New Member of the Family!

[psalmist]

Hello every one! My name is Seth. I am 31, have 3 boys (8, 4, 2) and wonderful wife, and looking at hav'n an aortic valve replace soon. I have a consultation with the surgeon at mayo on aug. 14. I live in Missouri and will be going to Roch Minn for the surg. I believe I will be in good hands. Talk about life stopping in its tracks. Emotionally I feel like I died already. I told everyone I was sorry like I had let them down. Is that weird. I felt that way anyway . What a roller coaster. It is so unbelievably great to see that there is life afterwards. I am looking at the St. judes regent but I am curious about the On-x. Seems like too big of a decision for me. Usually its what do I want for dinner. It is just overwhelming to have moments of realizing I am in this thing, I didn't volunteer, and I can't change it . But my family has been incredibly supportive . Thank you folks at VR.com or this would be so much harder! Looking forward to getting know the fam!

 

[Bina]

Hi Seth,
Welcome to the "family". We've all been in your shoes.... I remember thinking I should clean out the closets and prepare my will. Now I laugh about that. There are so many fantastic surgeons who we can trust to care for us and you'll be repaired before you know it.
You have alot going for you:
--You are young.
--You have a supportive family.
--You found VR.com

 

[Ross]

Family? Are you sure you stepped into the right place? We are nothing more then a bunch of mental cases and nut jobs, oh yeah, and some photographers that have had heart surgery. Now if your a little off center, then perhaps you are family and indeed in the right place.

 

[Praline]

Welcome!! Feel free to post anytime you need some support or have a question.

 

[briansmom]

Welcome to the "family". I couldn't have gotten this far with my son without the wonderful folks on this forum. I wanted to let you know that the folks at On-X are wonderful and will answer any questions you have. The other point I want to make is that as everyone on this board is fond of saying: "the only bad decision is not making a decision". Whatever valve you choose will be the right valve for you.

You will get through this. This preparation and waiting time is probably the hardest part of the process.

 

[twinmaker]

Welcome to the family! There are lots of knowledgeable and caring nut jobs, err, I mean people on this site. Seriously, though, we all care about one another, and if a valve job is in your future, then indeed you are in the right place. WELCOME!!! LINDA

 

[psalmist]

thanks for the replies. The feeling of being alone is one of the most ominous. No one in my family or my wife's family has ever heard of it. Me neither for that matter. I was so prideful because I never went to the doctor. . . now I will become a close friend of one. For those of you on the blood thinner . . . is it that bad. Some people choose not to have it because of the trouble. Seems like a good trade to me. Less chance for a second surgery for a pill a day. Think I will like the click too. A conversational piece you know. Thanks again for the support. I will be drop'n notes and blab'n away as it makes me feel better. Chow!

 

[Bina]

Don't let Ross scare you......he has lost most of his mind

Regarding Coumadin/warfarin, the anticoagulant needed for mechanical valves; if you are the kind of person who can remember to take a pill each day and eat a sensible diet, it is no big deal at all. You can even home test. This site has tons of threads and info on these 2 topics.

Before my OHS I was a real NO_PILL freak, not even a Tylenol. Life changes!

 

[Ross]

thanks for the replies. The feeling of being alone is one of the most ominous. No one in my family or my wife's family has ever heard of it. Me neither for that matter. I was so prideful because I never went to the doctor. . . now I will become a close friend of one. For those of you on the blood thinner . . . is it that bad. Some people choose not to have it because of the trouble. Seems like a good trade to me. Less chance for a second surgery for a pill a day. Think I will like the click too. A conversational piece you know. Thanks again for the support. I will be drop'n notes and blab'n away as it makes me feel better. Chow!

I'll be perfectly honest with you. The worst part of ACT is finding someone that knows the proper way to manage it. If you have someone that knows what they are doing, ACT is not a big deal at all. You face some minor inconveniences when having to have some other surgical procedures, as they'll want to take you off of Coumadin before they do them. Whenever they take you off, they should use some sort of bridging therapy, either Lovenox injections or Heparin IV.

As part of your studying, go to www.warfarinfo.com and read all you can about Coumadin and ACT. Roughly 90% of the b.s. you hear about being on Coumadin will be dispelled. There is tons of misinformation in circulation even today. We see it, hear it, you name it, everyday in here.

My personal opinion is, I'll take my Coumadin and mechanical valve any day over another surgery. I've been through it twice now and I have other issues which make a 3rd time NOT an option.

So am I to take it that your just slightly off center also?

 

[WayneGM]

We are nothing more then a bunch of mental cases and nut jobs

That seems to sum up the definition of "family" quite well

Anyway, Seth, welcome to the VR family. Glad you found us.

Yep, OHS is sure a roller coast ride, but with a little help and support, you'll get through it. We've been there so anything we can do to help, just ask.

