Waiting and wondering

[rgmcguire]

Hello to everyone. As I wait for the surgery date(Oct 27) I have alot of things going through my mind. Mostly like what will life be on the other side of the mountain. What foods I can or cannot eat, what over the counter meds can I use for everyday aches and pains, how difficult will visits to the dentist be like. How difficult will it be to monitor my INR? Just to name a few. Any help is much appreciated Thanks to everyone.

Bob

 

[Cooker]

Hello to everyone. As I wait for the surgery date(Oct 27) I have alot of things going through my mind. Mostly like what will life be on the other side of the mountain. What foods I can or cannot eat, what over the counter meds can I use for everyday aches and pains, how difficult will visits to the dentist be like. How difficult will it be to monitor my INR? Just to name a few. Any help is much appreciated Thanks to everyone.

Bob

Bob??if you are the norm life will be just as good if not better that before OHS. I have a mechanical valve and therefore on Coumadin and I have ZERO issues with what I eat or the dentist. I do take an antibiotic prior to a dentist visit but that is the only change there. I learned early on to dose the diet. I eat what I want and when I want it.

This may sound crazy but I would not go back even if I could. With the surgery has come a new health consciousness and a new appreciation for life. The friends I have made on vr.com I count as one of the greatest blessings in my life. The entire AVR experience has been nothing but a positive one. It is frightening at first. I was pretty freaked out early on but that passed or converted into a conscious assurance that all was to be well.

I wish you the same experience that many of us have had.

 

[Freddie]

Hi Bob,
I've learned the hard way. Wasn't told anything about pain meds, dentists, foods or INR. At the time of discharge, I was given a handful of papers and told to read. What I've learned came from this site. And I'm sure more wiser members than myself will be posting soon. here's my 2 cents worth...Canadian style
- eat what you want. Just don't indulge on spinach, soya and broccoli. These two items work against warfarin and thicken the blood. Basically anything green will effect the INR. But don't panic over it like I did. Just eat what you normally have and be consistent wit the amount as the weeks go by.
- I was told to use Tylenol for pain. I use the extra strength.
- Haven't experienced the dentist yet. But its been said to take penicillin before getting any work done.
- You'll see in time that INR will level out. The more exercise you do and will have to do will lower the level. Its gonna be a cat and mouse game for awhile. BUT don't get stressed out over it like I did

Relax, life on the other of the mountain is better (for most people, as you can tell by reading other posts). It will be a short climb none the less. And you will do just fine on the other side.
I hope this helped a little
Freddie

 

[geebee]

Do not change anything you do now except if you currently take aspirin type meds for pain - switch to Tylenol.

Unless you are having all your teeth pulled at one time, there is no need to prepare for dental procedures (other than antibiotics which I am sure you are doing now).

Eat what you want. Most of us eat the same foods on a regular basis because of our likes and dislikes. Any effect foods might have on your INR will be factored in with your dose. You would have to eat a lot of greens before they would alter your INR that much anyway.

Your life will be better on this side of the mountain. Coumadin, under everyday circumstances, will not be even thought of within a short time.

Check into home testing and that will make it even easier.

 

[WayneGM]

Life is good on the other side of the mountain!!!!!

 

[Jkm7]

I know this is weird but my favorite foods are broccolli and spinach. I eat a triple serving of broccoli most days.... some steamed and some raw with hummus. I eat a double serving of spinach most days and have soy milk with my cereal for breakfast.

If I have to have valve replacement rather than repair, that is going to be a major bummer for me. Would I really have to give up my veggies and soy milk/soy products? That would be a hard adjustment for me on top of having to undergo a second OHS.

 

[geebee]

I know this is weird but my favorite foods are broccolli and spinach. I eat a triple serving of broccoli most days.... some steamed and some raw with hummus. I eat a double serving of spinach most days and have soy milk with my cereal for breakfast.

If I have to have valve replacement rather than repair, that is going to be a major bummer for me. Would I really have to give up my veggies and soy milk/soy products? That would be a hard adjustment for me on top of having to undergo a second OHS.

No, No, No, No and No. You do not have to give up ANYTHING. Eat what you want and your coumadin dosage will be adjusted around what you eat. Food really plays a very, very small part in stabilizing INR.

 

[Guest]

Mostly like what will life be on the other side of the mountain.

I rarely answer these type of posts ... because I don't know how to answer them. Like a few others 'round here, I've never known life on the "pre" side of the mountain, since my heart issues have been with me since birth.

That written ... Bob ... life on this side is WONDERFUL . GOOD LUCK ... thoughts/prayers coming your way for a SUCCESSFUL surgery.



