New Member

[braveheartlad_1967]

Hi All

I used this site a long time ago and found a great deal of support and friendship. For a while I've not visited, but have now re-registered.

I was diagnosed at age 16 with complex CoA (coarctation of Aorta) and a bi-cuspid aortic valve. I had a dacron patch graft repair at 17. Was then discharged and told I was "fixed". Then at age 30 I become very sick and was diagnosed with severe aortic valve regurgitation and two huge aortic aneurysms; one in my aortic root and the other at the site of my original CoA repair. I had to have two seperate open-heart surgeries, within the space of two months. Firstly to replace my aortic valve+root with a CarboMedics 27mm synthetic valve and composite graft and the second to resect my descending aortic aneurysm with a Goretex GelSeal Interposition graft.

I'm now on Warfarin (Coumadin) daily and other heart drugs, but doing well. I've also experienced TIAs, for which I am on a drug to help prevent those.

I'd be interested to hear from others and share experiences.

God Bless you all,

Jon, UK

 

[Ross]

Hi Jon and welcome back.

Please don't post the same things in mulitple forums. We read every forum, so one entry is enough to get all the answers to your questions. It also keeps things in order for the search data base.

Hang in there, others will be around to answer.

Thanks.

 

[Emma]

Hi Jon, we've 'met' before - on here I think a long time back and possibly on GUCH and the pead UK sites I use too.
Nice to see you've rejoined - welcome to the group!!
Love Emma
xxx

 

[braveheartlad_1967]

Hi Emma

Many thanks for your nice reply. I remember you. How is Chloe doing? I'm still using my CoaguChek to self-monitor my INR.

Hope to talk soon.

Jon

 

[hensylee]

Hey, Jonathan - nice to see you again. It's been a long time. You started your own site as I recall. In your avatar, that looks like a scene from Australia? The auditorium?

Welcome back to VR. As you know, you will find lots of info for all your questions.

 

[gadgetman]

Re--new Member

Re--new Member

Jon,

Welcome back to the House of Hearts that Hank Built. Look forward to your posts.

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[braveheartlad_1967]

Hi Hensylee and Danny

Thanks for your welcome messages. It's good to be back after a long while. How the site has changed - grown and improved. It's great!

Yea that photo is of me outside the Sydney Opera House. I went to Australia (1st trip) In November for 6 weeks. It was awesome, apart from the loooong flight. Climbed to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with another heart friend, which was worth the climb and totally out of this world

I stayed on the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane, but had a whole week in Sydney. Sadly my ticker played up as it was way too hot for me (43 degrees). Eventually I had to cut my trip short and fly home I arrived home and would you believe it was 0 degrees in London.

I've been having some arrythmia and had an exercise ECG and 24hr ECG last month. Due to see the Cardio next month for results and follow-up.

Hope you're well.

Jonathan

 

[Emma]

Hi again Jon - very jealous of the Australia trip! My cousins travelling out there at the moment for 4 months, Lucky moo!
Chloe's doing really well thankyou - INR's stable for the most part with just the odd dip or rise here and there to keep mummy on her toes! lol

Glad you're still using coaguchek - brilliant isnt it! Totally changed our lives - been using it over 4 years now and its never been wrong yet.

Really hope your arrythmia's are nothing at all and your checkup goes well!!

Love Emma
xxx

 

[hensylee]

yes, the site is totally changed from when you were here before (maybe twice) and it's really nice.

I remember when the Opera House opened. Carol Burnett went there, perhaps for the opening or close behind it, and did a show from there. They did some beautiful photography to show all of it inside and out. Possibly many of the VR members weren't even born at that time!

One of our members was having TIAs a while back. I don't recall who it is, tho. I am sure some will be along to discuss this particular subject.

You can also do a search and maybe find it.

We probably need to discuss this again.

 

[Computec]

Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast

Hi, Jon, and welcome back.

My wife is from Noosa Head north of Brisbane. I visited that area often during our intercontinental courtship. Beautiful country, and that coming from a long time resident of Hawaii.

Jerry

 

[aussigal]

Hi Jon...

I recognised the Sydney Opera House immediately...
I wouldnt be a good Aussi if I didnt !
for a second I thought we may have had another new Aussie member...

welcome-back I hear is the order of the day!...

You have had quite an ordeal and a good turn of heart troubles and have come out the other-side still smiling...
I hope you only need maintenace from now on...

I hope you stay with us this time...
we can always do with more members with multiple sucesses