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NickLDN

Hi all!

I have been following this forum for a few weeks, but I've finally decided to register and join this wonderful community. First of all, I'm very grateful that I found this community, as it helped me so much with understanding what I'm going through.

I'm 32, from London (England), and 2 years ago I was diagnosed with a Bicuspid Aortic valve. They say I've been born with it, and it took me 30 years of very active and completely normal life to find this out. 2 years ago I had endocarditis, but I was lucky enough to come out with no real problems, apart from some damage to my valve. I was told by doctors to have it checked out every 6 month (ecocardiogram - ultrasound), which I did. However, at mu last eco, I was told that regurgitation is causing one of my heart chambers to grow, and they recommend that I have my valve replaced. They say that my heart walls and tissue is still pretty good, and that with AVR the heart will go back to it's normal size.

I have no definite date yet, but my surgeon promised to find me a slot, maybe as soon as 1st July. I will let you know.

I will most probably get a mechanical valve, as the surgeon says it's the "safest" option, as a biological would only last me up to 10 years (considering my age and relatively active life). I have no real objections to this, as I don't want to go through all this in 10 years time all over again. My BIG concern is anti-coagulants, but I've been told that you get used to them.

Although I've been trying to be positive, and trying to learn as much as possible about the whole thing, I'm still VERY confused. I have no real symptoms, and this whole experience is still very UNREAL to me. I can't believe that in a few weeks time I'll have an Open heart surgery?!?!

Therefore, if you dont mind, I have a truck-load of questions, and I'd be VERY grateful if you can help me with understanding them. I know this must be very boring for most of you, that these questions have probably been asked 1000 times before, and that most of them are probably stupid, but here goes: :)


Pre-op questions:


How long does the AVR operation last?
What is the diet for just before the operation?


Post Op Questions:

Short Term (first days)

? Does it hurt when you breathe, move, speak, laugh?
? What?s the size of the scar?
? Does the scar bleed, and for how long?
? How soon after the operation will I be able to do most ordinary things, like read newspapers, talk, listen to iPod, etc? and how soon will I be able to get up (to go to toilet for example)?
? When will my stitches be taken out?
? It it true that I shouldn?t cross my legs (if so how long for)?
? Can I climb stairs?

Long Term

? Can I use anti-scar lotion to rub my incision with? How soon can I start that?
? What should I eat to make the tissue stronger? (Diet)
? How can I speed up my recovery (diet, exercise, vitamins, etc)
? How soon can I expect to be able to walk around the house, walk around the block, sit up, sleep on the sides, and just do ordinary things?
  • How soon can I start playing any sports



Anti-coagualnt Questions?

? How does anticoagulant affect your weight? Do you put on weight, or lose it?
? Do anti-coagulants affect your teeth?
? Do anticoagulants affect your skin?
? Do anticoagulants affect your sleep?
? Do anticoagulants affect your sperm?
? Can I take Multi-Vitamin tablets (if they include Vitamin K)?
? I often hear the anticoagulants can cause bleeding. What kind of bleeding is this (nose bleeds, for example), and how really dangerous is this?
? Do anticoagulants cause physical addiction?
? What happens if you miss a dose?
? What happens if you have (for example) 5-6 beers while on warfarin?
? What medicines can you take if you get a flu (as I understand you can't take aspirins or paracetamols, etc)?



THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, and once again SORRY about boring you with all these questions... :eek:
 
Welcome newbie!

I don't have any experience with your questions, and I don't know what the pre-op diet is supposed to consist of, but I'm probably going to eat some serious amounts of mcdonalds and tacobell and my mom's cooking. Kind of like having many last meals.
 
Pre-op questions:


How long does the AVR operation last? ....3 1/2 hours
What is the diet for just before the operation?......I ate as usual up to dinner the night before.

Post Op Questions:

Short Term (first days)

• Does it hurt when you breathe, move, speak, laugh? Breathe-no, move-little, speak-no, laugh-little. Remember that pain will be controlled with meds. The biggest pain will probably occur with a sneeze. Keep a pillow handy to add external pressure to the chest when coughing or sneezing.
• What’s the size of the scar? MIne's about 6 inches down the sternum.
• Does the scar bleed, and for how long? You may get a little oozing but no bleeding. I got neither. You'll be wiping with an antisceptic the first few days post.
• How soon after the operation will I be able to do most ordinary things, like read newspapers, talk, listen to iPod, etc… and how soon will I be able to get up (to go to toilet for example)? Reading, talking, listening you'll do after ICU, probably 1 day after surgery. Toilet as soon as the catheters come out.

