New Year, New MV!

[blessed1416]

Merry Christmas "Fellow Valvers!!" I'm scheduled for surgery January 5th. My symptoms began worsening about 3 months ago and Christmas shopping has really taken a toll on me. So, I'm trying to shop and rest, decorate and rest, cook and rest,.....lol!! This site is an absolute treasure of information. Thanks to all of you, I am armed with a page of questions and concerns for my surgeon. I am leaning toward a mechanical valve, but worried about anti-coagulants. With my mitral valve repair, I took coumadin for about 6 weeks and not once was my INR level right. My major concern is scar tissue from the repair and how it will effect the amount of time I'm on the heart/lung machine. Any input would be appreciated.

I am a Christian and I trust God completely through this journey. He was not only with me during my first surgery, He wrapped me in his arms and carried me through it. I also have the support of a loving family and know that they will take good care of me, post op. My son is graduating from high school in May and will be off to college next fall. He is my motivation for recuperating as quickly as possible since he will be moving out soon and I want to savor each moment I can with him. My 10th grade daughter is a varsity cheerleader whose team is going to nationals in Dallas the day after Christmas. I'm planning to go with her and let my husband stay at home to take down and put away Christmas decorations (lol!!)

Again, I wish for each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas!! See ya on the other side of the mountain!!

 

[Karlynn]

I put you on the calendar, so that makes it official. Enjoy your time with your daughter.

 

[Ross]

The largest problem with an INR that is never stable is that the person managing the case has no idea of what their doing nor do they understand how Coumadin works. If you get an educated manager, stay semi consistent in your eating habits, there is no reason that you should not be stable within 2 months or less.

Take a walk over to Al Lodwicks site and indulge yourself in Warfarin education. By doing so, You'll know more then most of the professionals you'll come up against. www.warfarinfo.com

 

[OldManEmu]

It is unfortunate that your repair has gone bad after only 2 years. I hope you enjoy the festive season with your family any have a successful MVR. I look forward to reading of your successful replacement in the New Year.

 

[hensylee]

we'll be keeping you in our prayers throughout. Blessins.....

 

[susieq14]

Can't answer any technical questions bu I can add my best wishes and prayers for a happy and peaceful holiday season with your wonderful family as you prepare for your surgery.
so sorry you need to have OHS soooo soon.
Take Care!
Sue

 

[catwoman]

Where in Dallas will the competition be? I'm on vacation the week betwen Christmas and New Year's and will probably be popping over to Dallas to visit relatives.

When I had my first INR test after leaving the hospital, the RN who runs my cardiologist's anti-coagulation clinic commented that longtime warfarin patients -- i.e., those with mechanical valves -- stay in range better than those taking warfarin short-term.
I haven't had problems staying in range. I home-test and adjust my dosage myself.

 

[Randy & Robyn]

We're in the same boat. We both had a repair fail and now we need another surgery. The only differences are that mine was my aortic valve. And the fact that your repair lasted two years. Mine lasted two weeks! Both of us are having to go through with this again way sooner than we should have to.

The good news is that the surgeons I have talked to have told me that risk is only slightly higher for the second surgery as long as you are in relatively good shape (other than our blasted valve, that is ).

I'll be following quickly on your heels with my surgery. Good luck to you!

Randy

 

[DinahS]

God is with you!

God is with you!

Hello

You will do great! Your faith in God will sustain your through all of this. I hope you have fun on your trip with your daughter. My daughter is 6 and just started competitive cheerleading last year. So my journey with all that has just begun and I am so excited about it. We just got back from a competition in Tunica, MS this past weekend and her team got 1st place. The girls were so happy. I just love seeing them up there and working together as a team. It's just makes me so proud of all the hard work they have done. I was not a cheerleader, so I have had a time getting adjusted to all the girly girly stuff. hehe! I love it now though. I am learning all the rules with competition and stuff too. I had never played football either, but I have been into the football thing for 6 years b/c my son has played Pee-Wee Football for that long. I didn't have a clue about it until he started playing and got interested and now I can tell you anything about High School, College & NFL. My husband loves it. hehe! I am right in there with them watching games all season.

You will be in my prayers. Take care and have a wonderful Christmas!!!

Love, Dinah

 

[Georgia]

Hello! Sorry about the new surgery required.

About the coumadin: 6 weeks post surgery is seldom a good time for attaining success with your inr - because of your physical condition and healing and changing levels of activity this is the hardest time to get your inr straightened out. As you resume your normal lifestyle the inr settles down much better.

Have a wonderful Christmas, and don't try to overdo the hostess bit - just relax a bit and enjoy it and let other people wait on you. I'm sure your energy is waning, and you might as well save it for the good stuff - NOT the cleaning and cooking and running around.