Best wishes.

 

[Natanni]

Hello and WELCOME!

My husband had his AVR in Roch MN @ 34 yrs old. We had a very good experience with Dr Orszulak. He offered my husband a Bovine, St Jude or Carbomedics. My husband had his heart set on the ON-X, but at that time, the Mayo in MN refused to use them. Dr Orszulak wanted to watch them for a few years yet, as did a few of the other docs we spoke with. I believe this may have changed by now. My husband leads an active lifestyle as so many of our members do here, and does not regret his choice in mechanical. So far, (knock on wood) Anticoagulation has been a non-issue. I do believe my husband wishes that he would have pushed harder for an ON-X, but so far his Carbomedics has been very good to him, allowing his once enlarged sick heart to heal to a nice and healthy size and function. We are going to be back down in Rochester the week before you, August 6 for hubby's annual appt. If you have any questions like hotels, etc., fire away

Wishing you all the best

 

[dick0236]

To: Psalmist

To: Psalmist

Welcome......you and I share a lot of similarities. I was also 31 when I had my mechanical aortic valve implanted. I had two sons (8 and 6 years), a wonderful wife and a future in front of me. My surgeon moved to the Mayo Clinic shortly after performing my surgery and he is still listed on their staff. I am still going strong with that original valve and in August, 2007 it will be 40 years old. Warfarin (coumadin) is not a big deal for me. I have had to adjust my life, diet or activity only slightly because of the drug. Like any powerful drug it need to be taken using common sense and an ongoing monitoring schedule. I agree with earlier posts that managing warfarin is preferable to looking at additional valve surgeries. I imagine that choosing the correct valve can be unnerving. Whatever you and your docs decide on will be the right choice. When I got mine there were no choices, as far as I knew, so the choice was easy. You will do fine.....and YES, there is life after heart surgery.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome!

If you go the the Anticoagulation forum you'll see a sticky post that has information for those who may be chosing an option that requires Coumadin.

I believe that Mayo is one of the places that is sending some of their mech valve recipients home with their own home testing unit. Definitely look into that - it will simplify your life a lot.

I haven't changed a thing about my life (other than home testing for 2 minutes every week or 2) because of Coumadin. I do what I want, eat what I want and consume adult beverages responsibly when I choose to. Ross is correct - the biggest problem is finding someone to manage your coumadin (or support you managing your own) that knows the current protocol. But VR is a great place to use for information to be able to tell good from bad management.

I was 32 with 5 and 7 year olds at home when I got my VR. Almost 16 surgery free years later, I'm now a grandma that rides a Harley on the weekends! Life is good - and yours will be too!

 

[Granbonny]

Welcome, Psalmist

Welcome, Psalmist

First, how about a first name? Makes it easier for me.. ..You have a month before your consult..Read as many threads..that you can..here on VR.com..Wealth of info..from pre-post surgery, ect....I am 5 years plus on coumadin..Age 67..No big deal for me..Just remember to take 1 pill while coffee is brewing in the mornings.............I have 4 ACTIVE Grandkids..3 under the age of 5..Just spent the 4th with them at pool yesterday.. ..I never bruise/bleed..and I should with those little wild tykes. Jumping on me.. .............When we were leaving the pool (at my daughters community pool..I was the last one to leave and noticed some man your age..with the long scar. he was white..and I said, be careful and don't burn your scar.. and stopped and asked him..yes, he had VR.Com in Jan..of this year...and has a mech valve..gosh, I wished I had more time to talk to him..said, he was doing fine, back to work, ect.....before my son/in/law came back looking for me.. Everyone piled in car..looking for me..I wished that I could have had time to ask him..why..he had VR. surgery and why, he had chosen the mech. Valve.. but S/I/L was dragging me off .....Only learned that he was doing great..back to work, ect. Bonnie

 

[aussie girl]

Welcome Seth, I'm still in the waiting room so can't help with the technical stuff but I wanted to assure you that how your feeling emotionally is quite normal, especially when for the most part phyically you feel ok. As for the valve choice read everything you can and speak to your doctors and that way you will be comfortable with your choice. You've come to the right place here to get support and information these people are brilliant.Once again welcome and I look forward to reading many posts from you ...Mary

 

[BDMc]

Welcome!

Welcome!

Seth, Deanne and Bina have made the important points (aren't they great?) You'll either find answers, or guidance as to where to find them here, as well as a wonderful support network. Wayne, I suspected we might be related! I think of many here as "family", and boy am I glad I found them. I hope we'll all enrich your life, the way these folks have for me. All the best, Brian

 

[momohio]

Welcome Seth!
This is THE board to come to, to learn all that you can. I am new also, and have learned so much already. Helps to put your mind at ease.