Things are looking up!

[bassadict69]

I just got back from an appointment with my dad to see another surgeon. This new surgeon is thinking that his valve needs to replaced sooner rather than later, before he REALLY starts going downhill. He also said he did not understand why the other surgeon had changed her mind & refused to do the surgery. He said that as bad as the valve is, dad probably only has a few more months before he starts having major problems.

Dad finds out after lunch what day next week he will go in for his tests at the hospital. He then has another appt with the surgeon on Thurs to go over the results & the surgeon wants to do a quick head to toe, then surgery will be scheduled for the first part of the next week.

The surgeon also recommend that with dad's age (65), he go with a tissue valve rather than mechanical. The original surgeon would not make a suggestion only saying that with a tissue valve, there would be a chance of resurgery but that with the mechanical, he would be on coumadin the rest of his life. All dad basically heard was resurgery so he picked the mechanical valve originally. I was unable to convince him of some of the problems with Coumadin. Now, with this new surgeons recommendation & after hearing from the surgeon some of the possible drawbacks of Coumadin, dad has chosen to go with the tissue valve. I think it will serve him better NOT having to deal with any Coumadin issues.

Hopefully all will go as planned without any complications or delays. The surgeon did say that all dad's problems were because of the mitral valve so he sees no reason to postpone.

I will know more next week & will update!

 

[escargome]

Hey,
Wow I almost missed your thread. I'm so glad you found a surgeon who wants to help your dad. Please keep us posted, you guys have been through so much that I would like to see a good outcome. Take Care

 

[netmiff]

well now, that's good news! although it does seem funny congratulating someone (or a loved one) on having major surgery in the very near future!

Once a course of action has been decided upon and the uncertainty removed, it sure is a relief and a load of weight off everyone's minds.

I have a mechanical valve, and have had no problems, really, with the warfarin issue. If your father is on other meds, I can see your point, but if he is not, would you mind telling us your worries on that? I was only 52 when I receive my implant, and I can tell you, OHS was not on my top ten list of things to do twice in my life , so mechanical was an easy choice for me.

 

[bassadict69]

For one, he has already on several occasions forgot to take a med or accidently doubled up on one forgetting he had already taken it. Also, with everything that I read has to be taken into consideration such as diet, etc on Coumadin, I do not feel it is something he will handle like it needs to be handled. Like I explained to him, it isn't something that the doc prescribes Xmg to take daily & you do so without any other considerations.

He is on a rather lengthy list of meds now, but I am hoping once he gets the surgery & recovers, he can get off of most of them!

 

[Bina]

At the age of 65, he could very well have a tissue valve that will outlast him.
Best wishes with this.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

At age 65, there is a very good chance a Bovine Pericardial Tissue Valve could last 20 years for him.

The Diet Issues with Coumadin are BOGUS. That is Old School Thinking and *avoiding* foods with vitamin K has proven to actually CAUSE more problems than being consistent in eating a moderate level of foods with vitamin K (i.e. any change with a moderate intake will be small - any increase with NO vitamin K represents a Very Large Change - DUH !)

SKIPPING a dose of Coumadin is NOT GOOD. Many (most?) of us use 7 day pill boxes. I also use a 31 day CHART which lists ALL of my medications and write in the time of day and/or dose I took. I NEVER double dose with this method and rarely miss (maybe a few times a year which are usually caught the next morning and compensated for).

The relatively new On-X Mechanical Valves are less prone to clot formation than the older mechanical valve designs and have other technological improvements. See www.onxvalves.com and www.heartvalvechoice.com for more information.

A good argument can be made for either valve. It's a matter of personal choice. Whichever he is most comfortable with WILL give him many years of good service.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[bassadict69]

Consistency is his problem as far as diet...he may eat poorly for a few days, then head off to the local buffet for lunch & load up on salad, greens, etc...all the good southern cooking he doesn't get much of at home.

 

[marie]

Happy to hear he's found a surgeon. Is the surgeon here in La?

I had aortic valve replacement in Jan. 08 and have a tissue valve. I was 66 at the time.
Earline

 

[Beha]

Thats great that you found a surgeon! Hope everything goes well!

 

[hall]

Glad to hear your Dad found a new surgeon. I wish him the best of luck.

 

[Shawneegirl]

HI
So glad you found a surgeon you are happy with. Who did you end up with? My prayers will be with your dad

 

[bassadict69]

The surgeon is Dr. Milon Karmakar & will be doing the surgery at the main Willis Knighton location.

 

[bassadict69]

Dad went yesterday for pulmonary tests & tests on the arteries in his neck...why, I don't know, but that is what the surgeon sent him for. Are those tests common before surgery?

We meet with the surgeon again tomorrow for the test results, to discuss the surgery, & HOPEFULLY schedule his Mitral replacement & bypasses! PLEASE PRAY ALL GOES AS PLANNED...THANKS!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Dad went yesterday for pulmonary tests & tests on the arteries in his neck...why, I don't know, but that is what the surgeon sent him for. Are those tests common before surgery?

We meet with the surgeon again tomorrow for the test results, to discuss the surgery, & HOPEFULLY schedule his Mitral replacement & bypasses! PLEASE PRAY ALL GOES AS PLANNED...THANKS!

The Surgeon wants to be KNOW EVERYTHING that may be relevant to your father's recovery BEFORE he operates. Be thankful that he is being thorough.

 

[Lynlw]

Dad went yesterday for pulmonary tests & tests on the arteries in his neck...why, I don't know, but that is what the surgeon sent him for. Are those tests common before surgery?

We meet with the surgeon again tomorrow for the test results, to discuss the surgery, & HOPEFULLY schedule his Mitral replacement & bypasses! PLEASE PRAY ALL GOES AS PLANNED...THANKS!

Justin has the ultrasound of his arteries in his neck and groin, but his was in case they needed to use them for the bypass machine