Your Site Is A Godsend

[geebee]

Charlie,

Just wanted to welcome you and say I really miss Southern California (moved to Ohio last May). I envy you still having the ocean.

I think your decision is a difficult one because there is no clear answer for your lifestyle. It's possible you may be fine with the mechanical but, even if you have not had major injuries from surfing in the past, it does not preclude them in the future. Head injuries can be quite a problem with coumadin. Cuts & bruises elsewhere, as others have said, bleed more but are fairly controllable.

You will definitely be facing another surgery down the road if you choose a bio valve (God willing, of course). A mechanical more than likely will get you to heaven (eventually ) without replacement. However, there are no guarantees. There have been some folks who went with a bio but ended up on coumadin anyway due to fib or other issues.

I am sure your cardio and surgeon will have a lot of input as well but the ulitmate choice is yours. Make your choice, don't second guess and live your life just as you have. The ultimate answer is not ours anyway so we can only enjoy what God has given us and make each day count.

Best of luck and please keep us posted.

 

[dawnwit15]

Welcome

Welcome

Hi Charlie B,
Welcome, just read your posts. I hope everyone here is making your decision (mech vs. tissue) a little easier. Isn't it great to see all the opinions of people who have experienced the new valves first hand and can offer you advice. My decision was to go with the tissue valve, because at the time of my surgery I was 29 yrs. old. I had just gotten married and we had not had the chance to have children yet, so I was also concerned with the whole coumadin issue. I knew by making that decision that I may face surgery again down the road (10-15yrs) but it was the chance I was willing to take. My doc also advised, that by the time I may need another surgery, they may be doing valve replacements through catheters without the chest incision. So when I made my decision, I just had hoped that his insite on technoligies advances would prove correct.
After all the turmoil of deciding on the tissue valve, when the surgeon opened up my chest he felt it was best to do a repair instead of a replacement, so I didn't end up with a new valve anyway. Go figure. He repaired my valve and estimates that I may need surgery way down the road again.
My thoughts and prayers are with you now during this difficult time. Just remember "this too shall pass". Rely on your family and your faith to pull you through this. I'm happy to see that you surf, your active lifestyle is truly going to help you during recovery. I have all the confidence in the world that you'll be back on your surf board within 4 months post-op. Best of luck to you.
Dawn

 

[epstns]

Hey, Charlie B, and welcome to The Waiting Room - that virtual room in which so many of us await our turns in the OR. Even if your stay in the Waiting Room is to be short, make yourself at home and visit whenever you like. We're here for you.

I'm (I think) a couple of years older than you at 57, and I also have aortic valve replacement in my future. At the present time we estimate that I'll be waiting another several years, but that is always subject to change. Every so often I discuss valve options with my cardio, and so far he and I agree that at my age and with my aversion to multiple surgeries, the most likely path to the future contains a mechanical valve - most likely the St. Jude's. That seems to be the "Gold Standard" at the moment. It is possible that the choice may change, but the important thing for me is that the doc and I really discuss the issue, he doesn't just lecture me. We have real, "back and forth" discussion about what is best for me. I would recommend that you invite this sort of discussion with your surgeon, or if he isn't willing, your cardiologist. After all, they are key members of your care team. If you are as lucky as I have been, the level of trust makes it easier to manage the dynamics of this decision (as technology changes between now and my surgery time) and still be able to sleep at night.

Welcome, and good luck!

 

[charlie b]

First I would like to say WELCOME!! You have found a great site!

Second,I would like to comment on the lifespan of the tissue valves. My husband had a tissue valve implanted(Not sure if that is the right word for this) last October. He is now 38. He has a stentless porcine tissue valve. His surgeon and cardiologist both say it is the best currently available. They told him that right now they are looking at a minimum of 15-20 years. They dont' know for sure how long they will last as no one that has this particular valve has had to have it replaced. Those that have them are so far at 15-20 years and still going with the valve. This of course is not written in stone any more that it is written in stone that you will never have to have a mechanical valve replaced. There are no guarentees on the lifespan with any of the valves. You just have to do your research and decide which is best fo you and your lifestyle!

Best of luck with your upcoming surgery. Feel free to ask any questions. You family may also benefit from this site. There is a section for significant others to post their concerns and questions. This site helped me deal with all the things involved in my husbands surgery. I don't know if I would have made it through without my VR Family!!

Michelle

Thanks for the info. do you know what type of porcine valve your husband has evidentally there are alot of them out there. Some better than others I'm sure. I go in tomorrow for a cath. We have been on vacation for 10 days, which was a blessing, to just relax with friends and clear my head a little. We have been together for 35 years and seem to be taking this thing fairly well. This web site is amazing, I feel like I have support and friends that I have never met. Thanks again God Bless, cbirch

 

[Ross]

I feel like I have support and friends that I have never met. Thanks again God Bless, cbirch

Well maybe that is because you do!

