conclusion

[PathFinder]

Guys, thank you for everything, that you gave me, as a spirit, courage, hopes and fun!
I took a memberchip in this forum, befor I know, that I'll have a surgery in the comming summer. I was depressed, sad, apathyc. Now, I saw that nothing is lost! I already don't look at the valvereplacement as a deathsentence. I already believe in the long and quality life after it.
As a conclusion to my "education" after long reading in this forum I can write some things:
- People undergoing AVR have normal life expectancy (practicaly, not statisticaly), except there are no progressive concomitant heart diseases
- Changing in lifestyle is very subjective thing and kind of understanding (more psychologicaly)
- Anticoagulation is not that evil thing, if it is better managed

If you, friends, have something to comment on these 3 points, please add your views to it!

Thank you very much!

Ivo

 

[WayneGM]

From the stories and experiences I've read, I think you've essentially come to the right conclusions!

Live long and prosper!

 

[briansmom]

It is great to see you go from being depressed to being a champion of this site. I really think this site saves lives and sanity.

 

[Ross]

You've pretty much summed it up. You make the best possible choice and move on. If you make no choice, your dead, so better to make the choice.

 

[afraidofsurgery]

woo hoo!

woo hoo!

Hey, glad to benefit from your positive attitude, thanks!!!!

I was an anxious wreck when I started 'hanging out' on this site. I can't believe how calm I was when I agreed with my cardio it was time for surgery (first time I remember agreeing with him too!!!).

This is an amazing site, got me through my surgery feeling so calm, it was just awesome.

I keep saying childbirth was MUCH MUCH harder than open heart surgery!!

Patty

 

[Christina]

Wishing You Good Luck.

Wishing You Good Luck.

Ivo,

I am originally from Holland but have been living a wonderful life in the USA for the past 29 years.
I am the mother of two adult children and proud grandmother of three grandchildren.
I had my AVR surgery over 6 1/2 years ago and don't even think much about my surgery anymore. I am living my life to the fullest, doing whatever I want, when I want. Go on vacation, take short trips, go eat with my friends, you name it. There is life after valvereplacement. Consider yourself lucky that medical science has so greatly advanced in the past 50 years that valve surgery is just routine anymore and that valve patients can and will lead normal life afterwards.

Wishing you the very best and please let us know when you are over the mountain and on the other side.