Well it has been 1 year ago that I received my On-X valve and aorta graft at Cleveland Clinic. I was diagnosed in 2007 and checked annually. Last year the aneurysm beat the valve to the punch by getting to be 5.1. Since I had plenty of time to plan I was 99% sure I was going mechanical and if I could swing it financially would go to Cleveland. When the time came I planned it all out and the logistics and finances allowed me to to to Cleveland. They had a great process for out of state/county people and made it rather simple. We arrived the Sunday before the surgery so that we could get all their pre-screening appointments done on Monday through Wednesday with Surgery on Thursday. Surgery first thing Thursday and I would be lying if I said I was not terrified. Last time I remember was 7:04am on the clock in the OR and that was it. Next memory was waking up with the tube in my throat and realizing I better start showing them I could breathe on my own. That portion is a big blur and my wife says I was away with the tube for about 30-35 minutes, but I recall maybe a minute or so. They rest of that day is a big blur other than extreme nausea and throwing up 3 times and hearing the code blues from other recovering patients. The next day was I wain my own room, still very nauseous, but feeling fine. Within 24 hours of surgery I was on my cell phone doing work and calling friends. My recovery went so well they were going to discharge me on Monday, but did not because my INR had not reach ed 2.0 yet. I would up being in the hospital until the following Thursday evening when my INR hit 2.0. Once I was at 2.0 it was maybe 90 minutes before I was discharged. The day after they do post hospital tests and then I am done. We flew back that Sunday.
I did everything they told me to do, from walking and not putting any pressure on my chest. They did a full sternum crack, which they told me up front and I supported. They told me to pamper my chest for a total of 6 weeks, which I did then was fine and back to my normal routine. They encouraged me to be careful with my chest for 12 weeks, again which I did. The first ~3 weeks were rough sleeping om my back propped up, but I stated to get used to it. Within n a few weeks I was on home anti-coagulation testing and everything has been remarkably fine. The surgeon had told me post surgery that my valve was worse than they thought so it was a good time for both. I can tell as my stamina especially when exercising is better, I don't huff and puff as much. I have had no issue keeping my INR in range with maybe a few times it was either a tad high (3.4) or at the bottom end of my range (2-3).
I have zero regrets about picking a mechanical valve, even after I had a GI bleed issue post a recent colonoscopy. I rarely hear the ticking any more and my wife only hears it in bed if I lay on my left side. I feel very fortunate to have had a great experience both with the hospital and staff as well as with no complications. Calculating all the expenses for going to Cleveland cost me around ~$5K (airfare, hotel, ubers/lyts) that I would not have spent if I had it in Atlanta, but it is the best $5K I have ever or will ever spend.
I feel confident that even with the frequent colonoscopies I need to do going forward that this valve will outlive me by a long shot and I am truly lucky. This forums has also been a great fine (by my wife) that helped before during and still for my experience. I read all the great stories of folks with older mechanical valves going strong after decades. I am glad to be in your company and wish us all well with safe and happy futures!
I did everything they told me to do, from walking and not putting any pressure on my chest. They did a full sternum crack, which they told me up front and I supported. They told me to pamper my chest for a total of 6 weeks, which I did then was fine and back to my normal routine. They encouraged me to be careful with my chest for 12 weeks, again which I did. The first ~3 weeks were rough sleeping om my back propped up, but I stated to get used to it. Within n a few weeks I was on home anti-coagulation testing and everything has been remarkably fine. The surgeon had told me post surgery that my valve was worse than they thought so it was a good time for both. I can tell as my stamina especially when exercising is better, I don't huff and puff as much. I have had no issue keeping my INR in range with maybe a few times it was either a tad high (3.4) or at the bottom end of my range (2-3).
I have zero regrets about picking a mechanical valve, even after I had a GI bleed issue post a recent colonoscopy. I rarely hear the ticking any more and my wife only hears it in bed if I lay on my left side. I feel very fortunate to have had a great experience both with the hospital and staff as well as with no complications. Calculating all the expenses for going to Cleveland cost me around ~$5K (airfare, hotel, ubers/lyts) that I would not have spent if I had it in Atlanta, but it is the best $5K I have ever or will ever spend.
I feel confident that even with the frequent colonoscopies I need to do going forward that this valve will outlive me by a long shot and I am truly lucky. This forums has also been a great fine (by my wife) that helped before during and still for my experience. I read all the great stories of folks with older mechanical valves going strong after decades. I am glad to be in your company and wish us all well with safe and happy futures!
!!
She acted as if everything was normal. (Hint: It wasn't. And this was the middle of the night, but I digress...) I feel my pre-surgery exercise made my post-surgery ability to get up and going much easier.
