hensylee
Well-known member
Please fill us in on your cath, Ross.
Ross - your Cath?
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Ross
Well-known member
Good Morning
My Cath didn't go all that well. The procedure went fine, but the results, not good.
I have a blood clot in the apex of the heart, in a location they can't get to. They started me on Coumadin in hope of dissolving it or at the very least, keep it from getting larger. They think I had a Heart Attack that went unnoticed. I never experienced any Heart Attack Symptoms, so I don't know about that idea.
The aortic valve is barely closing at all and is a full 4+ Severe Regurgitation.
The rest of the heart is just great outside of these 2 problems.
The Doctors are getting the results together and sending them to Cleveland. All of my Doctors down here, concur that surgery needs to be done A.S.A.P. and they all agree on Cleveland. Now, lets see if the Insurance Company will cooperate.
The surgery will be very soon. This is all I know at this point, but I'll keep you informed.
My Cath didn't go all that well. The procedure went fine, but the results, not good.
I have a blood clot in the apex of the heart, in a location they can't get to. They started me on Coumadin in hope of dissolving it or at the very least, keep it from getting larger. They think I had a Heart Attack that went unnoticed. I never experienced any Heart Attack Symptoms, so I don't know about that idea.
The aortic valve is barely closing at all and is a full 4+ Severe Regurgitation.
The rest of the heart is just great outside of these 2 problems.
The Doctors are getting the results together and sending them to Cleveland. All of my Doctors down here, concur that surgery needs to be done A.S.A.P. and they all agree on Cleveland. Now, lets see if the Insurance Company will cooperate.
The surgery will be very soon. This is all I know at this point, but I'll keep you informed.
hensylee
Well-known member
Not good news, however, better to know than not. Makes you better armed to deal with it. You can have a heart attack w/o symptoms and maybe that's what caused the attack. You are on the mountain road now and we will be praying that things move along quickly for you so that you can get on back to good heart health. Thanks for letting us know and keep us informed. You are in my prayers. God bless
Ross
Well-known member
Now that they've started me on the Coumadin, I really fear surgery. Does anyone know if they have you stop taking it a little in advance of the surgery?
J
Jack
I was on Coumadin for 6 weeks after my surgery, I don't know if they have to stop right before the surgery, or change to a different blood thinner.
I am sure your surgeon knows what he/she is doing.
All the luck and God bless,
Jack.
I am sure your surgeon knows what he/she is doing.
All the luck and God bless,
Jack.
Nancy
Well-known member
Hi Ross-
Prior to surgery, there will be a whole protocol for Coumadin and INR results. It has to be in a certain range for them to do the surgery. It may involve stopping Coumadin, the use of Heparin injections and in extreme cases if the INR is way out of range and there is not enough time to effect a good result, Vitamin K can be used to bring it down.
My husband has had it all of these ways, not all at once, and different scenarios for each of the various surgeries he's had. The surgeons will have it all figured out and there will be a concrete plan in place.
It's not something you will have to worry about.
Best wishes and let us know your date.
Prior to surgery, there will be a whole protocol for Coumadin and INR results. It has to be in a certain range for them to do the surgery. It may involve stopping Coumadin, the use of Heparin injections and in extreme cases if the INR is way out of range and there is not enough time to effect a good result, Vitamin K can be used to bring it down.
My husband has had it all of these ways, not all at once, and different scenarios for each of the various surgeries he's had. The surgeons will have it all figured out and there will be a concrete plan in place.
It's not something you will have to worry about.
Best wishes and let us know your date.
Ross
Well-known member
Thank Nancy and Jack.
My big fear is uncontrolled bleeding, as I have a pulmonary hemorrhaging problem that hasn't surfaced in 3 years. I know I'll be on the vent and I hope that this doesn't start another round with my lungs. I know that seems kind of petty given valve replacement surgery will probabely be a little more risky.
Ah heck, I might as well just say I'm scared over the entire thing.
Thanks again for the feedback from the both of you.
My big fear is uncontrolled bleeding, as I have a pulmonary hemorrhaging problem that hasn't surfaced in 3 years. I know I'll be on the vent and I hope that this doesn't start another round with my lungs. I know that seems kind of petty given valve replacement surgery will probabely be a little more risky.
Ah heck, I might as well just say I'm scared over the entire thing.
Thanks again for the feedback from the both of you.
Nancy
Well-known member
Hi Ross-
It's a scary surgery, let's face it! The only way to probably get through the waiting period (hopefully it won't be a long one for you) is to say to yourself,
"today, I feel OK, not great, but I won't worry about things today, I'll only worry when it's really necessary, like a couple of days prior to surgery. My surgeon is fantastic, serious about what he does, and has expert training and experience. He's probably seen it all before, and much worse than my case. I'll do the best that I can to keep myself in good shape mentally and physically to prepare my body for the healing that is to come. The rest is out of my hands. Let the experts worry now, that's their job. Mine is getting better and I will."
Good luck Ross.
It's a scary surgery, let's face it! The only way to probably get through the waiting period (hopefully it won't be a long one for you) is to say to yourself,
"today, I feel OK, not great, but I won't worry about things today, I'll only worry when it's really necessary, like a couple of days prior to surgery. My surgeon is fantastic, serious about what he does, and has expert training and experience. He's probably seen it all before, and much worse than my case. I'll do the best that I can to keep myself in good shape mentally and physically to prepare my body for the healing that is to come. The rest is out of my hands. Let the experts worry now, that's their job. Mine is getting better and I will."
Good luck Ross.
Ross
Well-known member
Thanks Nancy, I needed that. I'm trying very hard not to have a negative outlook on all of this.
