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A

annb

My husband Byron is having surgery for AVR in Greenville, SC by Dr. Hugh Dennis on the 27th. He has had a heart murmur from birth which is apparently the cause of his problem. We have chosen a mechanical valve. He is 44 and the thought of going through this surgery again is just too much. We have had no symptoms although his appearance has changed, until the last 2 months. He is so tired all of the time and his joints ache. I wondered if anyone else had these type of symptoms before their surgery. I am really hoping for great things after the surgery. We have 2 small boys and it has been very frustrating for him to not be able to do the things he wants to do with them. Dr. Dennis has recommended an ATS valve. If anyone has any information about those I would like to hear it. I have also read the good review from Mike about Dr. Dennis and St. Francis hospital and it was very reassuring. It is nice to find a place where everyone understands how you feel.

Thanks
Annn
 
Welcome Ann and Bryon. If you haven't already, you might want to read the threads on what to take to the hospital and how to prepare for homecoming- there's a lot of good information there.:) I will put you on the calendar for the 27th and keep you in my prayers and thoughts. As they say here at VR.com, it is sometimes harder on the spouse and significant others than it is on the patient.:(
Best Wishes,
Phyllis
 
Welcome Ann.

I am sorry your husband and family must go through this surgery but you have found the right place for support.

I am not familar with the ATS valve but I am sure others will come along to help. Also, there is another valve that is getting very excellent results these days called the On-X. If it is not too late, you might want to discuss that with the surgeon. One of the good aspects of the On-X is that it is currently undergoing studies to determine if a lower level of ACT will be possible. I don't want to add any stress to this decision but I would like to know that you are aware of all the options.

Please let us know how we can help.
 
Welcome to the VR.com community. There's lot of information and support here. I had a repair not a replacement so can't help much about valve choice but I'm sure others familiar with the ATS valve will be along shortly.
 
Welcome Ann and Byron

You've found a great place with lots and lots of wonderful, caring people. I'm Evelyn, whose husband, Tyce, had AVR surgery in '02. Can't help with your particular valve. Tyce had the St. Jude's mechanical inserted for the very same reason...he didn't want to go through a second surgery if at all possible. It was also highly recommended by our surgeon.


I'm sure you'll have many questions about recovery, coumadin, etc. We're all here to help you in any way we can. Just get through the presurgery time the best way you can; I truly do think it's the hardest part.

Again welcome.

Evelyn
 
Thank you so much for all of your encouragement. We are blessed to have a great family and church family so we have alot of support. You guys will surely also be a blessing to us. I am sure we will have more questions as we go on. I am trying to get Byron to sit down and read the Coumadin section so he will be less apprehensive about it. He is anxious to get the surgery over with and would rather have me gather all of the information. I guess that is the dynamic of our team. I am sure we are both going to appreciate all the information and kindness that we will get from this forum.

Thanks again,
Ann
 
Welcome, Ann. Since your husband's symptoms are now affecting his quality of life, it's probably a very good time to be having the surgery. I was 52 when I had my aortic valve replaced (last April) and I was very, very tired and achey prior to my surgery. Those are certainly symptoms and many of us have experienced that.

Your husband's recovery may be frustrating. It will last longer than he expects or wants. BUT!! He will be better....SO much better in a few months. He will feel young again and have the energy to keep up with your sons. Almost certainly!! :D

The heart itself seems to go through unnoticeable recovery...you really do not feel the heart mending. It's the sternotomy...the cracking open of the sternum that takes the time to heal. You MUST respect this...it is the re-fusing of the bone. It takes time, like a broken leg would. At first your husband will be very tired post-surgery. More tired than he can describe! But it is SO normal to feel this way and it dissipates quite noticeably each day. Everyone is different, of course.

While we do not want to underplay the seriousness of this operation... for most it is truly a manageable experience.

Please ask new questions and start new threads whenever something confuses or concerns you. That way, more people here will see your querry and respond.

Welcome to you both!

