newbie checking in!

[jackc]

Hi Folks..newbie here! Jack Chambers,60 year old male
from Welland Ontario, Canada ( near Niagara Falls )
Had a huge heart attack Dec. of 93 ( Streptokinase saved me )
Angiogram and angioplasty April 94. A couple of mild
?cardiac episodes? two years later. Returned to work
..high school science teacher and basketball coach?.
Retired in 98?no heart problems. That is until this past fall.
Started having angina..went to Doctor ..began test cycle.
In Jan went for another angiogram with prospect of putting in
stents?not to be! They couldn?t put balloon thru? and pulled out
..advising me I needed bypass surgery. I went home and next morning
..a transient stroke which was gone by 2 pm. ( real scary !!)
I was told to rest and see if any other problems appeared. Nothing ,
so tests for the bypass..TEE, etc. Met with surgeon ,Dr. Andre Lemy
of McMaster Heart Clinic at Hamilton General annnnnddd!
Surprise I will need 4 or 5 bypasses , I have a congenital bi-valved
Aortic valve which is calcified?my heart muscle has deteriorated
since heart attack in 93, and I can expect a major heart attack within
6 months!!!?..since then I have been searching the net to help with
decision-making , found this marvellous site and have been lurking
for three days and have decided to join the gang.
Enough for now will keep in touch.

Jack Chambers

 

[RobThatsMe]

Hi Jack,

Welcome to the site. Like you, I searched and searched. There is really no other site out there that is like this one for Heart Valve information from those that have been there, and for those that have to take that road.

I hope that you post your questions as you come up with them. There is already so much information here, but every day new members come in that have had the latest in surgery, and share their stories and first hand information.

Sounds like you have to make some serious decisions in the near future. I hope that you find all the info that you will need here to help your decision, and that the information will provide you with peace of mind as you move forward.

Stay positive,

Rob

 

[Nancy]

Hi Jack-

Welcome to the site. What a great place it is. There's a ton of information on just about anything related to heart valves plus, from the patients themselves, their loved ones and some very terrific professionals who give their input.

You'll love the friendship and support you get from people who understand first hand about heart valve and other heart surgery.

I think you'll find the answers to your questions forthright and pretty fast in response. We're usually not shy about giving our opinions.

Hope to see you here often.

 

[Peachy]

Hi Jack

Welcome to the site. This is a great place to ask questions most of which will be answered. It helps to know that so many other people have the same problems as yourself and can help you through the trauma of heart surgery. Keep in touch.

 

[hensylee]

Hi Jack - saw your name when you joined and first thought was "don't greet Jack at the airport"!

Anyway, welcome to this site. I didn't find it til after my quad by-pass and in those two yrs, it has been such a good support for me, helping to learn and exchange information. Believe me, you will be glad you joined.

There are so many here who have traveled 'up the mountain" safely and those, like you, who are approaching it. We will walk right alongside you all the way. You will need info from others and all you have to do is ask. All questions are answered, both technical and emotional. Can't get this anywhere else that I know of.

Welcome. God bless

 

[Mb]

Dear Jack:

Welcome to this site. You will find more information on here from the people who have been through it, than you can imagine. It has really helped me, the wife of a double valver, know what to worry about, and what might be normal both pre and post op.
This is a great gang to join. Welcome!

Marybeth

 

[Zazzy]

Welcome Jack,

Glad that you found us! Please ask any questions... there is always someone here who has been down that road or another! Lurk no more buddy! You are among friends!!!

Take care,
Zazzy

 

[Bill Hall]

Jack - Welcome to the site. Sounds like you need some quick action. Hope everything goes well. Medical science works well and I am sure you will be fine. Don't procrastinate. Good luck.

 

[Christina]

Hello Jack,

Welcome Jack and welcome to our wonderful growing cyber family.
I used to live in Ontario, Canada, and have been to Hamilton, numerous times. I lived in Kitchener-Waterloo for nearly 8 years before we moved to the US in 1977.
Anyway, just wanted you to know that there is a wealth of information on this site, and everyone is more than willing to share and give the much needed support.
Many of us already have had surgery while others are still waiting. We will pull you through and hold your hand until you get to the other side.
You are facing some difficult decisions in the near future, but please know that there is always someone here who can help you decide.
You are amongst friends Jack.

Let us hear from you!

Christina
Congenital Aortic Stenosis
AVR's 8/7/00 & 8/18/00
St.Jude's Mechanical

 

[Mara]

Hi Jack.
Welcome to our little enclave. There are a lot of folks on here who can relate to what you are about to go thru, then there are others of us, like me, who have limited exposure to heart surgery (only needed valves fixed) and don't know much about coronary disease first hand. But, we are all there pulling for you.

Take it easy and rest. Stay away from those Big Macs. Sounds as if you have a few big events upcoming. Best wishes.
-Mara

p.s. since others are weighing in.. I used to live in Toronto. Don't remember much because I was just an baby, but I am told I loved the French toast at a place called the Knoshery.

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi jack!
welcome to this site. it is such a wonderful place. everyone is so kind, supportive, understanding, and informative.
my dad (now a yound 68) had a double bypass and avr (st. jude's valve) almost 3 yrs. ago.
he travels, golfs, plays tennis and walk/runs and takes coumadin (he was in chronic a-fib before the surgery anyway).
if there are any questions you may have, i'd be happy to put you in touch with him (email-wise) or i can find out for you.
please keep coming back; we would love to know what decisions you make and are here to help if you need us to.
please keep us posted and be well,
sylvia
sylvia

 

[sylgeren]

Welcome to the valve Gang!!

Welcome to the valve Gang!!

Hi Jack, Good to have you here. As you have read, we all are ready to help in any way. I haven't been here to long, but the others have a lot more experience. When I first went to the Cardio. I had so many questions after I left his office, Came home and got right on to Heart Talk. It helped in so many ways. I'll looking for you to be here often. Syl