• When will my stitches be taken out? Chest stitches dissolved. The stitches (3) that closed up the drainage tube openings came out after 3 days and just before my release from the hospital.
• It it true that I shouldn’t cross my legs (if so how long for)? Crossing legs effects circulation so they want uncrossed legs. The nurses were forever on my case as I like to cross my ankles while relaxing in bed.

• Can I climb stairs? This will be a byproduct of recovery and exercise. You will be encouraged to walk, walk and walk. Stairs could occur as soon as 1 week after returning home to 2 weeks.

Long Term

• Can I use anti-scar lotion to rub my incision with? How soon can I start that? After healing is done. LIghtly rubbing the scar after the surface tissue heals will help with the scar. Mine is only mildly noticeable at 9 weeks post.

• What should I eat to make the tissue stronger? (Diet) I found pizza and beer work very well. Seriously, you should strive to develop a healthy diet and maintain an exercise regimen. No special foods are necessary.

• How can I speed up my recovery (diet, exercise, vitamins, etc) Your body will tell you how things are going. I was operated on a Thursday and release from the hospital on Monday. After arriving home - in 3 days I was walking the neighborhood - at day 5 I was 2 miles - at day 7 it was 4 miles and probably day 10 it was 4 miles twice per day. I was concerned about my chest healing properly but at week 6, everything seemed to get solid and now at week 9, I'm woodworking (mirror frames this week), washed my truck 2 days ago, and fishing later in the week.

• How soon can I expect to be able to walk around the house, walk around the block, sit up, sleep on the sides, and just do ordinary things? See above, I slept on my side during week 6.

How soon can I start playing any sports Your body will tell you - heavy weight, golf - anything that really stresses the chest will have to wait. I plan to resume golf at 16-20 weeks but, again, my body will tell me when. I have difficulty playing the piano, but then again I never learned to play in the first place.
Click to expand...

You're asking great questions and dialog with your surgeon and cardioperson can answer many of them. I've found this forum to be extremely helpful in hearing real life experiences. If you have an email in your profile I'll send you more info that I received from the hospital. They also provided a dvd concerning the operation and recovery. Give me a mailing address and I'll send a copy.

God speed through your procedure and recovery!
 
Sorry, I didn't attempt the coagulant questions as I have a tissue valve and my wafarin ends at 90 days.
Briefly though, aspirin CAN be taken with warfarin (I'm currently taking both). Your doctors will be very clear with you concerning the meds.
Just to warn you, the pain meds can make you very constipated and, when and if I had to do it again, I would take stool softeners going into the hospital. You might want to run this by your doctor also.
 
NickLDN said:
Hi all!

Anti-coagualnt Questions?

• How does anticoagulant affect your weight? Do you put on weight, or lose it?It doesn't affect your weight at all.
• Do anti-coagulants affect your teeth? To my knowledge, it doesn't affect your teeth at all.
• Do anticoagulants affect your skin?It doesn't affect your skin that I know of
• Do anticoagulants affect your sleep? No
• Do anticoagulants affect your sperm? No
• Can I take Multi-Vitamin tablets (if they include Vitamin K)?Yes, but be consistent and always use the same brand.
• I often hear the anticoagulants can cause bleeding. What kind of bleeding is this (nose bleeds, for example), and how really dangerous is this?So long as you stay within your range and comply with testing on schedule, bleeding won't occur. If for some reason it does, there is an undelying problem that needs addressing that the anticoagulant unmasked.
• Do anticoagulants cause physical addiction?No
• What happens if you miss a dose?Either take the missed dose immediately or divide it up with your others over the week or simply forget it and go back to schedule
• What happens if you have (for example) 5-6 beers while on warfarin? Your likely to get buzzed.The big deal with alcohol is, drink in moderation. Alcohol can irritate the stomach and if you get a bleeding ulcer, your going to be in trouble. This is why alcohol is not to be used.
• What medicines can you take if you get a flu (as I understand you can't take aspirins or paracetamols, etc)? I take whatever works for me whether it's on the no no list or not.
Click to expand...


