Introduction

[redwingsfan]

This is my first post. I am now almost 8 weeks post op (March 18, 2009). I am a 44 year old male (had my 44th birthday 3 days after surgery). I was diagnosed in early January of this year with an enlarged aorta. On the 18th of March they performed a Bentall procedure and a double by-pass. The by-pass was necessary as the aorta was so enlarged it streched/compressed the arteries. I'm feeling great, back to work as of today, and life is getting back to normal.

Here in Ontario, at least in my case, my INR and warfarin dose is monitored by my family physician, but thanks to all the information I have read on this site I now have a prescription for a Coaguchek XS and hope to have it soon.

That's all for now...just wanted to introduce myself.

 

[BDMc]

Welcome aboard! Glad to have you with us. Brian

 

[netmiff]

Welcome to the nuthouse. You'll love home testing ! I may be wrong, but from what I remember, you are the first to have an enlarged aorta, most of us who have AVR have stenotic valves. Not that it makes any difference, I guess I'm just thinking out loud.

 

[Tbone]

Glad everything is well with you. Please be careful that you don't overdo it.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome! Glad you found us. And this member living in Blackhawk country won't hold your chosen member name against you.

 

[Bina]

Greetings from Eastern Ontario!
I am thrilled that another Doctor is on board with home testing.
My machine was delivered within 2 weeks of my call to Roche Diagnostics in Quebec. Good Luck.

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to VR. Glad you found us.

 

[ottagal]

Hello RedWingsFan,

Just wanted to add my welcome to this great VR family fellow Ontarion! Hope you continue a smooth recovery.

 

[Freddie]

Welcome RedWingsFan from another Canadian, but I'm from the Prairies.

Be good to yourself and don't over do it at work.

Best wishes that you continue on having a bump free recovery.

Had to make sure my font was in Red Wings color

 

[redwingsfan]

Thanks for all the encouraging responses. Its great to talk to others who have gone through similar things, even those like Karlynn in Blackhawks coutry.

 

[jax]

well i can't say that i like the redwings but welcome to the board. Where is Ajax, Ontario? i was raised in london, Ontario but moved to ohio in 2002. I think i have heard of Ajax but i'm not sure.

Don't overdo it. I am trying to teach myself that also. I haven't had surgery yet and i am still used to being able to go, go, go and i can't do it anymore. I catch myself a little too late sometimes like the other day when i was carrying a bucket of water to my dog. I learned i can't even do that anymore.

 

[laurad37]

Welcome to our family... It get a little crazy but you'll love it... Great support system here. Before, during and after surgery.

 

[redwingsfan]

Since I am self employed my schedule is flexible, so right now I'll be out a clients only twice a week for about 4 hrs max. The rest of the time I'll work from my home office.

JAx - Ajax is just east of Scarborough and a little west of Oshawa. I know what you mean when you talk about limitations. I couldn't even walk out the door to the van without taking my nitro. Since the surgery though I have not had any angina pain whatsoever. I hope everything goes as well for you.

It is turning out to be a great support system. Great responses from all over and all I did was introduce myself. I feel like I belong already even among those who are not Red Wings fans

 

[hall]

Welcome! Not a very good way to spend your birthday! Glad to hear your doing well. Working out of your home should help.

 

[Dale]

Hey Redwingsfan! (That's who my husband has in the hockey pool)
I just want to say hi -- I'm next door in Pickering. I got a Coagucheck machine a month ago and love it. As far as I know you have to go to Oshawa or Scarborough to find a pharmacy licensed to sell them and the strips. I went to Scarborough.

Hope you are continuing to improve. I started back at work fulltime today and I am pooped but every day is just LOVELY,

Dale

 

[redwingsfan]

Hey Dale, (your husband is a smart man by the way)

Its nice to know there is a fellow Durham region resident out there. I get my Coagucheck today. I am getting mine from Oshawa. I am looking forward to no more trips to the lab.

I hope being back to work full time doesn't continue to make you feel pooped (although work does have a tendency to do that). You are right when you say every day is LOVELY.

Take care.

 

[Cooker]

Welcome to the zoo

 

[tex]

Hi and welcome, this forum is brillant, can answer any question between them all.
Take Care
Jane

 

[Superbob]

Just caught up with this thread. I had a Bentall's too. Welcome to our crazy place, and best wishes to you for a smooth recovery.

 

[MissMelis]

Welcome redwingsfan from another Canadian - though this one is an Albertan and an Oilers fan, I've picked your Red Wings to win in 6 this round in my hockey pool. They'd better come through <shakes fist>
Glad you've joined the Fray! Hope your recovery continues to go well.

Take care
Melissa