New Guy
Well-known member
We were! I also graduated in 85 but from liberal arts. My cousin graduated a year earlier in Mech Engineering. I wonder if you know him?
Under the knife in less than 3 weeks
- Thread starter New Guy
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temp69
Well-known member
Hey new guy, welcome. You will be fine. I had the same situation and got an onX valve four years ago. Never felt better. Near as I can tell, coumadin doesn't interfere with anything. And I don't think you have to test nearly as much as some people advise, as long as you stay within the range of 2-3. I forget and only test about once a month with a home kit. Beats schlepping to the dr's office. main thing is, I won't have to have a redo, ever. Which is huge, huge, huge.
good luck and feel free to ask me anything you like.
good luck and feel free to ask me anything you like.
There are some really cool INR tracking charts from Ross and Andy under a different thread. You probably saw them. Good luck with the surgery.
New Guy, I'm not surprised cardiologist doesn't know anything about valve selection; his job is diagnosing you if you need one and it's the surgeon who should go into details and at least give you an idea of the difference between tissue and mechanical. He sounds kind of flip to me. If I had gotten that response from my potential surgeon, I'd probably be seeing about getting another one. If he doesn't have a preference for valves, I wonder if it's because he doesn't do many valve surgeries? Some CTs do more than others, and valve surgery is only about 20% of the heart surgeries that are done, so he could be a surgeon who doesn't do many valves, which, for me, raises a red flag. Just my two-and-a-half cents' worth.
sunflowergirl
Well-known member
New Guy, Welcome...I just had my surgery 3 weeks ago and I too have found this to be my favorite place. I found so much information prior to my surgery helpful and now that I have reached " the other side" I am here everyday getting more information, learning more and watching as more and more people I have met here go through their surgeries.....kinda like a little heart family....I know, too cutesy....but really it is an amazing place to get ready for a very huge event in your life. Good Luck to you, Robin
Jkm7
Well-known member
Hi New Guy. Happy you found us and sorry you have this surgery in your near future. I've had two and feel like many others here that the wait for the surgery was the worst part. I actually had easy, mostly bump free, good recoveries from two OHS in four years.
As to your choice of valve, it really is your choice and your surgeon should not be blowing you off so casually in your wish to know just which one you are getting. You certainly should be able to contact his office and let them know you have a preference and want it discussed with your surgeon. A Plan "B" is always a good idea.
Best wishes.
As to your choice of valve, it really is your choice and your surgeon should not be blowing you off so casually in your wish to know just which one you are getting. You certainly should be able to contact his office and let them know you have a preference and want it discussed with your surgeon. A Plan "B" is always a good idea.
Best wishes.
Welcome Doug,
I have discontinued supplementation while on the post surgery medications of beta blocker and Coumadin.
In my case (Bio AVR), meds are likely coming to and end in next few weeks, at which time I will resume supplementation and add a daily aspirin dose.
All the best with the upcoming process.
Gil
I have discontinued supplementation while on the post surgery medications of beta blocker and Coumadin.
In my case (Bio AVR), meds are likely coming to and end in next few weeks, at which time I will resume supplementation and add a daily aspirin dose.
All the best with the upcoming process.
Gil
New Guy
Well-known member
Luana,
My surgeon is the chief of heart surgery at Mayo (Dr Daly) and does a lot of these so I don't worry about his experience. Maybe I just asked the wrong questions. I see him monday prior to surgery and thanks to this forum I know what questions to ask this time! I'm sure they use the St Jude Regent and the On-x. There just aren't that many choices out there otherwise.
Thanks, Doug
Very glad to hear this, Doug!
BarbJean
Well-known member
Hi Doug, Welcome to the board!!! Right now, I am sitting in the lobby of Johns Hopkins as my son goes through his preop testing. He is having an aortic root repair but he is keeping his valve, so I have no advice as to mechanical valves. There is never a loss for info on this site anyway. These people are amazing. I listed your surgery on the calendar. Best of luck and I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts.
New Guy
Well-known member
BarbJean,
These people are amazing! And so are you to think of me here while your son prepares for his surgery. Johns Hopkins is a good choice for the care of Colin, and I just said a prayer for him for his surgery tomorrow. I will look forward to learning of his progress so send us the update as soon as you're able. And thank you for posting my surgery on the calendar. I'm inside a week now.
These people are amazing! And so are you to think of me here while your son prepares for his surgery. Johns Hopkins is a good choice for the care of Colin, and I just said a prayer for him for his surgery tomorrow. I will look forward to learning of his progress so send us the update as soon as you're able. And thank you for posting my surgery on the calendar. I'm inside a week now.
good luck new guy.....you soon be as good as new.....stay clear of ross he promished me a beer in france last month and told me he couldnt make it because his lear jet was faulty, i know damm well he has 2 others, welcome aboard new guy
Ross
Well-known member
Oh for crying out loud, cut me some slack. The FAA hes regulations in place that can't be circumnavigated. My Piper cub won't do transatlantic flights.
New Guy
Well-known member
Neil, Thanks for your well wishes and too bad about Ross' Lear. Ross, I don't know about a Piper Cub, but I know a guy who flew a Piper Archer to Germany with stops at Gander, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland and then France. If you need some help getting it there I'll be happy to help for the price of the beer. Neil, let's drink the Belgium beer. More expensive. I'll be ready in about a month.
Doug
Doug,
to be sure add a second month, been there on OHS and 60 days is probably a better bet before transatlantic flight...especially in a piper cub,,,,now that i rethink you may want to add 2 months for a total of 3 before a piper cub flight to Europe (grin)
to be sure add a second month, been there on OHS and 60 days is probably a better bet before transatlantic flight...especially in a piper cub,,,,now that i rethink you may want to add 2 months for a total of 3 before a piper cub flight to Europe (grin)
New Guy
Well-known member
Luckyguy17, Good advice I'm sure but I thought the 1 month might aid my recouperation. I really like that Belgian beer. Neil, I might need a couple months. I'll let you know.
new guy lucky guy.....the beers are on me........belgian sounds just great......just need to get ross on his lear jet......he told me in confidence that he built the jet himself mmmmm
Hey Doug....here's wishing you CAVOK, tailwinds, and smooth landings for your recovery......
Neil (another one)....
Neil (another one)....
New Guy
Well-known member
Thanks Neil, I'm starting to feel some turbulence here 4 days out. Maybe I'll change altitude and in 5 days wake up to CAVOK conditions. I'll just put 'er on autopilot and maybe even use the autoland.
Doug
Doug
torreypines
Well-known member
Hi Doug,
I wanted to wish you the very best with your surgery! You're in great hands and you'll be amazed how much better you'll feel (physically and emotionally) once you've healed. My husband, Kurt (45) had his AVR last December and is now lifting heavy weights and running 5 days a week. He hasn't felt this good in 20 years. It took about 5 months to get his Coumadin levels consistent but it's really been a non issue. Be kind to yourself, take time to reflect, rest and get in a good laugh if you can before surgery because laughing hurts for a while afterwards.
Christine
I wanted to wish you the very best with your surgery! You're in great hands and you'll be amazed how much better you'll feel (physically and emotionally) once you've healed. My husband, Kurt (45) had his AVR last December and is now lifting heavy weights and running 5 days a week. He hasn't felt this good in 20 years. It took about 5 months to get his Coumadin levels consistent but it's really been a non issue. Be kind to yourself, take time to reflect, rest and get in a good laugh if you can before surgery because laughing hurts for a while afterwards.
Christine
