Recent content by heartlikeawheel

Rooting for your valve to go 20!

Just an update for folks interested in how things progress…one year and five months out I’m able to run faster and longer than prior to surgery, rate recovery still improving. I think the initial lag when commencing exercise is getting better as well. So for those impatient for recovery know it...

Excellent news on the Cath. That is some good piece of mind right there! One less variable tand things should go smoothly.

Very sad for you. It’s devastating to lose a pet (companion). Try to take it day by day. It sounds like you will need assistance sooner rather than later. I am sure your pup would never begrudge you another for the support and love provided. Especially another rescue!

I had RMSF when I was 10. Almost died as I didn’t get treatment until late. Fever so high I was hallucinating. But good news as you indicate with Lyme there is some immunity afterward. Which is great as my dog Timmy and I seem to get ticks every day on our walks! I pulled four off him the other...

Thanks guys! Had some blood work done and was still a little anemic and liver numbers also a bit off…maybe drinking too much beer and wine! Otherwise all good and the doc seemed pleased.

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my surgery. I got a Medtronics Avalus valve and some unexpected work done to repair the Mitral valve (damage they couldn’t see in prior work ups). I will be 59 in July. Overall things are good. I exercise regularly. One issue I still have is a kind of...

So a breakthrough today at Cardiac Rehab (which I recommend) - heart rate got to 130!! And it wasn't a one off - it built to that. This was on my last exercise of the day on a Schwinn Airdyne type bike and I was pushing pretty hard - only able to say a few words at a time. The annoying thing was...

Thanks guys. I do know the latest EKGs didn't show anything. Maybe I'm being impatient.

Hello, my last posts were in the Introductions section - I think back in April or May - so it's been awhile. I had the aortic valve replaced and the mitral valve repaired. The valve put in is the Medrontic Avalus at 27mm. The surgery went well and I was let out of the hospital after about a...

Hey everyone. Thanks to all for the replies on this thread. Had a Cardiac Cath last week, ultrasound of carotids, blood draw and so forth. So far all pretty much as expected though I think docs leaning now towards doing the valve only. One thing I noted from blood work before and during Cath...

Sorry maybe not cool to bring up what is probably the only other site devoted to these issues. And I have to admit I haven't really drilled down to the threads or stories where it's likely much the same as here (lots of good and bad). It's the top end that seems super glossy and perky.

Wow! Thank you everyone for these great comments and recommendations! It's funny, I had a meeting today with surgeon and cardiologist and they had different things to say about valves. The cardiologist said good things about the On-X and the dosages of blood thinners (and of course mentioned the...

Thank you for your perspective. How much of an issue is diet (and alcohol) with managing a mechanical valve? And are there constraints as to what you can do? How about travel? It would be nice (whether mechanical or tissue) to be able to lift weights, play tennis, jog, ride my bike etc. without...

At your young age I would have thought a mechanical at the forefront of discussions. I mean the need for possible reoperations is an important consideration. Did you ask about it? At any rate it sounds like you're doing great! And maybe they can do some kind of TAVR when you need a new one.