Undoubtedly you've heard a bunch of bull about ACT. I encourage you to go and visit http://www.warfarinfo.com/warfarinfo.com2.htm and soak up as much knowledge as you can handle. Coumadin is a nonissue for most of us. The largest single turn off factor is that most people who manage our care haven't a clue how the drug works. This has lead many of us to self test and self dose. You get a bit tired of having vein sticks with an incompetent manager at the helm. Home testing allows finger stick testing and you don't have to go anywhere to do it. Don't let anyone tell you that you have to change your diet. Dose the diet you eat, don't diet the dose your on. We can teach you much much more, but this is a good start. Also, be sure to check out the lifestyles forum. Many Coumadin patients in there doing their thing. You do not have to become an eggshell and stop life as you know it, though some will tell you that you do.
 
Nick,

I picked up the book "A Patient's Guide to Heart Valve Surgery" by Adam Pick (who is also on this forum). It is not available at the bookstores. You can find out more about it at http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/index.php

I found it most helpful to read about a patients point of view early in my journey into this procedure.

I hope this might be helpful.
 
Welcome to the VR community. Glad you found us.

My answers would pretty much echo Gerrys. I walked up and down the stairs once a day as soon as I got home as our bedroom is upstairs. AS long as you take it slow, it's not too hard. Just remember not to pull yourself up using the railing. Use the railing for support, but keep you weight on your feet. I took it one step at a time. As far as sports go, it obviously depends on the sport. My doc said I could golf in 10 - 12 weeks, although I actually waited longer than that before playing a full round. I just practiced moderately at the driving range as the stretching of the scar during my swing was pretty uncomfortable for pretty much a full year. Listen to you body and if in doubt as the doctor.

Best wishes and good luck.
 
Hello Nick, greetings from Yorkshire.

Firstly you have landed in the right place for friendly info and advice, VR is a mine of knowledge. :)

Surgery timing, hmmm. Is it really necessary now? Doubtless it is something to be done, but when? Have your cardiologists gone down the medication route to stop heart enlargement? It is my personal view that many surgeons are by nature simplistic, gung ho, interventionists. A more holistic approach has it's place.

Assuming the timing is correct, warfarin is no real problem. There are lifestyle changes to be made. You mention drinking; out on the lash binge drinking not to be advised, a glass or two of wine or a couple of beers a night no real problem. You'd find your own level.

At 32 and if you are otherwise fit and healthy, the op and recovery should be a breeze. You are right to be informed. Paradoxically, too much info can cause too much to worry about. There comes a point when you have to put yourself in the hands of the medical community and trust them. Don't get stressed, it helps no one. Stay positive and mentally strong and all will be well. :)
 
I am glad you found this site. I don't think I could have made it this past couple of weeks without it. You will find wonderful people here. I had my first AVR four years ago, I was 41 years old. I had a tissue valve put in even though my surgeon strongly suggested the mechanical valve. Should have listen to him the first time. My second AVR is scheduled for Friday and this time I am getting a mechanical valve. After my first surgery, I was going to the bathroom with assistance within 12hrs. I was walking the halls of the hosipital within 24hrs. My surgery was on a Friday, I was released from the hospital on Tuesday and I walked two miles when I got home. Not a fast pace mind you but I did walk. I don't recommend this, but I returned to work after seven days at home. I figured I could sit at work just as well as sit at home. Yes I was sore, but the more I moved around the less it hurt. My surgeon was fine with me walking as much as I did. His main concern was that I did not do anything to strain my sternum. He did restrict my driving the first two weeks. I really returned to doing my full workouts after six weeks. I tried to cheat after four weeks and tried to do some push-ups. DO NOT DO THAT. IT REALLY HURT. Everybody is different. Your body lets you know what you can do and what it is not ready to do. I can't comment on medication, but my surgeon makes it sound like it is no big deal. We will see.
 
THANKS SO MUCH TO ALL OF YOU!!!

Once again, I'm sorry if some of the questions are too obvious or silly. :)

gerrys and Ross,

Thanks for giving all the details. I'll certainly take on board your advice. In regards to drinking alcohol and warfarin, I'm not really a big drinker and I certainly don't drink every day, but everyone enjoys a few beers with friends once in a while. But I suppose that's one of the things I'll have to give up. I'll also get Adam Picks book ASAP, and more details from there.

Bonzo Dog,

I haven't been on any medication, but my doctor said I shouldn't resk my heart getting any larger, as it may damage the tissue and walls. And, somehow I just want to get it over with, and hopefully get back into (more or less) normal life. I also recently got married, and I'd probably want to get this out of the way as soon as possible, so I can have family and normal life.

melanie,

Thanks very much for the advice. Some really good stuff you said. In regards to your choice of mechanical vs. tissue valve, that's exactly the reason I'll go with the mechanical. I don't want to go through all this again in a few years time (plus I heard that each time it's harder).




