New terminator

[JulienDu]

I guess Pellicle we had the same decision from our surgeons. They were focusing more on the fit rather than the valve itself. The good thing is those valve are still decent and have good track record even though it was not our first choice.

Yeah I feel bored. I still feel like **** a bit but today I walk the stairs in the hospital instead of using the elevator and I went outside for 20min. I was really feeling claustrophobic inside, I hope they release me tomorow.

I had an interesting meeting with The Ac Theraphy clinic team that is attached to this hospital. Most of what she told me I already knew it thanks to you guys and other readings. They are encouraging me to push for Self Monitoring, I should get my Home Testing Kit very quick. For the next 2 months I will be going to the hospital for bloodwork and home testing simultaneously. They will start me at an INR between 2-3 and we will slowly go down. This clinic considers that 1.8-2.5 is a very safe zone and even if the new valve have better carbon, they have a very good and safe history with people between 2-3 and they do not push people to go lower unless it is their wish. Last year they had a guys with an ats or st jude (I cant remember) who had a stroke after stopping to get his pills for more than 6 months. She told me that because she wanted to show the capacity of the new valve even though we should stay safer than guidelines.

They told me to carry with my diet with no change and avoid drinking to much green tea and eating too much pistachios which I dont.

 

[pellicle]

Hi

I guess Pellicle we had the same decision from our surgeons. They were focusing more on the fit rather than the valve itself. The good thing is those valve are still decent and have good track record even though it was not our first choice.

it is my observation that surgeons all have a little bit more "God complex" than most others. I think they like to make the final call. Still they are also very conservative (and to my mind should be) and to them a known good track record is better than "bleeding edge" if you know what I mean

Yeah I feel bored. I still feel like **** a bit but today I walk the stairs in the hospital instead of using the elevator and I went outside for 20min. I was really feeling claustrophobic inside, I hope they release me tomorow.

when you get home, do lots of walks, but do follow their directions. Be careful of slipping and falling on ice this time of year too!

They told me to carry with my diet with no change and avoid drinking to much green tea and eating too much pistachios which I dont.

and don't forget to avoid the grapefruit juice ... in all honesty I think noone actually likes it, even those who profess to like it always need its own weight in sugar to make it palatable. To me it means they just like a bitter sugary drink.

 

[Seaton]

Thanks for the info, Harriet.
Hope things improving nicely for you. Onwards to optimum health!

Seems we could be Carbo related at some point in the future if all goes to plan. ;-) In the UK, with our free National Health Service, you kinda get what you're offered unless you choose to go private. I'm fine with that and ever-grateful such a humane service exists. Long may it live.

And re the Carbo valve, I was reading a few older reviews the other day:

http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/meeting_abstract/126/21_MeetingAbstracts/A12304

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1524677/

 

[Paleowoman]

Seems we could be Carbo related at some point in the future if all goes to plan. ;-) In the UK, with our free National Health Service, you kinda get what you're offered unless you choose to go private. I'm fine with that and ever-grateful such a humane service exists. Long may it live.

Hey, not free Seaton, we pay very highly for the National Health Service in our taxes remember ! What's great about it though is that we're not left without health care if we don't have any money at some point, for example if we're too ill or too old or too young to work.

I would be surprised if you would not be allowed to discuss a preference in make of heart valve when you are coming up to surgery. Mind you, Bupa paid for my valve and I didn't get a choice in the manufacturer, only a choice in whether it was going to be mechanical or tissue. Sometimes it's up to the surgeon and what make they usually use - you wouldn't want a surgeon to be putting in a valve that that surgeon had no expereince of implanting !

 

[JulienDu]

Yes I agree, surgeon experience is what matters the most and the last generation valve has proven to be solid even though I feel that Onyx has a little advantage due to its Pannus Barrier. But something I did not know and I did not research before the operation, is that every kind of valve has its own specification in term on size. For example, you would not be able to fit a 25 Onyx where you could fit a 25 St Jude regent unless you cut through meat. Where a 25 Regent fits perfectly a 25 Onyx would be too big because of the cylinder of the pannus barrier. Thats why my surgeons play with 3 type of valve during the operation to make a decision for the best fit. It is just a bit annoying to wake up knowing your companions for life is not the first choice but like Pellicle says surgeon are more qualified than us. When I build log homes ( and it is a lot about fiting haha) I just hate when clients come and bug me non stop and tell me how to do my job

As for the public system deciding on the type of valve, I think this is very bad that a system because it is free ( and it is not in Europe because hard working tax payer pay for it ). Being public should not be a reason to select a type of valve. Type of valve should be discussed with the surgeon and during the operation day. In Alberta it is 100 percent free (0 direct tax paid by companies and workers to finance it ) and I have never let them tell me that because it is free I have to be glad with whatever they give me...

