Recent content by Smiley2000

what a nice threat/sticky! I can relate to most or all of it that was said on here. One thing that surprised me was that I am now battling with major depression, started noticing the signs at 1 1/2 years post op! I am now much better in that regard, but apparently it is common after OHS and I...

Hi there! Today is my 3-year valveversary :) I am happy to report that after they fixed the sternum in Nov. 2009 I am doing great! Latest cardio check-up said that I still have mitral incompetence, but no more pulmonary hypertention and I should outlive my valve-job. We are moving to...

Yes I do! But I try my best to be bilingual. The Spell-checker does not work if I type in Afrikaans :tongue2: Afrikaans is a very descriptive language and even the English people around here like to swear in Afrikaans :biggrin2::angel:

Hi there to all my valve friends :) I am still here - did not go very far and doing great! It has now been 8 months since my sternotomy and I feel great. The last echo showed ZERO mitral incompetence and the zip is looking good. Was thinking about you guys/girls a lot... anyone around here...

Sparkle, I had my 2nd OHS on the 9th of Nov. last year (long story) but this time around they didn't have to put me on bypass and didn't stop my heart for 5 hours... The 1st time around, my resting HR was 130+ and I was on Lanoxin for that but it lasted for 3 months, then one morning I woke up...

Is your mom on any Diuretics? Reason I am asking: I had some general body aches and muscle pains for a few months last year and eventually my GP tested my "uric acid" levels and the bloodtest showed that my levels were to high (due to the Diuretic that I was on - Lasix) and gave me meds to...

Hi Kathy, I had my Gallbladder removed during Sept. 2006 and what was supposed to be an almost painless op and laparoscopically done, almost cost me my life. 5 days after my surgery I had complications and my liver almost "exploded" and they had to fix it with an ERCP procedure. Then I had...

Chris, I was shocked to read that one single person had to go through all of that and made it out alive and you sound so positive and you are an absolute inspiration to anyone who has to go for their surgeries, or had their surgeries! I have a little card that I keep in my Bible and it says...

I went back to work on Monday after a 2 month sick leave! It was high time and it feels great to be back. The first day was just hectic in so many ways. When I started my career there in Aug 2008 only the HR personnel, my close friends and Manager knew that I had OHS. I managed to hide the...

How is the driving after 4 weeks going for you? I am 6 weeks post-op after Sternotomy and I can not go from 4th to 5th gear without really hurting! Give it another 2 weeks, then you'll feel more comfortable while driving. I think Cardiac rehab is a great idea! All the best for starting work...

Hi there. It took about 4 weeks for all of my stitches to dissolve. They do look like little white worms poking through your skin, but just let them come out in their own time. It helps to put a bit of baby oil and tissue oil on the incision every night.

Hi John, Sorry to hear about the need for hip-replacement, but it sure is a step in the right direction and we can not wait for you to send us those "pictures in the sand" photo. Just remember the footprints that you have left in people's heart already ;) All the best for the upcoming...

Hi there to all my forum-friends! Just a quick update from me: I am feeling so much better. Sternum has healed and incision looking good. I am working on a pic for "toots" :p I am ready to go back to work next year (4 Jan) and I am really looking forward to the New Year. But first, we...

oh no, that is not hospital pic (lol, I'll have to get rid of that top - it does look like pj's :p) That was actually taken on the Saturday before I went into Hospital. My scar actually looks better this time (no more kelloid at the top) although still a bit red, but flatter at the top. I'll...

Debbie, I had OHS on 31 March 2008 and again 9 November 2009 and the Surgeon got rid of all the old keloids and now my scar looks so much better! I am sure the Surgeon can do the same for you! Do you have a surgery date yet? The waiting for surgery is the worst, but also the 2nd time around...