I'm not afraid of the post-op pains (although I hear they are sometimes quite heavy), I'm prepared to handle it, but I'm more concerned about how my life will change in future, especially with anti-coagulants and any physical limitations. I have read some remarkable stories where people hve climbed mountains and ran marathons, so I suppose I should be OK.

Also, in my curiosity, I've come accross some stories (on the internet) of surgent's mistakes that ended tragically, and it's this that I worry about mostly. Placing your life in someone elses hands, no matter how good they are, is worrying.

I am very healthy, relatively young (at 32), never had any serious health problems, and still I feel no symptoms or difficulties (I don't get out of breath or tired, etc), so all this is still VERY surreal to me! I still am not aware that this is happening to me, and I'm only a few weeks away. That's probably why I'm not really terrified and I don't panic (yet), but sometimes silly questions keep bugging me (like "will I live to be 60?!").

Never experienced anything like this before... I just hope that I'm young and healthy enough to survive all this. :)
 
Nick, I also recommend you go to the Anticoagulation Forum on this site and read and view the stickies.

You don't have to give up a few beers with friends. 8 - 10, not a good idea. :D

I've been on Coumadin for over 16 years. I cannot remember the last time I didn't do something I wanted to do, or eat what I wanted to eat because I stopped to think "Oops, I'm on Coumadin."
 
Nick,

All of your questions are good ones, and this is a good place to come to ask them. We can all give you our experiences; but, of course, everyone?s body is different and you may go a slightly different route down the path to recovery.

I found the Web site ?Life After Open Heart Surgery? (http://www.heartsurgeons.com/ed5.html) useful in a general sense. Some of the information may be more applicable to the coronary artery bypass patient. For the most part, however, it cotains good answers to some of your questions.

You may want to check many of the wonderful links that Ross has filed in the ?Reference Sources? forum -- especially those in the "Must Have Reference Links."

Best wishes -- stay strong and try to relax. Most of us feel like we have been given a new life as a result of valve replacement surgery.
 
Hi-dee-oh there Nick and WELCOME.
I believe there has been one thing missed from the other members.
The DENTIST.
Go for a check up and get all the work done now, that includes a cleaning (if need be), you may have to be on a antibiotic if there is major work to be done before your surgery - but you probably already know that.
Having a healthy mouth is also important while on Anti-coagualnt.
Good Luck and welcome to the family
 
NickLDN said:
Hi all!

I have been following this forum for a few weeks, but I've finally decided to register and join this wonderful community. First of all, I'm very grateful that I found this community, as it helped me so much with understanding what I'm going through.

I'm 32, from London (England), and 2 years ago I was diagnosed with a Bicuspid Aortic valve. They say I've been born with it, and it took me 30 years of very active and completely normal life to find this out. 2 years ago I had endocarditis, but I was lucky enough to come out with no real problems, apart from some damage to my valve. I was told by doctors to have it checked out every 6 month (ecocardiogram - ultrasound), which I did. However, at mu last eco, I was told that regurgitation is causing one of my heart chambers to grow, and they recommend that I have my valve replaced. They say that my heart walls and tissue is still pretty good, and that with AVR the heart will go back to it's normal size.

I have no definite date yet, but my surgeon promised to find me a slot, maybe as soon as 1st July. I will let you know.

I will most probably get a mechanical valve, as the surgeon says it's the "safest" option, as a biological would only last me up to 10 years (considering my age and relatively active life). I have no real objections to this, as I don't want to go through all this in 10 years time all over again. My BIG concern is anti-coagulants, but I've been told that you get used to them.

Although I've been trying to be positive, and trying to learn as much as possible about the whole thing, I'm still VERY confused. I have no real symptoms, and this whole experience is still very UNREAL to me. I can't believe that in a few weeks time I'll have an Open heart surgery?!?!

