Recent content by rnff2

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  1. R

    In shock - 12 great years later, just discovered I need another OHS

    No problem...I'm a lot confusing. Lol. And I have to agree that they could definitely have been a little more "proactive".
  2. R

    In shock - 12 great years later, just discovered I need another OHS

    Kristine, you are so right, Northwestern is a great hospital and we are very lucky to have access to it. I don't think you could go wrong with any surgeon you choose from NWM. I wish you all the best!
  3. R

    In shock - 12 great years later, just discovered I need another OHS

    Thanks...it does suck. I had sub-aortic membrane removed at age 14, something they should have found earlier in my life, I have always had a heart murmur but they said I would out grow it. So I developed cardiomyopathy and aortic valve damage from the elevated LVOT pressures and the aortic...
  4. R

    In shock - 12 great years later, just discovered I need another OHS

    Kristine, I am also a Northwestern patient and Dr. McCarthy did my valve surgery in January 2016, it was my 3rd OHS. I ended up choosing a mechanical mitral valve due to it being my 3rd surgery and my age of 43 at the time. I learned a couple months ago that I will probably be having a 4th OHS...
  5. R

    Travel with moderate to severe stenosis of aortic tissue valve?

    I buy travel insurance with pre-existing condition for our cruises. You never know when you may need medical care and your insurance may not cover you when over seas. If you google travel insurnace you will find a lot of options. You can also find reviews on the different companies, just take...
  6. R

    Lab vs Coaguchek INR

    Busy weekend...sorry I haven't replied sooner. pellicule...You are right...I wouldn't survive caring for non ER patients. I would go crazy working anywhere else. Lol. LondonAndy...I agree, I trust my meter too. And if the results were way off I would just test a little more often until I was...
  7. R

    Frustrated by ECHO results

    Busy, busy few days...sorry I wandered away. Thank you ottagal...I have a great group of doctors and I am confident and comfortable with our plan, for now. I do plan on trying to put it in the background and not worry about it. Can't worry constantly about something you have no control over...
  8. R

    Lab vs Coaguchek INR

    Thanks guys...I knew you would both say that. I actually cancelled my service with Coaguchek in January and they let me keep my meter free of charge. I'm buying strips on my own now and saving a lot of money. So I was praying the tests would be close, like they usually are, and I could...
  9. R

    Frustrated by ECHO results

    ottagal...thank you for the support. One day at a time...that's exactly how I'm looking at it. I have 2 cardiologists, one is local and at the hospital I work at and this one that I just saw is my specialist for my Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. I travel and hour just to see him and usually have...
  10. R

    Frustrated by ECHO results

    Hi, all! Quick back story for those that don't know or remember me. I'm 2 years post mechanical mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair, my third OHS. Last week I went for a routine follow up appointment to see one of my cardiologists. He reviewed my last ECHO and told me my aortic...
  11. R

    Lab vs Coaguchek INR

    I haven't posted in a while but I'm still lurking around. Lol. I hope you are all doing well. I need to voice my frustrations...so here goes. I had a lab INR of 2.4 and my Coaguchek was 2.6 on Friday. Same day, about 30 minutes apart. I am very happy with these results as my meter has always...
  12. R

    CouguChek troubleshooting

    I agee with changing the batteries. When I recieved an error message I called and they advised me to change the batteries, even though I had recently changed them. They told me that fixes a lot of the problems. I changed the batteries and mine has been working fine since.
  13. R

    Can't decide on mechanical or tissue valve.

    I have an On-x mechanical mitral valve. I too had to make this decision. For me I was 43 and going into my 3rd OHS. I was told similar things as you about the life of a tissue valve and the catheter replacement option in the future. I also didn't want to be on Coumadin. I had conversations...
  14. R

    Mitral Valve Replacement scheduled for 4th March 2017

    Hi Judy. I have a mechanical mitral valve, its been just over a year since my surgery. My surgeon also suggested a tissue valve when we meet, but gave me the final choice. My cardiologists (I have 2 one local and one at my surgical hospital) both felt mechanical was a better choice due to my...
  15. R

    Going in for 7th open heart surgery - thoughts on On-X MHV?

    As others have said you take the prize, I have only had 3 OHS myself. I wanted a tissue valve but knew deep down that mechanical was probably the better choice given my history and my cardiologists agreed. It wasn't easy to convince myself and I was back and forth for many weeks trying to...
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