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A

Alien

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2008
Messages
7
Location
Tucson, AZ
I've been hanging out here for some time learning from the experience of others, but having just had a surgeon basically say "get in here, NOW":eek: I'm about to join the ranks of the experienced myself!
I've had what started out as a slight murmur for 40 years (that makes me feel old) but a couple of years ago sudden shortness of breath after climbing stairs put me into the clutches of cardiologists, who told me I had moderate to severe aortic stenosis plus aortic insufficiency and there was talk about maybe getting a valve job someday in the future. So I've been getting regular check-ups with echocardiograms until those fun words "I think we need to do a heart cath" were heard. This was soon followed by "You need to start checking out surgeons" and things suddenly started getting serious.
I checked out a couple of surgeons and decided that Dr Jack Copeland at UMC here in Tucson was the right man for the job.
So the result of all this is I'm scheduled for pre-op on Jan 9 and an AVR on Jan 12 and reality has suddenly rushed in!
At least the way has been paved by a lot of the regulars here and I have a fair idea of what I'm in for. Not much fun but a lot better than the alternative.

I'll be getting an On-X valve (us engineers like gadgets;))and will be joining the On-X study, although as I'm classified as high risk I'll either be in the regular Coumadin control group or the reduced Coumadin group (no Plavix or Aspirin).
So please make room for another one - I'm about to join this exclusive club and I hope to be back here in a couple of weeks to boast about my scar:)

Regards to all,
Doug.
 
Hello!! Welcome!!

I just sat down to relax abit and check in to see if there were any newbies and here you are!! Thank you for joining us.

It seems that there are quite a good handful of you joining in on this On-X study. That's great!

You are bound to have some last minute questions or anxieties, so please feel free to ask us anything. It is always good to start a new thread if you have a new question because that way more members will have a chance to see it and respond.

Do your best to relax now and drink in some love and beauty....those are wonderful bedfellows as they wheel you around on those noisy guernies.

Best wishes.

Marguerite
 
Hi Doug, welcome to the forum, wishing you all the best with surgery and recovery.
 
Hi Doug
I'm new here too although I'd lurked for a few months before taking the plunge. I'm also awaiting OHS, and I'm glad I registered as telling my story to people who understand what we are going through has been really helpful. You sound like you've got everything sorted out now, so best of luck with the operation and recovery.
Andy
 
Welcome, Doug. I'm glad you decided to come out of the shadows before surgery and I added you the calendar so we can send you off with good wishes and follow your progress. Best Wishes to you.
 
You've done your homework and it sounds like you have found that state of "Peaceful Acceptance" so there's nothing left to do but wish you well and "Bon Voyage!"

And YES, the improved technology of the On-X Valve certainly arouses the interest of us engineering types :) !

Come back and tell us of your 'adventure' when you are able. Welcome to the Club!

'AL Capshaw'
 
Welcome, Doug! You sound in great spirits.

(When we found out my surgery would be in January, we very briefly considered Tucson because it would be such a great place to recover in January.)

Best wishes, and do let us know how you're doing.
 
Doug - welcome to club and your correct about engineers and gadgets. I've had the On-X right at five months.

I hope you'll stick around and keep us informed about your progress.

The best!
RF
 
Welcome and I'm glad you decided to join us. Keep us posted. Be sure to ask questions if you have any and someone will be around to help.

Good luck
Earline
 
Just want to say welcome -- this is a wonderful place for info and support. My background is much the same as yours and I am having my aortic valve replaced on Jan 14th with preop on Jan 8th.

Good luck with your surgery!
 
Welcome and thanks for coming out of the shadows. I hope all goes well for your surgery and that you have a quick recovery. As you've probably read on these boards, everyone's journey is unique and don't let yourself get thrown off balance by a couple of bumps in the road. Whatever you encounter though there is sure to be someone in this pool of resource that has been there before. Don't be shy. We are also a great place to air your frustration at times so you can save your sweet side for your family:). God Bless you as you go through this. Also, don't forget to have a serious one-on-one with God beforehand.
 
Thank you all.

Thank you all.

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes for tomorrow. It's good to know that I have a great team cheering for me.

And AL Capshaw, I think that rather than your suggestion "sounds like you have found that state of "Peaceful Acceptance"" it's more a case of "Deer in the headlights!" where you know you can't avoid it so you just stand there saying "Oh crap!" :D

Oh well, it's time to start getting my stuff together for the ridiculously early start tomorrow, (I'm the first scheduled surgery), so thank you all once again and I'll see you on the other side of the hill.

Doug.
 
Alien said:
Thanks to everyone for the good wishes for tomorrow. It's good to know that I have a great team cheering for me.

And AL Capshaw, I think that rather than your suggestion "sounds like you have found that state of "Peaceful Acceptance"" it's more a case of "Deer in the headlights!" where you know you can't avoid it so you just stand there saying "Oh crap!" :D

Oh well, it's time to start getting my stuff together for the ridiculously early start tomorrow, (I'm the first scheduled surgery), so thank you all once again and I'll see you on the other side of the hill.

Doug.
Click to expand...



All the best Alien,remember we will all be with you,so your not alone.

see you over the mountain......Relax it will all go FINE.

zipper2 (DEB)
 
Alien said:


...

I'll be getting an On-X valve (us engineers like gadgets;))and will be joining the On-X study, although as I'm classified as high risk I'll either be in the regular Coumadin control group or the reduced Coumadin group (no Plavix or Aspirin).
So please make room for another one - I'm about to join this exclusive club and I hope to be back here in a couple of weeks to boast about my scar:)

Regards to all,
Doug.
Click to expand...

Hello Doug!

Arn't the People here AWESOME!!!???

I was scared when I first logged on! I found that people in MUCH BETTER shape than I ever will be in have had Valve difficulties. I asked my Surgeon about the On-X valve. He said he has used the St Jude's valves & likes them. We just went along with him.

Is your day still Tomorrow? (Well if it is, you just might not see this until you are back on the other side of the mountain) I join the others in wishing you the very best!

Tomorrow will be 5 weeks post op. for me. Everything has been OK with the exception of the infection at the Groin site. I have been taking a Major League Antibiotic, Levaquin, for two weeks. 14 of these pills cost $389, I 'only' had to pay $100. (in $10 bills stamped www.wheresgeorge.com) My Wife has had to change & repack the groin twice a day. I am nowhere near returning to work as a Meter Reader for Seattle City Light. I am up to 3 20 minute walks a day. I think that I am behind schedule, my Doctor's Office says that I am way ahead & might be pushing too hard... I am shooting for a return to work February 16th, it all depends on the healing of the infection.


mike
 
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