How did you find Valvereplacement.com

[hensylee]

Silly? Who, me?

 

[bvdr]

I found this site reading a post on another heart forum and have basically been here ever since.

 

[Karlynn]

In October 1999 I was just home from AVR and had many questions, so I took to the Internet. I posted on webmd.com and Hank answered my question and invited me to join his e-mail list. Rest is history...

Here's a picture from our first VR.COM Reunion in San Antonio -- Dec 2000...left to right: Gina (Chicago), DickV (Houston), Janie (San Antonio), BobG (Princeton), Hank (Mesa), BobF (Boston) and Rain from downtown Cortez...my how we've grown!

Looks like the photo needs to go in the drinking thread that's running now.

 

[Les]

VR member Perry Anderson contacted me in 2002 and convinced me to sign up after finding my story on the St. Jude website about running the Chicago Marathon. Have made new friends and more importantly, know that none of us need ever be alone again with our situations. That's what this site is all about.

 

[Lorraine]

I found this site mid April in 2001, about 1 1/2 months after surgery. I had searched and searched hundreds of times looking up valve replacement and coumadin. I saw a link to VR.com and decided to check it out. I was apprehensive about writing online, because I had never done that before. I had just got the computer the end of November the year before, and other than using a work computer, I had never really communicated which strangers online.

I looked at the stories and contacted Rain, because her name was the same as mine and her story was interesting. We wrote each many times, and she convinced me I wouldn't regret it if I joined. She was right! I finally signed the guest book May 8, 2001.

Went to my first reunion in Nashville, where I did meet everyone in Janies picture she posted, and the rest is history. I guess they all had such a blast in San Antonio, that they all wanted to be there for the next one.

I love this site and all the wonderful people that are a part of it. Everyone has so much information to share. This is definitely my second family! Thanks Hanks for creating this site. And thanks to everyone who is apart of our VR.com family!

 

[Blanche]

Before Albert had his strokes in December 2000, neither of us knew an INR from an IRA. We learned quickly during his 3 week hospitalization as the strokes were caused by what the doctors called "a coumadin failure." The one thing we then knew for certain was that if his INR dipped below 2.0, he could stroke again. Despite this, we had difficulty with his INR results because his cardiologist has 11 partners, each of whom seemed to have different ideas about regulating Coumadin. When his INR reached 4.9, his cardio told him to hold for 3 days. His INR dipped to 1.9. That was the turning point. After screaming into the phone at the cardio, I wrote a very long letter detailing and documenting all of the problems we had been having with his office.

The cardio suggested home testing, which he said he knew existed but did not have details. So, we got on the net and were fortunate to find QAS. Woody from QAS told me about a woman in Tucson (Christina) and suggested that she might help us. He also told us about this site. That was March 2001. Thank heavens for Hank, Christina, and all of the other people who helped us through those frightening months after Al's stroke, and for all the folks who have helped since.

Blanche

P.S. The cardiologist opend a Anticoagulation Clinic in his office in 2003.

 

[John & Joann]

We found the site in June of 2001. At that time there were only about 30 members. It was listed on a link from Cleveland Clinic. We hope that our experience has helped others.

Thanks Hank, Ross, Al, Nancy, and the many others on this forum that are regular contributors to help others. We often do not agree with some of the comments, but we respect everyone!!! Each case is different.

God Bless!

John & Joann
Clicking since 1971

 

[BIGHEARTED]

Recently found VR.com

Recently found VR.com

Hi all - About 2 weeks ago I just got back from my yearly evaluation appointment at the Cleveland Clinic and was more confused than ever. My son had open heart surgery the day before to correct a congenital ASD, so I was really in a tizzy. I did an internet search on msn looking for aortic valve and found you. It was a great day for me and in the past 2 weeks I have learned more about aortic valve replacement and aneurysms than I ever did before. One of these days I will get up enough nerve to actually start a thread and ask some questions. Thank you all for your help and wonderful information. By the way, it is not quite 3 weeks since my son had his surgery and he is doing wonderfully. Who would have thought he would have his before I had mine. Leny

 

[tiggerangelgirl]

VR.com GODSEND

VR.com GODSEND

I had been very sick and really could not get any answers from the Doctors and decided to look up tricupsid valve replacement, and I was givien a bunch of forums and asked away and immediatly got an answer to my questions

 

[Jeff Summers]

I found out about VR.com while I was investigating an aneurysm web site, May 2000. Ran into Ben and Rob their, and they told me about the sight. I new about needing the valve replaced, since I was a kid-14. It was the aneurysm that had me freak'n. Now I'm 43 and I still DON'T need Viagra.

 

[Emma]

I found it by doing a search for heart valve replacements and the site has been a godsend! Have recommended it to loads of people in our situation over here.

Emma
xxx

 

[Debrinha GT]

Marge, remember her?!

Marge, remember her?!

I had just found out that I would be needing another mitral valve replacement again when I joined HeartCenterOnline to try and learn more about my condition, as well as share my experience with others. Then, Marge who's also a VR member told me about this site. I was lost and didn't know who to turn to, but here I've found all the answers and made a countless number of friends. I'm one of the very few members here whose English isn't his native language, and never once, did I feel any hostility from anybdoy at all. Thank you all for having been here for me whenever I've needed support. You're just great!
Débora from Brazil