 

[charlie b]

Welcome Charlie,

I'm a very, very amateur surfer from the east coast. In the years of bad (but oh so enjoyable) surfing I would say that there were only 2 incidents where being on Coumadin may have been a problem. One where my board caught me in the head so hard I was disoriented and seeing stars for several minutes (good thing I was surfing with a buddy). The other time the fin on my board almost sliced one of my toes off. I think with a helmet and your skill level you should be fine if you choose to get the mechanical, but I would completely understand if you wanted to go bio in order to not have to have that concern in the back of your head. On the positive side, I bet you find that you have more energy after the surgery (and a few months of recovery) than you have now. Even if you're asymptomatic now you may find that you have subconciously adapted or chalked up subtle symptoms to getting older. Anyway...just wanted to welcome you to our family and wish you luck with your upcoming surgery. I had my surgery in mid March and found that it was a nice time of year to have it done. It was a great time to be able to get outside and walk (not too hot and not too cold) and also got down to the coast in early April, which was a very enjoyable part of my recovery.

Take care!

Thanks for the note and info, your right I am asymptomatic, also I have slowed down a bit and just thought that it was old man time catching up with me. At this point I still feel great, if the surgery improves that I wll be in a serious stage of second childhood. Each communication I receive helps me understand what to expect and gives me a bit more confidence. God Bless, cbirch

 

[charlie b]

Charlie,

Just wanted to welcome you and say I really miss Southern California (moved to Ohio last May). I envy you still having the ocean.

I think your decision is a difficult one because there is no clear answer for your lifestyle. It's possible you may be fine with the mechanical but, even if you have not had major injuries from surfing in the past, it does not preclude them in the future. Head injuries can be quite a problem with coumadin. Cuts & bruises elsewhere, as others have said, bleed more but are fairly controllable.

You will definitely be facing another surgery down the road if you choose a bio valve (God willing, of course). A mechanical more than likely will get you to heaven (eventually ) without replacement. However, there are no guarantees. There have been some folks who went with a bio but ended up on coumadin anyway due to fib or other issues.

I am sure your cardio and surgeon will have a lot of input as well but the ulitmate choice is yours. Make your choice, don't second guess and live your life just as you have. The ultimate answer is not ours anyway so we can only enjoy what God has given us and make each day count.

Best of luck and please keep us posted.

I go in for a cath. tomorrow. So I guess then I will get some more answers and advice from my doc. Kinda at that, lets get on with this thing stage. This site has been a great resource, the support and info. is great. Thanks and keep us in your prayers. God Bless, cbirch

 

[Randy'38]

Cath Results?

Cath Results?

Charlie:

I just discovered your posts which ended abruptly a week ago before you were scheduled for a cath. Please let us know that you're OK.

Randy

 

[Turkey Hunter]

Welcome Charlie

Welcome Charlie

You have found a great number of friends right here at VR.com.

As I have been a member for quite some time, As you can see, I do not post very often....even though I am around almost daily to read up on everything.

Anyhow,

I am not on coumadin and agree with what has been stated.....it is not a big ugly monster for most people. However, when I was facing my surgery four and 1/2 years ago at 27 years old.......you couldn't convenience me of that with a 2x4 to the head. My fear of that drug was a big reason I didn't even consider the mechanical route.

With that being said, I had the Ross Procedure at Cleveland Clinic and would not change my mind even with what I have learned here for these wonderful people.

You will find very strong opinions on each side of the "fence", yet no one can make that choice for you. Not your surgeon (even though whatever you choose...it may not be what is best, once the docs are in there seeing with their eyes. So be prepared for any outcome, no matter what your choice is!!), not your friends here or elsewhere, not even your family. This is a very personal decision that you must spend time researching and, of course discussing with your family, yet there is one person who has to comfortable with the decision, and that is you.

In my case and yours, I was and you are very lucky to even have a choice. There are quite a few folks here who never had the luck of even knowing there was a problem with their valve/valves. They just woke up one day and found out they had a new valve. WOW, imagine that. We that have had a choice should feel very lucky. Considering the option of a very large surprise, or even worse.

To conclude, let God guide your path in a decision such as this. Most of the 'studies' done do not have enough time lapsed to give us complete or accurate figures.

Just my thoughts.

God Bless
and
keep the attitude as high as it is now.

Ben

 

[charlie b]

Hi guys,

Hi guys,

Randy and Ben, thanks for the post, I am doing GREAT! If you look under the pre-surgery thread you will see my new posting about upcoming surgery on the 23 of March. I have made my valve type decision, glad that is out of the way, now to focus on the great life, "second chance" that GOD has provided for me. Thanks again, BLESSINGS charlieb

 

[Bionic Man]

my doc wouldn't give me a choice

my doc wouldn't give me a choice

I had circumstances that required that I have a mechanical. I found the surgery to be not so bad. Given the choice I would have gone bio.

Basically the mechanical is loud and there's the pills but it works well and the sound is gradually diminishing.

Ask your surgeon if he were you what would he do...

Good luck. A lot of us have been there. You'll do great!

David Cross

 

[John & Joann]

Welcome to the forum. As you have already read, there is no right and wrong answer to your question. We do not surf in Ohio so Joann can not identify with your concern.

Ben Smith and Joann had the same surgeon, live 5 miles apart, never knew each other until this forum and had opposite decision. Joann has been on Coumadin for 33 years. It is not a monster, but it does have some issues. Life goes on and God gives you the strength to handle the situation.

Joann is VERY careful with her diet, test, and medications. We travel extensively (been gone from home for 3 months) and do not have major problems.

Research, listen, ask questions, have confidence in your surgeon, pray, and enjoy life!!!

God Bless!