New to VR!

[malloryn]

Hi! I just found out about this site from my mom, I guess she found it searching! I'm only 20 and I have had 3 major heart surgeries, and a few caths. I had my first valve replacement when I was 14, 6 years ago... going on 7 years. I first had a pig valve, but that one lasted 2 years, pretty short! I had my third surgery when I was 16, then I had my valve changed to mechanical.. I like it better, except for the coumadin part. My levels never stay consistent. I'm a very active person on working out and keeping good eating habits. I have been on coumadin since I was 16. I had a VSD repair when I was 8 months old, so I have grown up knowing heart problems. Although I didn't have a valve exchange until I was 14. I go to Coumadin clinic in my city. I had a hole patched next to my valve last month, so now hopefully everything will be fine for a good while!

 

[geebee]

Welcome Mallory,

You have certainly been through a lot at your age. Hopefully the mechanical will last a long time for you.

I am sure you will find a lot of good information regarding your life on coumadin. You also have a lot of experience to share with us.

Looking forward to getting to know you better.

 

[njean]

Hi! I just found out about this site from my mom, I guess she found it searching! I'm only 20 and I have had 3 major heart surgeries, and a few caths. I had my first valve replacement when I was 14, 6 years ago... going on 7 years. I first had a pig valve, but that one lasted 2 years, pretty short! I had my third surgery when I was 16, then I had my valve changed to mechanical.. I like it better, except for the coumadin part. My levels never stay consistent. I'm a very active person on working out and keeping good eating habits. I have been on coumadin since I was 16. I had a VSD repair when I was 8 months old, so I have grown up knowing heart problems. Although I didn't have a valve exchange until I was 14. I go to Coumadin clinic in my city. I had a hole patched next to my valve last month, so now hopefully everything will be fine for a good while!

Wow Mallory! Your story's so familiar. I had been corresponding with a very young girl in the "Cleveland Heart Forum" just a few days ago & directed her to this site. I know that she too had had 3 OHS at different stages of her young life.

Anyway, we're glad to have you on this forum & I'm sure that your story will help inspire all those others anticipating OHS in the near future. You mention that you go to a lab for INR testing? Have you tried asking your doctor to see if he would approve home testing for you? That would make it so much more convenient for you but that's just my opinion. I know that a lot of us have home monitors & are absolutely in love w/them!

Take care & welcome aboard!

 

[Phyllis]

Welcome, Mallory- so glad you found us. Be sure to read through the anti-coagulation threads. I'm sure they will be a big help to you. Best wishes for many happy, healthy years with your mechanical valve.

 

[Ross]

Welcome to the club!

Yes come on down to the anticoag forum and post the specifics about your INR. Chances are great that it's not you, but those managing you causing the problem.

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to the VR community. Glad you found us. You've come to the right place for information, advice, and support. You're obviously quite a veteran yourself, compared to some, so I'm sure you have a lot experience and insights to share with us, too. Again, welcome.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome! I'm glad your Mom found us and directed you here. We have lots of age ranges and lots of different experiences. I think you'll learn a lot about Coumadin management here, I know this was where I started my learning - and I had been on the drug for over 10 years.

We look forward to getting to know you.

 

[Cooker]

Hi Mallory.....welcome to the zoo....sounds like you have a lot of experience to bring to the table....This is a great forum and we have a lot of fun

 

[CHDDoug]

Mallory,
Welcome to the site! You certainly have been through alot at your age! This is a great resource for all...and as much as you've been through, I'm sure you can teach the rest of us a thing or two.

Take care and welcome again!

 

[Bina]

Hi Mallory and welcome to the group.
Don't be shy to jump into the discussions!

 

[malloryn]

Thank you all for the replies.. I have been reading through some threads, I have found wonderful information..

 

[Mary]

Hi Mallory!
I love your name; it's the same as my niece's!
Welcome to the valve replacement forum!

 

[malloryn]

New to VR!

Thanks.. I've only meet one other person with my name... I got my name from the Family Ties show!!

 

[Guest]

...so I have grown up knowing heart problems.

*nods*

Me, too!

Welcome!

I got my name from the Family Ties show!!

He he ... I wondered about that as I read through this and noticed your name. Glad to see my suspicions are verified .



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"We all enjoy the madness" ... Robbie Williams ... 'Millenium'

 

[briansmom]

Welcome to the site. My son also has had a lot of surgeries. There are a few young patients and I know you will be able to give some good insights. Please post your INR info. These fine folks will really help you. Also, consider home testing, it really makes life simpler.

 

[ruth]

Welcome Mallory! Glad you found us!!

You are clearly mature beyond your years, I wish for you many, many years of good health!

Peace,
Ruth

 

[Bonzo Dog]

Hello Mallory, only been here a week myself, so newbies together

I too spent a childhood plagued by cardiac difficulties so have a great deal of sympathy for you. How many times did yet another pack of eager medical students, pressing their stethoscopes, make you feel like a zoo animal?.

 

[Trinityheart8891]

Hey Mallory,

Just checking in, My name is Morgan, and I too am a Young'un. I'm 21, have had 2 OHS's, and am looking at my 3rd somewhere in the next 5-10 years or so (mitral and aortic valves are bad, had a VSD repaired also in 1988, and a sub aortic membrane removed in 1991, see signature)

anyways, I just wanted to welcome you on in, you arent alone being young here, There is a TON of insight here, from all generations!

I gotta get going, I have a lot of homework to do this morning before clinicals, but I definitely resemble that remark about stethoscopes and zoo animals

laters,
Morgan, 21

 

[Curtsmum]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Hope you get all the information you need with your INR, im sure you will. My son had a avsd repair at age 18 months. He is now waiting for a repair/replacement of his miral valve, stick around you will be a great help to us and many others.

 

[Superbob]

Hi Mallory,

Just wanted to add my greetings. You'll find a lot of friendly folks and information here. Feel free to jump right in -- sounds like you have a lot of experience to add.

Cheers,