Recent content by Rush20

Thanks for all the feedback. The primary reason we decided to upgrade my wife's ring is that the clasps on her original engagement ring band were starting to break. She's a hairdresser and didn't want to lose the diamond so we wanted to get her a new band that has the diamond mounted lower and...

Thanks for the feedback. When tried to order my original MedicAlert sterling silver pendant/necklace, I received a warning that a high percentage of people with diabetes or using anticoagulant, will experience tarnishing on the sterling silver and they suggest either gold or rhodium-coated...

I hope all is well with everyone on the forum. It's been a few months since I've posted. My wife and I just celebrated our 20th wedding annivesary and we just upgraded her wedding band. I am also considering updating my wedding band and was curious if my Warfarin therapy would cause an...

I thought I would drop by and say hello to everyone. Today is my St. Jude Aortic heart valve's 10-year birthday. Things are going well, I feel great and my INR has been rock solid for three years with only 5 mg of daily Coumadin. I can't believe it's already been 10 years. I'm hoping for...

Thanks for all the replies so far. This really helps. Part of my frustration is that I think many of these insurance brokers are not very well trained and are probably ex mortgage brokers who switched industries when the market crashed. None of them even metioned the five criteria points...

Hi gang. I hope all is well. I haven't posted in awhile, however I have been checking in and reading updates, etc. I'm hoping someone who has a similar pre-existing condition (artificial aortic heart valve) can help me. I have been working in Corporate America my whole career and have...

Is it true that each testing strip costs about $20? If so, it seems like the ol "Razor Blade bait and switch" whereas the cool razor is only $5.00 but the packs of razor blades are real expensive. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the feedback everyone! :)

My cardiologist suggested that since I have now been on Warafin for 5 years, I might consider an at-home machine for weekly tests vs. my current once per month clinic blood draw. I have to confirm whether my insurance will help and at what percentage. Now is the time of year I can plan for...

So far it's been my "wonder beta blocker" as I'm on 5mg as part of a mixed cocktail with 10mg of Lisinopril to lower my BP. I had been on a variety of different beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and ace inhibitors to try and get my stubborn post-op BP down from 140/90ish. After three...

What is a David-Type Valve-Sparing Aorta Replacement? It sounds like they replace the actual aorta vs. the aortic valve.

Although I'm a hard core Chicago White Sox fan, Aaron Boone has now become the player that I am most rooting for. He had OHS in late March to replace his Aortic valve and was able to get back to the major leagues less than six months later! Great story! Another high-profile example of this...

Wow! The Aortic Valve is getting a lot of PR this week! Barbara Bush and Robin Williams. Two more high profile public figures that can only bring more knowledge and understanding to our little corner of the health world. Since most of us are "quasi" experts when it comes to this disease and...

I had my St. Jude Aortic valve implanted when I just turned 40. I celebrated it's 5-year birthday last Friday; August 29th. If I averaged 60 beats per minute (more when I'm hyped up/exercising and less when I'm resting/sleeping), that means the valve has opened/closed for than 157 million...

August 29th, 2003. It was about this time of day I woke up gagging on the breathing tube. Five years later and approximately 157M clicks later, it's going strong with no problems. Thanks to all the people, support and feedback on this site! :)