and Les Barrett for your inspiration. You are awesome!

After several years of slacking, I finally started dropping some weight and exercising a few months ago. After walking and jogging over 150 miles and losing over 25 pounds, I feel great ? better than in a long, long time.

Hernia surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. After surviving an AVR and melanoma excision, this should be a piece of cake, but I take no surgery lightly. I suspect that I have a healthy apprehension.

I thank God everyday for new life.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Tom,
Welcome to this Great Site. You are among some very caring and knowledgeable people. It is good to hear how well you are doing since your AVR. Good Luck with your hernia surgery. Keep us posted on how you are doing. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Again Welcome!
Take Care

Dave
_____________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[ccrawford]

Hi Tom - Welcome to VR.com. Glad to hear you are doing so well. I hope you'll stay, get to know us and visa versa. I'm a VR.com bigot as it really helped me get through some tough times and I think you'll like the people you'll find here. I think they're super. Chris

 

[bvdr]

Hello Tom and welcome to this site!

Thanks for joining in and please come back often. When did you stop your warfarin for your surgery? My prayers follow you into surgery and I'll be watching to see how you have done.

 

[EVELYN]

Hello Tom and Welcome

You've found a wonderful place.....keep in touch with us here.

Evelyn

 

[Nancy]

Hi Tom-

And welcome to this great site.

Good luck on your surgery tomorrow. Please let us know how it goes.

Nothing is small with you valver gals and guys, at least it hasn't been for Joe. Healthy respect for all procedures are very much in order.

Ya'll are special in every sense of the word.

Talk to you later,

 

[Ross]

Maybe we should run another header along VR for alien removal services and support too! I don't know what type of hernia your having repaired, but it definately a walk in the park compared to what we've been through. I've had several repairs now on Inguinal and incisional hernias. Sure your sore for a day or two, but hey..

 

[MelissaM]

Hi Tom - Welcome to the fray! Good luck with your surgery tomorrow. Don't you think they are being sexist calling them hernias? Shouldn't the guys get some of the credit/blame?! Why aren't they called Hisnias??? We'll save that discussion for when you are feeling better. . .

Ciao - Melissa

 

[hensylee]

Well, gosh, Tom you didn't give us hardly any time to fuss over you. We have to do that, you know, 'cause we love all our family and worry like crazy about every one of us. You will be in my prayers tomorrow. Welcome to VR.

GODSPEED!

 

[tommy]

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Answers to some of your questions..........

The hernia (hisnia?) is inguinal right side.

My cardiologist prescribed the Coumadin/Lovenox regime. My last dose of Coumadin was Thursday night. I monitor my INR at home under the direction of the cardiologist's Coumadin nurse. I checked the INR Wednesday to be sure that we were starting off in range. When the INR got below 2.5 (Sat), I started Lovenox. The INR yesterday (Mon) was 1.6, which satisfied the Coumadin nurse. Also started anitbiotic (Keflex generic) yesterday.

I'm to resume Lovenox and regular Coumadin dose tonight. I'll continue Lovenox until the INR reaches 2.5.

I'm ready. I'll let ya'll know how everything turns out.
Thanks again.

 

[Ross]

Mine was the right also Tom. It kept reoccurring so I finally had to go to Cleveland and have it fixed Laproscopically sp?. It's held up well since then. You'll be fine. Sore, but fine.

 

[Les]

Hello Tom, and welcome to this great place. Best wishes on the hernia operation. Stick around and get to know us. It's not all "gloom and doom" by any means. We're a fun bunch.
__________________
Les AVR '93 / '95

 

[tommy]

Great news! The surgery was quick and successsful. It's a great day.

 

[Gisele]

Good for you Tom

Good for you Tom

Wishing you a speedy recovery from this surgery. Keep an eye on that INR with the Lovenox. Don't you just hate jabbing yourself in the stomach with those needles.............yikes!

 

[hensylee]

Congratulations - I know you are glad it's over and done - successfully.

 

[tiggerangelgirl]

I would also like to welcome you with a big HELLO!,its always good to see new people ,iam also fairly new and some good advice would be don't be afraid to ask anything here at VR your questions are always held with the uttmost respect,with no little or big questions i have found out that they are all important.I pray that God will bless you with a speedy recovery,and hope you keep coming back
love nicole

 

[Nancy]

Hi Tom-

Wonderful news. Thanks for letting us know.

Take care,

 

[fyrfytr]

Hi Tom,
Glad to hear your surgery went OK.
Take Care

Dave
______________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[tommy]

Here's an update.

Although the hernia surgery went well, the recovery is going much slower than I anticipated. Perhaps the key is expectations. Compared to the AVR, it is truly a walk in the park. I just thought that I would bounce back quicker. I really should count my blessings, so I'll try to "share" a bit and not complain.

One end of the incision is still beeding a bit. Not much, just persistent. I've tried lying still for two days - no noticable improvement. I've stayed off the computer because sitting seems to aggravate the incision. Right now, I have one cheek on the chair and one leg hanging free. Can't stay like this very long. I'm still on Lovenox while the INR comes up to 2.5. I'm guessing that once I stop the Lovenox, the bleeding will be easier to stop.

I'm bruised in places I'd care not to articulate. Ice packs help. I've graduated to the extra large zip lock bags!

The good news is that I seem to have good mobility and strength. No signs of infection. I'm very glad that I have been getting in shape. I seem to maintain a sense of humor. My wife mostly agrees (about the sense of humor).

I'm so glad that I found ya'll a few weeks ago. Gob bless all of you.

 

[Ross]

Tom when I had mine done, bleeding wasn't an issue, but I wasn't on Coumadin or Lovenox then either. I was pretty sore for about 3 days. Certainly wasn't doing jumping jacks or running anywhere. Slow and easy gets it. Hang in there and watch for that nasty bruising.