 

[Seaton]

Hahaha ... I NEVER forget taxes Anne. And certainly the NHS is a system creaking towards implosion. But still, for now, "free at the point of delivery", as they say.

It was my cardiologist who mentioned the mechanical valve brand the hospital normally use when I asked. Not sure whether same brand for bioprosthetic. Maybe she was referring to the valve type my particular surgeon feels comfortable with. I know he’s done a considerable number of valve replacements and has an impressive outcome sheet.

The On-X data looks excellent. Not sure if UK surgeons have much experience with that type. I must ask if it’s available as a choice on the NHS. Somehow doubt it. But you never know!

 

[Paleowoman]

I couldn't find anything on the NICE (NHS guidance) website about valve maufacturers so I think it might be up to surgeon what one they use. And if they use more than one manufacturer you might have a choice Seaton, but like Julien, once you're in the operating theatre things can change. I was happy with the valve manufacturer my surgeon chose for my valve I have to say. You could email the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery and ask them about makes of valves, they were extremely helpful when I had questions about heart surgery: http://www.scts.org/enquiries.aspx

 

[Seaton]

Paleogirl Thank you for the link Anne! I may do that.

 

[JulienDu]

Ok Im going home in 30 min. 4 days after surgery. My INR went high very fast so they are happy with that. I will not be on any other medication from now on.

So I am grateful for now. Only thing is they want 0 heavy lifting for the next 6 months, it will be tough financially as my wife is mainly at home with my kids or do part time jobs and I have a 3rd kid coming in august. I will have to find solutions.

 

[DachsieMom]

Congratulations! I am surprised at the no heavy lifting for 6 months. I was told nothing heavier than a gallon of milk for the first 2 weeks, then 10 lbs first month, 20 lbs second month and 30 lbs third month - and I am a tiny person (100 lbs).

 

[MethodAir]

As for the public system deciding on the type of valve, I think this is very bad that a system because it is free ( and it is not in Europe because hard working tax payer pay for it ).

Canadian health care is tax funded and not free by any means. And on top of very high taxes, in BC there is a government based monthly medical services plan fee (I pay around $70/mo, families pay much more).

 

[JulienDu]

@DaschieMoM I think they are just getting very careful. My job involves steady heavy lifting + continuous vibrations when I am running the chainsaw several hours non top

MethodAir

You are right. What I meant is that in Alberta we dont pay any monthly tax towards Health Care. In most of central western Europe, every month, if you work you pay towards the Health Care system. The more money you make the more you are taxed towards Health Care. Alberta used to tax 40$/month towards health care but they stopped that some years ago. They might put it back with the low oil price.

For me, I see Alberta Health care as free. If you look at the US, they pay more taxe than us here in Alberta plus they have to pay for private insurance ( I mean their system changed). But you are right by saying that the money to fund the Health Care come from tax. And I am not criticizing any system. Private and pubic have both their problems and advantages.

 

[JulienDu]

I love my wine, just tried to drink some but it does really taste like **** right now...

 

[pellicle]

I love my wine, just tried to drink some but it does really taste like **** right now...

oh yeah ... things often taste different just after surgery. I hope its not a permanent affliction :-(

 

[MethodAir]

@DaschieMoM I think they are just getting very careful. My job involves steady heavy lifting + continuous vibrations when I am running the chainsaw several hours non top

MethodAir
For me, I see Alberta Health care as free. If you look at the US, they pay more taxe than us here in Alberta plus they have to pay for private insurance ( I mean their system changed).

Canada has a ridiculous amount of 'hidden taxes'. Compare the cost of vehicles or fuel to that of the US. My test strips cost double what I would pay 20 miles across the border.

“The car was $60,000 in Canada and I paid $40,000 in the U.S.,” Rogers said. “You know, I have a hard time with the fact that I’m paying more as a Canadian just because of where I live.”

