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Thanks for your replies. That's very interesting about the costocondritis--it does fit the description. It said that it eventually goes away on its own, with or without anti-inflammatory drugs. Since I'm leaving here next weekend and my dr. is gone, I might try going into the ER of the...

Hi all, I'm 8 weeks post-op today, hurrah! I'm feeling good except I have this pain to the right of my sternum (which I think I mentioned before) that I finally deduced must be my ribs. And especially in one spot in particular it is very tender in the area above the breast one one of the ribs...

Thanks for all the input. You're right, it must be my age (60). I'll be having my post-op appointment with the surgeon soon and maybe he can explain his logic. I only found out yesterday over the telephone from his secretary that I should take the aspirin forever. The white willow bark tea...

Thanks for posting that, really funny! I'm soooooo interested in all things "cow" now that I have my groovy new bovine valve! Yippppeeeee!-- Valerie.

Thanks, Andy, for bringing all that up--very informative!! My question is, I'm 5 and a half weeks post-op--do I have to wait a certain amount of time before I can go to a dentist and get a cleaning? Is it too soon to go right now??--Valerie

Hi fellow tissue valve owners!! I have a bovine valve and am 5 and a half weeks post-op. I called my surgeon today to ask if I could stop the metoprolol and aspirin (as I'd run out of the first prescription of both). The dr. said I could stop the metoprolol if my Family doctor says okay, but...

Wow, looking good! I hope mine looks so good at 7 weeks. What week did the bump at the top of the sternum disappear? I'm at 5 weeks 2 days and it's still quite a big lump.

Laura, what does "popped a leaflet" mean exactly? As for the valves, I just turned 60 and my surgeon recommended tissue for me (bovine, Edwards perimount valve which is touted to last 20 years.) He said he felt I had made the right choice and that if he was me that was what he would do, so...

Gord, that's encouraging to me that you said chest pain can last 3 months before it disappears. I'll try to have more patience, as you suggested.--Val

Well, I'm 5 weeks post op now and the pains continue on the right side. I'm hoping it's just part of the normal healing process and that nothing is wrong in there. I think I'd better just all the dr. I was trying to hold out till July 27th when I have my post op appointment with him, but that's...

Hi Anne, yes I've looked at his blog...I've been very interested in what he's had to say about Vitamin D. Yesterday I read what he had to say about Vitamin K2, and also read what he had to say about oatmeal, which has really got me reeling! Here I thought I was doing my body a favor having...

Dear Gordon, that's very interesting about the K2 ... thanks for sharing that. I'm inspired now to do more research and find some answers! I'll let you know what I come up with. --Valerie

Good luck, Liz, my most positive thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with you. God is in control and will see you thru this! Looking forward to hearing good news soon!--Valerie

Thanks, everyone, I appreciate the good input! And Mentu, I also find myself with a sudden affinity for cows! When I was in the hospital, there was a painting of four lovely cows on the wall across from my bed, and I liked to gaze at them, and would think grateful thoughts about them! I...

I am 4 weeks and 2 days post op after getting a Perimount bovine valve. My recovery is going well, I think. The still have sternum pain and I still have a big lump and lots of swelling at the top. But otherwise I think I'm doing well! My big question now is: with this new lease on life, what...

Hi Cherie, I had my AVR 8 weeks ago now. As soon as I found out about my severe stenosis, which was only about 9 months prior (quite a shock!), I started reading up on valves etc. and was pretty sure I wanted to get a tissue valve, even though they don't last as long as the mechanical. I just...

Hi Sevgi, That's very good that you can have the minimally invasive surgery! I thought they only do that on very very old patients who are at high risk for the invasive surgery. So that's great! You'll recover so fast. I had my AVR done 8 weeks ago (full procedure) and I'm recovering well and...

Okay, sticking to soap and water for now! Tx for all the good advice.

Hi Penny, unlike you, I didn't have time to worry, so I guess I was lucky in that way. I went to the ER and surprise surprise, the next day I was having my surgery!! Everything went great for me and I'm praying the same for you. As far as any advice, all I can think of is: try to think positive...

I'm 3 weeks post op now, and I'm just wondering if there is anything I should be doing to the incision at this point to help it not be a big bad scar. Is it too early to put anything on it? I read something about Manuka honey for healing. Does anybody have any advice what to put on, and when, in...