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  1. jcgtok17

    TAVR for St Jude Trifecta replacement

    Riorico, Welcome. I had the St. Jude Medical Trifecta GT "installed" in May 2017. In your case certainly not the 10-12 years expected in terms of durability. TAVR is approved under the universal health care systems of Japan (initial operation) and Canada (home country). Difficult to see the...
  2. jcgtok17

    Going on 20 years this month

    A great anniversary and overall health turn around story. Thanks for sharing. Caleb
  3. jcgtok17

    Aortic Valve Choices

    Boxing without the use of your arms. Strikes are with your shoulder to the opponent (upper arms, shoulder, chest). Head shot a rarity (gracefully). Almost healed up. One and done!
  4. jcgtok17

    Aortic Valve Choices

    Feel broken after "shoulder boxing" with 17 year old (with some boxing training). I "won" but highly bruised and full of lament. His challenge, not mine. Never again.
  5. jcgtok17

    Aortic Valve Choices

    I had AVR surgery at 50 and a tissue valve. No air time given to mechanical. St Jude Trifecta GT 27mm. Edwards the "go to" valve in Japan due to sizing (21mm avg.). If this valve lasts < 10 years I will switch to mechanical. If > 10 tissue via TAVR.
  6. jcgtok17

    Covid Vaccines

    I for one am glad to be vaccinated. Personal choice is a factor, but remaining non vaccinated will have repercussions. My students for the fall term can not live in residence unless fully vaccinated. This summary doc on vaccine reactions certainly puts a human face to the pandemic effects wrt...
  7. jcgtok17

    Covid Vaccines

    Hot topic for sure. I'm convinced C-19 would make a bee-line for my heart so I'm glad to have both Moderna shots (May 19th and July 4th). This is a blog I write for on occasion under the moniker @firehorsecaper. Tongue in cheek, but covers a lot of ground for a short snippet. There Aren’t Any...
  8. jcgtok17

    Covid Vaccines

    I'd prefer she make it to great-grandmother status, and with my tissue value I'd rather not be spending time with anti-vax zealots. Unless we are hermits, these decisions impact those around us.
  9. jcgtok17

    Covid Vaccines

    My mother (77) refuses to get the vaccine. This on the advice of my sister who is not a doctor, but plays one on teevee. Frustrating as if she catches COVID-19 it will likely end her life. This is someone who gets and annual flu shot and has been vaccinated for shingles (cost out of pocket).
  10. jcgtok17

    Covid Vaccines

    Apparently they only determine the exact cause of the infection for infective endocarditis in 40% of cases. It was not due to the timeline, rather than the analysis of the bacteria itself. Staphylococcus Sanguinis. New plan covers cleaning every 5 months so I should only have to buy 1-2 per year...
  11. jcgtok17

    Covid Vaccines

    I got back to Tokyo this week. The olympics are close now, but oh so far from an accessibility standpoint. No spectators allowed, first in Tokyo venues and now almost across the board. Hotels accepting Olympic guests subject to quarantine seem to be having difficulty with some of the logistics...
  12. jcgtok17

    Life Expectancy BAV Mechanical vs Tissue

    Due to sizing issues, the St. Jude Medical Trifecta GT (27mm). Avg. size in Japan is 21mm, Edwards values more typically used. There was no discussion of mechanical values.
  13. jcgtok17

    Covid Vaccines

    Getting shot #1 of Moderna today (tissue valve). They did not recommend AZN and I was glad to be getting the COVID-19 vaccine. 2nd set for Sep 1st, but hoping I can get it sooner. NS vaccinating > 30 years old now.
  14. jcgtok17

    4 Year AVR anniversary

    4 years since my tissue value was installed in Tokyo. Likely back to Canada late summer for an academic posting. Japan has been 8 week follow up appointments. I'm expecting Canada once every 6 months at best, especially in my home province where folks have issues getting a family doctor, let...
  15. jcgtok17

    COVID Long Hauler Looking for Help

    My friends from the Philippines all swear by Ivermectin. One of the few "cheap" drugs they can get there. Their case(s) have been mild.
  16. jcgtok17

    Had my first shot of Pfzier vaccine.

    Chuck, Good advice .... thank you! Off for my 10k. 3rd State of Emergency for Tokyo starts tomorrow. Much more strict than prior ones, but the "out of doors" is still open! MIT study on indoors and COVID-19 spread states there is no difference btw 6 and 60 ft inside. First flight next week since...
  17. jcgtok17

    Life Expectancy BAV Mechanical vs Tissue

    St. Jude Medical GT 27mm (tissue). Edwards is popular in Japan, 21mm avg. valve size.
  18. jcgtok17

    Had my first shot of Pfzier vaccine.

    Interesting. I'll be getting the 1st AZN shot in Canada next month. Japan is at 1% of the pop. so far. Some interesting thoughts (more research required) on "mixing" vaccines with the idea being there might be a stronger immune response (antibodies). Good check up today, but some concern on my...
  19. jcgtok17

    Life Expectancy BAV Mechanical vs Tissue

    Interesting for certain. I had my BAV surgery 4 years ago at 50. Life expectancy was 80, although I tried to contractually "lock that in" my doctors could not do so. Stay healthy, trim and get your sleep was the main advice. The "event risk" of valve replacement (hopefully TAVI procedure) likely...
  20. jcgtok17

    I've crossed the line into severe and need to make a decision

    Chuck, Best wishes to a successful surgery. I'm just over 4 years in on my tissue value @ 50 and no issues.
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