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canadian-car-buyers-blocked-from-cheaper-u-s-prices-1.2435299

 

[JulienDu]

MethodAir

Yeah you'r right, I have to look at the big picture. Everything cost a **** load of money compare to the US. Did you think about buying your strips from the US ?

---

I ll keep updating this topic as I am a bored useless piece of meat and this could be useful for new comers, as it was useful for me when I first came on this forum.

2 days now without pain medication, my back can hurt a lot when I wake up, my sternum does not hurt much but the muscles around the heart can be painful too when I move my left arm.

I am walking outside in the snow. It feels really good, I try not to push myself. I am tired most of the time, but have good spirit.

I can not stand my kids now, they seem horribly noisy and annoying hahaha, they drive me nut, was even thinking to go living at a buddy place hahaha. I need to protect myself from them, I am thinking to set traps outside their room so they dont come and bug me at 5am...

My INR is at 2.5, the clinic told me it went high very fast, they are now trying with 3mg dose, we will see how it goes. I already cut myself and did not notice any difference in the bleeding.

A nurse is coming for 30min-1h everyday at my home to check on me. She said the scar looks good, my tension is good and stabilized, my oxygen is good. For the first time of my life my murmur disappeared. I dont see the thumbing in my chest anymore.

As for the noise of the valve, I am surprise how quiet it is. 90 percent of the time I dont hear anything. I have to go in the bathroom with total silent to hear it. Noise feels at the same time strange and reassuring

 

[cldlhd]

MethodAir

Yeah you'r right, I have to look at the big picture. Everything cost a **** load of money compare to the US. Did you think about buying your strips from the US.

---

I ll keep updating this topic as I am a bored useless piece of meat and this could be useful for new comers, as it was useful for me when I first came on this forum.

2 days now without pain medication, my back can hurt a lot when I wake up, my sternum does not hurt much but the muscles around the heart can be painful too when I move my left arm.

I am walking outside in the snow. It feels really good, I try not to push myself. I am tired most of the time, but have good spirit.

I can not stand my kids now, they seem horribly noisy and annoying hahaha, they drive me nut, was even thinking to go living at a buddy place hahaha. I need to protect myself from them, I am thinking to set traps outside their room so they dont come and bug me at 5am...

My INR is at 2.5, the clinic told me it went very fast, they are now trying with 3mg dose, we will see how it goes. I already cut myself and did not notice any difference in the bleeding.

A nurse is coming for 30min-1h everyday at my home to check on me. She said the scar looks good, my tension is good and stabilized, my oxygen is good. For the first time of my life my murmur disappeared. I dont see the thumbing in my chest anymore.

As for the noise of the valve, I am surprise how quiet it is. 90 percent of the time I dont hear anything. I have to go in the bathroom with total silent to hear it. Noise feels at the same time strange and reassuring

I would be a little careful walking in the snow, I could be wrong but if you just had a sternotomy and you slip and fall that could be bad. For what it's worth a few things tasted a little off for me after surgery but last night while watching the Superbowl I had a glass of fine bourbon and it tasted excellent.

 

[JulienDu]

I would be a little careful walking in the snow, I could be wrong but if you just had a sternotomy and you slip and fall that could be bad. For what it's worth a few things tasted a little off for me after surgery but last night while watching the Superbowl I had a glass of fine bourbon and it tasted excellent.

You are perfectly right. The only problem I have is that I live in the country and I am surrounded by snow hahaha. Road is too dangerous, I walk on trails.

Well I am glad the taste come back I would be depressed not be able to get my wine. Enjoy your Bourbon ! Just tried again the taste was awful.

 

[MethodAir]

MethodAir
Did you think about buying your strips from the US ?

I'm working on it, Julien. Glad to hear your recovery is coming along well, and that the sound of the valve is not a big deal.

 

[harrietW]

I just want to add Seaton and Paliogirl my Surgeon never gave me a choice. I went to my pre op appointment with what l thought was an educated idea of what l wanted and he simply said l see you did your homework but l use something else and l reply what Edwards and he nope l use whatever on the shelf. So my Surgeon was going to use what he thought was best and what he trusted and was most comfortable with Carbometic. It wasn't really up for discussion.