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"These hands are meant to hold" ... All-American Rejects ... 'Move Along'

 

[Jkm7]

Thank you so much, Gina. With a repeat OHS weighing on my mind, thinking about having to give up such healthful foods that are my favorties really disturbed me. I read here all the time how so many of the people who manage INR for new patients are so uninformed that I fret I'll get someone who insists on major alterations to my diet, which is very healthy.

You gave me encouragement, Gina. Thank you.

I hope I haven't hijacked this thread. I think it goes along with thoughts 'rgmcguire' expressed. If not, I apologize.

 

[rgmcguire]

Thanks to all for your advice, suggestions, thoughts and prayers. This is the first time I'll be having major surgery and I've always been very healthy. So I'm not used to all of this attention I've been getting from all of these doctors. It just seems like things started to change when I turned 50. But anyway I'm feeling more at ease about the whole thing. But again there's always room for uncertainty . Talk to you all soon.

Bob

 

[CathyK.]

Bob hang in there. The days before surgery, I think, are the worst. That was all I thought about all day long. It is really not as bad as we anticipate before hand. Since you are going to be out the whole time, it is a breeze. Then after you awake you will be surprised that you don't hurt as much as you thought you should. The other side of the mountain isn't as bad as the climb up!! Good Luck and you will be in my prayers!!

 

[PeggyM]

Bob, your life will change for the better. (Don't read my posts! )

It has for me each time. The hardest part is the waiting and uncertainty. After it's over you'll feel like a new person, mostly emotionally and mentally at the very first. It's almost like a rebirth.

Hang in there.

 

[Bina]

Hi Bob, the only thing I am adding is that you may want to be more aware when taking herbal/naturopathic products and vitamins; these can affect INR levels.

 

[rgmcguire]

Thanks for all of the encouragement. Two weeks to go and it will all be over with. That will be nice. Thankyou Bina I do take vitamins. Have a great day tomorrow everyone.

Bob.

 

[Blanche]

Bob:
Al and I are both taking Coumadin. We eat anything and everything that we like, and we sure like veggies. Spinach is a favorite of mine and Al sure savors his brocolli. The important thing is to be consistent. Most people eat similar things over the course of a week. Around here, we like to say, "Dose the diet, don't diet the dose."

You'll be just fine. Remember, there are lots of vegetarians who are on anticoagulation!

Hope this link helps.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/cc/coumadin1.pdf

Kind regards,
Blanche

 

[Bina]

that's right, broccoli, spinach, soy, asparagus, kale, cabbage, etc are all very healthy foods and it would be a shame to remove them from a balanced diet.
I now eat small portions of them regularly without any problem....they do NOT "thicken" the blood, but they may affect coagulation to a small degree.

 

[Marguerite53]

Hello! With my tissue valve, I can't comment on INR and coumadin use. But I did want to chime in and just say that I think we all felt the anxious burden of all the extra attention we were getting pre-surgery. It is a lot to process. It is a lot to have faith in. It is a lot to muddle through and be strong about. But what is absolutely remarkable about our particular types of disease and surgery is that, for the most part, it's kind of taken care of in those few hours on the operating table. Sure, many of us are altered to some degree....scars we're not happy with, recovery issues that don't resolve as well as we'd hoped, the new dance with meds and recovery sensations....how to get the balance. But you truly, really, honestly and completely will feel and will continue to feel that you were given a new chance ......... to face each day in a different way, maybe....but to be given that ability to face each day with promise of longevity you would not otherwise have.

So try to take these next few weeks and absorb all those lucious, warm, secure feelings that are special about your life now. Pack those in your suitcase because you will want them. You probably won't need them....but you will want them.

Hang in there! These last few weeks can be the hardest. You're gonna get there just fine!!

Marguerite

 

[HeartDawg]

No life change here

No life change here

Bob ,

Figured being all these good folks are helping me, I'd post quickly, too.

There seem to be lots of different post-surgery experiences. I feel perfect. Besides popping the Warfarin pills, antibiotics before dentist, occassional cardiology appointment ... things are absolutely no problem.

For me the pre-surgery (nerves) was MUCH WORSE than anything after the surgery. The docs and nurses at the hospital treated me like a king and the recovery (FOR ME) was a real snap. Let's hope the same for you.

Good luck.

 

[rgmcguire]

Thanks again everyone for your comments, they will not be forgotten. Tomorrow Oct 22 10am I go to the hospital for paper work and whatever else they have planned for me. My surgery is still scheduled for Saturday Oct 27 7:30am. I will have someone let you know how things are going. Have a great day.

Bob