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I saw my brother-in-law on Saturday. He is now outfitted with a LVAD. His heart was in very bad shape. He had OHS to have this pump installed. He lives in So Carolina. He’s decided to go for a heart transplant but they have to run tests to determine if he’s a candidate. He’s only early 60’s...

I tested my blood today as per the interventional cardiologist’s office to do it 48 hours before the TEE. Well, here it is Sunday and my INR is 2.0. They wanted it no higher than 3.5. Thought I’d get opinions here on whether I should take extra warfarin tonight to at least get it into range...

I was bitten by a spider 2 days after Thanksgiving on my cheek while sleeping. I didn’t see the spider or find any webs. It was looking bad and my eye and cheek area was hurting, so I went to urgent care the next day. The MD prescribed an antibiotic ointment. I was already on augmentin for...

It’s my Birthday today. I’ve now had an artificial aortic valve longer than I had my native valve! Thank you Doctors who have kept me going!!

My mechanical valve is shearing my blood cells. My blood numbers have been going down since 2018. My newest cardiologist thought my valve is probably the culprit. I started seeing a new GP and asked her to check my blood. Everything was off, so she sent me to a hematologist. More blood tests...

My daughter came home last night after a visit with friends in Las Vegas, Raider game and then Palm Springs. She drove home last night and early this am had 103 fever, so she did 2 COVID tests, both positive. She is immune compromised with many issues and I’m high risk from 3 ohs, a fib, leaky...

Is there anyone here that has had mitral repair with anulplasty ring? Mine began failing after 10 years, it is now leaking mod to severe. It was severe but my cardiologist upped the dose of lasix and losartan and echo shows mod to severe. I’ve now switched to another cardiologist and he agrees...

Hi All, I realized by looking at my posts that i haven't been on the site for years. I had posted April 11,2014, and then my world changed. My husband told me the next morning, on April 12th, that he was leaving me, and he said I had changed since my last open heart surgery! He gave more...

I am in A-fib and have recently talked to the arrhythmia cardio about my options. He would recommend another cardioversion because he feels that I got almost 2 yrs a-fib free after my 1st cardioversion in '12. I spent some time online researching af and found that it almost always returns...

I found my paperwork on my surgery 5 years ago.(Feb.20) Thought I would pass on some info about the surgery. (new aortic valve inside graft, mitral repair, heavy scarring) Bypass time:332 minutes Clamp time:259 minutes Lowest temp achieved:27.2C. Total heparin dose:55,000units Kind of amazing we...

Yes, that's right, my heart is beating kinda crazily at times. I did find out something I didn't know before about A-fib. I mentioned to the cardiologist that I had a bad cold and when it was getting better finally, I noticed my heart beating more irregular. He said a bad cold could bring it on...

For those that followed my ordeal with melanoma removal and subsequent long recovery, I thought I'd let you know what my dermatologist recommended I put on my scar from 26 stitches. She said her favorite was vaseline, but 2nd favorite was coconut oil, and it may become her new favorite. So, I...

Had anyone read anything about the catheter method of placing a valve inside one's own deteriorating valve, or inside an already replaced tissue valve creating more stuff in there for bacteria to attach to? I was wondering about this, since my surgeon was pleased to do the valve inside a graft...

Well, my incision has decided to heal. I ended the 4th go round with antibiotics last Sunday. I will need to take bleach baths twice a week for 2 more months! I have just started walking my dog again, starting a short distance and will increase daily. It feels good, and I have a red scar. I...

Well, I finally talked my dermatologist into leaving the unna boot off my leg. However, she took another culture from the still open 1/2" wound right in the middle of the incision. Because it's still open, I will just have to place a duoderm patch on it and then use a compression stocking on my...

Well, it's been 5 1/2 weeks since my melanoma was removed. The unna boot was removed Monday after a week again, and it does look like it's closing up at both ends. The middle, where the actual melanoma was, is still a small opening and there are 2 small holes near it. They were oozing a bit...

It's been 16 days since my surgery to cut out a melanoma. The first 2 return visits I was still bleeding and the Doc left my stitches in and had the nurse re-boot my leg. Today, I was hoping to get the stitches out and leave without a boot. No such luck as my incision is still oozing. I have...

Yesterday I had a melanoma removed from my shin. I didn't have to go off Coumadin for this procedure. My dermatologist said that as long as the patient's INR is below 4, she is fine with doing outpatient surgeries with Coumadin in place. My INR was 2.5 yesterday. She was surprised that her...

I saw my cardio today to discuss my latest echo. I finally remembered to ask him if he has any patients with long lasting (20 yrs) tissue valves. He said he has a few, and that what comes to mind for him are the ones that don't last as expected. He has had 2 male patients lately whose tissue...

My husband and I were signing paperwork for a low interest loan, and I noticed the date of our trust we had done just 1 day before I checked into the hospital for my 3rd OHS. So, I have had my anniversary go by as any other day, but for me, it is a day I will always remember, Feb 20, 2009...