Just found out that a co-worker of mine is having his mechanical aortic valve replaced next Friday. He will go in the hospital Monday to be taken off the coumadin and put on Heparin. He was a great source of help to me before my husbands valve replacement. I am trying to get more information. I know he has had his mechanical valve for 12 years and his wife said they have been trying to avoid the re-op for 15 months. I have not spoken to her personnally yet. I knew that he had been out of work a lot lately. We do not work in the same department just for the same county government. If I get more information I will let all of you know. My heart dropped when I heard his mechanical valve has to be replaced. I was so hoping that lifetime meant just that and now I am scared for my own husbands valve. But, I take comfort in knowing that they are able to re-operate to replace it.
Prayers needed for co-worker
- Thread starter terryj
- Start date
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geebee
Terry,
You have my prayers. I am praying constantly for Katie (and Chuck and others) so I will be happy to add to the list.
As far as replacing a mechanical valve - just keep in mind that it is usually NOT the valve that is the problem. There have been a couple of valves recalled due to issues but normally it is the patient's body causing problems. In my case, I built up scar tissue that encroached on the valve leaflets causing it to stick shut. You should be vigilant if your husband produces unusually high amounts of scar tissue. The other problem that happens is a blood clot could form on the valve requiring surgery. If he keeps his INR in range that shouldn't be an issue either.
Do you know why your friend is having his mechanical replaced? That should give you some more info.
You have my prayers. I am praying constantly for Katie (and Chuck and others) so I will be happy to add to the list.
As far as replacing a mechanical valve - just keep in mind that it is usually NOT the valve that is the problem. There have been a couple of valves recalled due to issues but normally it is the patient's body causing problems. In my case, I built up scar tissue that encroached on the valve leaflets causing it to stick shut. You should be vigilant if your husband produces unusually high amounts of scar tissue. The other problem that happens is a blood clot could form on the valve requiring surgery. If he keeps his INR in range that shouldn't be an issue either.
Do you know why your friend is having his mechanical replaced? That should give you some more info.
I talked to Donnies wife and she said he has been sick for a little over a year now and they couldn't figure out what was wrong. He was very anemic and jaundiced. They removed his gall bladder last year thinking that was the problem and he has been seeing a hematologist and gastronomist(sp). He saw his heart surgeon yesterday and this is the diagnosis,hematylic anemia caused by the mechanical valve sheering off the red blood cells. Has anyone heard of this? The heart surgeon said it was very rare. They need to remove the St Judes mechanical valve and they will probably have to put in a pigs valve this time. This will be his 3rd open heart surgery. the 1st was when he was 14. She asked that everyone please pray for him. Surgery is next Friday and their 41st wedding anniversary is next Sunday. Thanks in advance for your prayers
Ross
Well-known member
Yes I've heard of it. How rare it really is, I do not know. I'm sure all of us are taking a blood cell beating everyday. I really hate to see him go through this again, but what choice is there? We all know it could happen to us too. We just hope and pray that it doesn't. I, for one, know that I will not make it through another surgery of that nature.
