Second surgery vs. Coumadin

[Marguerite53]

I quite frankly didn't care if he went to Home Depot and bought PVC tubing to replace it as long as he got the thing out of my chest.

I had to really smile at that remark!! I sense that I will feel the same way. Just please, let me know what a normal heart is supposed to feel like and get it done by yesterday!!

All in all, this has been a great thread and for those with so much experience who keep coming back and helping those of us in the waiting room, a million thanks.

Clark. Thanks for starting it. And thanks for your efforts with the Boy Scouts and sports. That is enriching work, but work nonetheless. My husband and my oldest son are Eagle Scouts. The younger son stuck with it for awhile, but it just wasn't him so he bowed out. Wonderful camps here in Oregon. Some very prime real estate, those campgrounds! My son went to Philmont in New Mexico. A life changing experience. I was a den mother for 4 years (2 for each son) and loved every minute. Scouts are changing, but the earthy, natural, leadership experiences will hopefully hold the test of time.

Best wishes and good luck deciding! I'm right there with you!!

Marguerite

 

[ChristineBP]

O.K

I know there is a lot of information out there, but no one can tell you what is right for you.

I had my mitral and aortic replaced and my tricuspid repaired and that was back in 1990 at the mayo and I was only 13.

See everybody's situation is different, so it is hard to say what would be in your best intrest. When you go on blood thinners there are certain things you should not do.

I can not drink alcohol or take certain drugs, like aspirn or vitimins.

Just talk to your doctors-nothing is ever certain and every one is different. I'm young and the blood thinners have made my life just different not bad.


If you take time and learn what can happen you'll make the right choice for you. I was to young to make that choice so my doctors did what they thought was best for me and my heart. Right now I'm great and who knows blood thinners might keep us healthier then any one ever thought.

 

[aussigal]

...ooops I paraphrased and have made the meaning of my post ambiguos at the very least... OH DEAR!

This came from a discussion regarding the surgeons reasons to go Mechanical with myself ...

here's the actual quote from his letter

"...a reoperation is not a trivial procedure. The requirement to take warfain is a relatively less onerous thing."

We arent scared of warfarin and I have really enjoyed learning on Als site...
and I would have liked to go tissue so I can keep getting my dodgy back fixed how I chose...

I think its a big trade-off session...and you just need to figure out with your experts help what is going to be easier for yourself to live with...



Oh...and it was the cardioligists (found the notes) that told me MY risk would double or more for each OHS I had .
..probably the same one who reckons I'll be 85 before I needed surgery

Mary...I envy you and your nice comfy soft and quiet tissue-valve...my BAVD and annie makes that an imposibility for me i have been told...actually I'd kinda like a whole new Dacron aorta

 

[brendamarlene]

I have had both now

I have had both now

Clark, I know I am responding too late for you, but perhaps my post will help someone else looking here and deciding. Sorry I have not posted in a long, long time.

My first surgery was when I was 42 years old. My homograft lasted for 15 active years-bicycling, tennis, skiing.

I had my second surgery last year. I have to admit I HATE being on coumadin. I love to snow ski, and we did go last month, but I was worried the whole time.

I have a hard time keeping my IVR in the right zone. Spinach and broccoli and salads are among my favorite foods---and I hate always having to think about amounts.

Sorry if I sound like I am complaining. I am very, very grateful to be alive.

I am happy that I had those 15 worry-free years (well, ok, not completely worry-free---I knew I would face surgery again). I also hope that by having a mechanical valve this time, I will not need another surgery---that was the reason for going mechanical this time---do not want a third surgery.

If I had to choose again, I would once again choose to have a tissue valve for my FIRST surgery

 

[Ross]

Clark, I know I am responding too late for you, but perhaps my post will help someone else looking here and deciding. Sorry I have not posted in a long, long time.

My first surgery was when I was 42 years old. My homograft lasted for 15 active years-bicycling, tennis, skiing.

I had my second surgery last year. I have to admit I HATE being on coumadin. I love to snow ski, and we did go last month, but I was worried the whole time.

I have a hard time keeping my IVR in the right zone. Spinach and broccoli and salads are among my favorite foods---and I hate always having to think about amounts.

Sorry if I sound like I am complaining. I am very, very grateful to be alive.

I am happy that I had those 15 worry-free years (well, ok, not completely worry-free---I knew I would face surgery again). I also hope that by having a mechanical valve this time, I will not need another surgery---that was the reason for going mechanical this time---do not want a third surgery.

If I had to choose again, I would once again choose to have a tissue valve for my FIRST surgery

Brenda you should never have to worry about the amounts of greens and goodies you eat. You should be dosing the diet you eat, not dieting the dose of Coumadin your on.