R
rcatalano
Just got home yesterday - had my 14 yr old homograft replaced with an ATS Medical mechanical valve on Tuesday, 8/26 by Dr Parr at Morristown Memorial Hosp in NJ. Anyone with any experience ATS Medical valves, please fill me in!
What a difference the second time around. I'm almost giddy at how well everything went! Maybe I'm just on the high part of the emotional curve right now, but I feel great (relatively speaking of course)!
My first surgery, I didn't sleep for months before or after the surgery. I was probably clinically depressed. Physically, everything was well, but mentally and emotionally I was very down. I was probably on the verge of a nervous breakdown prior to surgery.
This time, I was well prepared, confident, organized - ready for battle. 2 days of hell, a day or 2 of purgatory, now I'm good to go.
My only real concerns were making the mechanical vs tissue valve decision (again), coumadin, and the clicking noise.
Well, I have yet to hear a click. No nurses or family members could hear it yet either. Maybe this will change as the swelling in my chest goes away? The surgeon told me its a very quiet valve.
As for coumadin, I've received my forms from QAS and will look into home monitoring. My cardiologist likes the idea, though he has never seen a home testing unit.
I wish I could bottle up my experience and give it to anyone facing upcoming surgery. What can I say? Are you scared? Of course your scared! Worried? Who wouldn't be! I can't tell you its fun or easy, but you'll have lots of help at every step.
What a difference the second time around. I'm almost giddy at how well everything went! Maybe I'm just on the high part of the emotional curve right now, but I feel great (relatively speaking of course)!
My first surgery, I didn't sleep for months before or after the surgery. I was probably clinically depressed. Physically, everything was well, but mentally and emotionally I was very down. I was probably on the verge of a nervous breakdown prior to surgery.
This time, I was well prepared, confident, organized - ready for battle. 2 days of hell, a day or 2 of purgatory, now I'm good to go.
My only real concerns were making the mechanical vs tissue valve decision (again), coumadin, and the clicking noise.
Well, I have yet to hear a click. No nurses or family members could hear it yet either. Maybe this will change as the swelling in my chest goes away? The surgeon told me its a very quiet valve.
As for coumadin, I've received my forms from QAS and will look into home monitoring. My cardiologist likes the idea, though he has never seen a home testing unit.
I wish I could bottle up my experience and give it to anyone facing upcoming surgery. What can I say? Are you scared? Of course your scared! Worried? Who wouldn't be! I can't tell you its fun or easy, but you'll have lots of help at every step.