Therefore, if you dont mind, I have a truck-load of questions, and I'd be VERY grateful if you can help me with understanding them. I know this must be very boring for most of you, that these questions have probably been asked 1000 times before, and that most of them are probably stupid, but here goes: :)


Pre-op questions:


How long does the AVR operation last? Mine lasted about 4 hours.
What is the diet for just before the operation? I had a big ol steak and few pints


Post Op Questions:

Short Term (first days)

? Does it hurt when you breathe, move, speak, laugh? pain meds take care of most of it but you will still have some discomfort, nothing big though.
? What?s the size of the scar? mine is about 10cm
? Does the scar bleed, and for how long? the incision will take time to heal, mine took about 6 weeks but I've heard others taking less and still others taking longer.
? How soon after the operation will I be able to do most ordinary things, like read newspapers, talk, listen to iPod, etc? and how soon will I be able to get up (to go to toilet for example)? I was reading the paper and watching TV the next day, you might not be particularly mobile but you will be awake and able to do sedentary tasks. They will have you up and walking very soon after your out of ICU.
? When will my stitches be taken out? I didn't have stiches that needed to be removed.
? It it true that I shouldn?t cross my legs (if so how long for)? never heard that one.
? Can I climb stairs? I went up and down the stairs of my home starting the first day I was home. About 6 days post-op. Stairs shouldn't be an issue, just take em slow.

Long Term

? Can I use anti-scar lotion to rub my incision with? How soon can I start that? I don't know on this one, I should probably look into it !
? What should I eat to make the tissue stronger? (Diet) Healthy diet is your best bet but I don't know of anything that you can eat that will make the tissue any stronger.
? How can I speed up my recovery (diet, exercise, vitamins, etc). Let your body dictate your recovery. Walk as much as you can, drink lots of water, and eat lots of fiber. My digestive track gave me fits for about 6 weeks so water and fiber were important for me to get things back on track.
? How soon can I expect to be able to walk around the house, walk around the block, sit up, sleep on the sides, and just do ordinary things?
I was up and puttering around the house from day one. Walked down to the end of the block and back in about a week. I slept in a recliner for about 6 weeks, anything that involved stomach muscles seeme to REALLY pull things that you don't want being pulled. By 8 weeks I was back to sleeping on my stomach.
  • How soon can I start playing any sports. The doctors say 12 weeks to let your sternum heal. Im a golfer and I started swinging a club at 8 weeks. My first 9 holes was at 9 weeks and I was sore afterwards. It wasn't until 12 weeks that I could play golf and not feel it the next day. I played a game of basketball with my sons at 10 weeks but I wasn't really running, just taking shots. I also started lifting weights again at 8 weeks but no chest exercises until 12 weeks.



Anti-coagualnt Questions?

? How does anticoagulant affect your weight? Do you put on weight, or lose it? No real change for me here.
? Do anti-coagulants affect your teeth? Nope.
? Do anticoagulants affect your skin? Nope
? Do anticoagulants affect your sleep? Nope
? Do anticoagulants affect your sperm? Nope
? Can I take Multi-Vitamin tablets (if they include Vitamin K)? Ask your cardiologist. It shouldn't be an issue, your does of Coumadin is based on your diet. Remember "dose the diet", not "diet to the dose".
? I often hear the anticoagulants can cause bleeding. What kind of bleeding is this (nose bleeds, for example), and how really dangerous is this?
? Do anticoagulants cause physical addiction? no
? What happens if you miss a dose? your heart will stop. just kidding, if you miss a dose talk to your doc ASAP, but DO NOT double dose the next day.
? What happens if you have (for example) 5-6 beers while on warfarin? They say not to drink at all. I can tell you that I have had 4 or 5 beers several times with no ill effects. But it does seem that I catch a buzz a bit easier now so I limit myself to 3 usually. As it stands I'm probably drinking about the same as I was pre-surgery which is a few on Thursday night with my golf league and then a few more over the weekend. I did however swear off hard alcohol, Im a beer only guy now.
? What medicines can you take if you get a flu (as I understand you can't take aspirins or paracetamols, etc)? I take Tylenol products, those won't be an issue for you.



THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, and once again SORRY about boring you with all these questions... :eek:
Click to expand...

I put my answers to your questions next to the questions !
 
Hi Nick,

Happy you found us but sorry for the reason.
Your questions are all good ones and most of us asked the same when we first started our 'journey's.

Everyone is different and you will hear that repeatedly but it is true.
I have had two OHS and my second was going on four months ago.

I was out of ICU within 12 hours post op. They loaded me into a wheelchair, placed the 4 containers from my chest tubes onto my lap, dropped the huge medical records book on top and wheeled me from ICU to cardiac recovery section...a short distance.

