Recent content by LubDubLubDub

I was quite sore from those ribs being abused. At my hospital, they provided a simple rice pillow that they heated in a microwave. I'd put that between my back and a seatback, and the relief was immense. Bring your own rice pack, or ask if they'll have them there for you.. You'll be fine.

I had a tissue Mitral valve installed in Oct 2009. Life has been awesome ever since. Just to put the whole surgery thing into perspective for you, the absolute WORST thing for me about the whole process occurred in pre-op -- getting shaved down by a young, attractive "Shaver Girl." (I'm...

a67emmamom -- What EVERYONE said here is correct. I may not be a great comfort to you, but I had to stare the facts in the face during my three month wait before my surgery... 1) I was going to be dead without this surgery. 2) I considered myself "lucky" that my bad valve didn't just quietly...

Lynlw - I was interested due to that 50/50 chance that heredity may pass on wet Mac Degen to ME. If I have a better than average chance of getting Macular Degeneration, I didn't want to have a mechanical clacker installed that would require me being on coumadin forever. So I had a tissue...

I posted this down on the Anti-Coagulation Forum, but I felt it was important enough to post here as well, if you're facing a future of Coumadin. If you're like I was, deciding between a Tissue valve or a Mechanical valve... and IF you have WET Macular Degeneration in your eyes (Or if a...

Well, I'm about to answer my own question! I just did some online research on a few Macular Degeneration forums like this one. Here was a pretty definitive answer in one that I found, written by an MD: >> We received the following question from a reader: “Can you inform me if there are any...

Even my heart surgeon couldn't answer this one. I'm 55. In Oct 2009 I needed my Mitral valve replaced. I was faced with the choice of a tissue valve (they wear out, but no Coumadin) or a mechanical (ticking forever, but Coumadin forever). The mechanical route seemed like a no-brainer... but...

Welcome to the Scar Club. You'll learn to display it proudly - it'll become a mark of bravery, long life, and distinction. (And honestly, I have bigger scars on me from my CAT!) To this day, I'm fairly shocked at how little pain I experienced (or remember). I'll stop short of saying the whole...

By all means, do all of the above, but do it all with a smile, knowing you'll be home in no time. Consider it that "weird missing week" from your life. HOWEVER - DO prepare yourself for what I found to be a real bummer -- the phenomenon they call "Pump Head"... goofed up mental processes due...

I had Mitral valve replacement Oct 13, 2009, age 55. Medtronics porcine valve. Piece of cake. These days I'm swimming more than a mile each morning. What WASN'T a piece of cake was my 12 month struggle with what the docs call "Pump Head". My short term memory and reasoning ability was shot...