:) Marguerite
 
ATS Valve

ATS Valve

Hi Ann!

My AVR is scheduled for 3/2 and my surgeon will be using the ATS valve if he decides to go with mechanical. I'm leaving it up to him as to whether it's mechanical or tissue as I do have some bleeding issues to contend with, even though they are fairly minor. I'm 64 and could logically go with either based on age.

My surgeon is probably the best in Sarasota, Dr. Clifton Lewis, and is VERY highly regarded. When I inquired about valves, he said "ATS is what I'd use." Apparently, it's the standard mechanical at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and this hospital is well known for it's heart center. My surgeon has been written up many times for using the DaVinci Robot in Mitral Vavle Repair/Replacements. So, for what it's worth, if he says "ATS", I, personally, have all the faith in the world in his opinion.

You might be interested in checking out their web site for detailed info. All warm thoughts and prayers go out to you and your hubby!

Jan
 
Welcome Ann! My children were 5 and 7 when I had my surgery. It was a blessing to be healthy through all their most active years. And now I'm also a healthy grandma! It's a scary thing to face, but knowledge is power, so feel free to ask any questions you or your husband might have.

You may want to give this thread a read. http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17116 It will answer some basic questions on Coumadin. We are so fortunate to have the best expert (IMHO) on warfarin (Coumadin) in our member Al Lodwick. His site is referenced in the thread.
 
HelloAnnb - I, too, am Annb - welcome to the forum. There is so much to talk about and learn. You will both be well prepared when he goes in. Ask any/all questions that come to mind and you will get answers from this great place of more than 1800 members. Glad you have come aboard.
 
The ATS is an excellent valve, and your husband can't go wrong with it.

The thing of interest with the On-X valve is the possibility of less anticoagulation. As your husband is young, this could be a positive thing for him. The On-X is fully equivalent to the ATS in functionality.

You will find that brands of valves - both carbon and tissue - are more in line with the local valve manufacturer salesperson than any other single factor. ATS has a good one in central Florida. As the top carbon valves are all great equipment, it's not really a problem.

Best wishes,
 
Been There!

Been There!

Hello and Welcome! I am Ann(i) to huband Nathan, the AVR patient @ age 34, now 35. I am glad you found this site!!

We have a now 15 year old son and 10 year old daughter that were pretty understanding of OHS as their grandpa had heart transplant in early 50s.

My husband has been on Warfarin/Coumadin for 1.5 years, so we are still somewhat new, but we have been home monitoring his INR sine 6 weeks post op. With the help our members and "Al" , home monitoring
has been a blessing. My husband snowmobiles and ATVS (as always,helmeted). Motorcycling has changed as he never wore a helmet before, and to be honest doesn't care for wearing a helmet on the Fatboy now so that will be for sale in April. He also wil have a few glasses of wine/beer a week too.

Wishing you all the best, feel free to ask any questions! :)

Ann (The Wife)
 
To Annb and Byron, I am also a new member to vr.com but I'm an "old timer" valve recipient. This is a great site for info and reassurance. I wish it had been around 40 years ago. I remember a lot of "what do I do and how do I do it" and the answers were hard to come by. I suggest that Byron read the info on coumadin(warfarin) and follow the instructions. He should have little problem once the drug is understood.

I also had two sons (6 & 8)when my valve was put in. I've seen them grow to men (46 & 48). I've also seen 4 grandchildren (5, 18, 18 & 22) grow up and now ONE great-grandson (2 mos)

Winston Churchill (if you're old enough to remember him) said it very well. "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself". It took me a while to accept that but it was true. Of course, I have the benefit of "hindsight"
 
Byron promises to sit down today and read. I do not know if he will post any questions. I think if he just asked one he would not find the process so odd.(asking strangers such personal questions). I thinks he will understand after reading your replies to my original post that you guys are not really strangers and are more like a family. Thanks again for your kind words and love and one of us will be asking all of our questions.

Ann
 
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