Your Forum Made Me Cry

[Karlynn]

I am a new member in the Valve Replacement Forum. I have been having problems with my INR being too low (which I think has been solved), but in searching on the web for answers I came across this forum. And I cried tears of joy when I found how active this forum is. I had my Mitral Valve replaced witha St. Jude valve almost 12 years ago when I was 32. I've felt like I've been living (well) with this all by myself, with the help of a supportive husband and kids, but no one who knew my struggles first hand, as well as my worries. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have run across this site (which also led me to warfarininfo.com). So excuse me for blathering on and sharing my giddiness and joy over finding all of you.

My INR troubles were of my own doing. I am a low-carb eater and sometimes use protein bars. Now I've done this for 3 years and was checking the content of anything I put in my mouth - except for this new box of protein bars. None I had in the past contained Vit. K., so I assumed (and you know what they say about assuming) that this new brand didn't either. Wrong! Each bar has 30% of the RDA!! And I was having 1 to 2 a day!!!!!

Now I have to call my doctor and tell her how dumb I was.

So glad to be with you all.
Karlynn

 

[Gnusgal]

Welcome to the forum! Feel no embarassment about your tears of joy, it has happened to many of us. It's nice to find a "home" where people understand. As someone who has been on coumadin for 12 years, your input will surely be valuable! Again, welcome!

 

[Nancy]

Hi Karlynn-

This is just the greatest place. It feels like home to me also. We don't know anyone who has experienced the things my husband has, and only our daughters understand what he has been through. The rest of the famiy doesn't have a clue. And basically they don't even want to talk about things like this. Friends, forget about it, most of them shy away from discussions about health.

So here is where my support home is. And I welcome you. Please come in any time at all. There is usually an answer forthcoming soon.

 

[fyrfytr]

WELCOME

WELCOME

Hey Karlynn,
Just wanted to Welcome you to this Great Site. It has the Greatest Members and you will become part of this online family. Again Welcome

Dave
______________________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[Perrster]

Welcome another Illinoisian!

Welcome another Illinoisian!

Hi Karlynn,

Welcome to vr.com and the vr.com Illinois "family" as well. Occasionally, we locals get together for mini-reunions. You are practically guranteed for an uplift with the support you will get via face-to-face meetings with folks who can really relate to you're situation.

What part of the state are you from?

If you haven't already noticed there is an International Reunion planned for this coming October in Rosemont. Check out the reunion thread for more info. and we hope to see (meet) you then and there.

Regards,

 

[Karlynn]

Perry,
I am in the suburban Chicago area. (But then, isn't everyone? ) My surgery 12 years ago was at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and I continue to see a cardiologist associated with that facility.

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I'll check out the reunions.

Karlynn

 

[RobThatsMe]

Hi Karlynn,

Welcome! So glad you found the site. I hope you gain a wealth of knowedge from visiting here. Please visit often and share your experiences with the rest of us. We all learn here, and certainly share the information with all.

So many of us wish we knew of this site earlier too!

Rob

 

[hensylee]

Welcome, Karlynn - this is a wonderful place to be when you have a need to know - or to share - or to vent - or to laugh - or cry - or whatever you want to talk about. We are glad you came. Ann God bless

 

[Guest]

Karlynn,

As everyone else has been writing, "welcome" . And, I, too, felt relieved to find this site...to know there are many people out there...from all walks of life...that are experiencing exactly what I am....

I'm from the NW suburbs of Chicago, too....Elgin to be exact. And, my cardiologist is at Northwestern, tho all of my surgeries (most recent 2 being March 1987 and January 2003) have been at Children's Memorial.

Hmmm...mebbe it is about time us Chicago area folk think about getting together for a "pre-reunion" type gathering. I know the last time we gathered we talked about doing different stuff....like playing pool at the relatively new pool hall in Algonquin....or movies...or *something*....

Peace...Always,
Cort S, pig's valve & pacemaker-enhanced 29/swm
Instant Messengers...AOL="fc72mc"...Yahoo="knightfan2691"
member & newsletter editor, Faith COB: http://www.faithcob.org
MC's Future: http://www.projectmonte.com/petition/
My MC Family: http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
http://virtual-carshow.com/monte/Blue87LSCL_Ohio
RIP: '76=Parents' [my] MC ... '88 MC LS ... '00 'MC' LS
Spotting MCs: http://www.chevyasylum.com/mcspotter/main.html

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Karlynn,

Welcome. We are glad you found us as well! As the others stated, we do get together locally from time to time. We are going to try brunch hopefully sometime in September.

Our yearly BIG reunion with all members will be held in October in Rosement/Chicago. Check the reunion thread. I live in the "Suburban" area too.

Hope you can join us!

 

[Karlynn]

Thanks to all for the warm welcome again. I have told so many friends and family about this wonderful forum and how happy I am to have found it. I can't say just how grateful I am that no matter what happens with my heart issues (hopefully nothing but good health) I now have some place to go to vent, bounce things off of and just get sympathy from people who really truly know what it's like.

Bless you all!
Karlynn