I was walking within two hours after that with help from my DH and nurse.
I used the restroom with help from nurse (she had to take the four drainage containers as I wasn't permitted to lift/carry anything.)
Mass General Hospital in Boston (one of the finest in U.S.A.) cardiac surgical nurses stressed to us they consider pain management extremely important to healing and they kept all of us very comfortable with excellent meds.
They insist people walk a flight of stairs before you are released from the hospital and I did that easily.
My surgery was on Thursday and I came home Tuesday. My house is two level with bedroom upstairs and I had no problem either surgery walking stairs immediately post op.

My scar did not bleed at all (either time) though I had a tiny infection at the base of it the first surgery and it oozed. A course of antibiotics took care of it. My surgeon (same one both OHS) reopened me along the same scar line the second time and my scar is about 9" and surprisingly even though just 4 months and two cuts on the same line, I think the scar not a big deal. I'm a middle-aged woman but do not feel the need to hide it beneath high to the neck collars. I wear the same tops which show the top of the scar and at this early post surgery date am not uncomfortable showing it.


I walked the neighborhood from day one home and though I was a regular walker pre surgery, it took a few weeks until I built back up to any real distance but my distance increased steadily.

I have a tissue replacement valve so only had ACT for a little more than two months. I was active and eat a large amount of veggies and never got into range before my doctors allowed me to stop the warfain. Thankfully they agreed with my wish to dose the diet and not diet the dose. They knew I eat large quantities of leafy greens etc and continued to permit that. Aside from the annoyance of taking over 80 mg warfarin per week (a high dosage) and not reaching my range, I had no effects from being on warfarin. It was simply another pill to take. Sure, I had to go for testing but if I were to be on it permanently, I would be a home tester for sure. I was permitted to have a glass or two of fine if I wished. A large quantity is not a good idea but a few beers or glasses of wine is okay.

Most of us have found the wait is the very worst part of this whole journey. I found the wait to be torture and it was about 30 days from when I learned I needed the second surgery until I went in. The anticipation, for many of us, is worse than the realization. The people on this board carried me through it and we will do the same for you, if you need/want it. This is an amazing group of very knowledgable, generous, kind people.

Ask your questions. They are all good and may be the question someone else didn't think to ask and will help someone else.

You're young and seem to be otherwise healthy and will do fine. This is a tremendously successful surgery and the vast majority of us do fine.

Eat healthy, maintain your exercise regimen if your doctors permit and I think it good advise that you should have dental check. My surgeon required clearance from my dentist verifying I had no major dental problems and no infection in my mouth. CHECK with your surgeon/cardio's office re: pre-medication before a dental appointment.

Hang in there. You'll do fine!
 
Nick,

Since you expressed an interest in a Mechanical Valve, you may want to look into the developments offered by the latest in Mechanical Valve Design, the On-X Valves, which were introduced to the World Market in 1996.

See www.onxvalves.com and www.heartvalvechoice.com for details.

The St. Jude Master's Series Valves hold the record for durability at 30 years and counting. See www.sjm.com for their info.

'AL Capshaw'
 
Karlynn said:
Nick, I also recommend you go to the Anticoagulation Forum on this site and read and view the stickies.

You don't have to give up a few beers with friends. 8 - 10, not a good idea. :D

I've been on Coumadin for over 16 years. I cannot remember the last time I didn't do something I wanted to do, or eat what I wanted to eat because I stopped to think "Oops, I'm on Coumadin."
Click to expand...

Wow I just realized what my problem is with you. I haven't taked to you after you've 8 or 10 beers! ;) Care to join me for a Bloody Mary or 4?
 
Nick, I think those are good questions, and it looks like they've been answered! I was just a little younger than you when I had myOHS. I was out of the hospital in a week, and started regular walks, as soon as I got home. They progressed from around the block to jogging about a mile, and then to downhill skiing within three months. In the begining, I never thought I'd get my energy back. Be patient, and listen to your body and you'll get there. As far as the ACT, it is a non issue most of the time for me. Take the pils, and test weekly, dose the diet... As for valves, I would also check out ATS at www.atsmedical.com . Best of luck, Brian Mc
 
You have gotten very good answers to most of your questions, so I will not duplicate them. I just want to talk about your future. My son almost died from his heart problem before it was discovered, they expected him to need an immediate heart transplant and he now has permanent heart damage. He takes Coumadin. He also still drives an off-road car and occasionally rides an off-road motorcycle. If he would just get his *@it together (he is 18 and I'm mad at him right now:rolleyes:) his life would still be pretty good. I say this because you are young and in good condition and can expect to go back to a completely normal life. Adapting to coumadin will really not be a big deal for most people.
 
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