Recent content by dick0236

Good luck today. I think we all can share your feelings. I look forward to your post maybe later today or tomorrow.

IMO, if you want a "probable" one and done surgery get a mechanical valve. If you keep your INR within a reasonable range (such as 2-3 or 2.5-3.5) internal bleeding should not be an issue.......and external bleeding is treatable........unless you cut a leg off and then all bets are offo_O. I...

Welcome Johnny H. I believe, and hope, you have a typical normal recovery. Most people only need the usual post-op care and help. Your age and current health will determine how much and how long you will need some assistance. FWIW, I was 31 and in otherwise good health when I had the surgery...

That seems to be an unusual jump in INR. I'd try another test now to see if it was truly around 5+ or just a bad test. I've had it happen for apparently no reason.......although diarrhea caused by the food poisoning might cause such a jump.

I started warfarin in 1967 without any prior knowledge of that drug or its side effects.....and +/- 15 years before the introduction of INR. I had my only problem with the drug during those 15 years before INR. In the past 40+ years, I have had no issues (stroke or uncontrolled bleeding)...

Well done!!

I have no idea what a "David procedure" involves but my surgeon was also a "resident" who was overseen by an experience surgeon altho few surgeons had much experience with OHS in 1967. He was a couple years older than me (I was 31) and he went on to become a Chief of Staff at the Texas Heart...

Welcome to the Forum. Yep, sometimes you get thrown a curveball. Your doctor is right. The best time to fix the problem is before more serious issues arise. Like you, many of us had surgeries as young men and women.....some even while in childhood. At your age, you are smart to get a...

You forgot one! If you step off a curb in front of a bus it will probably kill you. Over my 56 years on warfarin, I have experienced most of the issues listed without concern. The plus side is that I have gone all 56 years on ONE mechanical valve, eliminating the many dangers of multiple...

Some things never change! One of the few things I remember from my surgery was removing the drain tubes. The first one was bad, but the second one was "OMG they are going to do it again"!!! I also had severe back pain and they put me on a rubber mattress through which they ran ice water...

Fantastic!! Welcome to the zipper club;).

Hi Sam and welcome. You and I have traveled similar paths. I was diagnosed in my early teens (maybe before) and had my surgery in my 30's. I know what it feels like to get a "gut punch" like a need for OHS. Fortunately, it is only a "bump in the road" and you will come thru it and go on to...

It is easy to accept a short-term solution (tissue valve) to a long-term problem......especially when the long-term solution (mechanical valve) involves some minor lifestyle changes. When I had the surgery, mechanical valves were the only choice available and I knew nothing about living with...

Welcome to the Forum Jeff.

At my current age of 88 my mechanical valve probably will last "forever"......but I doubt any of us has lived our lives without thinking about the mechanical valve we have.....I know I think about it a little most every day. Correct Warfarin management is not difficult and you should "get a...